PhD in Electrical and Electronics Engineering (PhD)

The application deadline for the Nov 2026 intake is Nov 15, 2026, and tuition is Applicants must submit a separate application for the Graduate School's Competitive Assistantships by the early deadline of November 15, 2026, for Fall 2027 entry..

The program emphasizes research grounded in theoretical and applied engineering principles. Students engage in advanced study and conduct original research to address complex technical challenges. The curriculum supports deep exploration in specialized areas through faculty-mentored projects. Students work within interdisciplinary research centers and laboratories to develop practical solutions.

Focus areas include applied and computational electromagnetics, communications and signal processing, power systems and control engineering, material science and solid-state electronics.

The program requires 72 credit hours of study, including coursework and dissertation research. All credits are for the full Ph.D. degree, not a concentration.

Graduates pursue careers in technology sectors, postdoctoral research, tenure-track faculty positions, and senior research roles in government and industry.

Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution or its international equivalent. A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 is required. The application includes a statement of purpose, autobiographical statement, transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and a resume.

The programme totals about 72 credit hours. On-campus, full-time, typically lasting several years. For international students, tuition is well above the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 35% of applicants.

Howard University’s legacy is shaped by academic study, research, and service. Its community includes scholars, student researchers, athletes, artists, and entrepreneurs. The university carries the identity of an HBCU while preparing students for study and careers across a broad range of disciplines. Alumni stories include physicians, astrophysicists, educators, lawyers, public officials, and advocates whose work has reached beyond the campus.

Students can apply to more than 130 areas of study across 14 schools and colleges. Howard offers undergraduate, graduate, professional, and doctoral programs, with fields ranging from the humanities to scientific disciplines. Research and centers address health and medical issues, economic disparities, cybersecurity, nanotechnology, artificial intelligence and machine learning, drug abuse, energy systems, accounting and finance, women’s leadership, and journalism and democracy. The university has also launched an AI certificate program for undergraduate students.

Located in Washington, DC, Howard connects academic life with a city central to American government, public service, journalism, and cultural life. International students should review the university’s range of schools and degree levels carefully, since programs differ across undergraduate, graduate, professional, and doctoral study. Howard’s guiding phrase, “Excellence in Truth and Service,” reflects the university’s emphasis on student success and service to local and global communities.