Build something real in Houston
Design and test an advanced product or analyze real-world data in a year-long capstone. Some teams work with companies, faculty or Texas Medical Center startups.
Why Rice for your MECE?
Rice's Master of Electrical and Computer Engineering is built for engineers and computer scientists who want to design the chips, systems and AI behind modern technology
Earn up to a 66% tuition scholarship
Every MECE applicant is considered for a merit scholarship covering 25% to 66% of full-time tuition. Awards are shared in admission letters.
Get individual mentoring
Rice’s small size means faculty, including your program director and academic advisors, work directly with you on skills, internships and job searches.
Where can a Master of Electrical and Computer Engineering take you?
Rice MECE graduates design chips and GPUs, build AI and machine learning systems, develop software and engineer wireless technology. Many land their first job in integrated circuit design, with Silicon Valley and Austin as the most common destinations.
Career paths:
- System-on-a-chip (SoC) design
- Machine learning engineering
- ASIC design
- Software engineering
- GPU post-silicon engineering
- Research data science
- AI engineering
- RF engineering
Program Overview
Choose one of seven specializations and take two advanced courses in the area you want to work in.
AI and Systems
Design machine learning models and the computing systems that run them efficiently.
Computer Engineering
Design chips, circuits and computer architectures, from VLSI to custom hardware.
Computer Vision
Teach machines to see, using imaging, sensing and deep learning.
Digital Health
Build sensors, imaging and AI tools that improve health care, with ties to the Texas Medical Center.
Neuroengineering
Develop technology that measures, analyzes and influences activity in the brain and nervous system.
Quantum Engineering
Apply photonic, electronic and magnetic technologies to quantum sensing, simulation and networks.
Wireless Systems
Design the signals, networks and devices behind next-generation wireless.
The Master of Electrical and Computer Engineering requires 30 to 32 credit hours (at least 10 courses) at the 500 level or above. At least 27 credit hours must be taken at Rice.
- Capstone: one foundations course plus a two-semester capstone project, ELEC 594 (9 credit hours).
- Specialization: two courses in your chosen area (6 credit hours).
- Engineering software development: two courses (6 to 8 credit hours).
- Engineering communications: one course (3 credit hours).
- Electives: two free electives, which can include research with a faculty member (6 credit hours).
- Seminar: tELEC 698 each semester in residence (0 credit hours).
Put it all into practice
Over two semesters, your team designs, builds and tests an advanced product or delivers a real-world data analysis with societal impact. Sponsors include companies and faculty across Rice, including computer science and materials science. Some projects lead to summer internships.
Representative courses
ELEC 515
Efficient Machine Learning
Build machine learning systems that save energy and time by designing algorithms and computer architecture together. Then explore emerging approaches like brain-inspired AI.
ELEC 521
Advanced Digital Integrated Circuits Design
Tackle advanced custom digital IC design, from modeling new devices and interconnects to low-power, high-performance circuits for security and machine learning.
ELEC 527
VLSI Systems Design
Learn how MOS devices are built and behave, then design, simulate and verify logic using VLSI design methods.
ELEC 537
Intelligent Mobile Systems
Build mobile systems that sense, communicate and decide on limited energy, compute and bandwidth, using wireless localization, sensor fusion and on-device AI.
Program Details
- Degree: Master of Electrical and Computer Engineering (MECE)
- Format: On campus in Houston
- Degree type: Non-thesis
- Program length: Three semesters full-time (fall, spring, fall). Longer part-time.
- Program start: Fall
- Enrollment: Full-time or part-time
- Credit hours: 30 to 32 (at least 27 at Rice)
What are the admission requirements for the Rice MECE?
Applicants should prepare:
- Bachelor's degree, usually in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science or statistics
- Transcripts from all colleges attended (unofficial copies are fine to apply)
- 3.0+ GPA/li>
- Statement of purpose
- Current resume or CV
- At least three letters of recommendation
- $85 application fee
- TOEFL (90 minimum), IELTS (7 minimum) or Duolingo (115 minimum), if applicable
- GRE recommended, but not required
Other majors are welcome, though you may need to build some background on your own before you start.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Every applicant is considered for a merit-based scholarship covering 25% to 66% of full-time tuition. Additionally, U.S. citizens and permanent residents may also explore loans and other financial resources through the Rice Financial Aid Office.
Explore Tuition & Financial ResourcesThe Rice MECE is a non-thesis professional degree designed for engineers headed to industry.
Learn more about why we are proud to call Houston home.
The MECE is built on coursework and a capstone project for careers in industry. The PhD is a research degree. Rice ECE does not admit students directly to the MS. PhD students earn it on the way to the doctorate.
The MECE Digital Health specialization is designed mainly for students with an electrical and computer engineering background. The Master of Digital Health takes a more interdisciplinary approach for students from a wider range of engineering and science fields.
Most full-time students finish in three semesters (fall, spring, fall), with the summer open for an internship. Part-time students take longer.
Yes. You can enroll full-time or part-time.
No. Most students hold a bachelor's in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science or statistics. Other majors are welcome, though you may need to build some background on your own before you start.
No. It is not required, but recommended.
A year-long team project, sponsored by a company or faculty member, where you design, build and test a product or deliver a real-world data analysis. You take one foundations course first, then the capstone (ELEC 594) for two semesters.
No, but the summer is open for one, and many MECE students take it. Your advisors help with the search, and the Center for Career Development(CCD) offers one-on-one coaching, resume review, interview preparation and access to Rice's alumni and employer network.
Yes. Every applicant is considered for a merit scholarship covering 25% to 66% of full-time tuition. No separate application is needed.
Yes. The MECE program admits students for both the fall and spring semesters.
Up to one course (3 credit hours) may be applied with approval from the department and the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.
Yes. Rice undergraduates can pursue the MECE through the fifth-year option. Courses cannot count toward both degrees.
Registration for new MECE students begins during orientation week via Ester Your login information will be sent from graduate@rice.edu once your application is processed.
You're billed for tuition and fees when you register. Rice offers a payment plan that spreads payments across the semester. See the Bursar's Office for details.
For more detailed information about admissions, please visit Graduate Admissions (opens in a new tab) .
Fall applications open September 1.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so apply early.
| Start term | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall 2027 (priority) | December 15, 2026 |
| Fall 2027 (late) | January 15, 2027 |
Ready to take the next step?
The chips, networks and AI systems of the next decade need engineers who can design them. Apply by December 15 to start in fall 2027.
Have questions?
Join an information session, request more information or contact us at ecemece@rice.edu.