Online Master’s in Systems Engineering

The Online Master’s in Systems Engineering is offered by The George Washington University’s School of Engineering and Applied Science — whose online graduate engineering programs are ranked #5 of 111 by U.S. News & World Report (2026), the highest ranking of any private university in the category. The 30-credit M.S. program is STEM-designated and covers core systems engineering (EMSE 6801 Systems Engineering I, EMSE 6805 Systems Engineering II), requirements engineering, model-based systems engineering (MBSE), systems analysis and management, applied enterprise systems engineering with DoD JCIDS and DODAF coverage, program and project management, information and systems security, and secure and trustworthy AI, culminating in a capstone project. GW has a partnership with the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE): students who earn at least 85% in EMSE 6801 and EMSE 6805 may be eligible to bypass the INCOSE knowledge exam on the pathway to Associate (ASEP) or Certified (CSEP) Systems Engineering Professional certification. Tuition is $1,250 per credit hour ($37,500 total) with eBooks and software included. Classes meet live one evening per week (6:30–9:30 PM ET, Monday–Thursday). Students can complete the program in as little as one year and choose from five start terms per year.

Master’s Degree in Systems Engineering

The Master’s Degree in Systems Engineering is designed for professionals seeking to advance their expertise in designing, integrating, and managing complex systems while continuing their careers. Offered in a flexible online format, the program delivers rigorous, graduate-level instruction in core systems engineering principles, with an emphasis on system architecture, lifecycle management, and interdisciplinary problem-solving. Guided by expert faculty, graduates are prepared to address complex technical and organizational challenges and pursue advanced roles across government, defense, technology, infrastructure, or further academic study.

Download the Program Flyer (PDF)

Program Overview

Through graduate-level coursework, students engage in an in-depth systems engineering curriculum that emphasizes analytical thinking, systems design, and applied decision-making across complex environments. The program integrates theoretical foundations with practical application, enabling students to model, analyze, and manage systems throughout their full lifecycle.

Taught by expert faculty, the program prepares graduates to advance into specialized professional roles and contribute to large-scale, technology-driven initiatives across industry and government. The degree also provides a strong academic foundation for students interested in doctoral study or advanced research in systems engineering or related fields.

What the M.S. in Systems Engineering Costs at GW

How Much Does This Degree Cost?

Tuition for the online Master’s Degree in Systems Engineering is $1,250 per credit hour for the 2026-2027 academic year. With 30 total credit hours, the estimated total tuition cost is $37,500 which is billed per semester based on enrolled courses.

A $495 non-refundable tuition deposit is required upon admission and is applied toward first-semester tuition. The program includes no additional fees, and required eBooks and software are provided at no extra cost. Student veterans, military personnel, and eligible dependents are encouraged to inquire about available military education benefits.

How Long Does the Program Take, and How Is It Delivered?

The online Master’s in Systems Engineering can be completed in as little as one year for full-time students, with part-time options available. Courses are delivered fully remote and combine live, scheduled instruction with asynchronous coursework.

Quick facts:

• Format: 100% online
• Class schedule: One evening per week (Monday-Thursday), 6:30-9:30 p.m. ET
• Session length: Nine-week sessions
• Enrollment structure: Students enroll in four nine-week sessions, with an optional fifth summer session
• Start options: Up to five start terms per year

Curriculum Highlights

The curriculum consists of 10 courses (30 total credit hours) designed to build advanced systems engineering expertise across core areas of the field. Courses combine synchronous and asynchronous learning, providing live instruction alongside flexible coursework focused on system design, integration, and lifecycle analysis.

INCOSE Partnership and Certification Pathway

GW Online Engineering Programs have established a partnership with the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) that allows students to demonstrate knowledge of the INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook without taking the INCOSE knowledge exam. Students who earn a minimum grade of 85% in both EMSE 6801 and EMSE 6805 may be eligible to bypass the knowledge exam as part of the pathway toward Associate Systems Engineering Professional (ASEP) or Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP) certification. Certification eligibility is determined by INCOSE and subject to its requirements.

Learn more about the courses

EMSE 6099 Problems in Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Capstone: Capstone project providing the opportunity to apply concepts and tools previously studied to the solution of a real-world problem. Students work in small groups, on a problem proposed by students and approved by the instructor. Open only to master’s candidates in the department, preferably during the last semester of their program. (3 credit hours)

EMSE 6540 Management of Information and Systems Security: Information security techniques and countermeasures in defense fundamentals; critical infrastructure protection; network defense–firewall systems and IDS, VPNs, cryptographic and internet security protocols and cyber security, information assurance. (3 credit hours)

EMSE 6801 Systems Engineering I: Systems approach to the architecting and engineering of large-scale systems; elements of systems engineering; methods and standards; computer tools that support systems and software engineering; trends and directions; the integrative nature of systems engineering. (3 credit hours)

EMSE 6805 Systems Engineering II: Application of systems engineering tools to provide hands-on experience with essential elements of practice. Processes of requirements engineering, functional analysis and allocation, risk management, architecting; architectural heuristics, axiomatic design, analytical assessment of alternative architectures. Prerequisite: EMSE 6801. (3 credit hours)

EMSE 6810 Systems Analysis and Management: The systems or holistic approach as a methodology for making decisions and allocating resources. Analysis by means of objectives, alternatives, models, criteria, and feedback. Prerequisite: EMSE 6801. (3 credit hours)

EMSE 6815 Requirements Engineering: Requirements in systems engineering, including requirement types, quality factors, elicitation methods, analysis, derivation of implicit requirements, management, traceability, verification, cross-requirement assessments, and validation. Focus on writing and managing quality requirements in complex systems. Prerequisite: EMSE 6801. (3 credit hours) 

EMSE 6817 Model-Based Systems Engineering: Model-based systems engineering and its derivative, evidence-based systems engineering, as techniques with potential for improving the technical integrity of complex systems. The foundation to these model- and research-based techniques for system definition and analysis as applied to life-cycle systems engineering. Prerequisites: EMSE 6805 or permission of the instructor. (Fall, spring, and summer, Every Year). (3 credit hours)

EMSE 6820 Program and Project Management: Problems in managing projects; project management as planning, organizing, directing, and monitoring; project and corporate organizations; duties and responsibilities; the project plan; schedule, cost, earned-value and situation analysis; leadership; team building; conflict management; meetings, presentations, and proposals.  (3 credit hours)

EMSE 6840 Applied Enterprise Systems Engineering: Applications of systems engineering in the DoD, other parts of the federal government, and commercial sectors. Architectural frameworks and enterprise architecting concepts and practices, including JCIDS/DODAF, Federal Enterprise Architecture Framework, and Zachman™ Framework. Enterprise architecting and advanced modeling tools. Prerequisite: EMSE 6801. (3 credit hours)

SEAS 6525 Secure and Trustworthy AI: In-depth knowledge of artificial intelligence (AI), generative AI (GenAI), and machine learning (ML) with a focus on security, governance, and protecting sensitive data. Tools to securely and responsibly design, implement, and operate AI/ML systems. (3 credit hours)

Academic Calendar

Session	Dates	Application Deadlines
Summer 2026	week of 6/1/26 – week of 6/29/26	5/16/2026
Fall-1 2026	8/18/26 –  10/15/26	8/10/2026
Fall-2 2026	10/20/26 – 12/17/26	10/5/2026
Spring-1 2027	week of 1/11/27 – week of 3/16/27	12/7/2026
Spring-2 2027	week of 3/22/27 – week of 5/10/27	3/1/2027

The course order is determined by academic advisors based on student progress. Course details are provided through Blackboard approximately one month before classes begin.

INCOSE Partnership at GW

GW Online Engineering has an established partnership with the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) that allows students to demonstrate knowledge of the INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook without taking the INCOSE knowledge exam. Students who earn at least 85% in both EMSE 6801 Systems Engineering I and EMSE 6805 Systems Engineering II may be eligible to bypass the knowledge exam on the pathway toward Associate Systems Engineering Professional (ASEP) or Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP) certification. Certification eligibility is determined by INCOSE and subject to its requirements.

Beyond INCOSE alignment, the curriculum is shaped for the systems engineering market. EMSE 6840 Applied Enterprise Systems Engineering teaches the architectural frameworks offices and contractors actually use day-to-day — DoD JCIDS, DODAF, the Federal Enterprise Architecture Framework, and the Zachman Framework. EMSE 6815 Requirements Engineering covers the requirement quality, traceability, and verification practices core to defense acquisition programs. EMSE 6817 Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) covers the modeling techniques (including evidence-based SE) the field is moving toward across DoD and aerospace.

What Can You Do With a Master's in Systems Engineering?

Graduates of the online Master’s Degree in Systems Engineering are prepared for advanced professional roles focused on designing, integrating, and managing complex systems across technical and organizational environments. The degree supports career advancement for professionals seeking deeper specialization, greater responsibility, and opportunities to lead large-scale, interdisciplinary initiatives throughout the systems lifecycle.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), the median annual salary for Industrial Engineers — the closest occupational match for systems engineering roles — is $101,140, with employment projected to grow 11% from 2024 to 2034 (much faster than average), and about 25,200 openings projected each year. Aerospace Engineers, who account for a significant share of systems engineering work, earn a median of $134,830 with employment projected to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook — Industrial Engineers (17-2112) and Aerospace Engineers (17-2011).

Admissions Requirements

Who Should Apply

The online Master’s in Systems Engineering is designed for applicants with a strong academic background in engineering or related technical disciplines who are prepared for advanced, graduate-level study.

Applicants should meet the following requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, information technology, mathematics, physics, or a closely related field from an accredited institution
• A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• A grade of C or higher in at least one college-level calculus course and one college-level statistics course. (Applicants who do not fully meet the calculus or statistics requirement but are otherwise qualified may be conditionally admitted and required to complete an additional 3-credit course during their first semester.)
• Applicants outside the United States should review international admissions requirements for additional criteria
• Applicants may also apply to a six-course graduate certificate in Systems Engineering. Upon successful completion of the certificate and reapplication, students may be admitted to the Master’s program, and all certificate courses will count toward the Master’s degree.*

*Subject to program policies and academic requirements.

Application Materials

There is no application fee for GW’s online engineering programs.

A complete application includes:

• Resume or CV
• Official transcripts from all institutions where a degree was earned
• Two professional letters of recommendation
• GRE scores (optional), which may be submitted if available to strengthen the application
   

After You Apply

Applicants are expected to remain engaged throughout the admissions process. You will receive email updates as your application is reviewed, and timely responses to requests for materials are required to keep your application moving forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is systems engineering different from other engineering disciplines at the graduate level?

Systems engineering focuses on the design, integration, and management of complex systems across their full lifecycle, rather than on a single technical component or discipline. At the graduate level, systems engineering emphasizes interdisciplinary thinking, requirements analysis, system architecture, and lifecycle management, preparing professionals to coordinate technical, organizational, and operational considerations in large-scale engineering environments.

Do I need an engineering degree to apply?

Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, or a closely related technical field. Candidates with other quantitative or technical backgrounds may be considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on academic preparation and professional experience.

Is the GRE required?

No. The GRE is not required for admission to the online Master’s in Systems Engineering.

Can I work full time while enrolled?

Yes. The program is designed for working professionals. Courses are delivered online with one scheduled evening class per week, allowing students to balance coursework with full-time employment.

Are international applicants eligible?

Yes. International applicants are welcome to apply. Additional documentation, including proof of English language proficiency, may be required depending on prior education and background.

Why choose GW Engineering’s online Master’s in Systems Engineering?

GW Engineering is ranked #5 of 111 in U.S. News’ 2026 Best Online Master’s in Engineering Programs — the highest-ranked private university in the category. The program is built around live evening classes (6:30–9:30 PM ET, Monday–Thursday) with asynchronous coursework — a structure designed for working professionals who want real-time faculty access and the ability to complete the degree in as little as one year. The curriculum includes an INCOSE partnership that supports the pathway to ASEP/CSEP certification (EMSE 6801 + EMSE 6805), and explicitly covers DoD JCIDS, DODAF, and Federal Enterprise Architecture frameworks in EMSE 6840. Total tuition is $37,500 with eBooks and software included; no GRE and no application fee are required.

What employers hire GW Engineering Systems Engineering graduates?

GW Engineering graduates pursue systems engineering careers across the SE ecosystem (civilian agencies, defense and intelligence agencies, federally funded research and development centers, and contractors), as well as in aerospace and defense, transportation and infrastructure, energy and utilities, healthcare systems, technology, and research organizations. 

Can the M.S. in Systems Engineering be completed in one year?

Yes. Full-time students can complete all 30 credit hours in as little as one year. GW offers up to five start terms per year (each session is approximately nine weeks long), allowing accelerated pacing for students who can take multiple courses per session. Part-time options are also available for students balancing the program with full-time work. Classes meet live one evening per week (Monday–Thursday, 6:30–9:30 PM ET) with additional asynchronous coursework outside scheduled class meetings.

Explore Related Online Graduate Engineering Programs

• Online Master’s in Engineering Management — natural pairing for systems engineers moving into program-management and technical leadership roles
• Online Master’s in Cybersecurity — complementary for systems engineers working on security-critical systems
• Online Master’s in Cloud Computing Management — covers the infrastructure side of large-scale systems
• Online D.Eng. in Systems Engineering — doctoral pathway for graduates seeking applied research, leadership, or academic roles
• Online Ph.D. in Systems Engineering — doctoral pathway for graduates seeking advanced research or academic careers

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