Online Doctor of Engineering in Systems Engineering

We are now accepting applications for the cohort beginning in September 2025. The deadline to receive all application materials, including official transcripts, is June 30, 2025.

Program Description

The D.Eng. (SE) addresses the widespread need for practitioners who can apply knowledge from the program of study in a business or technical environment. Unlike a Doctor of Philosophy degree student, whose fundamental research leads to foundational work that is published in archival professional journals and contributes to the basic understanding of the field, the D.Eng. student engages a practical problem and takes a new approach to its resolution, applying advanced systems engineering theories and practices to research and recommend a useful solution. The D.Eng. empowers the student – who is likely already a practicing engineer –to create advanced, hands-on treatments of complex systems engineering problems.

Curriculum

The curriculum comprises 48 credit hours divided into a classroom phase of 6 graduate-level, 4 credit hour courses, and a research phase during which the student writes and defends a praxis paper. The research phase requires a minimum of 24 credit hours.

Learn More About the Courses

SEAS 8215 Uncertainty Modeling: Fundamental probability concepts, including probability laws, conditional probability, and Bayes’ theorem. It explores probability distributions and joint distributions, with applications in real-world scenarios. Simulate distributions and apply probabilistic methods to queueing theory and reliability modeling. (4 credit hours)

SEAS 8225 Computational Modeling: Techniques for modeling and simulating complex systems, covering data generation, Monte Carlo methods, system dynamics, agent-based and discrete event simulation. Optimization techniques, including linear and nonlinear optimization with sensitivity analysis, and apply forecasting methods for predictive modeling. (4 credit hours)

SEAS 8305 Advances in Systems Engineering: Analysis of advanced systems engineering topics; system lifecycle models, INCOSE Vision 2025, requirements types and processes, architectural design processes and frameworks, DoDAF artifacts, enterprise architecture and enterprise systems engineering, complex adaptive systems (CAS), modeling languages and SysML, and Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE). Applications of systems engineering tools and techniques. (4 credit hours)

SEAS 8310 Systems Integration: Principles, methodologies, and technologies for integrating complex systems. Topics include interoperability, data integration, security, and validation. Students will apply best practices to design, test, and optimize integrated systems.  (4 credit hours)

SEAS 8315 Digital Engineering: Digital Engineering principles, including model-based systems engineering (MBSE), digital twins, and data-driven decision-making. Students explore tools, methodologies, and applications in engineering design, analysis, and lifecycle management​. (4 credit hours)

SEAS 8399 Praxis Development for Systems Engineering: Aims and purposes of the praxis. Development of praxis research strategies; Developing Chapters 1 & 2 of the praxis; Overview of research methods and required data; Restricted to students who have completed all required coursework for the Doctor of Engineering.  (4 credit hours)

SEAS 8889 Praxis Research for Systems Engineering: Independent applied research in engineering management culminating in the final praxis report and final examination for the degree of Doctor of Engineering. May be repeated for credit. Restricted to students in the D.Eng. in the fields of engineering management or systems engineering. (24 credit hours) 

Classroom Phase Schedule

Classroom courses last 14 weeks each and meet on Saturday mornings from 9:00 AM—12:00 PM and afternoons from 1:00—4:00 PM (all times Eastern). All classes meet live online through synchronous distance learning technologies (Zoom). All classes are recorded and available for viewing within two hours of the lecture. This program is taught in a cohort format in which students take all courses in lockstep. Courses cannot be taken out of sequence, attendance at all class meetings is expected, and students must remain continuously enrolled. Leaves of absence are permitted only in the case of a medical or family emergency, or deployment to active military duty.

Please see below for the dates of our upcoming cohort.

Semester	#Courses	#Credit Hours	Tentative Dates
Fall 2025	2	8	September  13 — December 20, 2025
Spring 2026	2	8	January 17 — April 18, 2026
Summer 2026	2	8	May 16 - August 14, 2026

No classes on Thanksgiving weekend; Asynchronous class on July 4th.

Research Phase Schedule

To proceed to the research phase, students must earn a grade point average of at least 3.2 in the eight classroom courses, and no grade below B-. Students are then registered for a minimum of 24 credit hours (ch) of EMSE 8889 Praxis Research for Systems Engineering: 9 ch in Fall 2026, 9 ch in Spring 2027, 6 ch in Summer 2027. Throughout the research phase, students develop the praxis under the guidance of a designated faculty advisor. Faculty research advisors are assigned by the program office and meet individually with students every two weeks.

Sample research areas are listed below:

• Systems of Systems Architectures using System Modeling Language
• Advanced Decision Support Systems for Complex Healthcare Management
• Cyber-Physical Systems Optimization for Smart Grid Technologies
• Resilient Supply Chain Networks Design under Uncertainty
• Human-Centered Design for Autonomous Systems
• Design and Integration of Sustainable Energy Systems

Tuition

Tuition is billed at $1700 per credit hour for the 2025-2026 year. A non-refundable tuition deposit of $995, which is applied to tuition in the first semester, is required when the student accepts admission.

Admissions Process

Review the Admissions Requirements

• Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering, applied science, business, computer science, information technology, or a related field from accredited institutions.
• Applicants with other majors are encouraged to apply. However, they may have to take EMSE 4197 as a prerequisite course if they have not completed two college-level calculus courses.
• A minimum graduate-level GPA of 3.2.
• Capacity for original scholarship.
• TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or PTE scores are required of all applicants who are not citizens of countries where English is the official language.  Check our International Students page to learn about the SEAS English language requirements and exemption policy. Test scores may not be more than two years old.

Note: GRE and GMAT scores are not required.

Please note that our doctoral programs are highly selective; meeting minimum admissions requirements does not guarantee admission.  

Apply for Admission and Submit Supporting Documents

Apply for Admission

• Attach up-to-date Resume
• Attach Statement of Purpose – In an essay of 250 words or less, state your purpose in undertaking graduate study at The George Washington University. Describe your academic objectives, research interests, and career plans. Discuss your qualifications, including collegiate, professional, and community activities, and any other substantial accomplishments not mentioned.
• Send Official Transcripts – Official transcripts are required from all institutions where a degree was earned. Transcripts should be sent electronically to [email protected] or via mail to:
  • Online Engineering Programs 
    The George Washington University
    170 Newport Center Drive
    Suite 260
    Newport Beach, CA 92660

Normally, all transcripts must be received before an admission decision is rendered for the Doctor of Engineering program. 

Remain Engaged in the Admissions Process

You will receive emails from us updating you as your application goes through the admissions process.