Master's in Systems Engineering & Systems Engineering Leadership Online

Master of Science
Person looking at drawings and calculations on whiteboard

Demand is soaring for systems engineers, as organizations across many industries are recognizing that complex engineering initiatives must be holistically designed and managed. From developing and directing logistics, schedules, risks, and opportunities, to leading teams and coordinating operations, systems engineers bring clarity and structure to these processes. And a master’s in systems engineering can help get you there.

WPI’s online Systems Engineering masters draws on our strengths in engineering, business, and management to prepare leaders who can integrate the technical and human-centered processes of this multifaceted discipline.

WPI offers 2 online master’s in systems engineering to suit your background and career goals. Our part-time programs will give you the knowledge, skills, and decision-making abilities to design, manage, and lead complex projects. 

Other online graduate program in Systems Engineering: 

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!

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
Each of the classes gave me a better perspective on what I did at work. They gave me new or improved methods to approach a problem & tools apply on projects. There was hardly a week where I didn't get something that I could take back and use at my job.
  • Anne Glavan
  • Supervisor D355
  • ORP Engineering Planning & Contract Change Eval, GDEB

Two Online Systems Engineering Master's Options

Master’s in Systems Engineering

Master’s in Systems Engineering

This is the engineering-focused track, designed to increase your technical skills in addition to systems management.

Learning Outcomes

  • Gain technical depth in system dynamics, systems engineering, and systems thinking
  • Learn to lead technical teams on complex engineering projects
  • Analyze requirements for systems, explore alternatives for implementations and design and engineer systems in a way that minimizes technical risks.
  • Develop integration, verification and validation strategies for systems to determine they were built correctly, and they meet users’ needs.
  • Describe, design and develop complex hardware and/or software architectures that enable the functionality of complex systems and systems-of-systems.
  • Work with program managers to plan, document and control the design and development of systems in a way that minimizes budget and schedule risks.

Program Requirements

30 credit hours required, and specific courses are determined in conjunction with an academic advisor. All courses are three credits each unless otherwise specified. A thesis is not required but all students must complete a capstone experience.  

Core Requirement (12 credits)

Each student must complete the core of the Systems Engineering degree program, which consists of the following four 3-credit graduate courses:

  • SYS 501. Concepts of Systems Engineering*
  • SYS 510. Systems Architecture and Design
  • SYS 511. Systems Integration, Verification and Validation
  • OIE 542. Risk Management and Decision Making

Leadership/Management Requirement (3 credits)

System engineers need to be aware of, and trained in, leadership/management methods and practices. Accordingly, each student must also complete one of the following 3-credit graduate courses:

  • MIS 576. Project Management
  • MIS 582.  Information Security Systems and Management
  • OBC 506. The Heart of Leadership: Power, Reflection, and Interpersonal Skills
  • OIE 554.  Global Operations Strategy
  • SD 550.  System Dynamics Foundation: Managing Complexity

Depth Requirement (6 credits)

To ensure sufficient breadth of knowledge in Systems Engineering, each student must complete a minimum of 18 Systems Engineering graduate credits. In addition to the courses noted in the Core Requirement section, each student must complete two additional 3-credit Systems Engineering graduate courses from those listed below.

Elective Courses (6 credits)

Six credit hours of elective graduate courses can be selected to meet the specific needs of students and organizations. All elective courses must be approved by the student’s faculty advisor and can be selected from courses offered by the following departments and programs: Computer Science (CS), Systems Dynamics (SD), any WPI engineering department or program (such as ECE, BME, ME, ChE, EnvE and RBE), the School of Business, and Mathematics (MA).

Capstone Experience (3 credits)

The capstone experience requirement may be satisfied by an instructor-led systems engineering project (SYS 585 Systems Engineering Capstone Experience), an individual directed research project (SYS 598 Directed Research), or a Master’s Thesis (SYS 599 Thesis). Courses taken to satisfy the capstone experience requirement must not exceed a total of 9 credits. Students may not transfer credits to satisfy the required capstone experience.  The capstone cannot be taken until the student has successfully completed at least 24 credits, including all Core Requirements.

Learn more about the Capstone Experience here.

Thesis option: Currently, WPI’s online graduate programs do not offer a thesis option, as theses cannot be completed online. If you wish to pursue a thesis on campus, it is the student’s responsibility to find an advisor. Please note that depending on the project’s subject and timeframe, there might not be a faculty member willing or able to advise.

Master’s in Systems Engineering Leadership

Master's in Systems Engineering Leadership

This MS systems engineering leadership track is designed to enhance your skills in the management of people, projects, and financials, as well as complex systems.

Learning Outcomes

  • Gain a breadth of knowledge in systems engineering, as well as management and leadership topics
  • Learn to lead diverse teams through systems thinking skill building
  • Become an expert at managing people, as well as project finances
  • Expand business acumen while designing and maintaining complex systems
  • Achieve cost and schedule objectives on multidisciplinary projects

Program Requirements

30 credit hours required, and specific courses are determined in conjunction with an academic advisor. A thesis is not required but all students must complete a capstone experience.  

Business Courses (9 credits)

Choose 3 credits from each category

Leadership/Organizational Behavior and Change

  • OBC 505. Teaming and Organizing for Innovation
  • OBC 506. The Heart of Leadership: Power, Reflection, and Interpersonal Skills
  • OBC 533. Negotiations
  • OBC 537. Leading Change​

 

Marketing, Strategy, or Entrepreneurship

  • ETR 500. Entrepreneurship and Innovation
  • ETR 593. Technology Commercialization: Theory, Strategy and Practice
  • MKT 500. Marketing Management
  • MKT 568. Data Mining Business Applications

 

Information Technology

  • MIS 500. Innovating with Information Systems
  • MIS 571. Database Applications Development
  • MIS 584. Business Intelligence
 
Technical and Finance Depth Courses (15 credits)
  • SYS 501. Concepts of Systems Engineering
  • SYS 502. Business Practices
  • SYS 540. Introduction to Systems Thinking
  • SD 550. System Dynamics Foundation: Managing Complexity
  • FIN 500. Financial Information and Management
Technical Electives (3 credits)

Any other graduate-level SYS course with Program Review Board Approval

Capstone Project (3 credits)

IDG 598. Systems Engineering Leadership Project

*or other course(s) in the area with prior faculty approval

Thesis option: Currently, WPI’s online graduate programs do not offer a thesis option, as theses cannot be completed online. If you wish to pursue a thesis on campus, it is the student’s responsibility to find an advisor. Please note that depending on the project’s subject and timeframe, there might not be a faculty member willing or able to advise.

Software

Software used in the online systems engineering masters program: Adobe Connect, SysML Modeling Tool: Magic Draw Cameo Systems Modeler (full evaluation license available) or equivalent SysML tool, Magic Draw Cameo Systems Modeler (full evaluation license available) or equivalent SysML tool, Optimization Modeling With Spreadsheets, 2nd Ed., by Kenneth R. Baker, 2011, Wiley, ISBN 978-0-470-92863-9, Windows-based computer to work software problems in class, Microsoft Office 2007 or later, Oracle Crystal Ball software package (free license), Microsoft Excel Risk Solver Platform for Education (RSPE v 12.5)

Faculty

Our MS systems engineering students work closely with WPI’s renowned Systems Engineering faculty: real-world experts who enrich the curriculum with decades of professional experience in all aspects of the field. Many continue to be active members of industry as employees and consultants in a variety of leading companies, including Verizon, MITRE Corporation, and the United States Air Force.

Admissions Qualifications for a Master’s in Systems Engineering

The online master's in Systems Engineering requires a B.S. degree in Computer Science or in engineering field that is ABET-accredited with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

If you’re interested in sharpening your skills in the systems engineering, a graduate certificate may be for you. Our systems engineering can help bridge the next steps to gain the training and expertise to advance your career in systems engineering.

Admissions Qualifications for a Master's in Systems Engineering Leadership

The online master's in Systems Engineering Leadership requires a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA, with a course of study that included at least two quantitative courses with a grade of 3.0 or higher.

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

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

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

View the Calendar




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After Graduation

Many of our master’s in systems engineering graduates advance in their current organizations or apply their enhanced skills to new opportunities. Organizations employing WPI systems engineering alumni include BAE Systems, General Dynamics Electric Boat, Raytheon, Textron, U.S Army Natick Soldier Research, Development, and Engineering Center, and many more.