We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Education

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

How do I Earn a Computer Engineering PhD?

By G. Wiesen
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 2,124
Share

The first step toward a Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in computer engineering is typically to receive a four-year degree, such as a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering or a related field. You will likely want to begin applying at graduate programs while you are still working on your bachelor’s degree, and you should consider any specific requirements for graduate programs as you are completing your undergraduate work. Once you are admitted into a graduate program you will then usually need to complete required coursework and testing, as well as prepare a doctoral thesis or dissertation and present and defend your work before receiving your computer engineering PhD.

To begin working on your computer engineering PhD you should typically start off by receiving a four-year degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field. Some graduate programs require that you have a master’s degree as well, while other schools will admit someone with a bachelor’s degree. These programs usually require that you complete coursework to receive a master’s degree as you work on your computer engineering PhD. You may also need to take certain tests to be eligible for admission, such as the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), and international students may need to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) as well.

Once you satisfy the requirements for admission and are admitted into a school, you will then usually need to complete a certain amount of coursework and research to receive your computer engineering PhD. If you do not have a master’s degree then the program will likely take a few years longer. You will likely need to take some form of PhD qualifying examinations to become a PhD candidate and progress in your work, and you may be expected to assist other professors or teach classes. Once you pass these exams, you will then be ready to begin the research necessary to earn your computer engineering PhD.

This research is typically aimed at identifying some problem or issue in the field of computer engineering or science and then doing research and work to find a way to solve this problem or improve the issue. The problem you choose and how you will approach it typically forms the basis of a doctoral thesis which you will present to an adviser for approval. Once approved, you will likely spend several years researching and working on the issue before finally publishing and presenting your work. A final public defense of your work is usually the last step toward your computer engineering PhD and once complete you will have earned your degree.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/how-do-i-earn-a-computer-engineering-phd.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.