Skip to main content

How to Apply | ECE

Admission is based on the applicant’s record of academic performance, standardized test scores, and letters of reference.  Each applicant should highlight relevant work experience and detail academic goals and research interests in a written statement of purpose. Information on required undergraduate prerequisite courses can be found on the UG Course Requirements page.

Apply Now

Deadlines

FALL ENROLLMENT – February 1* is the priority deadline.

SPRING ENROLLMENT – October 1** is the priority deadline.

SUMMER ENROLLMENT – Students are only admitted to a summer term under special circumstances (e.g., recruited students with assistantship offers when agreed upon by the student and their faculty advisor). Any other student who applies for a summer term will be evaluated for Fall enrollment.

*Applications may be submitted after February 1 and will be reviewed on a rolling basis until May 1. Any application received after May 1 will be evaluated for Spring enrollment.

**Applications may be submitted after October 1 and will be reviewed on a rolling basis until November 1. Any application received after November 1 will be evaluated for Fall enrollment.

Test Scores and Requirements

The ECE department does not have a minimum GRE, TOEFL or GPA, our application review committee looks at all parts of the application to determine if you have the educational background to be successful in our program.  Please note that our program has very high expectations of our applicants. You can view Clemson's minimum English Language Proficiency requirements for Graduate Admissions here: Graduate School English Language Proficiency for Graduate Admissions

The following supporting materials are required for our graduate application package:

  • Personal Statement
  • Resume
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation
  • Transcripts (unofficial at time of application, official transcript will be required if accepted)
  • GRE - GRE scores are not required, but may be submitted, Clemson Institution code = 5111
  • Official documentation demonstrating English language proficiency - International Students only. Details can be found on the Graduate School English Language Proficiency for Graduate Admissions website.

For more information, please see our FAQ section and our Graduate Student Handbook or contact our department at ecegrad@clemson.edu.

Important Information Regarding the Application

To help ensure your application gets the attention of the most relevant area of ECE specialization, applicants are strongly encouraged to:

  1. Indicate the specific research area of specialization desired for their graduate program. Please use the name of one of the major focus areas listed here at the major specialty area desired. 
    • Computing and Communications
    • Energy Systems
    • Intelligent Systems
    • Photonics, Electronics and Quantum Systems
  2. If an applicant has had prior and significant communications with current ECE faculty, please indicate this in the personal statement section of the application.

Acceptable Language Proficiency Exams

TOEFL iBT (international students): A satisfactory score (80 or higher) is required of international students whose native language is not English. Clemson’s institution code is 5111. TOEFL iBT scores are valid for two years.

TOEFL Essentials (international students):  A satisfactory score (8.5 or higher) is required of international students whose native language is not English. Clemson’s institution code is 5111. TOEFL Essential scores are valid for two years.

Duolingo English Test (international students):  A satisfactory score (115 or higher) is required of international students whose native language is not English. Duolingo English Test scores are valid for two years.

IELTS (international students): Can be taken in lieu of TOEFL. A satisfactory score (6.5 or higher) is required of international students whose native language is not English. IELTS scores are valid for two years.

PTE Academic (international students): Can be taken in lieu of TOEFL. A satisfactory score (54 or higher) is required of international students whose native language is not English. PTE Academic scores are valid for two years.

Read guidelines for English Language Proficiency Exemptions.