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Computer Science PhD student in front of computers

Marquette.edu // Graduate School // Programs  //

PhD in Computer Science

Earn a phd in computer science in milwaukee, wisconsin.

The growth of the computing field has created a huge demand for highly specialized skilled researchers and workers in the areas of software engineering, data science and analytics, big data, privacy and security, internet of things, bioinformatics, mHealth (mobile health) and many other related areas.

The PhD program in computer science at Marquette University prepares students for careers in research, industry, research laboratories, and institutions of higher education. The program allows students to tailor coursework based on their interests and strengths. The program places particular emphasis on students contributing to applied research in computer science. Expand all   |   Collapse all  

Program Highlights

The key features of this program include the interdisciplinary research opportunities in various research areas such as bioinformatics, data science, health informatics and computer education, our faculty members have strong collaborations across departments, colleges within Marquette and other institutions in the area, and the Northwestern Data Science Institute offering industry collaboration opportunities.

Learning Outcomes

  • Survey, synthesize and evaluate research publications in their selected research area.
  • Propose a research problem and novel solutions that contribute to the advancement of knowledge.
  • Design and execute original research that results in a major written scholarly work.
  • Communicate the results of research effectively both in written and oral formats.

The program includes 45 credits of coursework and 12 dissertation credits. Student will be able to complete the program on a full-time basis in four to five years.

Students are generally fully funded through research assistantships and teaching assistantships as long as they maintain good standing within the program.

Career Opportunities

A PhD in computer science from Marquette University will produce graduates with state-of-the-art knowledge and competitive research capabilities in computer science professions.

Students successfully completing the PhD program are prepared to meet the demands for highly specialized research-scholars in areas related to computer science such as big data, data science, bioinformatics, computer security and systems in academic positions as well as careers in local or national industrial or government research laboratories and non-profit or policy institutes. 

Our Ph.D. in computer science program is a STEM-designated program, which means international students are eligible to apply for 36 months of Optional Practical Training, allowing employers to potentially hire international students for up to three years instead of only one.

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  • Admission Requirements
  • Application Details
  • Application Deadline
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Ready to learn more about Marquette's PhD in computer science?  Request more information now  or   schedule a campus visit.

Graduate Program Recruiter

phone: (414) 288-7139

email:  [email protected]

Email the Graduate School

To be eligible for admission to the Graduate School at Marquette University, applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution or international equivalent must be completed prior to starting graduate school.
  • A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
  • Demonstrated English proficiency for non-U.S. citizens.
  • A bachelor's degree in a computer science related discipline is required.

Application Requirements

Read all   application instructions   prior to beginning an application.

  • A completed online application form and fee
  • If coursework was completed within the United States, submit copies of all current and previous college/universities except Marquette 1
  • If coursework was completed outside of the United States, a transcript evaluation is required. A copy of a course-by-course evaluation is approved for the application process. 2
  • Three   letters of recommendation   addressing the applicant's academic qualifications for graduate study in the intended program
  • GRE scores   (general test only) Although normally required, the GRE is optional for students applying for the 2023-24 Academic Year.
  • For international applicants only:   TOEFL score or   other acceptable proof   of English proficiency
  • English-language publications authored by the applicant, including a master's thesis or essay, if applicable (optional, but strongly recommended)
  • Statement of purpose outlining relevant education or work experience, career goals, possible areas of interest, and reasons for seeking admission to this program

1 Upon admission, final official transcripts from all previously attended colleges/universities, with certified English translations if original language is not English, must be submitted to the Graduate School within the first five weeks of the term of admission or a hold preventing registration for future terms will be placed on the student’s record. 

2Upon admission, an official course-by-course transcript/academic record evaluation must be submitted to the Graduate School within the first five weeks of the term of admission or a hold preventing registration for future terms will be placed on the student’s record. 

January 15: Priority deadline for admission and merit-based aid consideration for the fall term. After the priority deadline, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as space permits and may be submitted any time before the following dates:

  • Fall term admissions- August 1 (June 1 for international applicants)

Study with a collective computer science faculty

Marquette computer science faculty members have expertise in some of the most sought-after areas of computer science research such as systems, algorithms, machine learning, data science and security. Many faculty members are recognized as leading researchers both nationally and internationally in their areas. The collective faculty expertise combined with the expertise of other faculty members from other disciplines across campus will produce doctoral graduates with cross-training, critical thinking and computational skills.

Computer Science Faculty

For financial aid opportunities, please email Dr. Praveen Madiraju , graduate chair of the Department of Computer Science.

Program Snapshot

Application Deadline: January 15 

Full-Time: Yes | Online Options: No

STEM OPT Eligible

Computer Science Department

Program Course Work

Tuition Cost Per Credit:  $1,360.00 Other costs exist, see here.

Start Your Application

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Computer Sciences

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Celebrating December 2024 Computer Sciences graduates

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Congratulations, CS grads! Get ready for commencement here

2694 CS majors Fall 2024

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$ 128 K $128K Average starting salary for graduates of the Professional Master’s Program

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Computer Sciences’ top ten stories of 2024

From breakthroughs in research to leaps in rankings, these headlines capture some of the massive achievements made in the 60th year of Computer Sciences at UW–Madison.

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UW-Madison team does it again, placing first at regional ICPC

For the sixth year in a row, UW-Madison has placed first at the regional round of the International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC).

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More news items here

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Good news provided by CS faculty:

(gathered by former Chair Remzi Arpaci-Dusseau)

September 2024:

  • Prof Somesh Jha and colleagues won the USENIX Security Test of Time Award for their work on “Privacy in Pharmacogenetics: An End-to-End Case Study of Personalized Warfarin Dosing” (presented at USENIX Security ‘14).  [1]
  • Prof Aws Albarghouthi gave a talk entitled “Uncertainty and my scientific journey” at the PLDI Mentoring Workshop.  [2]
  • More info on Prof Bart Miller and Prof Patrick McDaniels ’ work on their National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Research.  [3]
  • The CS department made four inaugural alumni awards. Thanks to Prof Suman Banerjee and many others for getting this excellent process up and running! [4]
  • Prof Yong Jae Lee was awarded an NSF grant for his proposal “Understanding and Advancing the Generalization Capabilities of Fake Image Detectors”.  [5]
  • Prof Matt Sinclair gave two talks: “Designing Better Tools for Power- and Sustainability-Aware Co-Design” as an invited talked at ModSim at and “Learning How to Use gem5 to Study Large-Scale Workloads” as an invited tutorial on gem5 at ORNL.  [6]
  • Prof Bilge Mutlu is part of a new NSF Engineering Research Center around advancing the state of the art in “dexterous robotics”.  [7]
  • Prof Remzi Arpaci-Dusseau was appointed the special advisor to the Provost on computing. [9]
  • We all welcome four new professors to the department: Prof Ali Abedi, Prof Sandeep Silwal, Prof Manolis Vlatakis, and Prof Tengyang Xie . [10]

Notes and more good news!

  • University of Wisconsin-Madison

DEGREE Electrical and Computer Engineering, PhD

Doctoral degree in electrical and computer engineering

As a PhD student in electrical and computer engineering, you can engage in creative approaches to solving problems through research in any of several cross-cutting areas of your choosing- among them, data science, healthcare, mobile computing, security and infrastructure resilience, sensors and sensing, and sustainability. Within those cross-cutting areas, you’ll be able to specialize in areas that include applied electromagnetics and acoustics; communications, networks, privacy and security; solid-state electronics and quantum technologies; machine learning, signal processing and information theory; computer systems and architecture; plasma science and fusion energy; energy systems; optics and photonics, and optimization and control.

At a glance

Electrical and computer engineering department, learn more about what information you need to apply., how to apply.

Please consult the table below for key information about this degree program’s admissions requirements. The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below the table or on the program’s website.

Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s). Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online .

Admissions Process

A submitted online  application  is required, consisting of:

  • Statement of purpose; see the suggested guidelines provided by the Graduate School
  • The supplemental application section that identifies their research interest area
  • Most up to date unofficial transcript(s) from all previous higher education institutions, regardless of whether or not a degree was earned (official transcripts are requested of only recommended applicants); international academic records must be in the original language accompanied by an official English translation.
  • Payment of the one-time application fee of $75.00, plus the $6.00 international processing fee if applicable; this fee is non-refundable. It can be paid by credit card (MasterCard or Visa).
  • Test scores and three letters of recommendation as detailed above.

Applications must be entirely complete by the deadline, including test scores and letters of recommendation. Note that it is highly advised to take the GRE and English proficiency tests well in advance of the application deadline in order to ensure time for receiving and processing of the scores. Do not mail any paper copies of application materials, except IELTS scores. They will not be reviewed.

Information for international students, including proof of funding and visa information, can be found on the International Student Services website .

By Wisconsin state law, the application fee can only be waived or deferred under the conditions outlined by the Graduate School .

The department welcomes applications from scientific, engineering, and mathematical disciplines other than Electrical and Computer Engineering. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree may apply directly to the PhD program.

English Competency for Non-Native English Speakers

Effective written and oral communication is vital for a successful academic career. International students whose native language is not English will be required to take the English as a Second Language Assessment Test (ESLAT), offered by the English as a Second Language (ESL) Program.

The ESLAT must be taken as soon as the student arrives at the university. The test is offered in the Fall and Spring during the week before the beginning of instruction. The  ESL home page   has more information.

Based on ESLAT performance, specific ESL courses may be recommended. These courses must be taken and passed within 12 months of the ESLAT. Otherwise, the student will not be permitted to register during the third semester after entering the graduate program. Any ESL courses numbered 300 or above can be counted towards graduate degree requirements but not toward E C E course requirements. Completion of ESLAT and recommended courses is also a requirement for graduation of an international student whose native language is not English.

Students are exempt from taking the ESLAT if:

  • English is the exclusive language of instruction at the undergraduate institution; or
  • they have earned a degree from a regionally accredited US college or university not more than 5 years prior to the anticipated semester of enrollment; or
  • they have completed at least two full-time semesters of graded course work, exclusive of ESL courses, in a US college or university, or at an institution outside the US where English is the exclusive language of instruction, not more than 5 years prior to the anticipated semester of enrollment.

Reentry Admissions

If you were previously enrolled as a graduate student at UW–Madison, but have had a break in enrollment for at least one fall or spring semester, you will need to apply to resume your studies.

For applicants previously enrolled in a graduate program other than Electrical and Computer Engineering, you must complete a  new   online application, including all materials, for admission.

For applicants previously enrolled in Electrical and Computer Engineering as a graduate student, you must complete a  reentry   application. Reentry applicants may apply for the fall term with a deadline of June 1.

In order to apply as a reentry applicant, you must:

  • Complete the online application , including the personal information section, program and term selection, and supplementary application;
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Any new unofficial transcripts from previous higher education institutions
  • Three letters of recommendation if the break in enrollment equals or is greater than four semesters (fall, spring). Letters of recommendation should be emailed directly from the recommender.

Current Graduate Student Admissions

Students currently enrolled as a graduate student at UW-Madison, whether in or other than Electrical and Computer Engineering, wishing to apply to this degree program should contact the Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate Admissions Team ( [email protected] ) to inquire about the process and respective deadlines several months in advance of the anticipated enrollment term. Current students may apply to change or add programs for any term (fall, spring, or summer).

Review the frequently asked questions answered by the Graduate School  here . 

If you have any admissions questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate Admissions Team at  [email protected] .

Tuition and funding

Tuition and segregated fee rates are always listed per semester (not for Fall and Spring combined).

Graduate School Resources

Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid.  Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.

Program Resources

PhD students entering the program in Fall 2019 or later will receive a financial support package at the time of admission that may include some combination of research and teaching assistantships, internal and external fellowships, and/or other sources. 

Research Assistantships (RA)

Students should contact professors in their area of interest. Professors decide whom they will appoint on their research grants.

Teaching Assistantships (TA) and Grader Positions

Current graduate students may apply for teaching assistantships or  hourly grader positions via the  ECE TA/Grader Portal  (must have a NetID to access).  If you are interested in applying for TA or grader position in a department other than ECE, please contact the respective department to ask about their own application process. Students currently holding a research assistant or fellowship position that are interested in teaching assistant positions should discuss options with their research advisor(s) before applying. 

International students who are non-native English speakers are required to pass the  SPEAK Test  through the English as a Second Language Program on campus. Students wishing to take the SPEAK Test should contact the ECE TA Coordinator via e-mail to register for the exam.

Project Assistantships  (PA)

There are project assistant opportunities on campus for various purposes and departments and offices. Often announcements of openings are posted on TA/PA bulletin boards in Engineering Hall and on the  UW Job Center webpage . You may also contact individual faculty members to inquire about possible opportunities. 

Fellowships

Information concerning fellowships is sent to graduate students via email from the department, faculty, and/or the Graduate School.

Ranked 6th in the national research category for public universities by the National Science Foundation, UW-Madison continues to be a leader of exploration and discovery. The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is a proud part of that reputation of research excellence, boasting award-winning faculty, advanced facilities and laboratories, and a culture of creativity, innovation and diligence.

View our research

Curricular Requirements

Minimum graduate school requirements.

Review the Graduate School minimum  academic progress and degree requirements , in addition to the program requirements listed below.

Required Courses

Research, independent study, coop, or seminar credits (e.g.,  E C E 610 , E C E 611 , E C E 699 , E C E 702 , E C E 790 , E C E 890 , E C E 990 , E C E 999 , E C E/​N E/​PHYSICS  922 ) may not be used to satisfy this requirement.

Electrical and Computer Engineering courses used to satisfy minor requirements may not be used to satisfy this requirement.

Seminar Requirement

All on-campus Electrical and Computer Engineering graduate students must register for E C E 610 Seminar in Electrical and Computer Engineering during their first semester of graduate studies.  PhD degree seeking students must take 1 credit of E C E 610 in the fall semester of which they are entering the program and 2 credits of E C E 611 Introduction to Doctoral Research in Electrical & Computer Engineering in the following spring semester. This requirement must be done in the PhD student’s first year.

The purpose of E C E 610 is to prepare students for success in graduate school and expose them to areas within Electrical and Computer Engineering as well as related fields outside of Electrical and Computer Engineering, such as biotechnology, physics, computer science, mathematics, or business. Electrical and Computer Engineering is very interdisciplinary in nature, and so it is important for students to be aware of advanced research and development in areas other than their own.

The purpose of  E C E 611  is to emphasize research experiences and methodologies to prepare students to pursue PhD research work.

ECE Graduate Admissions [email protected] 3182 Mechanical Engineering 1513 University Ave, Madison, WI 53706

ECE Graduate Student Services 3182 Mechanical Engineering 1513 University Ave, Madison, WI 53706

Student Focus – Shimaa Ahmed

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