Engineering Leadership Institute

Admission requirements

We recommend a minimum of five years of full-time work experience; exceptional candidates with 3-5 years of experience will be considered.

ELI does not require TOEFL or other English-language exam scores for admission. However, participants need to understand and speak English at a level that allows them to participate fully in this professional program.

How to apply

Submit your application, including resume. 

Application deadlines

Application deadlines for the upcoming cycle will be shared in summer 2026.

Program cost

The exact cost of this program will depend on which admission deadline you apply by. The total cost ranges between $9,950 and $10,500.

Program cost includes instruction and materials, meals for the welcome dinner and graduation dinner and the Engineering Leadership Institute certificate. 

Registrants may pay by check or credit card. Your space in the program is not confirmed until payment is received. Please note that for seminars that require pre-work, you will not receive the materials before payment. 

You will have the option to pay for tuition in two installments. More information on the payment plan will be included with the admission notice.

Each time you send a check, you authorize a one-time electronic transfer where funds will be withdrawn from your bank account. 

If you would like to request a copy of your payment receipt, please contact execed@uw.edu. Please note that we cannot issue Form 1098-T, because the Engineering Leadership Institute is a non-credit program. 

Discounts and policies

• Refund policies are outlined below; refunds will not be made after the program starts. 
• Organizations wishing to enroll 10+ employees receive a 15% discount. Please contact us at execed@uw.edu for more information. 
• Participants can use their available VA Benefits/GI Bill to attend the program. Please contact us at execed@uw.edu for more information.
• The Engineering Leadership Institute cannot sponsor student visas. 
• A $50 late fee applies to payments delayed by 3+ business days unless an extension is approved by the Engineering Leadership Institute before the due date. Request an extension at execed@uw.edu  Access to program materials will be suspended if payment is 5+ business days late. Reminder emails will be sent, but payments are due by each deadline regardless of reminders.

Policies

Cancellations 

All requests for cancellation, refund or substitution must be received in writing (email is acceptable). Cancellation policies outlined below by how many days prior to program start the cancellation occurs: 

• 30 days prior: 100% refund for withdrawal, minus deposit. Participant substitutes are allowed with no administrative fee. 
• 15 to 29 days prior: 50% refund for withdrawal. Participant substitutes may be allowed on a case-by-case basis. 
• 5 to 14 days prior: No refund for withdrawal. Participant substitutes may be allowed on a case-by-case basis. 
• Less than 5 days prior: No refunds or substitutions will be permitted. 

Program dates, fees and faculty are subject to change. If a program is cancelled, the Engineering Leadership Institute will refund the tuition in full; however, we are not responsible for travel, accommodations or other expenses incurred by the participant.