MS in Systems Engineering

Master of Science in Systems Engineering

Students meeting with professor

The systems engineering master’s degree provides engineers and technology professionals with a deep understanding of the entirety of systems and processes required of visionary leaders. As a student, you will gain the skillsets that effective managers use when seeking to improve efficiency and effectiveness of an organization and its operations. Unlike discipline specific engineering, systems engineering coursework crosses all the boundaries of technology and industries, delivering abilities in design thinking and multidisciplinary, holistic decision-making that enables you to direct complex interconnected technologies and systems across organizations.

The Drexel Engineering graduate program in systems engineering was built to address the need for expertise in best practices for applying technical and computational knowledge, analysis and oversight of complex and interdependent systems design. Your learning will cover the entire systems lifecycle, manufacturing, production and supportability in operations and utilization. You will gain an understanding of the forces governing industry, gain a regional, national, global and societal perspective, and earn the ability to create successful, productive and entrepreneurial solutions that are needed in organizations and will advance careers.

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Delivery

  • Online or on-campus
  • Full-time or part-time
  • The program will take 5 Quarter terms [1 year plus 1 Quarter] to complete on a full-time basis or can be completed on a part time basis in approximately 2 years.

Curriculum and Requirements

  • The Master of Science in Systems Engineering requires 45 credits in a curriculum that includes a core of 10 required courses (30 credits).
  • Elective coursework consisting of 5 courses (15 credits) can be used to customize your learning to your area of interest in areas such as engineering management, project management, healthcare informatics, business analytics, entrepreneurship, marketing and many others.
  • All graduates receive a ASEP or CSEP certification from International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) without having to take the certification exam.

Graduate advisors will consult with you on the choice and scheduling of core and elective courses. Visit the Drexel Catalog for more information or learn more about our admissions requirements.

Certificates

The following certificates can be added to enhance skillsets for specific areas, or as a start that may transfer to the MS should you continue study.

Graduate Co-op

This program is eligible for Graduate Co-op — a unique, optional three or six-month work full-time professional experience that alternates with study, available for domestic and international full-time master’s students.

About Drexel Engineering

The Drexel systems engineering MS degree is a highly ranked program and one of only seven programs in the world certified by the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE), which offers graduates the ASEP or CSEP certification from INCOSE included in the degree, without requiring the certification exam. Delivered on-campus or online for the convenience of students working full-time while earning their degree, the coursework is designed to provide knowledge that can be applied for immediate impact in the workplace. Both the in-person or online format challenges and engages with experiential components and highly interactive classroom content.

Drexel’s systems engineering master’s program emphasizes critical thinking and the application of learned scientific methodologies while fostering creativity and innovation into process. Drexel Engineering trains students to be capable leaders that consider the societal implications of these systems.

The Department of Engineering Leadership and Society seeks to educate a new generation of science, technology and engineering professionals that consider global, societal and industry challenges with analytical minds and community focused hearts. Combining related diverse fields helps to educate a well-rounded, ethical and compassionate engineer with the ability to employ the principles of transformational leadership. 

Faculty

Drexel places a high value on industry connections and experience at every level. Teaching faculty in your program are experts with industry experience at the forefront of teaching. 

Drexel Online

Drexel University was one of the first to offer academics of the highest caliber in its online format. You will build the same impressive network and have all the access to resources that an on-campus student enjoys. The technology and class design has been refined to provide will provide a rewarding and highly engaging experience. Learn more.

Philadelphia

The city of Philadelphia is our campus – a diverse urban environment with a variety of social, cultural and learning opportunities that will enrich your educational experience. Philadelphia is also a draw for talented instructors and researchers, meaning you will engage with some of the best minds in engineering and other disciplines. Learn more.

Career Opportunities in Systems Engineering

Adding a graduate degree in systems engineering to your career path will make you more competitive in the marketplace and bring you from a technical specialist to a leader with skills to effectively see the big picture and integrate many operations and processes. Salary and job outlook depends on the industry sector in which they are employed. You can go on to careers directing and supervising in roles such as Software Systems Engineer, Aerospace Systems Engineer, Logistics Systems Engineer and many others.

Overall, engineers with graduate degrees can earn up to 28 percent more than bachelor’s degree holders over the course of their career and 10% more in year over year salary. The outlook for systems engineering jobs is good, with demand for engineering management employment expected to grow 3-5% through 2029, on pace with the national average, but in many industries the demand is much stronger, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“Being part of INCOSE’s Academic Equivalency Scheme has enhanced our offering to students giving them the chance to secure an ASEP or CSEP qualification."

Academic Equivalency with INCOSE

“Being part of INCOSE’s Academic Equivalency Scheme has enhanced our offering to students giving them the chance to secure an ASEP or CSEP qualification."

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