Electrical Engineering

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Sponsored by the Office of the Provost

2026-2027

College of Engineering

Program description

The profession of electrical engineering touches all aspects of our lives in that electrical engineers design and fabricate devices and systems critical in applications such as computing, communications, health care, manufacturing and automation, power generation and utilization, transportation, and entertainment. An element very important to these and many other applications is the microelectronic device or system.

Electrical engineers play an ever increasing role in the design and building of major facets of today’s and tomorrow’s health care systems and medical research through the application of microelectronic instrumentation and diagnostic tools such as MRI and CAT scan systems. The field of electrical engineering truly permeates every facet of our lives and thus provides excellent employment opportunities to the general practitioner or specialist in more than 35 different subspecialties.

Career opportunities

Electrical engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacture of electrical equipment. Some of this equipment includes electric motors; machinery controls, lighting, and wiring in buildings; radar and navigation systems; communications systems; and power generation, control, and transmission devices used by electric utilities. Electrical engineers specialize in areas such as communications, signal processing, and control systems or have a specialty within one of these areas—control systems or aviation electronics, for example.

Change of major requirements

VCU GPA of 3.0 or greater with a minimum of 12 VCU credit hours earned. Completion of MATH 200, MATH 201, and any of PHYS 207, EGRE 101, or ENGR 101, all with grades of B or higher. If attempted, MATH 200, MATH 201, MATH 211, MATH 301, MATH 307, PHYS 207, PHYS 208, CHEM 101, and/or CHEM 102 must be completed with a GPA of 3.0 or

greater. GPA for all attempted engineering and computer science courses must be 3.0 or greater.

The historical repeat course option does not apply to these averages.

Bachelor-level job titles

Automation Engineer
Automotive Engineer
Control Systems Engineer
Design Engineer
Electrical Engineer
Mechatronics Engineer
Photonics Engineer
Power Systems Engineer
Robotics Engineer
Solar Energy Systems Engineer

Graduate and professional level job titles

College Professor
Firmware Engineer
Research & Development Engineer
Systems Engineer/Manager

Professional associations and resources

IEEE

Degree requirements in Bulletin

Electrical Engineering, Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Electrical Engineering, Bachelor of Science (B.S.), accelerated Bachelor's-to-Master's

Plan of study in Bulletin

Electrical Engineering, Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Electrical Engineering, Bachelor of Science (B.S.), accelerated Bachelor's-to-Master's

Requirements

Highest level of math required

MATH 307
STAT 212

Science required

5+ additional science courses

Foreign language requirements

Additional tuition/fees

GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)

2.0+ cumulative GPA, 2.0+ major GPA

Transfer Maps

View Transfer Maps for this major

Contact information

Department name:

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Building/room location:

601 West Main Street, Room 203

Phone:

(804) 828-0181

Email:

electricalengr@vcu.edu

https://egr.vcu.edu/departments/electrical/

Campus (where 75% of courses are taken):

Monroe Park

Major map

Year 1

Explore

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Enroll in a student success course to connect with campus advisors and build community around your interests and goals.
Map out a 4-year course plan in DegreeWorks' Student Educational Planner.
Meet with a writing consultant to hone your writing skills.
Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to start goal planning, and choose electives.
Sharpen your study skills in Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) at the Campus Learning Center.
Take a virtual library tour to learn about library spaces, services, and research help.
Register for EGRE 101 and EGRE 245.
Register for the highest level math you can.

EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY

Apply to live in a program-in-residence or a living-learning community.
Connect with Global Education Office to explore leadership and intercultural communication skill-building programs and review resources such as Global Learning's Major Advising Sheets, study abroad fairs or complete Rams Abroad 101. to explore studying abroad opportunities and other global learning opportunities.
Consider applying to the Honors College.
Create a profile on RamsConnect to explore student organizations and get involved, meet people, and develop your interests.
Get involved and meet new friends through the Student Government Association or one of over 450 student clubs and organizations (BSPS Student club, Chemistry, etc.)
Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond’s many museums and parks.
Meet peers and make new friends/study buddies at the Weeks of Welcome cookout.
Explore membership in NSBE, SHPE, SWE, VINE, or oSTEM.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Apply to be a Division of Student Affairs peer leader.
Attend one career event sponsored by Career Services.
Complete and activate your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists.
Consider applying for a federal work-study job on- or off-campus in Handshake.
Learn more about potential careers by using Forage in the Navigate 360 app.
Review your Career Works 4 year career planning tool and start working on your milestones.
Seek research opportunities by checking out the Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry webpage.
Create a draft engineering resume and meet with a career advisor in Engineering Career Services to discuss it.
Learn about research opportunities through V.I.P Teams, UROP, and DURI.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Access your free credit report and begin making responsible credit choices to prepare for your future.
Build a resume and LinkedIn profile with help from VCU Career Services, make at least 10 connections, and check out the VCU alumni career programs page.
Connect with the Student Alumni Council to connect to VCU alumni.
Make a 4-year affordability plan with your financial counselor.
Consider attending a regional or national career fair (BEYA, SWE, SHPE, NSBE, oSTEM) to gain exposure to more employers.
Attend engineering internship and career fairs.

Year 2

Experience

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide.
Schedule an appointment with your major advisor to explore minors, certificates, and plan your required REAL experience.
Continue progression in engineering and mathematics coursework.
Learn about declaring a double majors or a minor that pairs easily with your major.

EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY

Discuss personal and professional interests with faculty.
Investigate globally-focused courses in your major by pursuing language coursework or setting language proficiency goals with advisors and faculty and apply for the Critical Languages Scholarship.
Take a service-learning class to get involved with local organizations while earning credit.
Volunteer to address a social issue and check out Hands on Greater Richmond for opportunities.
Consider working for the College of Engineering as a tutor in your strongest subjects.
Get to know other VCU students and meet new friends from all over the world at a monthly Global Café.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Attend career and internship fairs and other professional development events.
Build a professional resume and upload it to Handshake.
Complete a gap analysis with your career advisor to identify key skills required for your professional field.
Pursue a digital badge to highlight the knowledge, skills, and experiences employers and graduate schools value.
Seek out practical experience through independent skill-building, internships, shadowing, or part-time work.
Apply for internships, co-ops, and VIP Teams.
Consider taking ENGR 395 Professional Development to gain key skills for finding internships, co-ops, or research opportunities.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Ask a faculty or staff member to be your academic and professional mentor and to provide future letters of recommendation.
Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of professional interest.
Connect with alumni on VCULink for career advice, industry contacts, and meaningful professional relationships.
Meet with a coach at the Financial Success Center to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans.
Attend engineering internship and career fairs.
Consider attending a regional or national career fair (BEYA, SWE, SHPE, NSBE, oSTEM) to gain exposure to more employers.

Year 3

Experience

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Enhance your business, software, technology, and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning.
Meet with your academic and career advisors to discuss graduation progress and career planning.
Begin selecting Technical Electives, being aware of the prerequisites to fourth-year Technical Electives.
In consultation with your academic advisor, identify which third-year courses are prereqs to the ELE Capstone.

EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY

Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood association, city council, or state legislative sessions.
Build language proficiency and cultural competence by carrying out your plans for study abroad, internships, and service-learning.
Design a community-engaged research project.
Explore new cultures at one of Richmond’s wide array of festivals.
Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office to explore post-graduate scholarship and fellowship opportunities.
Motivate your peers by presenting at Leaders Unleashed: Student Leadership Conference or at TEDxVCU.
Apply to be a Diversity Ambassador with OMSA.
Join VINE or another in-major mentoring network.
Work as a tutor in your strongest subjects.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience.
Take advantage of mock interview opportunities through Big Interview or meeting with a career advisor.
Update your ePortfolio.
Attend the Senior Capstone Expo in April.
Seek research opportunities and apply for funding through the VCU Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed by Career Services or the Writing Center.
Make a plan with your academic, career, and faculty advisors for applying to graduate school or land a micro-internship.
Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility.
Study for and complete any standardized exams required for graduate school the summer before senior year.
Attend the College of Engineering Internship and Career Fair in fall and spring terms.
Talk to advisors, faculty, and Engineering Career Services about graduate school versus a job.

Year 4

Excel

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Apply to graduate for your undergraduate degree.
Choose REAL electives to diversify your skillset and round out your degree.
Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor the semester before you graduate to ensure that all graduation requirements will be met.
Declare any possible outstanding minors for which you may already have credit like math, physics, or computer science.

EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY

Attend professional association conferences that offer student rates or scholarships.
Carry out globally-oriented research projects with multilingual faculty and international partners.
Read scholarly articles about internationalization in your field.
Serve in a leadership role on campus in a local community organization.
Visit the Museum District’s many offerings such as the VMFA and the Virginia Museum of History and Culture.
Volunteer at an organization devoted to the arts, environment, education, or policy.
Work as a tutor in your strongest subjects.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Apply for post-graduation programs like Peace Corps, Literacy Lab, or AmeriCorps.
Meet with your academic or professional mentor and identify examples of your experiential learning to share with employers.
Publish your original research in Auctus: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creativity.
Present your research at a professional meeting such as the Undergraduate Research Symposium or other conferences.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Connect with the Office of VCU Alumni Relations at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and the VCULink Industry Network or alumni chapter.
Fill out VCU’s First Destination Survey.
Prepare for graduation by making a plan to complete licensing exams, applications, and self-marketing activities.
Single out prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
Attend engineering internship and career fairs.
Consider attending a regional or national career fair (BEYA, SWE, SHPE, NSBE, oSTEM) to gain exposure to more employers.

Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost

2026-2027

Electrical Engineering

College of Engineering

		MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING	EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY	EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS	PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
Explore	Year 1	Enroll in a student success course to connect with campus advisors and build community around your interests and goals. Map out a 4-year course plan in DegreeWorks' Student Educational Planner. Meet with a writing consultant to hone your writing skills. Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to start goal planning, and choose electives. Sharpen your study skills in Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) at the Campus Learning Center. Take a virtual library tour to learn about library spaces, services, and research help. Register for EGRE 101 and EGRE 245. Register for the highest level math you can.	Apply to live in a program-in-residence or a living-learning community. Connect with Global Education Office to explore leadership and intercultural communication skill-building programs and review resources such as Global Learning's Major Advising Sheets, study abroad fairs or complete Rams Abroad 101. to explore studying abroad opportunities and other global learning opportunities. Consider applying to the Honors College. Create a profile on RamsConnect to explore student organizations and get involved, meet people, and develop your interests. Get involved and meet new friends through the Student Government Association or one of over 450 student clubs and organizations (BSPS Student club, Chemistry, etc.) Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond’s many museums and parks. Meet peers and make new friends/study buddies at the Weeks of Welcome cookout. Explore membership in NSBE, SHPE, SWE, VINE, or oSTEM.	Apply to be a Division of Student Affairs peer leader. Attend one career event sponsored by Career Services. Complete and activate your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists. Consider applying for a federal work-study job on- or off-campus in Handshake. Learn more about potential careers by using Forage in the Navigate 360 app. Review your Career Works 4 year career planning tool and start working on your milestones. Seek research opportunities by checking out the Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry webpage. Create a draft engineering resume and meet with a career advisor in Engineering Career Services to discuss it. Learn about research opportunities through V.I.P Teams, UROP, and DURI.	Access your free credit report and begin making responsible credit choices to prepare for your future. Build a resume and LinkedIn profile with help from VCU Career Services, make at least 10 connections, and check out the VCU alumni career programs page. Connect with the Student Alumni Council to connect to VCU alumni. Make a 4-year affordability plan with your financial counselor. Consider attending a regional or national career fair (BEYA, SWE, SHPE, NSBE, oSTEM) to gain exposure to more employers. Attend engineering internship and career fairs.
Experience	Year 2	Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide. Schedule an appointment with your major advisor to explore minors, certificates, and plan your required REAL experience. Continue progression in engineering and mathematics coursework. Learn about declaring a double majors or a minor that pairs easily with your major.	Discuss personal and professional interests with faculty. Investigate globally-focused courses in your major by pursuing language coursework or setting language proficiency goals with advisors and faculty and apply for the Critical Languages Scholarship. Take a service-learning class to get involved with local organizations while earning credit. Volunteer to address a social issue and check out Hands on Greater Richmond for opportunities. Consider working for the College of Engineering as a tutor in your strongest subjects. Get to know other VCU students and meet new friends from all over the world at a monthly Global Café.	Attend career and internship fairs and other professional development events. Build a professional resume and upload it to Handshake. Complete a gap analysis with your career advisor to identify key skills required for your professional field. Pursue a digital badge to highlight the knowledge, skills, and experiences employers and graduate schools value. Seek out practical experience through independent skill-building, internships, shadowing, or part-time work. Apply for internships, co-ops, and VIP Teams. Consider taking ENGR 395 Professional Development to gain key skills for finding internships, co-ops, or research opportunities.	Ask a faculty or staff member to be your academic and professional mentor and to provide future letters of recommendation. Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of professional interest. Connect with alumni on VCULink for career advice, industry contacts, and meaningful professional relationships. Meet with a coach at the Financial Success Center to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans. Attend engineering internship and career fairs. Consider attending a regional or national career fair (BEYA, SWE, SHPE, NSBE, oSTEM) to gain exposure to more employers.
Experience	Year 3	Enhance your business, software, technology, and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning. Meet with your academic and career advisors to discuss graduation progress and career planning. Begin selecting Technical Electives, being aware of the prerequisites to fourth-year Technical Electives. In consultation with your academic advisor, identify which third-year courses are prereqs to the ELE Capstone.	Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood association, city council, or state legislative sessions. Build language proficiency and cultural competence by carrying out your plans for study abroad, internships, and service-learning. Design a community-engaged research project. Explore new cultures at one of Richmond’s wide array of festivals. Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office to explore post-graduate scholarship and fellowship opportunities. Motivate your peers by presenting at Leaders Unleashed: Student Leadership Conference or at TEDxVCU. Apply to be a Diversity Ambassador with OMSA. Join VINE or another in-major mentoring network. Work as a tutor in your strongest subjects.	Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience. Take advantage of mock interview opportunities through Big Interview or meeting with a career advisor. Update your ePortfolio. Attend the Senior Capstone Expo in April. Seek research opportunities and apply for funding through the VCU Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program.	Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed by Career Services or the Writing Center. Make a plan with your academic, career, and faculty advisors for applying to graduate school or land a micro-internship. Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility. Study for and complete any standardized exams required for graduate school the summer before senior year. Attend the College of Engineering Internship and Career Fair in fall and spring terms. Talk to advisors, faculty, and Engineering Career Services about graduate school versus a job.
Excel	Year 4	Apply to graduate for your undergraduate degree. Choose REAL electives to diversify your skillset and round out your degree. Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor the semester before you graduate to ensure that all graduation requirements will be met. Declare any possible outstanding minors for which you may already have credit like math, physics, or computer science.	Attend professional association conferences that offer student rates or scholarships. Carry out globally-oriented research projects with multilingual faculty and international partners. Read scholarly articles about internationalization in your field. Serve in a leadership role on campus in a local community organization. Visit the Museum District’s many offerings such as the VMFA and the Virginia Museum of History and Culture. Volunteer at an organization devoted to the arts, environment, education, or policy. Work as a tutor in your strongest subjects.	Apply for post-graduation programs like Peace Corps, Literacy Lab, or AmeriCorps. Meet with your academic or professional mentor and identify examples of your experiential learning to share with employers. Publish your original research in Auctus: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creativity. Present your research at a professional meeting such as the Undergraduate Research Symposium or other conferences.	Connect with the Office of VCU Alumni Relations at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and the VCULink Industry Network or alumni chapter. Fill out VCU’s First Destination Survey. Prepare for graduation by making a plan to complete licensing exams, applications, and self-marketing activities. Single out prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation. Attend engineering internship and career fairs. Consider attending a regional or national career fair (BEYA, SWE, SHPE, NSBE, oSTEM) to gain exposure to more employers.