Systems Engineering Graduate Certificate Online

Online Graduate Certificate
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WPI’s graduate certificate in systems engineering will provide you with a strong foundation in the discipline, allowing you to develop a range of technical skills to better design and implement complex systems. The online, part-time program is highly flexible and can be tailored to your individual career goals.

On-Demand Webinar

Systems Engineering and SE Leadership Info Session

View our on-demand webinar to be introduced to WPI's online graduate programs in Systems Engineering. Get an overview of program logistics, what online learning looks like, the application process, and more!

LIVE WEBINARS

Graduate Studies Series

Team members from Graduate & Professional Studies host quick and convenient webinars designed to highlight popular topics when starting grad school. Take a deep dive into specific areas of interest such as how to secure funding, how to ace your application, an overview of student services, and more!

Admissions Qualifications for the Online Systems Engineering Graduate Certificates

The online graduate certificates in systems engineering require a BS in engineering from an ABET-accredited university with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. A variety of prep courses are available to help you fill in requirements gaps and brush up on needed skills. 

For specific application requirements, visit our admissions for online programs page.

If you do not have a bachelor's degree, please view our list of undergraduate programs.

Systems engineering helped me understand how the complexity of a major engineering effort can be controlled and guided so that what the customer wants the customer gets.
  • Mike Bonin
  • Senior Engineer
  • General Dynamics Electric Boat

Courses

These systems engineering certificates provides fundamental information in systems engineering while enabling you to focus on topics of specific industry sector interest. 

View current course schedule on the online master's in Systems Engineering page.

View academic term start dates for online systems engineering courses.

Fundamentals of Systems Engineering Graduate Certificate

The Fundamentals of Systems Engineering Graduate Certificate is geared toward new Systems Engineering Professionals looking to build a foundation. 

It will prepare you to:

  • Better understand and work across the major phases of your organization’s systems engineering efforts.
  • Better utilize the essentials of systems engineering.

Course Requirements

This is a four course (12 credits) systems engineering program comprised of the following courses:

  • SYS 501. Concepts of Systems Engineering*
  • SYS 510. Systems Architecture and Design
  • SYS 511. Systems Integration, Verification and Validation
  • MIS 576. Project Management

    or OIE 542. Risk Management and Decision Making

*SYS 501 is required for SYS 510 and SYS 511

Graduate Certificate in Systems Engineering

This Graduate Certificate in Systems Engineering provides foundational information in systems engineering while enabling you to focus on topics of specific industry sector interest.

It will prepare you to:

  • Lead your team to better design and implement complex cyber-physical systems.
  • Make better decisions under uncertainty.
  • Approach solutions to complex problems with a systems thinking perspective.

Course Requirements

This is a six courses (18 credits) systems engineering program with courses that are selected in conjunction with an academic advisor.

Required Course:
  • SYS 501. Concepts of Systems Engineering

Choose two or more from the following:

  • SYS 510. Systems Architecture and Design
  • SYS 511. Systems Integration, Verification and Validation
  • SYS 520. Systems Optimization 
  • SYS 502. Business Practices for Systems Engineers
  • SYS 579D. Engineering Dependable and Secure Systems
  • SYS 540. Introduction to Systems Thinking
  • SYS 521. Model-based Systems Engineering
  • SYS 579R. Requirements Engineering
  • SYS 579S. System of Systems Engineering
  • MA 511. Applied Statistics for Engineers and Scientists
  • MA 546. Design and Analysis of Experiments
  • SD 550. System Dynamics Foundation: managing Complexity
  • SD 562. Project Dynamics
  • MIS 500. Innovating with Information Systems
  • MIS 573. System Design and Development
  • MIS 576. Project Management
  • OBC 505. Teaming and Organizing for Innovation
  • OIE 542. Risk Management and Decision Making
  • CS 509. Design of Software Systems

The remainder of the academic credit must consist of graduate courses at the 500/600 level and may include up to three credits of directed research.

Advanced Graduate Certificate in Systems Engineering

The Advanced Certificate in Systems Engineering provides master’s degree holders with an opportunity to continue their studies in advanced topics in the discipline in which they hold their graduate degrees or that is closely related to their graduate fields.

It will prepare you to:

  • Sharpen your skills in leadership and systems engineering.
  • Deepen your understanding and utilization of essential systems engineering methods and techniques.

Course Requirements

This is a five course (15 credits) systems engineering program with courses that are selected in conjunction with an academic advisor and none of which were included in the student’s prior master’s program or in any other certificate program.

Sample Courses Include:
  • SYS 510. Systems Architecture and Design
  • SYS 511. Systems Integration, Verification and Validation
  • SYS 520. Systems Optimization 
  • SYS 502. Business Practices for Systems Engineers
  • SYS 579D. Engineering Dependable and Secure Systems
  • SYS 540. Introduction to Systems Thinking
  • SYS 521. Model-based Systems Engineering
  • SYS 579R. Requirements Engineering
  • SYS 579S. System of Systems Engineering
  • MA 511. Applied Statistics for Engineers and Scientists
  • MA 546. Design and Analysis of Experiments
  • SD 550. System Dynamics Foundation: managing Complexity
  • SD 562. Project Dynamics
  • MIS 500. Innovating with Information Systems
  • MIS 573. System Design and Development
  • MIS 576. Project Management
  • OBC 505. Teaming and Organizing for Innovation
  • OIE 542. Risk Management and Decision Making
  • CS 509. Design of Software Systems

*It is assumed that students pursuing this graduate certificate will have completed SYS 501 or the equivalent at another institution.

WPI & INCOSE

WPI has a long standing partnership with the INCOSE. Recently, INCOSE approved WPI’s updated SYS 501. Concepts of Systems Engineering for Academic Equivalency. This will allows any student who receives a final score of 85% or better to waive the Knowledge Exam for INCOSE’s SE Professional certification program, both at the Associate (ASEP) and Certified (CSEP) levels.

See all the events and webinars that the Graduate Studies team are hosting and attending.

View the Calendar




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