Many people who have a bachelor’s degree decide that they would like to pursue a different career path. Electrical and Computer Engineering are appealing possibilities, but a bachelor’s or higher degree is required by almost all employers. We offer a bridge program in which students are able to complete a Master of Science degree in approximately the same time that would normally be required to complete a second bachelor’s of science degree. Bridge students with bachelor’s degrees in diverse fields such as physics, biology, philosophy, international studies, graphic arts, math, English, and performing arts have successfully completed our program.
**NEW** Embedded Systems/Computer Architecture Bridge Program for Students with a Computer Science Bachelors - please see that focus area below.
Timeline
The timeline for completion of the bridge and master’s program is different for every student due to the individualized nature of the program. Students that come from a STEM background may only need a handful of bridge courses, while others may have to start from scratch with math, engineering, and programming courses.
International students are not eligible for the bridge program.
How to Participate
Submit the Bridge Program Questionnaire so we can get to know you and help with creating a course plan that fits with your life and future career goals. There is no formal admission to the program, students begin taking courses once they have confirmed a course plan with the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department.
You may begin the program by taking equivalent courses at a community college once you have confirmed a course plan and provided notification of your intent to participate in the Bridge program to the ECE Department.
Please contact the ECE Department at eceinfo@pdx.edu if you have any questions about the program.
Program Requirements
As a bridge student, you will take a specific sequence of undergraduate courses designed to prepare you for your master’s program. If you have already learned some of the foundational material as part of your bachelor’s degree or through independent learning, you may have some of the required courses waived. The number of bridge courses required depends on your background and past experience and your chosen area of specialization. We require a letter grade of B or better in all bridge courses for future admission to the Master’s program, but may allow lower grades if they happen infrequently. Students begin with the core bridge courses before moving on to focus area-specific bridge courses.
When you are nearing the end of your focus area-specific bridge courses you can apply to the Electrical & Computer Engineering Master of Science program. Letters of Recommendation are waived for bridge students and the application deadline is flexible.