Program Overview

Program Overview

The Systems Engineering program at Colorado State University is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in this field. The program offers two master's degrees: a Master of Engineering (M.E.) and a Master of Science (M.S.).

Master of Engineering (M.E.)

The M.E. program requires a minimum of 30 credits of graduate work in an approved program of study for the concentration. Students must complete either SYSE 695 Independent Study as a 3-credit capstone or an appropriate 3-credit course that is consistent with their plan of study as approved by their department advisor. Electives or course substitutions must be approved by the department advisor.

Master of Science (M.S.)

The M.S. program requires a minimum of 30 credits of graduate work in an approved program of study. Students select either Plan A (thesis option; requires faculty advisor) or Plan B (project option). Electives or course substitutions must be approved by the department advisor.

Curriculum

The M.E. program seeks to establish a strong foundation in systems engineering fundamentals and concludes with electives and the optional capstone project. The M.E. requires 12 credits of core SE courses, 9 credits of SE depth courses, 6 credits of flexible elective options, and either the 3-credit capstone or another depth course.

The M.S. program provides a 15-credit depth of knowledge in SE areas, 6-12 credits of flexible elective options, and concludes with a thesis or independent study project.

Learning Experience

As an online systems engineering graduate student, you can access CSU's curriculum in a variety of ways. You may choose to "attend class" online while the lecture is happening live on campus (synchronous learning). Or, if it works better for your schedule, you can choose to watch a webinar-style version of the lecture later (asynchronous learning).

Faculty

The systems engineering faculty at CSU bring decades of experience in applying academic research to real-world situations. Developed by Dr. Ron Sega, this program's coursework is based on extensive research and professional experience with organizations such as NASA, Woodward, and the U.S. Department of Defense.

Application Requirements

To apply to the Systems Engineering program, you must meet the following requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, life sciences, or natural sciences with a GPA of 3.0 or greater (for M.E.)
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, mathematics, or a science discipline with a GPA of 3.0 or greater (for M.S.)
• Basic Statistics
• Calculus I
• Three letters of recommendation
• Resume
• Statement of purpose (2 pages maximum)

Application Dates

Full consideration is given to applicants who meet the given deadline. Applications received after the deadline will be reviewed as space within the program allows.

• Fall semester: July 1
• Spring semester: November 1

Tuition and Fees

The tuition for the Systems Engineering program is $1,193 per credit. Learn more about financial aid and scholarships. Tuition/fees are just part of the cost to attend CSU. Learn more about the full Cost of Attendance.

Degree Awarded

The degree awarded for the M.E. program is a Master of Engineering, with a transcript that reflects the systems engineering specialization. The degree awarded for the M.S. program is a Master of Science in Systems Engineering.

Time Frame

The time frame for completing the program varies based on intensity of study and previous coursework.

Career Opportunities

The online master's programs prepare students for a wide variety of systems engineering careers, including:

• Space and aerospace
• Government and military sectors
• Power and energy
• Healthcare systems
• Computer networks, information systems, and cyber security
• Natural resources and the environment
• Agriculture and watershed
• Biosciences, biomedical engineering, and health sciences
• Urban planning and architecture

The program teaches students to leverage knowledge and expertise from the fields of engineering, management, and mathematics when designing and implementing solutions to complex issues.