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Credits and costs
Gain Electrical Engineering Skills to Help Pioneer Future Solutions
Conceptualize, evaluate, and formulate solutions to electrical engineering problems.
Apply advanced knowledge, techniques, and skills, and use software simulation to solve electrical engineering problems.
Perform the analyses required to define and solve problems.
Communicate your solutions to electrical engineering problems using software simulation tools such as MATLAB.
Customize Your Course List
Customize Your Course List
This 9-credit program offers a broad range of graduate courses to help you expand your knowledge base or focus on a specific interest. You can select courses from disciplines including electronic communication systems, control systems, signal processing, and power systems.
Required Courses (select 9 credits)
- 3credits
This course delves into the utilization of Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), specifically Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), renowned for their application in rapid prototyping and real-time designs.
- 3credits
Provides detailed performance analysis of communications systems first studied in introductory communications courses such as EE 360 or EE 461.
- 3credits
The major topics covered in this course include Signals and Systems representations, classifications, and analysis using; Difference and Differential Equations, Laplace Transform, Z-Transform, Fourier series, Fourier Transform, Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), Discrete-Time Fourier Transform (DTFT) and Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT).
- 3credits
Fundamentals, power transformers, transmission lines, power flow, fault calculations, power system controls.
- 3credits
Electromagnetic field theory fundamentals with application to transmission lines, waveguides, cavities, antennas, radar, and radio propagation.
- 3credits
Parametric modeling, spectral estimation, efficient transforms and convolution algorithms, multirate processing, and selected applications involving non-linear and time-variant filters.
- 3credits
Examine neural networks by exploiting graph theory for offering alternate solutions to classical problems in signal processing and control.
- 3credits
Review of probability theory and random variables; mathematical description of random signals; linear system response; Wiener, Kalman, and other filtering.
- Prerequisite
EE 350, STAT 418
- 3credits
Continuous and discrete-time linear control systems; state variable models; analytical design for deterministic and random inputs; time-varying systems and stability.
- 3credits
Variational methods in control system design; classical calculus of variations, dynamic programming, maximum principle; optimal digital control systems; state estimation.
- Prerequisite
EE 580
- 3credits
Steady-state and dynamic model of synchronous machines, excitation systems, unit commitment, control of generation, optimal power flow.
- Prerequisite
EE 488
- 3credits
Covers the application of advanced power electronics in power apparatus.
- 3credits
Tools to analyze and design discrete time (digital) control hardware and software systems; advantages of discrete time control, including increased flexibility in control modification and tuning, improved system reliability, easier system integration, and reduced design time.
Course Availability
If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.
Start or Advance Your Career
Start or Advance Your Career
You can use the knowledge gained from this program and the support of Penn State career resources if you are interested in transitioning to electrical engineering or if you are an electrical engineer looking to advance in the field.
Career Services to Set You Up for Success
From the day you're accepted as a student, you can access resources and tools provided by Penn State World Campus Career Services to further your career. These resources are beneficial whether you're searching for a job or advancing in an established career.
- Opportunities to connect with employers
- Career counselor/coach support
- Occupation and salary information
- Internships
- Graduate school resources
Ready to Learn More?
Get the resources you need to make informed decisions about your education. Request information on this program and other programs of interest by completing this form.
Ready to take the next step toward your Penn State graduate certificate?
Costs and Financial Aid
Costs and Financial Aid
Learn about this program's tuition, fees, scholarship opportunities, grants, payment options, and military benefits.
Costs and Financial Aid
Graduate Tuition
Graduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register. Tuition is due shortly after each semester begins and rates are assessed every semester of enrollment.
2024–25 Academic Year Rates
| How many credits do you plan to take per semester? | Cost |
|---|---|
| 11 or fewer | $1,027 per credit |
| 12 or more | $12,325 per semester |
2025–26 Academic Year Rates
| How many credits do you plan to take per semester? | Cost |
|---|---|
| 11 or fewer | $1,037 per credit |
| 12 or more | $12,448 per semester |
Paying for Your Certificate
Students pursuing a certificate are considered "nondegree," a status that is not eligible for federal student aid, including the Federal Direct Stafford Loan program. A private alternative loan may be an option to consider.
Additionally, Penn State offers many ways to pay for your education, including an installment plan and third-party payments. Penn State World Campus also offers an Employer Reimbursement and Tuition Deferment Plan. Learn more about the options for paying for your education.
Students pursuing a degree and meeting all other eligibility requirements may qualify for financial aid.
Military Benefits
Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents should explore these potential military education benefits and financial aid opportunities, as well.
Additional Cost of Attendance Details
To view the detailed list of cost of attendance elements:
- visit the Tuition Information site
- click the plus sign to expand the table
- select a semester from the World Campus row
Technical Requirements
Review the technical requirements for this program.
A Head Start toward a Master’s Degree
A Head Start toward a Master’s Degree
Not only can this program help create opportunities in your career, it can also give you a solid head start toward a full master’s degree.
Degree Program Related to This Certificate
Some or all credits earned for this certificate can be applied to the following Penn State World Campus degree program:
Prepare for a broad range of electrical engineering careers by focusing on practical, hands-on course work developed by experts in the field. This online master's degree program does not require GRE scores or a thesis.
Learn more about the Master of Engineering in Electrical EngineeringSet Your Own Pace
Set Your Own Pace
Whether you are looking to finish your program as quickly as possible or balance your studies with your busy life, Penn State World Campus can help you achieve your education goals. Many students take one or two courses per semester.
Our online courses typically follow a 12- to 15-week semester cycle, and there are three semesters per year (spring, summer, and fall). If you plan to take a heavy course load, you should expect your course work to be your primary focus and discuss your schedule with your academic adviser.
To Finish Your Certificate in Less than a Year
- Take 1–2 courses each semester
To Finish Your Certificate in One Year
- Take 1 course each semester
Timelines may vary based on course availability.
Convenient Online Format
This program's convenient online format gives you the flexibility you need to study around your busy schedule. You can skip the lengthy commute without sacrificing the quality of your education and prepare yourself for more rewarding career opportunities without leaving your home.
A Trusted Leader in Online Education
Penn State has a history of more than 100 years of distance education, and World Campus has been a leader in online learning for more than two decades. Our online learning environment offers the same quality education that our students experience on campus.
Information for Military and Veterans
Are you a member of the military, a veteran, or a military spouse? Please visit our military website for additional information regarding financial aid, transfer credits, and application instructions.
How to Apply to Penn State
How to Apply to Penn State
Apply by May 3 to start May 19
Application Instructions
Deadlines and Important Dates
Complete your application and submit all required materials by the appropriate deadline. Your deadline will depend on the semester you plan to start your courses.
Summer Deadline
Apply by May 3 to start May 19Fall Deadline
Apply by August 3 to start August 25Spring Deadline
Apply by December 20, 2025, to start January 12, 2026
Steps to Apply
It is expected that students have an ABET accredited Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) with a GPA of at least 3.0 in the final two years of school. Admission decisions will also be based on relevant transcripts, personal statement, work experience, and recommendation letters.
Those applying for admission as a candidate for the Postbaccalaureate Certificate in Electrical Engineering without an ABET accredited electrical engineering bachelor's degree may be admitted with a strong background in mathematics and evidence that they meet the prerequisites to selected certificate courses. The online electrical engineering postbaccalaureate certificate program does not offer online prerequisite courses.
Prerequisite math courses for students who have not earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering degree are: Calculus I, Calculus II, Calculus III (Multivariate calculus), Differential Equations, Complex Numbers, and Probability/Statistics. Evidence to meet certificate prerequisite courses may include: Electromagnetics, Electrical Communications, Control System Design, Digital Signal Processing, Power/Machines, Signal and Systems (Fourier and Laplace transforms), Physics (Calculus based), Computer Programming (C,C++ or equivalent), Electrical Circuits (Calculus based) and Electronic Circuits. It is also very helpful to have some experience in MATLAB programming.
The program contains many courses requiring a solid background in mathematics with at least three semesters of calculus including multivariate calculus, differential equations and probability/statistics. Students with a strong background in mathematics may apply. The admissions committee will consider the academic background, as evidenced by the transcript, as part of the overall application. All applicants are expected to have earned a junior/senior grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
Note: Technology degrees in electrical engineering are generally not equivalent to an electrical engineering bachelor's degree and therefore not accepted; applicants with a technology degree must meet all requirements and prerequisites to be considered.
You will need to upload the following items as part of your application:
Official transcripts from each institution attended, regardless of the number of credits or semesters completed. Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. If you are a Penn State alum, you do not need to request transcripts for credits earned at Penn State but must list Penn State as part of your academic history.
GPA and Test Scores — All applicants are expected to have earned a junior/senior grade-point average of 3.0 or higher. GRE or GMAT scores are NOT required for admission but will be considered if provided.
English Proficiency — The language of instruction at Penn State is English. With some exceptions, international applicants must take and submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Minimum test scores and exceptions are found in the English Proficiency section on the Graduate School's "Requirements for Graduate Admission" page. Visit the TOEFL website for testing information. Penn State's institutional code is 2660.
Program-Specific Questions/Materials
Résumé — Upload your résumé to the online application.
Statement of Purpose — Provide a one-page written statement of intent, highlighting academic background, work experience, skills, strengths, academic interests, and professional goals.
To begin the online application, you will need a Penn State account.
Create a New Penn State Account
If you have any problems during this process, contact an admissions counselor at [email protected].
Please note: Former Penn State students may not need to complete the admissions application or create a new Penn State account. Please visit our Returning Students page for instructions.
You can begin your online application at any time. Your progress within the online application system will be saved as you go, allowing you to return at any point as you gather additional information and required materials.
- Choose Enrollment Type: "Certificate Admission"
- Choose "WORLD CAMPUS" as the campus
Checking Your Status
You can check the status of your application by using the same login information established for the online application form.5. Complete the application.
Admissions Help
If you have questions about the admissions process, contact an admissions counselor at [email protected].
Contact Us
Contact Us
Have questions or want more information? We're happy to talk.
To learn more about the Postbaccalaureate Certificate in Electrical Engineering, please contact:
For general questions about the program:
Dr. Robert A. Gray, Professor-in-Charge
Phone: 717-948-4349
Email: [email protected]
For general questions about Penn State World Campus:
World Campus Admissions Counselors
Phone: 814-863-5386
Email: [email protected]
Learn from the Best
Learn from the Best
The Postbaccalaureate Certificate in Electrical Engineering is offered in partnership with the Penn State Harrisburg School of Science, Engineering, and Technology and the Penn State Department of Electrical Engineering.
The Penn State College of Engineering is consistently ranked among the nation's best engineering schools, according to U.S. News & World Report. And when you graduate, you'll receive a certificate identical to those earned by students on campus.
Faculty
Robert A. Gray
- DegreePh.D., Electrical Engineering, Ohio University
- DegreeM.S.E.E., Air Force Institute of Technology
- DegreeB.S.E.E., Ohio University
Dr. Robert A. Gray is the professor-in-charge for the Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering. He teaches courses in embedded systems and systems engineering, reliability engineering, information systems, electronic navigation systems (GPS, inertial navigation, MEMs), digital systems, intelligent vehicle systems, Kalman filtering, wireless communications, electromagnetics and radar, electric circuits, and microcontrollers. Dr. Gray's research interests include applied research, embedded systems, medical devices, intelligent vehicle systems, and systems engineering.
Peter Idowu
DegreePh.D., Electrical Engineering, The University of ToledoDr. Peter Idowu’s research interests include hardware-based microgrid test beds, MAS control of microgrids, induction motor current signature analysis, adaptive stabilizers for multimachine power systems, and power engineering education. Dr. Idowu teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in power systems analysis and operation and control of power systems. He manages the PPL Electric Utilities Power Lab research facility at Penn State Harrisburg.
David J. Miller
- DegreePh.D., Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara
- DegreeM.S., Electrical Engineering, University of Pennsylvania
- DegreeB.Sc. E., Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Princeton University
Dr. David J. Miller's research interests include machine learning, source coding, network security, and bioinformatics. Dr. Miller is a member of the IEEE Signal Processing Society Conference Board and a member of the Machine Learning for Signal Processing (MLSP) Technical Committee; he was the chair of the committee from 2007–2009. He was general chair for the 2001 IEEE Workshop on Neural Networks for Signal Processing. From 2004–2007, he was associate editor for IEEE Transactions on Signal Processing. He received the National Science Foundation CAREER Award in 1996.
Aldo Morales
- DegreePh.D., Electrical and Computer Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo
- DegreeM.S., Electrical and Computer Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo
- DegreeB.Sc. E. E., Northern University (Now University of Tarapaca), Arica, Chile
- DegreeThesis: “Discriminator for Telemetry”
Dr. Aldo Morales' research interests include signal integrity, FPGA implementation for high-speed applications, communications, digital signal, image and video processing, wavelets, mathematical morphology and nonlinear signal processing, and neural networks. He teaches courses in digital signal processing, topics in digital signal processing, random variables and stochastic processes, wavelets, signal and systems, neural networks (undergraduate), and communications.
Victor P. Pasko
DegreePh.D., Electrical Engineering, Stanford UniversityDr. Victor P. Pasko's research interests include atmospheric electrodynamics, atmospheric acoustic-gravity waves, gas discharge phenomena, computational plasma physics, and electromagnetics. He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in the areas of engineering electromagnetics, plasmas, and plasma-assisted materials processing. From 2005 to 2008, Dr. Pasko served as chair of Atmospheric and Space Electricity Focus Group of American Geophysical Union. He served as a chair of U.S. Commission of International Union of Radio Science from 2011 to 2014.
Mohammad-Reza Tofighi
- DegreePh.D., Electrical Engineering, Electrophysics, Drexel University
- DegreeM.S., Electrical Engineering, Communications, Iran University of Science and Technology
- DegreeB.S., Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Sharif University of Technology
Dr. Mohammad-Reza Tofighi’s research interests are in radio frequency (RF) and microwave technology. A member of Penn State Harrisburg’s electrical engineering faculty since 2004, he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses on RF and microwave engineering, engineering electromagnetics, antennas, communication systems, and electronics.
Scott van Tonningen
- DegreePh.D., Electrical Engineering, University of Colorado
- DegreeM.S., Electrical Engineering, University of Illinois
- DegreeB.S., Electrical Engineering, United States Air Force Academy
Dr. Scott van Tonningen teaches courses in the areas of electrical power, control systems, optimal control, linear signals and systems, and electronics. His research interests include the areas of optimal control, numerical methods, and nonlinear systems.
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