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Online Master of Science in IT: Systems Engineering

IT: Systems Engineering
Master's Specialization
DEGREE AT A GLANCE
  • 36 credits
  • Transfer up to 12 credits
  • All courses available online
  • Select hybrid courses available
TUITION RATES
  • $534 per credit (in-state)
  • $659 per credit (out-of-state)
  • $480 per credit (military)
  • Other fees may apply
Apply Now
Next Session Starts
May 15

Earn a career-focused online master’s degree in information technology with a specialization in systems engineering at University of Maryland Global Campus. This program is designed to give working professionals the chance to build expertise in a rapidly evolving field. Study in our convenient online classroom with knowledgeable professors who are valued leaders in the field. Learn the newest industry standards with online courses that are constantly being updated, so you can gain knowledge that you may be able to apply on the job from day one. 

Learn to Design, Develop, & Deploy Complex Systems

UMGC’s systems engineering specialization was designed with the needs of working adults in mind. A good fit for mid-career IT professionals, this online program can help you gain the tools you need to build, launch, and study complex engineering systems while aiming to give you the broad knowledge base needed to help you advance your career. Seek to stand out in a crowded job market by mastering how to apply traditional and modern life-cycle models to complex systems and get a head start on key industry certifications by enrolling in an academic program that is aligned with the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE).

These are a few of the benefits of enrolling in our systems engineering degree program:

  • Benefit from networking opportunities: UMGC students have access to lifetime career services at no additional cost, so we can help you advance in your profession. 

  • Earn your degree quickly: We offer courses annually in the spring, summer, and fall terms, which allows most students to earn their degree in as little as 24 months.

  • Prepare for industry certification exams: Students who enroll in this program can obtain an INCOSE certification by passing (3 Credits, SYSE 610).

See Courses & Program Info

View a complete list of program courses, program-specific and degree-level requirements, industry certification exams, and more.

Develop Advanced Skills & Knowledge

Today’s working professionals need to be ready to meet the challenges of the 21st century in a variety of professional contexts. This online specialization is designed to help students apply engineering standards to develop system requirements and design parameters; manage every aspect of a system; and use a systems perspective to analyze complex systems and become adept at problem-solving.  

Our program directors refresh and update the curriculum regularly, with a focus on helping students achieve these learning goals:

Analyze a Challenge
Analyze a complex technological challenge from a systems perspective.
Build Life-Cycle Models
Build appropriate development life-cycle models for different types of projects.
Design a System
Develop approaches for verification, validation, deployment, and support.
Manage a Project
Develop a framework for managing key system engineering activities in a project.
Set Requirements
Construct project requirements for organizational and physical infrastructure.
Specify Standards
Specify appropriate engineering standards for system requirements and design parameters

Earn an INCOSE Certification with UMGC Coursework

Through an agreement with INCOSE, UMGC students can take advantage of a smooth path to the organization’s Associate Systems Engineering Professional (ASEP) or Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP) credentials.

After passing (3 Credits, SYSE 610), you may apply for and receive ASEP or CSEP certification, bypassing the certification exam that INCOSE normally requires. The assessments that students complete during their coursework have been recognized by the INCOSE Certification Program’s volunteer reviewers as an equivalent alternative to the standardized test developed by INCOSE.

 

Advance Your Career

This systems engineering degree specialization is designed to help you prepare for IT careers in systems engineering in several professional contexts. The knowledge you may gain in this program is designed to translate to a number of industries, including companies and institutions in the public sector, the private sector, and the non-profit sector. Potential job titles include systems engineering project manager, engineering program manager, systems engineer, and automation engineer. 

UMGC courses are taught by experienced faculty and address skills and competencies that are highly valued by today’s employers. 

75%
Data Processed
According to Gartner, 75 percent of enterprise-generated data will be created and processed outside of a traditional centralized data center or cloud by 2025.
Gartner | "What Edge Computing Means for Infrastructure and Operations Leaders" | October 3, 2018
377K+
New Jobs
About 377,500 computer and IT positions are expected to be added each year from 2022 to 2032.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | "Occupational Outlook Handbook" | 2023
No. 5
Best Tech Job
Computer systems analyst is listed as the no. 5 tech job of 2023 in U.S. News & World Report.
U.S. News & World Report | Computer Systems Analyst: Overview | 2023
17
UN Goals
Achieving the 17 societal goals outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (such as eliminating hunger and poverty) will require system-level solutions.
INCOSE | "Systems Engineering Vision 2035" | 2023

Practice Real-World Skills in Your Courses

Throughout your curriculum, your instructors will assign high-level, hands-on projects that are designed to help you prioritize in-depth skills and real-world experience and pursue career paths in engineering or other related areas. Your courses are also designed to use the systems engineering process and integrative approaches to solve complex problems.

In past courses, students have been able to complete the following course projects:

  • Choose an existing system and develop a solution to implement the next generation of this system. Show the steps necessary to develop a systems engineering plan. 
  • Design a robotic mail delivery system for your home to bring mail from the mailbox into your home for you. Demonstrate the application of concepts you learned in your classes. 
  • Develop a complete systems engineering project plan for a United States space program mission to return astronauts to the moon before the year 2030.

Explore UMGC Blog Insights

Gain insight from our faculty and staff and delve deeper into a range of topics, including IT programs, accelerated pathways from a bachelor’s to a master’s degree, and more.

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UMGC has doubled the number of transfer credits for master’s degrees and graduate certificates.
 

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FAQs

Get answers to questions that current and prospective students are asking about program details, length, cost, and more.

I’ve been working full-time in IT as a software tester, and I was looking to grow into becoming a more senior systems engineer. The master’s program at UMGC fit well with my current career path.

Steven C., MS in Information Technology Systems Engineering

 

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Our helpful admissions advisors can help you choose an academic program to fit your career goals, estimate your transfer credits, and develop a plan for your education costs that fits your budget. If you’re a current UMGC student, please visit the Help Center.

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