Master of Science in Systems Engineering

Interested in how to manage complex systems and projects? This program is designed to provide engineers and engineering managers the advanced knowledge and skills needed for confident decision making in the conception and implementation of complex systems.

Courses in theory and application of systems engineering and management are combined with specialization areas that allow you to design a program that fits your career goals.  This interdisciplinary program can be applied to cyber physical systems, defense, space, aircraft, communications, navigation, sensor, computer software, computer hardware, transportation, infrastructure energy and other aerospace and commercial systems activities. 

Thesis and non-thesis options available. The non-thesis degree requires 30 credit hours; the thesis degree requires 36 credit hours and includes a research component.

Core Courses: 

  • SYS ENG  5101 Systems Engineering and Analysis
  • SYS ENG 6102 Information Based Design
  • SYS ENG 6103 Systems Life Cycle Costing
  • SYS ENG 6104 Systems Architecting
  • SYS ENG 6196 Systems Engineering Capstone
  • SYS ENG 6542 Model Based Systems Engineering

Specialization courses provide students the ability to address technology needs in the context of the overall systems engineering program. These graduate courses can be selected from engineering or the physical science department with the approval of the program director.

As part of your master's degree track in Systems Engineering, you can obtain two graduate certificates in an emphasis area. Emphasis areas include cyber physical systems, engineering management, project management, financial engineering, computational intelligence engineering and model based systems engineering. 

For more details, download the following: 

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in engineering, applied mathematics, computer science or a physical science
  • Undergraduate GPA ≥ 3.0
  • Undergraduate courses: Calculus Series (I, II, III), Differential Equations, Statistics, Physics (I, II) or Chemistry, Engineering Economy
  • GRE V ≥ 155, GRE Q ≥ 148, and GRE WR ≥ 4.0
  • International requirement: TOEFL ≥ 80 or IELTS ≥ 6.5, or satisfactory completion of an approved English language Institute program

Doctorate Degree in Systems Engineering

The content of all Ph.D. programs is individually structured by the student in consultation with and approved by the student’s advisory committee. All requirements for the degree must normally be completed within an eight year period. At appropriate points in their program, Ph.D. students must pass both a qualifying examination and a comprehensive examination. Students have the option of conducting research that is beneficial to their professional work. There is no residency requirement for the Ph.D.; however, the Ph.D. Comprehensive Exam and the Defense of Dissertation must take place on the S&T campus. A sudent is also required to have at least two video conferences per month with their research advisor and at least two per semester with their Ph.D. committee. 

The total credit requirements for graduation are 54 credits after the successful completion of M.S. degree in Systems Engineering or 84 credits after a B.S. degree.

Ph.D. Course Requirements

Core Curriculum  (24 credit hours) required courses:

  • SYS ENG 5101 Systems Engineering and Analysis
  • SYS ENG 6101 Advance Research Methodologies*
  • SYS ENG 6104 Systems Architecting*
  • SYS ENG 6110 Optimization Under Uncertainty*
  • SYS ENG 6239 Smart Engineering System Design
  • SYS ENG 6412 Mathematical Programming*
  • SYS ENG 6521 Modeling Complex Systems
  • SYS ENG 6542 Modeling Based System Engineering

Systems Engineering Electives (6 credit hours)
Specialization Electives (24 credit hours)
Research (30 credit hours)

TOTAL (84 CREDIT HOURS)

*Denotes the core courses students need to take and have a GPA of 3.5 before taking the oral Ph.D. qualifying exam.

Areas of Research Specialization:

  • Cyber Physical Systems
  • Modeling and Simulation
  • Model Based Systems Engineering
  • System of Systems Architecting
  • Complex Adaptive Systems
  • Human System Integration
  • Infrastructure Systems

Admission Requirements

  • MS in Systems Engineering or related field with 3.5 GPA
  • Minimum of three years of full time work experience beyond the bachelor's degree
  • GRE V ≥ 155, GRE Q ≥ 148, and GRE WR ≥ 4.0
  • International requirement: TOEFL ≥ 80 or IELTS ≥ 6.5, or satisfactory completion of an approved English language Institute program

Graduate Certificates

Your Pathway to a Graduate Degree

Start earning college credit toward a graduate degree. The GRE is not required to enter a certificate program, and credit earned may be applied toward your master’s degree.*

Graduate Certificate Programs

Obtain two graduate certificates as part of your master’s degree track in Systems Engineering. Learn more — Systems Engineering Emphasis (pdf)

*restrictions may apply

Completion of a graduate certificate program does not automatically guarantee admission into a corresponding graduate degree program. To continue in a master’s degree program, you must apply. Check with the academic department for program specific details and requirements. Learn more about the certificate to master's program.

Have a Question?

Missouri S&T Online Education

Sylvia Skouby, Associate Director for Online Admissions

Phone: 573-341-6903
Email: stgrad@mst.edu

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering

Dr. Cihan Dagli
Professor, Founder and Director of Systems Engineering Program

229 Engineering Management
Rolla, MO 65409

Phone: 573-647-9125
Email: dagli@mst.edu
Web: emse.mst.edu