Earning a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in electrical engineering can be a good way to prepare for advancement in the field. If you earn this degree, it may allow you to seek positions that offer higher pay or help improve your chances of being promoted to a supervisory position. You may even use this advanced degree to land a position teaching electrical engineering. Each school may have somewhat different requirements for those who want to earn an electrical engineering PhD. Most schools, however, require applicants to have bachelor's degrees, official transcripts, standardized test scores, and letters of recommendation; some schools may require or prefer applicants to hold master's degrees as well.
In most cases, you'll have to obtain a high school diploma or a jurisdiction-accepted credential as the first step toward earning an electrical engineering PhD. While earning good grades and participating in activities may help you to get into the college of your choice, you may do well to pay particular attention to your math and science classes. Advanced courses in these subjects may help you prepare well for higher education and eventually a career in electrical engineering.
A four-year college degree is typically among the major requirements you'll have to meet to earn an electrical engineering PhD. You'll typically need to earn a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, another engineering field, or a related science in order to gain acceptance to an electrical engineering PhD program. Some schools, however, may prefer students who have also earned master's degrees in a related field.
You are likely to face other requirements when you are applying to an electrical engineering PhD program. You will typically need a reasonably high grade point average to gain admission, though each school's minimum GPA may vary. You'll usually have to provide official transcripts from previously attended colleges as well. Most schools also require applicants to submit standardized test scores, letters of recommendation, and a statement of personal goals.
Electrical engineering programs typically include a core of courses as well as independent study or projects. Likewise, you'll typically have to write and defend a PhD thesis as part of the process for earning this degree. Some schools, however, offer students the option of preparing a thesis or taking comprehensive exams instead. The amount of time you'll need to earn an electrical engineering PhD may depend on where you decide to go to school and how much time you commit to your education each semester. In many cases, however, students are able to earn PhD degrees in three to five years.
