The Power Conversion and Control capstone certificate addresses the learning goals of practicing engineers by providing further study with senior, highly respected faculty in the UW–Madison College of Engineering. Engineers are able to gain specialized expertise, including technical knowledge of power electronics, drives, and controls. The capstone certificate also provides a pathway for students wishing to apply for admission to the university's online Master of Science: Electrical Engineering named option in Power Engineering.

The capstone certificate was developed in response to needs identified by more than 80 corporate sponsors of the renowned Wisconsin Electric Machines and Power Electronics Consortium (WEMPEC).

The capstone certificate is completely online to accommodate working professionals. It is designed for completion in three consecutive terms. 

Further details, including current tuition and costs, are provided on the program's website.

How to Get in

Applicant Requirements

• A BS degree from a program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) or the equivalent.*
  • A BS in electrical engineering is recommended.
  • Students who do not have a BS in electrical engineering need to have completed fundamental coursework in electrical engineering including circuit theory, Fourier analysis, AC circuit analysis using complex impedances, transfer function analysis and evaluation including Bode plots, transformer equivalent circuits, piecewise continuous analysis of nonlinear circuits, and magnetic theory.
• A minimum undergraduate grade-point average (GPA) of 3.00 on the equivalent of the last 60 semester hours (approximately two years of work) or a master’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00.
  • Applicants from an international institution must have a strong academic performance comparable to a 3.00 for an undergraduate or master’s degree. All GPAs are based on a 4.00 scale.
• Applicants whose native language is not English must provide scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The minimum acceptable score on the TOEFL is 580 on the written version, 243 on the computer version, or 92 on the Internet version.

*

Equivalency to an ABET-accredited program: Applicants who do not have bachelor’s degree from an ABET-accredited program may also qualify for admission to the program. Such applicants must have a BS in science, technology, or a related field with sufficient coursework and professional experience to demonstrate proficiency in engineering practice.

Admission

Applications are accepted for admission for fall and spring terms. The admissions process has been designed to conduct a holistic review of  likely success in the program. Decisions are based on academic and professional background. See the program's website for current dates and information regarding selection of students.

Note: Adult Career and Special Student Services (ACSSS) is the admitting office for all University Special students. However, the department offering the Capstone Certificate program makes the final admission decision upon review of all applicant materials.

Application steps

1. Email the graduate admissions staff stating your intent to apply to the Power Conversion and Control capstone certificate program. Attach a current resume or CV to the Intent to Apply email: gradadmissions@interpro.wisc.edu.
   1. Your resume/CV should include at least:
      1. Educational history (including GPA, awards and honors received).
         1. Professional work experience (including specific details on your engineering experience, technical training, and responsibilities).
2. Submit an online application for admission as a University Special student, selecting UNCS Capstone Certificate and the program: Power Conversion and Control. This application is received and processed by ACSSS with final decision held for approval from the specific capstone certificate coordinator.
3. Following steps outlined by the program, request transcripts of all previous college work and two letters of recommendation.
   1. For the two (2) letters of recommendation, use the Download Recommendation Form.
      1. The recommenders should send the statement directly to gradadmissions@interpro.wisc.edu.  At least one letter should be from your current or previous direct supervisor. Academic references are acceptable for applicants who have been out of school less than five years.

Enrollment

After a decision has been made, the admissions committee chair will contact applicants by email to inform of the decision.

Admitted students receive a formal letter of admission to UW–Madison from Adult Career and Special Student Services along with general enrollment information. Additional detail is provided on the ACSSS enrollment page.

Requirements

Grade Requirements

• Students must complete all courses with a minimum GPA of 2.00 to continue to the next class.

Required Courses

Students must complete 9 credits from the curriculum below.

Minimum Requirements for Capstone Certificate Completion

• Students must earn a minimum grade of C in each course used to meet Capstone Certificate requirements.
• Courses in which a student elects the pass/fail or audit option will not count toward completion of Capstone Certificate requirements.
• All of the Capstone Certificate credits must be earned "in residence" (which includes on campus and distance-delivered courses) at UW-Madison.
• All of the Capstone Certificate credits must be earned while enrolled in the Capstone Certificate program.

Individual Capstone Certificate programs may have additional requirements for completion, which will be listed above as/if applicable.

Learning Outcomes

1. Analyze how torque and speed are controlled in the major classes of electric machines.
2. Evaluate how power electronics is used to perform electrical power conversion from one form into another.
3. Complete preliminary designs of automatic controlled systems using power electronics circuits.