Online Graduate Certificate in Systems Engineering
Improve your engineering skills with a targeted credential.
UOnline’s Graduate Certificate in Systems Engineering (GCSE) offers a streamlined path for engineers like you looking to advance their careers without committing to a master’s program. With this online certificate, you prepare to take on more complex roles in the fields of engineering and technology and can become an Associate Systems Engineering Professional from INCOSE (The International Council on Systems Engineering).
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Credits Required
What Does It Cost
$872 per credit*
*Subject to change without notice
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Learning Format
Start Terms
Fall, Spring, or Summer
Why Choose UOnline’s Graduate Certificate in Systems Engineering?
Dr. Huebner is the Director for the GCSE. Additional details about this certificate, Systems Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and Engineering Management can be found at systems.utah.edu. This 10 minute youtube video provides a brief discussion of Systems Engineering at the University of Utah.
Unlike a master’s degree, which typically covers a broader and more in-depth study of the field, the University of Utah’s online Systems Engineering graduate certificate quickly provides you with critical competencies. You gain expertise in Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) using industry-standard tools like Magic Systems of Systems Architect. Alongside MBSE, you develop simulation skills and get direct experience with real-world projects. Discover the software knowledge you can gain through the Systems Engineering certificate program (PDF).
In addition, the curriculum emphasizes statistical analysis, ensuring that you have the quantitative tools needed to make data-driven decisions. Learn from a faculty of knowledgeable professionals—with combined decades of experience in industry—who commit themselves to your success.
Whether you’re a recent graduate or an experienced engineer, this certificate program empowers you to lead Systems Engineering projects, enhance efficiency, and avoid the costly mistakes often seen in non-systems-engineered projects.
Interested in earning a Master of Science in Systems Engineering (MSSE)? Explore UOnline’s MSSE program.
Application Deadlines
Advance your expertise in Systems Engineering with the flexibility to start in any semester.
Any Semester Admission
The Graduate Certificate in Systems Engineering program offers rolling admissions, allowing you to apply for the semester that works best for you to begin.
Systems Engineering Certificate Overview
At the University of Utah, our courses combine the flexibility of online teaching with the advantages and direct engagement of traditional teaching. Enjoy the benefit of studying online at your own pace while still engaging with classmates and instructors. This flexible way of teaching improves your overall experience and your ability to retain what you learn.
Interactive learning comes in a variety of ways:
- Group assignments, where you collaborate via email or a discussion forum to answer a problem set.
- Contributions to a discussion forum, where you directly respond to previous posts.
- Peer reviews, where you review and comment on assignments from other students.
Our classes also offer multiple routes to stay connected and get help:
- Communicate directly with the instructor via email.
- Participate in and guide online discussions.
- Attend online office hours in discussion threads or on the phone.
- Instructors are available in “real” office hours for students on or near campus; for some courses we offer Q&A sessions in a classroom.
Graduate Certificate in Systems Engineering from the John and Marcia Price College of Engineering.
All courses at the University of Utah, whether online or on campus, are taught by the same expert faculty members.
To earn the online Systems Engineering certificate, students must complete 15 credit hours of approved coursework while maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.0.
- A grade of B or higher is required in both Core and Selected Systems Engineering Electives
- A B- or higher grade is required in the Selected Elective courses
Students who want to earn a master’s degree in Systems Engineering may be able to apply the 15 credits in the Graduate Certificate in Systems Engineering program to their graduate degree.
Note: Additional UOnline Systems Engineering courses are continuously being developed and launched.
The International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) is the leading professional organization for systems engineers. INCOSE sets industry standards, hosts conferences, and offers three levels of certification: Associate Systems Engineering Professional (ASEP), Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP), and Expert Systems Engineering Professional (ESEP).
To earn ASEP or CSEP certification, you must be an INCOSE member, pass a Systems Engineering knowledge exam, or gain INCOSE equivalency through approved coursework. The University of Utah offers an INCOSE-approved course sequence that fulfills this requirement. Students who earn a B+ or higher in both SIME 5400/6400 (ME EN 5160/6160) Fundamentals of Systems Engineering and SIME 5410/6410 (ME EN 5170/6170) Systems Integration can apply for INCOSE Equivalency by completing a departmental form. This allows them to bypass the INCOSE Knowledge Exam for ASEP or CSEP certification.
The tuition rate for the Graduate Certificate in Systems Engineering is $872 per credit hour. Cost is subject to change without notice, and there are no discounts for additional classes in a semester. Generate your tuition estimate.
Tuition does not include additional fees such as online textbooks or proctored exams. Fees and materials vary by program.
Learn about cost and financial assistance with UOnline.
Note: This program qualifies for the U of U employee reduced tuition benefit.
Step 1: Apply as a nonmatriculated student
Applicants who are not currently enrolled at the University of Utah must submit a nonmatriculated (nondegree seeking) application for admission. The nonmatriculated application is the same as the undergraduate application. Once the application process begins, applicants can select nonmatriculated status.
For nonmatriculated admission eligibility, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Graduated from high school at least three years ago
- For GED holders, a minimum composite score of 550 with no individual score below 500
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- International students requiring an F-1 visa are not eligible for nonmatriculated admission
- Permanent residents and other international applicants must meet English proficiency requirements
- Be in good standing with the last college or university attended, with a minimum GPA of 2.6
Graduate nonmatriculated students do not need to reapply each term as long as they are continuously enrolled in at least one class per semester (excluding summer). If a student does not enroll and attend during any given term (excluding summer), they will be discontinued. They will need to submit a new application and pay the associated fee.
Step 2: Apply for the Graduate Certificate in Systems Engineering
Once admitted as a nonmatriculated student, applicants must complete the program declaration form to apply for the online Systems Engineering certificate.
Nonmatriculated students must complete this step before applying for the certificate program. Admission into the Systems Engineering Graduate Certificate is contingent upon being admitted as a nonmatriculated student if they are not already enrolled in a graduate degree program.
Note: Students can only register for online classes once they have been officially admitted and have submitted the program declaration form.
Career Outcomes
A Graduate Certificate in Systems Engineering prepares you for roles that demand strong technical expertise, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, particularly in aerospace, defense, automotive, health care, and IT.
This program emphasizes the integration of various engineering disciplines, providing the tools to optimize system performance, increase efficiency, and reduce costs. You learn to approach problems holistically, making you an asset in industries that rely on sophisticated, interconnected systems.
Potential Roles
Graduates of the Systems Engineering certificate program continue in or advance to careers such as:
- Engineering Consultant
- Integration Engineer
- Project Manager
- Quality Assurance Engineer
- Systems Engineer
- Technical Program Manager
- Test Engineer
Further Your Education
The online Systems Engineering certificate can serve as a stepping stone for further educational pursuits and professional certifications, such as:
$91,420
Median Annual Wage
In 2023, engineering professionals earned a median wage of $91,420, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
195,000
Job Openings
The BLS projects that the engineering field will experience above-average growth, with 195,000 new job openings expected annually through 2033.
6%
Expected Growth
Over the next nine years, the BLS expects the engineering and architecture fields to expand by 6%.
Related News
Systems Engineering: A growing field with abundant career opportunities
In the summer of 2023, the University of Utah's Mechanical Engineering Department launched its highly anticipated Systems Engineering Graduate Certificate online. To learn more about this rapidly growing field, we had the chance to ask Systems Engineering professors Dr. Todd Easton and Dr. Pedro Huebner some questions about the program.
Faculty Spotlight: Professir Mark Maier - New Faculty Member in Systems Engineering
Professor Mark Maier is a brilliant new faculty member, who has joined the University of Utah’s Mechanical Engineering department and will be teaching within the Systems Engineering program. In this interview, he discusses his experience within the field, what inspires him personally, and what excites him most about joining the department. Mark has over 35 years of real-world experience, including his most recent work at Hill Air Force Base and is excited to share with the University of Utah students.
Department Contact
Have questions about the University of Utah’s online Graduate Certificate in Systems Engineering? Our team is here to provide the information you need.
Pedro Huebner
Director of Systems Engineering Programs
Department of Mechanical Engineering