An interdisciplinary field, systems engineering considers the design, integration, and management of large complex systems over their cycle, and thus, demands a diverse, specialized skill set of managers and leaders who can make decisions for technical teams at every stage of a project. The online M.S. in Systems Engineering is designed to build on these skills, helping IT, analytics, and other technology professionals supervise development and implementation processes from start to finish and maintain system performance well into the future.

The program strikes a balance between quantitative and personnel-driven subjects, providing an in-depth examination of organizational behavior and management as well as the technical areas essential to the field – with all coursework based the latest research. Because of this interdisciplinary focus, graduates of the program have moved into leadership roles and made an immediate, positive impact on the workplace.

As a student, you can gain a complete, multifaceted understanding of systems engineering through a curriculum that explores the following subjects, among many others:

  • Project management
  • Accounting and finance
  • Risk management
  • Systems analysis and evaluation
  • Architecture analysis and advanced modeling
  • Axiomatic design
  • Requirements management
  • Quality assessment
  • Large-scale systems

The required coursework also includes the knowledge necessary to prepare you for the Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP) exam offered by the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE).

The George Washington University was chartered in 1821 by an act of Congress, the result of an initiative that began as the idea of our namesake, George Washington. President Washington envisioned a university in the nation’s capital that would prepare citizen leaders brought together from all over the world. Today, we are that university, with students and faculty members from every state and more than 130 countries. Taking full advantage of our setting in a global nerve center, a GW education integrates intellectual discovery, interactive learning, and unparalleled access to opportunities in every sector of society. In a city shaping the future, George Washington is a university where faculty and students not only study the world but also work to change it for the better.

Our heritage of innovation and excellence has earned us many accolades, including:

  • U.S. News & World Report
    • #12 Best Online Master’s in Engineering Programs
    • #13 Best Online Master's in Engineering Programs for Veterans
    • #9 Best Online Master’s in Engineering Management Programs
  • Forbes
    • #44 in Research Universities

About GW Engineering Management & Systems Engineering

Since 1954, the Department of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering has been a force for leadership in engineering management and other interdisciplinary areas, as one of the nation’s first to dedicate programs in these fields. The Department has contributed not only to the modern technological landscape through leading research, but also through inventive initiatives working with the Department of Homeland Security, the D.C. Water Resources Research Institute, and NASA, among others.

About the School of Engineering and Applied Science

The School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) serves the global community by providing high quality educational and professional opportunities that stimulate and promote innovative fundamental and applied research activities. In this multicultural technological community, SEAS prepares professionals to be confident in their understanding of science and technology, capable of exercising constructive leadership, creative in the face of new environmental and societal challenges, and agile in the application of critical analytical skills that will open new career horizons.

Click to learn more about the George Washington University's online graduate degree programs in engineering and download a free brochure.