Vince and Judy Vidas Program in Systems Engineering MSSYSE

Major: Systems Engineering
Degree Awarded: Master of Science in Systems Engineering (MSSYSE)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 45.0
Co-op Option: Available for full-time, on-campus master's-level students
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 14.2701
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 17-2199

What is Systems Engineering?

Fundamentally, the function of systems engineering is to guide the engineering development of complex systems, or in some cases, new technology. Systems engineering is:

• A set of process, principles, fundamentals and tools, and often includes a cultural aspect, to guide the design of complicated systems. 
• An emphasis on the total operation of the system -- necessitating a thorough understanding of requirements for operation and performance. 
• Involves defining the system as functional relationships in the early conceptual stages of the process. 
• Includes a rigorous analysis of alternatives to assure optimal system design in later stages. 
• An integration of subsystem and emerging technology to develop a system that satisfies the defined requirements. 

Systems Engineering involves the ability to think within the context of incorporation and understanding of the system linkages and interactions and between the subsystems and components that comprise the entirety of the system.

About the Program

The Master of Science in Systems Engineering is an interdisciplinary curriculum which integrates systems thinking, the ability to understand the complete system and the ability to execute the systems engineering process. The degree provide skills to enable systems development throughout the entire life-cycle, from conceptual development and engineering design through the operation and sustainment phases. 

A master’s degree in systems engineering is an excellent complement to any engineering or STEM bachelor’s degree. The program continues with the Drexel College of Engineering tradition by preparing students to be successful in their careers. Study can be on a part-time or full-time basis, and the program is available both online and on campus.

Drexel's MS in Systems Engineering is certified by the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE), and is one of only a few programs in the world to hold this distinction. Graduates will automatically qualify for a Systems Engineering Professional (SEP) Certification from INCOSE 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 (MBSE) using SysML and also covering major aspects of the systems domain
• Teach systems engineering processes and skills to integrate user needs, manage requirements, conduct technological evaluation, 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.
• Formulate and manage processes relevant to complex systems development.
• Design, implement, integrate, verify, validate, support and decommission systems.
• Use systems engineering tools and practices to identify and execute effective technical solutions.
• Develop system architectures (physical, structural, behavioral, etc) to represent systems design and development.
• Manage system-intensive projects within cost and schedule constraints.

Certificate Option

Students may complete a graduate certificate as a standalone pursuit or as a gateway to the full Master of Science in Systems Engineering. Students can apply certificate course credits toward completion of a Master's in Systems Engineering.

Additional Information 

For more information, visit the MS in Systems Engineering program, or visit the Certificate in Systems Engineering page.

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 90 (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

Note, interested students can apply for admission to this program in any term (Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer) as there is rolling admission throughout the year.  However, students attending full time cannot apply for admission in the summer term.  Full time students can apply for all other terms (Fall, Winter and Spring).  This summer term restriction does not apply to part time / online students.  These students can apply for admission in any term (Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer).

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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EGMT 572 requires EGMT 571 as a prerequisite or a waiver must be approved by the program administration if the student has previously taken a undergraduate or graduate statistics course. Otherwise, students will need to take EGMT 571 as one of their electives.

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Students may select electives from other disciplines outside of Engineering Management with prior approval from their 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.

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Co-op is an option for this degree for full-time on-campus students. To prepare for the 6-month co-op experience, students will complete: COOP 500. The total credits required for this degree with the co-op experience is 46.0

Students not participating in the co-op experience will need 45.0 credits to graduate.

Sample Plan of Study

Part Time, 2 Courses per term

 *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.

 Part Time, One Course Per Term*

*Note: This plan of study 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 following this plan.

Full Time, No CO-OP

Full Time with CO-OP

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.

Program Level Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be prepared to:

Systems Engineering Faculty