Vince and Judy Vidas Program in Systems Engineering

Major: Systems Engineering
Degree Awarded: Master of Science (MS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 45.0
Co-op Option: None
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 14.2701
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 17-2199

About the Program

The Master of Science in Systems Engineering is an interdisciplinary curriculum which integrates systems thinking with financial management and planning. The degree enables engineering leaders to perform, lead, and manage systems development throughout the entire life-cycle, from conceptual development and engineering design through the operation and sustainment phases. Study can be on a part-time or full-time basis, and the program is available both online and on-campus.

Drexel's MS Systems Engineering is certified by the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE), and it is one of only six programs in the world to hold this distinction. Graduates will automatically qualify for the CSEP (Certified Systems Engineering Professional) or ASEP (Associate Systems Engineering Professional) without having to take the certification exam. 

The MS Systems Engineering curriculum will do the following:

• Include models relevant to sustainable, high performance systems as they relate to effective systems engineering
• Expose students to model-based systems engineering using SysML and DODAF, also covering major aspects of the systems domain.
• Teach systems engineering processes and skills to integrate user needs, manage requirements, conduct technological evaluation, and build elaborate system architectures, assess risk and establish financial and schedule constraints.
• Prepare students to intelligently manage and contribute to any engineering challenge, including concept development, technology assessment, architecture selection, and proposal development. The courses stimulate and challenge students as they consider sustainability-oriented projects and become serious systems engineering managers and practitioners.

Program Outcomes

Graduates of the Drexel University Master of Science in Systems Engineering will be competent in their ability to:

• develop and implement models and tools to enhance and optimize complex systems;
• develop and manage processes relevant to complex systems development;
• architect, design, implement, integrate, verify, validate, support and decommission complex systems;
• use systems engineering tools and practices to identify and execute effective technical solutions;
• manage system-intensive projects within cost and schedule constraints;
• consider financial elements in all complex systems solutions.

Certificate Opportunity

Students may complete a Graduate Certificate as a standalone pursuit or as a gateway to the full Master of Science in Systems Engineering. Students may apply for admission to the Masters of Science in Systems Engineering degree program at any point in a certificate series. Upon admission, graduate courses successfully completed in the certificate series may be applied toward the Master’s degree as applicable. Certificate opportunities include:

• Certificate in Systems Design and Development
• Certificate in Systems Engineering
• Certificate in Systems Engineering Analysis
• Certificate in Systems Engineering Integrated Logistics
• Certificate in Systems Reliability Engineering

Admission Requirements

Degree and GPA Requirement

A bachelor's degree in an Engineering discipline from an ABET-accredited college or university is required. A bachelor’s degree in science (Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, etc.) may also be acceptable. An undergraduate degree earned abroad must be deemed equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree. A minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for a bachelor’s degree as well as for any subsequent graduate-level work is required.

TOEFL Requirement

For students whose native language is not English and who do not hold a degree from a US institution, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required. TOEFL scores must be less than two years old to be considered. Minimum total score of 94 (internet-based). Official documents of this exam must be submitted directly to the Graduate Admissions Office. Unofficial photocopies will not be accepted.

Other Requirements

• Submission of an application
• Official, sealed college transcripts
• An essay
• Two or more letters of recommendation

Degree Requirements

Students may take their required elective credits from any graduate-level course(s) in engineering, business, or another college for which they have adequate preparation and can obtain approvals from the college and the systems engineering program.

All candidates are encouraged to discuss areas of interest with the program advisor and to develop a proposed plan of study during the early stages of the program.

Note: Specific course requirements may be waived for students who have taken equivalent courses elsewhere.

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Electives from other engineering disciplines and/or Drexel colleges may be considered with review and approval by the advisor.

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If a student decides to pursue the Master's Thesis option, the student will complete the 30 core credits, 6 elective credits, and nine thesis credits. Advisor/Director consultation and approval is required if a student is interested in waiving core courses when pursuing the Master's Thesis option.

Sample Plan of Study

Note: Second Year Summer is less than the 4.5-credit minimum required (considered half-time status) of graduate programs to be considered financial aid eligible. As a result, aid will not be disbursed to students this term.

Dual Degree Programs

Students with a previously completed master’s degree at Drexel may pursue a second master’s degree in a different major without the need to go through the admission process again or to complete another 45.0 credits of graduate coursework. Up to 15.0 credits from the first master's may be transferred into the second master’s degree program, enabling students to complete the second master’s degree with a minimum of 30.0 new graduate credits.

Career Opportunities

The MS in Systems Engineering prepares students to become effective systems engineers, leaders, managers, and future executives. With a systems engineering background, students are able to tackle a wide array of engineering challenges from the entire systems life cycle, including concept development, technology assessment, architecture selection, and proposal development.

Systems engineers are highly valued in industry because their skills complement those in traditional engineering fields.  Whereas other engineering disciplines usually focus deeply in only one area, systems engineers must integrate all of those areas into a comprehensive and effective system. This is a versatile skill-set that allows for a flexible career path, as systems engineering expertise is sought by a wide range of industries such as healthcare, defense, communications, aerospace, government, transportation, finance, and more. Drexel University’s MS Systems Engineering will prepare students from any of these fields to lead large, complex projects in their organizations.

Systems Engineering Faculty