Master of Science (M.S.)

A program tailored for students who want to advance the field of systems engineering through cutting-edge research and plan to continue on into academia.

Program Summary

Our Master of Science Program prepares students to design and manage complex multidisciplinary engineering systems. 

The research component of the thesis- and project-based M.S. program equips students with cutting-edge skills in specific focus areas, preparing students for future career opportunities. 

Most full-time students (9+ credits per semester) complete the program within one to two years. Part-time students (3-6 credits per semester) typically finish within four to five years. Summer courses are not required, but are offered on a limited basis.

Fletcher Ouren, a master's student in the Department of Systems Engineering, was one of the first students to take advantage of the CSU-NREL joint partnership.

Choose the Right Plan for You

Plan A: Thesis Option

Requires a thesis and completion of a minimum of 30 credits. This plan involves a thesis defense at the end of your program.

Plan B: Project Option

Requires 27 credits of regular courses (other than independent study) and 3 credits of independent study with the submission of a report.

Application Information

You can earn your M.S. online or on-campus. 

Visit CSU Online to learn more about completing your M.S. online.

Plan A: Thesis Option

Curriculum for Plan A (30 credits)

 
Course descriptions and expected offerings are available on the Courses page.

SYSE 501 – Foundations of Systems Engineering (3 cr.)

SYSE 505 – Systems Thinking for the Real World (3 cr.)

SYSE 512 – Systems Sensing and Imaging Analysis (3 cr.)

SYSE 530 – Overview of Systems Engineering Processes (3 cr.)

SYSE/ECE 532 – Dynamics of Complex Engineering Systems (3 cr.)

SYSE 534 – Human Systems Integration (3 cr.)

SYSE 536 – Space Mission Analysis and Design (3 cr.)

SYSE 541 – Engineering Data Design and Visualization (3 cr.)

SYSE 544 – AR/VR Environmental Realism for SE (3 cr.)

SYSE 545 – AR/VR Systems Development (3 cr.)

SYSE 548 – Security Engineering for SE (3 cr.)

SYSE 549 – Secure Vehicle and Industrial Networking (3 cr.)

SYSE 555 – Transitions in Energy Systems (3 cr.)

SYSE 567 – Systems Engineering Architecture (3 cr.)

SYSE 569 – Cybersecurity Awareness for Systems Engineers (3 cr.)

SYSE 571 – Analytics in Systems Engineering (3 cr.)

SYSE 573 – Cost Optimization for Systems Engineers (3 cr.)

SYSE 602 – Systems Requirements Engineering (3 cr.)

SYSE 603 – Introduction to Systems Test and Evaluation (3 cr.)

SYSE 667 – Advanced Model-Based Systems Engineering (3 cr.)

ENGR 502 – Engineering Project and Program Management (3 cr.)
        OR
    CIS 600A – Information Technology and Project Management (3 cr.)
        OR
    CIS 670 – Advanced IT Project Management (3 cr.)

ENGR 510 – Engineering Optimization: Method/Application (3 cr.)

ENGR 520 – Engineering Decision Support/Expert Systems (3 cr.)

ENGR 525 – Intellectual Property and Invention Systems (3 cr.)

ENGR 531 – Engineering Risk Analysis (3 cr.)

ENGR 533 – Spaceflight and Biological Systems (3 cr.)

ENGR 535 – Modeling Human Systems Behavior (3 cr.)

ENGR 540 – Design & Analysis of Engineering Experiments (3 cr.)

ENGR/ECE 565 – Electrical Power Engineering (3 cr.)

ENGR 570 – Coupled Electromechanical Systems (3 cr.)

MECH 513 – Simulation Modeling and Experimentation (3 cr.)

Other experimental courses as offered; check the SE Courses Page for all available SE courses.

You may choose from the SE Suggested Elective list. This list is not exhaustive. If you find a graduate-level technical course that pertains to your professional goals and/or the systems engineering field, please contact the SE Department to check if it may apply as an elective.

A maximum of 6 credit hours at the 400 level is permitted. The remaining credits must be at the 500 level or above

SYSE 699 – Thesis (9 Credits)

Program Timeline: Plan A

1) Secure Advisor

Your committee will have at least three faculty members, including your faculty advisor, one faculty member from SE, and one faculty member from outside of SE.

2) Submit your GS6

Program of Study & Committee Selection.

This needs to be submitted to the Graduate School before registration of your fourth regular semester.

3) Submit your GS25

Application to Graduate.

Deadline changes each semester. Check the Graduate School website for the deadline. Typically in the first three weeks of the intended graduation term.

4) Thesis Defense; Submit GS24

Schedule your defense with your committee at least two weeks in advance.

The GS24 needs to be submitted within 2 working days of your final evaluation results.

5) Submit GS30

Thesis/Dissertation Submission

After final exam; see published deadlines on graduate school website.

6) Graduation

Graduation ceremonies take place at the end of Fall and Spring semesters.

Plan B: Project Option

Curriculum for Plan B (30 credits)

Course descriptions and expected offerings are available on the Courses page.

SYSE 501 – Foundations of Systems Engineering (3 cr.)

SYSE 505 – Systems Thinking for the Real World (3 cr.)

SYSE 512 – Systems Sensing and Imaging Analysis (3 cr.)

SYSE 530 – Overview of Systems Engineering Processes (3 cr.)

SYSE/ECE 532 – Dynamics of Complex Engineering Systems (3 cr.)

SYSE 534 – Human Systems Integration (3 cr.)

SYSE 536 – Space Mission Analysis and Design (3 cr.)

SYSE 541 – Engineering Data Design and Visualization (3 cr.)

SYSE 544 – AR/VR Environmental Realism for SE (3 cr.)

SYSE 545 – AR/VR Systems Development (3 cr.)

SYSE 548 – Security Engineering for SE (3 cr.)

SYSE 549 – Secure Vehicle and Industrial Networking (3 cr.)

SYSE 555 – Transitions in Energy Systems (3 cr.)

SYSE 567 – Systems Engineering Architecture (3 cr.)

SYSE 569 – Cybersecurity Awareness for Systems Engineers (3 cr.)

SYSE 571 – Analytics in Systems Engineering (3 cr.)

SYSE 573 – Cost Optimization for Systems Engineers (3 cr.)

SYSE 602 – Systems Requirements Engineering (3 cr.)

SYSE 603 – Introduction to Systems Test and Evaluation (3 cr.)

SYSE 667 – Advanced Model-Based Systems Engineering

ENGR 502 – Engineering Project and Program Management (3 cr.)
        OR
    CIS 600A – Information Technology and Project Management (3 cr.)
        OR
    CIS 670 – Advanced IT Project Management (3 cr.)

ENGR 510 – Engineering Optimization: Method/Application (3 cr.)

ENGR 520 – Engineering Decision Support/Expert Systems (3 cr.)

ENGR 525 – Intellectual Property and Invention Systems (3 cr.)

ENGR 531 – Engineering Risk Analysis (3 cr.)

ENGR 533 – Spaceflight and Biological Systems (3 cr.)

ENGR 535 – Modeling Human Systems Behavior (3 cr.)

ENGR 540 – Design & Analysis of Engineering Experiments (3 cr.)

ENGR/ECE 565 – Electrical Power Engineering (3 cr.)

ENGR 570 – Coupled Electromechanical Systems (3 cr.)

MECH 513 – Simulation Modeling and Experimentation (3 cr.)

Other experimental courses as offered; check the SE Courses Page for all available SE courses.

You may choose from the SE Suggested Elective list. This list is not exhaustive. If you find a graduate-level technical course that pertains to your professional goals and/or the systems engineering field, please contact the SE Department to check if it may apply as an elective.

A maximum of 6 credit hours at the 400 level is permitted. The remaining credits must be at the 500 level or above

SYSE 695 – Independent Study (3 Credits)

Program Timeline: Plan B

1) Submit your GS6

Program of Study & Committee Selection.

This needs to be submitted to the Graduate School before registration of your fourth regular semester.

2) Submit your GS25

Application to Graduate.

Deadline changes each semester. Check the Graduate School website for the deadline. Typically in the first three weeks of the intended graduation term.

3) Final Evaluation; Submit GS24

Your final evaluation is based on your SYSE 695 project and takes place midway through the semester you intend to graduate.

Coordinate with the department for the evaluation and GS24 deadlines.

4) Submit GS40

Non-Thesis Plan B Master’s Requirement

Signed by advisor after final project submission; see published deadlines on graduate school website.

5) Graduation

Graduation ceremonies take place at the end of Fall and Spring semesters.

M.S. Documents and Forms

Degree Sheets

GS6 Worksheets

Other Resources

SE graduate student handbook

Systems Engineering Graduate Student Handbook

Download Here

Admission Deadlines

Fall admission

Application materials due by July 1

Spring admission

Application materials due by November 1

Watch: Systems engineering faculty members Jeremy Daily and Erika Miller talk about the online learning experience.