Graduate Certificates

Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate Certificates:

Interdisciplinary Graduate Certificates:

Graduate certificate programs are ideal for bachelor's degree-prepared engineers who wish to continue their studies without making the commitment of a master's program. Students may want to brush-up on new developments in their field or investigate another specialty. Certificates are earned by taking four courses from a list associated with each certificate. ECE certificates can be used as concentrations in the ECE Master’s programs.

Credits earned from these graduate certificates may be used toward a graduate degree with the approval of the graduate program coordinator.

Each of these certificates are described below and include the name and contact information of the certificate coordinator.


About Graduate Certificates

Most graduate certificates are comprised of four courses (12 graduate credits) designed to provide specific knowledge and expertise vital to today's changing and complex needs in the work place. In most cases courses may be applied toward a degree program.


Requirements to Complete a Graduate Certificate

The four courses must be completed within a five year period with a minimum 3.000 grade point average, and with no more than 6 credits below B. Courses completed for one certificate may not be used for another certificate.


Certificate Application Process

Individuals must complete a simplified application, provide an official undergraduate transcript indicating that a baccalaureate degree has been awarded, and submit a nominal application fee. GRE's are not required.


Communications Engineering Certificate

Electrical and Computer Engineering Department

Contact: Kavitha Chandra, Ph.D., 978-934-3356, kavitha_chandra@uml.edu

This certificate provides a fundamental background in the understanding of information transmission, statistical properties of signals and noise, and both analog and digital modulation/demodulation techniques. Advanced topics in modern communications and the characterization of communication channels are covered in optional courses in coding, error correction, information measures, stochastic system modeling and wireless communications. The holder of the certificate will have both analytical and practical competence to contribute significantly to the design and development of new and updated communications systems.

This is a 12 credit certificate; all courses are 3 credits each.

Required Courses:

Elective Courses: (Choose two of the following)

Digital Engineering Certificate (only available for Hanscom cohort)

Electrical and Computer Engineering Department

Contact: Kavitha Chandra, Ph.D., 978-934-3356, kavitha_chandra@uml.edu

This Digital Engineering Certificate addresses the needs articulated by companies and federal agencies for upskilling their workforce in digital modeling of their practices, processes and products. The certificate aims to build the expertise for applying modeling and simulation using authoritative sources of data and models across the lifecycle of a product or system of interest. Model based systems engineering concepts are integrated across the courses in the certificate. Beginning with an introductory course on various types of engineering models of systems and computational methods, the certificate helps build skills on representing the design, acquisition and sustainment of systems using the SysML tool. Students will acquire deeper knowledge of physical and networked models and their performance characteristics through a cyber-physical systems framework. The topics of data-driven computational modeling, decision-making and risk-management will address the benefits, trade-off and challenges associated with digital models. 

This is a 12 credit certificate; all courses are 3 credits each.

Required Courses:

  • EECE.5492 Systems, Modeling and Simulation for Digital Engineering
  • EECE.5494 Model-Based Systems Engineering 
  • EECE.5496 Cyber-Physical Systems Modeling and Simulation
  • EECE.5498 Data-Driven Models, Decision Making and  Risk Management
Courses substitutions may be allowed by permission of the certificate coordinator.

Engineering Data Analytics

Contact: Kavitha Chandra - Phone: 978-934-3356, Email: Kavitha_Chandra@uml.edu.

The Engineering Data Analytics Graduate Certificate is a 12 credit program designed to provide engineers the knowledge and skills for transforming data derived from various applications to information that enables optimal decision-making. It introduces the requisite background in probability, statistics and stochastic processes to better understand the performance and validation of machine learning algorithms. Through an interactive computing platform, students will learn to develop computational models for prediction and classification. The skills for for applying stochastic models to represent time-varying data and extraction of relevant features for identification of anomalies are developed. Methods for prescriptive analytics that include operation research techniques such as optimization, scheduling and risk-analysis will be developed through case studies.

Course NumberCourse TitleCredit Hours
EECE.5440Computational Data-Driven Modeling I3
EECE.5470Computational Data-Driven Modeling II3
EECE.5490Optimization Models & Decision Analysis3
EECE.5840Probability & Random Processes3
Subtotal # Core Credits Required12
Curriculum Summary
Total number of courses required for the degree4
Total credit hours required for the degree12

Field Programmable Gate Array

Electrical and Computer Engineering Department

Contact: Yan Luo, Ph.D., phone: 978-934-2592, Email: Yan_Luo@uml.edu.

The 12-credit certificate is a valuable credential for engineering professionals in the private and public sectors who wish to master the theoretical and practical skills in FPGA development and applications. Certificate holders will acquire additional academic credentials to advance within their organization or to change their career paths and improve their competitive position in the job market. For many employees working in the technical and scientific fields without any FPGA background, the GCFPGA will provide them with the knowledge needed for effectively applying FPGA's in the design of mission-critical and reliable digital systems.

Required three 3-credit courses:

Elective: (Choose one) 3-credit courses:


Field Programmable gate Array Lab - Enhanced (Corporate)

This 16 credit lab-enhanced version of the Field Programmable Gate Array graduate certificate is only available to our corporate partners. This program provides advanced hands-on practice and builds upon the theory established in the coursework.

Major Required (Core) Courses (Total # of courses required = 6)
Course NumberCourse TitleCredit Hours
EECE.5620VHDL/Verilog Design3
EECE.5625VHDL/Verilog Design Lab1
EECE.5750FPGA Logic Design Techniques3
EECE.5755FPGA Logic Design Techniques Lab1
EECE.5770Verification of Digital Systems3
EECE.5775Verification of Digital Systems Lab1
Sub-Total # Core Credits Required12
Elective Courses (Total courses required = 2)
EECE.6510Advanced Embedded System Design with FPGA3
EECE.6515Advanced Embedded System Design with FPGA Lab1
Sub-total # of Elective Credits Required4
Curriculum Summary
Total number of courses required for the degree8
Total credit hours required for degree16

Engineering Data Analytics

Contact: Kavitha Chandra - Phone: 978-934-3356, Email: Kavitha_Chandra@uml.edu.

The Engineering Data Analytics Graduate Certificate is a 12 credit program designed to provide engineers the knowledge and skills for transforming data derived from various applications to information that enables optimal decision-making. It introduces the requisite background in probability, statistics and stochastic processes to better understand the performance and validation of machine learning algorithms. Through an interactive computing platform, students will learn to develop computational models for prediction and classification. The skills for for applying stochastic models to represent time-varying data and extraction of relevant features for identification of anomalies are developed. Methods for prescriptive analytics that include operation research techniques such as optimization, scheduling and risk-analysis will be developed through case studies.

Course NumberCourse TitleCredit Hours
EECE.5440Computational Data-Driven Modeling I3
EECE.5470Computational Data-Driven Modeling II3
EECE.5490Optimization Models & Decision Analysis3
EECE.5840Probability & Random Processes3
Subtotal # Core Credits Required12
Curriculum Summary
Total number of courses required for the degree4
Total credit hours required for the degree12

VLSI & Microlectronics Certificate

Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering

Contact: Kanti Prasad, phone: 978-934-3326, Email: Kanti_Prasad@uml.edu.

The purpose of this certificate program is to provide essential background in solid state physical electronics and very large scale integrated (VLSI) circuit fabrication. These courses, combined with two electives, will provide a customized background to the subject but with sufficient depth in an area of choice to provide tangible useful expertise.

This is a 12 credit certificate; all courses are 3 credits each.

Required Courses: (Choose two of the following)

Elective Courses: (Choose two of the following)

The Electrical and Computer Engineering Department also participates in the following interdisciplinary certificate programs:


Biomedical Engineering & Biotechnology Certificate

Electrical & Computer Engineering Department

The Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology Graduate Certificate is a multidisciplinary certificate program, spanning courses in the Francis College of Engineering, the Kennedy College of Sciences, and the College of Health Sciences. The graduate certificate is comprised of a coordinated program of courses jointly offered by the participating departments. This certificate is a 12-credit program comprised of two required three-credit courses and two elective three-credit courses.

The BMEBT Graduate Certificate is intended for students who have successfully graduated with a baccalaureate degree and possibly interested in pursuing a Master's degree in Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology, BMEBT, but do now wish to commit to the master's degree at this time or who are simply interested in earning credentials beyond those from their undergraduate degree in the area of BMEBT.

Application Process

Individuals must apply and complete an application form in accordance with the university's Graduate Admissions website at: www.uml.edu/grad/. Applicants must submit and official undergraduate transcript indicating that a baccalaureate degree was awarded. GRE scores are not required for the certificate program. All applications will be reviewed by the Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology Program Director. A decision will be made in writing to the applicant.

Requirements to Complete the Graduate Certificate

To complete the certificate program, students must successfully complete 12-credits of coursework with a cumulative GPA of 3.000 or greater, and with no more than three credits with a grade of less than B. For students who wish to continue onto the Master's degree in Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology, all four of the Certificate courses can be used towards satisfying the course requirements of the master's degree program; students must meet all University requirements for earning the Master's degree. In addition, a waiver of the GRE requirement for the master's degree will be provided to those students who achieve a GPA of 3.500 or greater.

BMEBT Certificate Curriculum:

  • BMBT.5000 Introduction to Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology
  • BMBT.5750 Quanitative Physiology or Cardiovascular Physiology

Elective Courses: (Choose any two 3-credit courses)

For more information, contact: Susan Pryputniewicz, MS by email: Susan_Pryputniewicz@uml.edu.

Energy Conversion Certificate

Electrical and Computer Engineering Department

Contact: Mufeed Mahd - phone: 978-934-3317, Email: mufeed_mahd@uml.edu/a>.

Energy conversion is a discipline that spans across three departments: Computer & Electrical, Mechanical & Industrial and Chemical (Nuclear) Engineering. Interest is rising for practical applications in the housing industry to supply houses with clean sources of energy to meet electrical supply needs, as well as for space heating/ cooling. All renewable energy sources will be considered (e.g. wind energy and photovoltaics). Information about batteries, battery charging stations, battery chargers and energy conversion devices (such as rectifiers, inverters, choppers, controllers) is presented as related to the development of low emission vehicles.

Choose four of the following courses:


Integrated Engineering Systems Certificate

Applied Physics, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Plastics Engineering Departments

Contact: Xuejun Lu, Ph.D. - Phone: 978-934-3359, Email: xuejunlu@uml.edu.

As companies increasingly undertake engineering projects that bring together a wide range of disciplines for manufacturing an integrated product, it is often necessary to assemble teams of experts in these various disciplines, and prepare managers who have a fundamental, overall understanding of several different engineering areas. The certificate is designed to respond to the need for trained professionals who are responsible for managing complex engineering systems integrating algorithms, information, software and hardware. Completion of certificate courses in areas complementary to the individual's specific training will serve as an important starting point for engineering managers (and prospective managers) who need to solve complex interdisciplinary problems at the interfaces of electrical, computer, mechanical, materials engineering, and computer science and applied physics.

The program consists of six clusters:

  • Applied Physics
  • Computer Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Materials Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering

Within each cluster, there are a number of carefully selected courses ranging from introductory graduate level to more advanced, specialized electives.

Students must successfully complete four courses (12 credits), one or two of which may be taken in their area of expertise. The remaining courses must be taken in separate and different cluster areas. Courses are selected in consultation with one (or more) graduate program coordinators to best meet the student's needs in terms of background, interests, and work requirements. It may be necessary for students to take prerequisite course(s) if they do not have appropriate backgrounds for a particular cluster course.

Cluster Areas and Designated Courses:

Applied Physics

Computer Engineering

Computer Science

Electrical Engineering

Materials Engineering

  • PLAS.5440 Advanced Plastics Materials
  • CHEN.5060 Interfacial Science and Engineering and Colloids
  • PLAS.5030 Mechanical Behavior of Polymers
  • CHEN.5230 Nanodevices and Electronic Materials
  • CHEN.5410 Nanostructural Characterization by SEM, TEM, and AFM
  • PLAS.5180 Plastics Product Design

Mechanical Engineering


Medical Imaging & Instrumentations Certificate (MIIC)  

The Medical Imaging and Instrumentations Graduate Certificate is an interdisciplinary certificate spanning courses in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering in the Francis College of Engineering and the Biomedical Engineering and the Biotechnology (BMEBT) Program across the UMass system. This certificate provides and excellent opportunity to learn the principles and applications of imaging technology. It is comprised of a coordinated collection of xourses, laboratories and advanced simulation experiences and allows for in-person and remote enrollment Students are required to complete 12 credits of coursework, comprised of four elective three-credit courses from two different pools of electives. Students must successfully complete two courses from Group A ad two from Group B. The Medical Imaging and Instrumentations Graduate Certificate is intended for individuals who have successfully graduated with a baccalaureate degree and are interested in pursuing a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology (BMEBT).

Application Process:

Individuals must apply and complete an application form in accordance with the university's Graduate Admissions website. Applicants must submit an official undergraduate transcript indicating that a baccalaureate degree was awarded. GRE scores are required for the certificate program. All applications will be reviewed by the Medical Imaging and Instrumentation Certificate coordinator. A decision will be made in writing to the applicant.

Requirements to Complete the Graduate Certificate

To complete the certificate program, students must successfully complete a 12-credits of coursework with a cumulative GPA of 3.000 or greater, and with no more than three credits with a grade of less than 3.00.

For students who wish to continue onto the Master's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering, or Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology Program completed courses of the Certificate can be used towards satisfying the course requirements of the master's degree program. In addition, a waiver of the GRE requirement for the master's degree will be provided to those students who achieve a GPA of 3.500 or greater.


Program of Study:

Students must successfully complete two elective courses from Group A and two elective courses from Group B.

For more information contact: Mufeed Mahd, Ph.D. by phone 978-934-3317 or email: mufeed_mahd@uml.edu.

Photonics & Opto-Electronic Devices Certificate

Physics Department and Electrical & Computer Engineering Department

Contact: Viktor Podolskiy, Phone: 978-934-3398, Email: Viktor_Podolskiy@uml.edu

The certificate is offered jointly by the Electrical & Computer Engineering and Physics Departments and reflects the strong interests in the physics and technologies of electro-optics. Extensive research facilities include: new materials growth (molecular beam epitaxy) and device fabrication and testing laboratories.

Required Courses:

-OR-

Elective Courses: (choose two of the following):

VLSI & Microlectronics Certificate

Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering

Contact: Kanti Prasad, phone: 978-934-3326, Email: Kanti_Prasad@uml.edu.

The purpose of this certificate program is to provide essential background in solid state physical electronics and very large scale integrated (VLSI) circuit fabrication. These courses, combined with two electives, will provide a customized background to the subject but with sufficient depth in an area of choice to provide tangible useful expertise.

This is a 12 credit certificate; all courses are 3 credits each.

Required Courses: (Choose two of the following)

Elective Courses: (Choose two of the following)

Learn More & Apply