PhD Electrical and Computer Engineering at University of Hawaii at Manoa

Programme overview

The PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering requires broad understanding of electrical engineering fundamentals, deep knowledge of a chosen specialty, original dissertation research under a faculty advisor, and a substantial teaching project.

Faculty: College of Engineering | Department: Electrical and Computer Engineering | Study mode: full-time | Location: Honolulu, HI, United States

What you will study

The programme requires 40 credits: 9 credits of 600-level major-track courses, 3 credits of 600-level courses outside the track, ECE 790 Directed Instruction (3), ECE 699 (24) and ECE 800 (1). Students pass an oral qualifying examination by the end of the second semester, a comprehensive examination within three years (dissertation proposal), and a final dissertation defense, and attend at least twelve seminars.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Doctoral students must hold an MS in ECE or equivalent; otherwise the MS programme course requirements must be met. Graduate Division English proficiency (applicants whose native language is not English; programme minimums may be higher): TOEFL iBT 61 (pre-2026 scale) or 3.5 (2026 scale), IELTS Academic 5.5, Duolingo 90.

Domestic applicants: USD 10,400 a year (2026-27). Graduate tuition for 2026-27 based on a typical full-time load of 8 credits per semester (indicative budget figure from the cost of attendance page); excludes fees ($934), housing, food, books and other costs. Hawaii resident rate. Source

International applicants: USD 22,432 a year (2026-27). Graduate tuition for 2026-27 based on a typical full-time load of 8 credits per semester (indicative budget figure from the cost of attendance page); excludes fees ($934), housing, food, books and other costs. Non-resident rate. Source

Graduate applications are accepted for Summer, Fall and Spring terms; Graduate Division begins processing applications from August 1 for the following Fall and Summer semester and from April 1 for the following Spring semester.

All graduate application deadlines are set by the graduate programmes and vary by programme; some programmes set priority deadlines. Most Fall applicants hear a decision by late March/early April and Spring applicants by November/December. Application fees are non-refundable.

Apply through the official page: https://manoa.hawaii.edu/graduate/

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