Master's in Systems Engineering & Systems Engineering Leadership Online
Revolutionizing Systems Engineering for the Modern World
From rockets in the sky, to artificial intelligence in the cloud, to healthcare delivery, systems engineers design and implement the complex operational initiatives that move our world forward. In their critical roles, they direct logistics, identify opportunities for innovation, and lead diverse, technical teams—all while optimizing systems of all kinds.
In WPI’s Master of Science in Systems Engineering, you’ll learn the processes, tools, and techniques essential to the creation of effective systems. This includes applying engineering techniques and methods to manage the cost, schedules, and performance of organizational systems throughout the product or service lifecycle. With WPI’s interdisciplinary approach, you’ll also gain valuable experience on projects across industries.
Where can this degree take you? Graduates of this program are employed by organizations that include: BAE Systems; General Dynamic Electric Boat; Raytheon, Textron; U.S Army Natick Soldier Research, Development, and Engineering Center; and many more.
- Gain hands-on, real-world experience on projects that span engineering, science, business, and management—using the latest modeling and simulation tools
- Build practical, in-demand problem-solving skills you can use in your career from day one
- Customize your curriculum based on the topics and applications you’re most passionate about
- Learn from faculty who are practicing engineers and have extensive experience in industry, government, and academia
- Network with industry leaders, including those from the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE)
- WPI is an active and long-standing member of the International Council on Systems Engineering. Take our SYS 501 course, receive an 85% or better, and you can WAIVE the written Knowledge Exam portion of INCOSE’s Systems Engineering Professional Certification Program, both at the Associate (ASEP) and Certified (CSEP) levels, while also gaining valuable graduate credits!
- Earn your degree 100% online and benefit from flexibility that allows you to balance school, work, and family
WPI: Home to Top-Ranked Engineering Programs
best online master's in engineering programs
best graduate online engineering program
WPI & The International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE)
WPI's SYS 501. Concepts of Systems Engineering is INCOSE approved and delivered 100% online. Any student who receives a final grade of 85% or better allows you to waive the knowledge exam for INCOSE’s Systems Engineering Professional Certification Program, at both the Associate (ASEP) & Certified (CSEP) levels. After 10 weeks of instruction from the experts, you’ll gain deep understanding and priceless practical experience that will be immediately applicable to your career.
WPI is home to some of the world’s leaders in Systems Engineering. Our online courses offer you the chance to learn from the best, from the safety of your home. You can even take a course without an official application.
- Anne Glavan
- Supervisor D355
- ORP Engineering Planning & Contract Change Eval, GDEB
- Mike Bonin
- Senior Engineer
- General Dynamics Electric Boat
- Anne Glavan
- Supervisor D355
- ORP Engineering Planning & Contract Change Eval, GDEB
- Mike Bonin
- Senior Engineer
- General Dynamics Electric Boat
- Anne Glavan
- Supervisor D355
- ORP Engineering Planning & Contract Change Eval, GDEB
Online Master's in Systems Engineering
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
- Gain technical depth in system dynamics, systems engineering, and systems thinking
- Learn to lead technical teams on complex engineering projects
- Analyze requirements for systems, explore alternatives for implementations and design and engineer systems in a way that minimizes technical risks.
- Develop integration, verification and validation strategies for systems to determine they were built correctly, and they meet users’ needs.
- Describe, design and develop complex hardware and/or software architectures that enable the functionality of complex systems and systems-of-systems.
- Work with program managers to plan, document and control the design and development of systems in a way that minimizes budget and schedule risks.
Program Requirements
Program Requirements
The online systems engineering degree requires the completion of 30 graduate credit hours. The distribution of credits is as follows:
Core Requirement (12 credits)
Each student must complete the core of the Systems Engineering degree program. (Denoted by an * in the list of courses below)
Leadership/Management Requirement (3 credits)
Student will consult with their Academic Advisor to select a course from WPI School of Business to fufill this requirement.
Depth Requirement (6 credits)
Minimum of an additional 6 credits of SYS courses.
Elective Courses (6 credits)
Maximum of 6 credits from any other discipline.
Capstone Experience (3 credits)
Courses
Core Requirements (12 Credits)
- SYS 501. Concepts of Systems Engineering
- SYS 510. Systems Architecture and Design
- SYS 511. Systems Integration, Verification and Validation
- OIE 542. Risk Management and Decision Making*
Leadership/Management Requirement (3 credits)
- MIS 576. Project Management
- MIS 582. Information Security Management
- OBC 505. Teaming and Organizing for Innovation
- OBC 506. Leadership
- OIE 554. Global Operations Strategy
- SD 550. System Dynamics Foundation: Managing Complexity
- BUS 546. Managing Technological Innovation
Depth Requirements (6 credits)
- SYS 502. Business Practices
- SYS 512. Requirements Engineering
- SYS 520. System Optimization
- SYS 521. Model-Based Systems Engineering
- SYS 540. Introduction to Systems Thinking
- SYS 579. Software Systems Engineering
- SYS 579C. Complex Decision Making
- SYS 579D. Engineering Dependable and Secure Systems
- SYS579. Systems Management and Leadership
Elective Courses (6 credits)
Each student must complete 6 credit hours of elective graduate courses to meet the specific needs of students and organizations. All elective courses must be approved by the student’s faculty advisor and can be selected from graduate courses offered by the following departments and programs: Computer Science (CS), Systems Dynamics (SD), Systems Engineering (SYS), any WPI engineering department or program (such as AI, ECE, BME, ME, ChE, EnvE and RBE), the School of Business, and Mathematics (MA).
Capston Experience (3 credits)
- SYS 585. Systems Engineering Capstone Experience
To find the next offering of online Systems Engineering courses, visit the Registrar’s site.
To view a course description, visit the Graduate Catalog.
Subject to change based on availability.
Online Master's in Systems Engineering Leadership
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
- Gain a breadth of knowledge in systems engineering, as well as management and leadership topics
- Learn to lead diverse teams through systems thinking skill building
- Become an expert at managing people, as well as project finances
- Expand business acumen while designing and maintaining complex systems
- Achieve cost and schedule objectives on multidisciplinary projects
Program Requirements
Program Requirements
The online systems engineering leadership degree requires the completion of 30 graduate credit hours. The distribution of credits is as follows:
Core Requirement (12 credits)
Each student must complete the core of the Systems Engineering degree program. (Denoted by an * in the list of courses below)
Leadership/Organizational Behavior and Change Requirement (3 credits)
Student will consult with their Academic Advisor to select a course from WPI School of Business to fufill this requirement.
Finance Requirement (3 credits)
Student will consult with their Academic Advisor to select a course from WPI School of Business to fufill this requirement.
Marketing, Strategy, or Entrepreneurship Requirement (3 credits)
Student will consult with their Academic Advisor to select a course from WPI School of Business to fufill this requirement.
Information Technology Requirement (3 credits)
Student will consult with their Academic Advisor to select a course from WPI School of Business to fufill this requirement.
Technical Elective Requirement (3 credits)
Minimum of an additional 3 credits of SYS courses.
Capstone Experience (3 credits)
Courses
Core Requirements (12 Credits)
- SYS 501. Concepts of Systems Engineering *
- SYS 502. Business Practices *
- SYS 540. Introduction to Systems Thinking *
- SD 550. System Dynamics Foundation: Managing Complexity *
Leadership/Organizational Behavior and Change (3 credits)
(Choose one of the suggested courses below)
- OBC 505. Teaming and Organizing for Innovation
- OBC 506. Leadership
- OBC 533. Negotiations
- OBC 537. Leading Change
Finance (3 credits)
- FIN 500. Financial Information and Management
Marketing, Strategy, or Entrepreneurship (3 credits)
(Choose one of the suggested courses below)
- BUS 546. Managing Technological Innovation
- ETR 500. Entrepreneurship and Innovation
- ETR 593. Technology Commercialization
- MKT 500. Marketing Strategy
- MKT 568. Marketing Analytics
Information Technology (3 credits)
(Choose one of the suggested courses below)
- MIS 500. Innovating with Information Systems
- MIS 571. Database Applications Design and Development
- MIS 573. System Design and Development
- MIS 584. Business Intelligence
Technical Elective (3 credits)
(Choose one of the suggested courses below)
- SYS 510. Systems Architecture and Design
- SYS 511. Systems Integration, Verification and Validation
- SYS 512. Requirements Engineering
- SYS 520. System Optimization
- SYS 521. Model-based Systems Engineering
- SYS 579. Software Systems Engineering
- SYS 579C. Complex Decision Making
- SYS 579D. Engineering Dependable and Secure Systems
- SYS 579R. Reliability Engineering
- SYS579. Systems Management and Leadership
Capstone Project (3 credits)
- IDG 598. Systems Engineering Leadership Project
To find the next offering of online courses, visit the Registrar’s site.
To view a course description, visit the Graduate Catalog.
Subject to change based on availability.
Faculty
Our MS systems engineering students work closely with WPI’s renowned Systems Engineering faculty: real-world experts who enrich the curriculum with decades of professional experience in all aspects of the field. Many continue to be active members of industry as employees and consultants in a variety of leading companies, including Verizon, MITRE Corporation, Stryker, and the United States Air Force.
Admissions Qualifications for a Master’s in Systems Engineering
Admission to the online Master's in Systems Engineering requires an ABET-accredited engineering or computer BS degree with a GPA or 3.0 or higher.
If you’re interested in sharpening your skills in the systems engineering, a graduate certificate may be for you. Our systems engineering certificates can help bridge the next steps to gain the training and expertise to advance your career in systems engineering.
Admissions Qualifications for a Master's in Systems Engineering Leadership
The online master's in Systems Engineering Leadership requires a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA, with a course of study that included at least two quantitative courses with a grade of 3.0 or higher.
If you do not have a bachelor's degree, please view our list of undergraduate programs.
For specific application requirements, visit application requirements page.
Refer a Friend
Do you have a friend, colleague, or family member who might be interested in a WPI graduate program? Click below to tell them about our programs.
Have questions?
WPI's dedicated graduate student support team can help.
Grad Studies Blog: Catalyst.
Explore Catalyst, our graduate school blog, where you’ll find student stories, expert insights, and answers to common questions. Whether you’re a prospective, admitted, or current grad student, it’s your go-to source for STEM perspectives, career advice, and essential tips—all in one place.
Graduate Studies Series.
Team members from Graduate & Professional Studies host quick and convenient webinars designed to highlight popular topics when starting grad school. Take a deep dive into specific areas of interest such as how to secure funding, how to ace your application, an overview of student services, and more!
Take a Course
Not sure if online learning works for you? Try a course to see if this program delivery is right for you.
From on-site recruiting events to live and on-demand webinars, learn more and stay connected with WPI’s Graduate & Professional Studies.
Take the Next Steps
Learn more about WPI's Department of Systems Engineering and begin applying today.