The MS in Electric Power Systems Engineering
 provides graduate students a thorough understanding of the tools, methods, and practice of electric power engineering;
 is focused and practical in its orientation, with the goal of providing an education that is directly applicable to a career in industry;
 is suitable for a new or recent graduate, as well as experienced professionals who want to receive the necessary retraining to change careers.
The CURRICULUM provides
 four core electric power engineering courses;
 two new interdisciplinary courses focusing on power electronics, data communications, cyber security, and environmental issues associated with electric power systems.
 professional skills training through two integrated courses that introduce project management, communication skills, and the business aspects of electric power utilities;
 solid hands-on experience through laboratories and a capstone project;
 industry experience and exposure by involving experts from industry to teach some of the topics, and
 one-to-one interaction with students through the capstone project.
See http://www.freedm.ncsu.edu/index.php?s=5&p=82 for further details.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
 Students must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in electrical engineering with an overall GPA of at least 3.0.
 Students who do not have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in electrical
engineering must satisfy:

Completion of the following ECE courses (or electrical engineering courses equivalent to)
ECE 109, ECE 211, ECE 220, ECE 301(signals and systems), and ECE 303.

Applicants must have also completed the following courses or equivalent courses:
 three semesters of calculus,
 one semester of probability/statistics,
 two semesters of physics, and
 one semester of chemistry.
 GRE scores within the last four years of the date of anticipated admission. Guideline for minimal GRE percentile scores are 70 percentile verbal, 90 percentile quantitative, and 50 percentile analytical or writing. GRE scores for students who are graduates from NCSU may be waived.
 Three strong recommendations from persons able to comment on the applicant's qualifications for graduate study.
 All international applicants must submit TOEFL scores. The TOEFL must have been taken within two years of the date of anticipated admission. On the TOEFL iBT, students must have a minimum of 18 on each section of the test with a minimum total of 90. Scores on previous versions of the TOEFL are considered with the same qualitative standard. On the IELTS, we require a minimum score of 6.5 in

each section. This requirement also applies to US citizens whose principal language of instruction has not been English (for example, most applicants from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands).

For TOEFL, use institution code of 5496; department code of 66.

For GRE, use institution code 5496; department code 1203.
PROGRAM OF STUDY
The program will consist of 30 credit hours:
 twenty‐seven credits of coursework, coupled with
 three credits for a capstone project.
This intensive 10-month program
 starts with an introductory course in summer;
 has five courses in the fall; and
 concludes with four courses in the spring semesters.
All of the courses are mandatory. Table 1 shows the current course schedule.
Table 1: MS- EPSE Curriculum
Summer Semester
ECE592-x1: Fundamentals of Electric Power Systems
Fall Semester
ECE 550: Power System Operation and Control
ECE 534: Power Electronics & Utility Applications
ECE 592-17: Communication and SCADA Systems for Smart Grid
ECE 592-16: The Business of the Electric Utility Industry
ECE 592-19: Power Engineering Practicum
Spring Semester
ECE 592-07: Electric Power Generation: Conventional and Renewable
ECE 592-14: Power System Switchgear & Protection
ECE 592-20: Smart Distribution Systems
ECE 592-x2: Smart Grid Applications (Capstone Project)
Award of a MS in EPSE requires:
 a minimum overall GPA of 3.0;
 None of the required 30 hours may be taken for S/U or "credit only".
 No transfer credits from other institutions are allowed for the degree.
 All students must be registered through NC State University.
 All degree requirements must be completed within the first three (3) calendar years beginning with the date the student begins the course work for the degree.
 All EPSE students are expected to maintain continuous enrollment every semester until all course work is completed.

 Under unusual circumstances, a two-semester leave of absence will be granted if the student is unable to attend the classes.
APPLYING FOR MS-EPSE

Although this is a new program and has not been approved yet, it is anticipated to be approved by early Fall 2011.

However, as the mandatory courses begin Summer 2011, it is imperative that students enroll in the
Summer Session to follow the required schedule of courses.

Hence, students who are interested in this program need to apply to the current MS-EE program.

After the MS-EPSE program has been approved, the students will be able to transfer to the MS-EPSE program.
 Please note that the Fall 2011 date is tentative and there is no guarantee that the new program will be approved by then. Although posted deadlines for Fall 2011 applications have passed, ECE will accept students’ applications for MS-EPSE. YOU MUST NOTE ON APPLICATION area of specialization “EPSE”.
See http://www.ece.ncsu.edu/graduate/procedure for details about applying MS-EE. When applying, please indicate in your statement of purpose and desired degree that you would like to be considered for MS-EPSE.
Program Coordinator
Dr. Mesut Baran
Electrical & Computer Engineering
Keystone Science Center
Campus Box 7571, NCSU Campus
Raleigh, NC 27695-7571
(919) 515-5081 baran@ncsu.edu