Advance your career opportunities with an MS in Systems Engineering. Our flexible, fully online master's degree consists of three stackable certificates that can be completed in under two years. Participate in live, synchronous courses from anywhere in the world while balancing your studies with your personal and professional responsibilities. 

As a systems engineer, you'll blend multiple areas of expertise to create solutions that can help meet the needs of popular industries such as aerospace, automotive, biomedical and defense.

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What is Systems Engineering?

Systems engineering is an interdisciplinary approach that focuses on designing, integrating, and managing complex systems throughout their life cycles.
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Master of Science in Systems Engineering

Program at a Glance

We offer online courses to accommodate your lifestyle and learning preferences. Start your application process today.

  • Start Dates: Fall (Sept.), Winter (Jan.), and Spring (Mar.)

  • Curriculum: 45 Credit Hours

  • Term Length: 10 weeks

  • Format: Online

  • Admission: No GRE or GMAT

  • Duration: 18-24 Months 

  • MS Program Tuition: $38,655

  • Certificate Program Tuition: $12,885

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Application Information

Fields

Systems Engineering knowledge is used in wide range of fields. The Ritchie School's Systems Engineering master's program mainly focuses on the Aerospace and Defense knowledge. 

Individual Certificates

You have the option to earn individual certificates on focused topics or complete all certificates to earn a master's degree. The certificates are non-sequential and can be taken at any time throughout the student’s tenure.

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Fundamentals of Systems Engineering Certificate

This certificate showcases the fundamentals needed for engineering professionals across numerous industries. Through examining collaborative practices like needs assessment, risk analysis, and test planning, students learn how to partner with stakeholders and execute key tasks.

  • Required Courses

    9 Credit Hours

    • ENSY 4010 - Systems Engineering Fundamentals
    • ENSY 4090 - Project Management in Relation to Systems Engineering 
    • ENSY 4050 - Digital Transformation for Advanced Integratio
  • Elective Courses

    6 Credit Hours

    • ENMT 4000 - Space Systems Design I 
    • ENMT 4010 - Space Systems Design II 
    • ENSY 4021 - Design of Space Systems Part I 
    • ENSY 4022 - Design of Space Systems Part 2 
    • ENSY 4040 - Systems Optimization 
    • ENSY 4060 - Practical Model Based Systems Engineering 
    • ENGR 4501 - Graduate Capstone Design I - Lockheed Martin ELDP ONLY
    • ENGR 4502 - Graduate Capstone Design II - Lockheed Martin ELDP ONLY 
    • ENGR 4503 - Graduate Capstone Design III - Lockheed Martin ELDP ONLY
    • ENGR 4504 - Graduate Capstone Design IV - Lockheed Martin ELDP ONLY 

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Systems Design and Architecture Certificate

This certificate emphasizes support for proposals after contract awards. It explores the design and architectural aspects of systems engineering through case studies across numerous industries and how to collaborate with others using those aspects.

  • Required Courses

    9 Credit Hours

    • ENSY 4014 - Complex Systems Architectures
    • ENSY 4012 - Systems Engineering Requirements Development
    • ENSY 4016 - Conceptual Design of Systems
  • Elective Courses

    6 Credit Hours

    • ENSY 4024 - Applied Electrical, Mechanical, and Software Systems Design 
    • ENSY 4060 - Practical Model Based Systems Engineering 
    • ENSY 4112 - Practical Validation and Verification Test Planning 
    • ENSY 4040 - Systems Optimization
    • ENSY 4030 - Introduction to Aerospace Missions
    • ENGR 4501 - Graduate Capstone Design I - Lockheed Martin ELDP ONLY
    • ENGR 4502 - Graduate Capstone Design II - Lockheed Martin ELDP ONLY
    • ENGR 4503 - Graduate Capstone Design III - Lockheed Martin ELDP ONLY 
    • ENGR 4504 - Graduate Capstone Design IV - Lockheed Martin ELDP ONLY 

a summer view looking across the pond to the Ritchie College of Engineering and Computer sciences

Systems Engineering Analytical Methods and Practice Certificate

This certificate focuses on practical exposure to the analytical and digital tools necessary within systems engineering, such as applying a working knowledge of probability, statistics and data science. Learn to cleanse complex data sets, visualize patterns in the data and describe characteristics of data sets to extract system performance insights. 

Apply machine learning techniques, which are paramount to the digital transformation of advanced systems integration; derive figures of merit required to characterize and to model processes that need improvement, and trace validation and verification test results to system requirements based on statistically relevant quantitative analysis. 

  • Required Courses

    9 Credit Hours

    • ENSY 4180 - Applied Mathematics for Systems Engineering
    • ENSY 4181 - Introduction to Probability and Statistics
    • ENSY 4182 - Data Analytics for Systems Engineering
  • Elective Courses

    6 Credit Hours

    • ENSY 4042 - Optimization for Advanced Systems
    • ENSY 4200 - Applied Machine Learning
    • ENSY 4170 - Practical Approaches to Continuous Improvement
    • ENSY 4112 - Practical Validation and Verification Test Planning
    • ENGR 4501 - Graduate Capstone Design I - Lockheed Martin ELDP ONLY
    • ENGR 4502 - Graduate Capstone Design II - Lockheed Martin ELDP ONLY
    • ENGR 4503 - Graduate Capstone Design III - Lockheed Martin ELDP ONLY
    • ENGR 4504 - Graduate Capstone Design IV - Lockheed Martin ELDP ONLY

What makes our Systems Engineering curriculum stand out

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Project management skills

Learn the skills needed to design and balance stakeholders' goals through facilitation, guidance and leadership while integrating multiple disciplines into one collective solution. 

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Systems application experience

Courses are designed to prepare you for success through relevant and emergent engineering applications, including digital transformation, practical model-based systems engineering and data analytics. 

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Learning from industry professionals

Enroll in our certificate programs to connect with industry professionals. These programs offer valuable networking opportunities as you advance your current professional path or embark on a new career in systems engineering.

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Career growth and leadership

Gain leadership roles for any engineering discipline and elevate your pathway to promotion in your current engineering role. 

DU campus during the fall

Get Started on Your MS in Systems Engineering

Build your career path in Systems Engineering with our flexible fully online program at the University of Denver’s Ritchie School of Engineering & Computer Science.

Start your application today!