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Graduate Programs

Robotics and Automation

Robotics and Automation

Six students working on octocopters in the Robotics Systems Laboratory

The Robotics and Automation program is a true interdisciplinary program that draws from mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering/science in order to provide students with knowledge about the design, control, and automation of robotic systems and smart machines. Students in the program will receive:

  • Hands-on design of mechatronic devices, the dynamics and control of robotic manipulators/vehicles/systems, and advanced perception systems using technologies such as vision processing and machine learning
  • Industry-aligned concentration options that will include courses in areas such as advanced manufacturing, bio-devices, autonomous vehicles, aerospace systems, agricultural technology, and others
  • An in-depth R&D experiential opportunity consisting of work on an industry design problem or conducting research leading to a publication
  • A broader societal perspective to complement the technical degree, with courses in areas such as the technology ethics, the societal impact of engineering, and high-tech business/entrepreneurship
  • A co-curricular badging system and electronic portfolio allowing them to showcase their experience relating to design capabilities, computing languages/environments, maker skills, etc.
  • The ability to leverage the expertise and international reputation of the School of Engineering's Robotic System’s Laboratory, which develops advanced robotic systems and automation technology for vehicles and instruments that operate on/in land/sea/air/space, working with organizations such as the National Science Foundation, the Navy, California growers, NASA and more.

Program Offerings:

  • Certificate (Limit 16 units, non-degree program, option to apply to M.S. degree)
  • Open University (Limit 16 units, non-degree program, option to apply to M.S. degree)
  • Master's Degree (46 required units for completion)

For complete program details, please visit the Robotics and Automation Program site.

B.S./M.S. Program (SCU Undergrad Students Only)

The School of Engineering offers qualified Santa Clara University undergraduates the opportunity to earn both a bachelor of science and a master of science degree in five years.

  • Click here to learn more about the B.S./M.S. Program
  • One official transcript from each academic institution attended, indicating the degree received and date of conferral. For U.S. transcripts, please request electronic transcripts to be sent to gradengineer@scu.edu. For SCU transcripts, these will be obtained from the Graduate Admissions Office.
  • A completed online Application (first-time user) for Admission to Engineering Graduate Programs

 Certificate

  • A completed online Application (first-time user) for Admission to Engineering Graduate Programs, including a nonrefundable $90 application fee
  • One official transcript from each academic institution attended, indicating the degree received and date of conferral. For U.S. transcripts, please request electronic transcripts to be sent to gradengineer@scu.edu. For international transcripts, please see Additional Admissions Requirements for International Students in the next box.
  • Click here to learn more about the Certificate Program

Master's Degree

  • A completed online Application (first-time user) for Admission to Engineering Graduate Programs, including a nonrefundable $90 application fee
  • A Bachelor's Degree
  • One official transcript from each academic institution attended, indicating the degree received and date of conferral. For U.S. transcripts, please request electronic transcripts to be sent to gradengineer@scu.edu.
  • Two Letters of Recommendation (This requirement only applies to Civil Engineering Applicants.)
  • For international transcripts, please see Additional Admissions Requirements for International Students in the next box.
  • Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores for Computer Science and Engineering
    • For GRE scores, they must be sent directly by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Our institution code is 4851. For information on the GRE, please visit the ETS website.

Engineer's Degree

  • A completed online Application (first-time user) for Admission to Engineering Graduate Programs, including a nonrefundable $90 application fee
  • A Bachelor's Degree
  • A Master's Degree
  • One official transcript from each academic institution attended, indicating the degree received and date of conferral. For U.S. transcripts, please request electronic transcripts to be sent to gradengineer@scu.edu. For international transcripts, please see Additional Admissions Requirements for International Students in the next box.
  • 3 Letters Of Recommendation
  • Statement Of Purpose
  • GRE Scores-Our institution code is 4851. For information on the GRE, please visit the ETS website. Additionally, please send a PDF of your scores to gradengineer@scu.edu.

Ph.D. Degree

Offered in the Departments of Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering

  • A completed online Application (first-time user) for Admission to Engineering Graduate Programs, including a nonrefundable $90 application fee
  • A Bachelor's Degree
  • A Master's Degree
  • One official transcript from each academic institution attended, indicating the degree received and date of conferral. For U.S. transcripts, please request electronic transcripts to be sent to gradengineer@scu.edu. For international transcripts, please see Additional Admissions Requirements for International Students in the next box.
  • 3 Letter Of Recommendation
  • Statement Of Purpose
  • GRE is mandatory for consideration into the Ph.D. program. For GRE Scores-Our institution code is 4851. For information on the GRE, please visit the ETS website. Additionally, please send a PDF of your scores to gradengineer@scu.edu.

In addition to the requirements listed under "Admissions Requirements" above, you must also submit your English Proficiency Scores and your International Evaluation Report.

English Proficiency Scores

  • TOEFL, IELTS scores are required of all applicants whose first language is not English (even if the applicant is a U.S. citizen) or if you do not have a degree awarded by a U.S. university/college.
  • Minimum TOEFL score: IBT/79-80 or CBT: 213 (Institutional Code: 4851)
  • Minimum IELTS score: 6.5
  • Minimum Duolingo score: 110

This requirement is waived if you are applying from an English-speaking country or if you have attended an institution from a U.S. university/college (if so, an electronic transcript from the U.S. university/college must be sent to gradengineer@scu.edu in order to waive this requirement).

International Evaluation Report

All applicants who hold a degree from outside of the United States are required to have their official transcripts evaluated either by WES or ECE:

  • WES evaluations (World Education Services)
    • We require ICAP version course-by-course, cumulative GPA, and U.S degree equivalency.
    • WES will attach your transcripts to the evaluation report.
    • Do not send us your international transcripts, WES will send us your official transcript with your evaluation.
  • ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators)
    • We require a detailed report which includes course-by-course, cumulative GPA, and U.S. degree equivalency.
    • ECE will attach your transcripts to the evaluation report.
    • Do not send us your international transcripts, ECE will send us your official transcript with your evaluation.
  • SpanTran SpanTran is our recommended international transcript evaluation service. They have created a custom application for Santa Clara’s Engineering School that will make sure you select the right kind of evaluation at a discounted rate.
      • We require a detailed report which includes course-by-course, cumulative GPA, and U.S. degree equivalency.
      • SpanTran will attach your transcripts to the evaluation report.
      • To use SpanTran's evaluation service, start your evaluation request form here

There is no exception to the foreign evaluation service requirement.

Visa Document Preparation Process

For more information on the F-1 Visa application process, please visit International Student Services

For the start dates of each quarter and other important dates,
see our Graduate Engineering Academic Calendar.

Winter Quarter 2024 

Application Deadline: October 1, 2023

  • Master's Degree
  • Engineer's Degree
  • Ph.D.
  • Certificate
  • Open University

Spring Quarter 2024 

Application Deadline: January 1, 2024

  • Master's Degree
  • Engineer's Degree
  • Ph.D.
  • Certificate
  • Open University

Summer Quarter 2024 

Application Deadline: March 1, 2024

  • Master's Degree
  • Engineer's Degree
  • Ph.D.
  • Certificate
  • Open University

Fall Quarter 2024 

Application Deadline: June 1, 2024

  • Master's Degree
  • Engineer's Degree
  • Ph.D.
  • Certificate
  • Open University

I-20 Application Deadlines

  • Spring 2023:  February 1, 2023
  • Fall 2023:  July 1, 2023

Please submit the following documents for all I-20 Visa requests through your application portal:

For all other information please visit SCU's Global Engagement - International Students web page.

Please visit our Tuition and Fees page for full details.

The graduate on-campus housing communities offer a variety of advantages for graduate students. Check out On-Campus Housing for more information.

For information regarding Student Health Services and Student Health Insurance, please visit SCU's Cowell Center.

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Contact Us

Graduate Engineering Admissions
gradengineeradmissions@scu.edu

Graduate Engineering Current Students
gradengineer@scu.edu

Santa Clara University
500 El Camino Real
Santa Clara, CA 95053

Heafey-Bergin, Bldg. 202
Office # 240-243
408-554-4313 phone
408-554-4323 fax