systems student engineering a drone

Master's Degree in Systems Engineering

M.S. or M.Eng.

Get a jump on the job market in the revolutionary systems engineering field.

The Systems Engineering master's—with new instruction in Digital Engineering tools and techniques from an industry leader—puts you at the front of one of the fastest-growing, most in-demand technical fields in modern history.

Program type:
Master's Degree
Format:
On Campus or Online
Est. time to complete:
2 years
Credit hours:
30

Why get a master's degree in systems engineering?

Application Deadlines
Fall:
Feb. 1* | Aug. 1
Spring:
Oct. 1* | Dec. 1
Summer:
Feb. 1* | May 1

*Priority deadline

If you're an international student, refer to the international application process for deadlines.

UND's Systems Engineering master's prepares you to excel at the leading edge of the technology driven design environments. You’ll graduate ready to lead the development of multiple engineering systems, often as lead engineer or principal engineer.

You’ll work with faculty to develop expertise in a broad range of situations, including:

  • Unmanned Aerial System (UAS)
  • Energy
  • Aerospace (including Space Studies)

Our program pursues methodologies and modeling techniques that are relevant for planning and executing multidisciplinary solutions involving engineering, business, and social sciences. The goal is first to generate tools and techniques. This starts with understanding the needs of the end consumer. Then, you’ll convert those needs into quantifiable requirements.

Digital Engineering Master’s

Digital engineering is becoming a requirement in aerospace and defense contracting. It offers significant benefits in cost, schedule, and risk reduction by using digital modeling and simulation to rapidly design, integrate and test, prior to manufacturing.

Let our cutting-edge training position you at the forefront of industry. You’ll create robust, cost-effective designs that meet stringent functional, performance and cost requirements. Our program includes instruction in the tools of digital engineering including:

  • Model-based engineering
  • The digital twin
  • The digital thread
  • Lifecycle analysis

Engineering Research

Test your abilities to conceptualize, model, and integrate hardware, software, data, and human factors in designing and enhancing research projects. You can work in any one of our centers and institutes specializing in:

  • Cybersecurity
  • Hydropower
  • Energy Studies
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
  • Transportation

UND's Master's Degree in Systems Engineering

  • Play an important role in research projects. Work in a range of areas, according to your interests and talents, and make new discoveries while building your communication and management skills through designing systems and managing teams.

  • Get a high return on your graduate school investment through upward mobility in your systems engineering career.

  • Advance your own technical engineering knowledge while still working in the field.

  • Shape the future of transportation. UND’s Transportation Technology Research Initiative is using autonomous systems to develop and maintain a modern transportation system.

  • Enhance your professional skills at 60+ free workshops offered through the UND School of Graduate Studies. Our goal is to provide you with the workforce skills and job search strategies to succeed.

  • Take classes online or on-campus. The master's can be done on a full or part time basis.

What can I do with a master's degree in systems engineering?

131k

Median annual salary for aerospace engineers, 2023

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

109k

Median annual salary for electrical and electronics engineers, 2023

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

System engineering is an interdisciplinary field. System engineers are in increasing demand with applications in various fields such as:

  • Aerospace
  • National defense
  • Healthcare
  • Supply chain
  • Cybersecurity
  • Transportation

This master's will boost your current career and help to make you more attractive for new system engineering positions at various industries. Your training in systems engineering prepares you for a broad range of career opportunities, whether as a:

  • Principal Engineer
  • Lead Engineer
  • Engineering Manager
  • Other advanced roles

Your job as a systems engineer may include:

  • Designing, implementing, managing and monitoring systems and infrastructures
  • Installing, configuring, testing and effectively integrating operating systems, application software and system management tools
  • Ensuring the highest levels of systems and infrastructure reliability.
  • Students here also have the chance to interact specifically with small and large UAS companies such as: Northrup Grumman, General Atomics, Collins Aerospace, SkySkopes and many more.

Master's Degree in Systems Engineering Courses

ENGR 550. Fundamentals of Systems Engineering. 3 Credits.

This course is designed to discuss the key skills of systems engineering and provide knowledge essential for successful systems engineering in today's fast-paced environment. The objective is to enhance student's understanding and appreciation for the field of systems engineering. This will be accomplished using a combination of real-life examples, theoretical explanations and demonstrations. The program focuses on practical methods and tools for eliciting user needs and requirements, defining robust system architectures and designs, and effectively verifying and validating the operation of the product. Participants learn current industry best-practices to ensure robust, cost-effective designs that meet stringent functional, performance, and cost requirements. Prerequisite: Admission to the Systems Engineering graduate program or Instructor consent. F.

ENGR 554. Applied Project Management. 3 Credits.

This course is an interdisciplinary project management course utilizing case studies to illustrate project management principles and allow students to practice using real-world examples. Students will have the background and training required for certification through the Project Management Institute. Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor. S.

ENGR 556. System Dynamics I. 3 Credits.

This course provides an introduction to the System Dynamics field of study which is a computer-aided approach to improving system performance through policy analysis and design. The knowledge and critical thinking skills gained from this course will enable students to work either independently or on interdisciplinary teams to effectively deal with problems arising from dynamically complex systems. Topics include: perspective and process; tools for systems thinking; the dynamics of growth; tools for modeling dynamic systems; instability and oscillation; model testing; and challenges for the future. F.

ENGR 558. System Dynamics II. 3 Credits.

This course builds on ENGR 556 System Dynamics I. This course will enable students to effectively plan and manage System Dynamics projects by providing knowledge and skill relating to advanced modeling techniques, software capabilities, and client engagement processes. Topics include: model building, documentation and presentation best practices; use of historical data; model calibration and testing techniques; advanced software features; group model building; and implementation challenges. Prerequisite: ENGR 556. S.

ENE 533. Project Dynamics & Strategy Modeling. 3 Credits.

The course is designed to help understand the dynamic behavior of engineering projects. The focus here is to help project managers and sponsors adapt to the realities of the complexity, uncertainty and the significant risks that can arise from unclear scope, compressed schedules and changing political situations using the application of system dynamics. Prerequisite: ENGR 554 and ENGR 556, or instructor consent. S.

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Online Systems Engineering Master's

+160

online graduate programs

#1

best online college in North Dakota

Forbes

Flexible Online Courses

With asynchronous classes, you do not attend class at a set time. If you need to balance work, family and other commitments, this flexible format allows you to learn anywhere at any time.

Depending on your instructor, you’ll learn online through:

  • Lesson modules
  • Streaming video content
  • Virtual libraries
  • Posted lectures
  • Online simulations

There will be times when you interact with your instructor and classmates through online discussion boards, polls and chat rooms.

Your learning revolves around materials that can be accessed on your own time within a set time frame. However, this is not a self-paced course. You’ll have structure and deadlines.

Campus Visit

While the majority of your courses are offered online, you’ll come to campus to complete portions of the program. Here, you’ll extend and apply the knowledge you’ve learned online through hands-on activities. Our students find tremendous value in having the opportunity to personally interact with their instructors and fellow students.

Top-Tier Online Student Resources

Over a third of UND's student population is exclusively online; plus, more take a combination of online and on-campus classes. You can feel reassured knowing you won't be alone in your online learning journey, and you'll have resources and services tailored to your needs.

No matter how you customize your online experience, you’ll get the same top-quality education as any other on campus student.

  • Same degree: All online programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Your transcript and diploma are exactly the same as our on-campus students.
  • Same classes: You’ll take courses from UND professors, start and end the semesters at the same time and take the same classes as a student on campus.
  • Real interaction: You can ask questions, get feedback and regularly connect with your professors, peers and professionals in the field.
  • Your own academic advisor: As an invaluable go-to, they’re focused on you, your personal success and your future career.
  • Free online tutoring: We're here to help you one-on-one at no cost. Plus, get access to a variety of self-help online study resources.
  • Unlimited academic coaching: Need support to achieve your academic goals or feeling stumped by a tough course? We'll help with everything from stress and time management to improving your memory to achieve higher test scores.
  • Full online access: Dig into virtual research at UND's libraries. Improve your writing skills with online help from the UND Writing Center. Get online access to career services, veteran and military services, financial services and more.
  • 24/7 technical support: UND provides free computer, email and other technical support for all online students.
  • Networking opportunities: Our significant online student population means you’ll have a large pool of peers to connect with. UND has numerous online events and activities to keep you connected.

Best Online College

Our high alumni salaries and job placement rates, with affordable online tuition rates make UND a best-value university for online education. UND's breadth of online programs rivals all other nonprofit universities in the Upper Midwest making UND one of the best online schools in the region.

UND ranks among the best online colleges in the nation for:

  • Affordability
  • Student satisfaction (retention rate)
  • Academic quality (4-year graduate rate)
  • Student outcomes (20-year return on investment per Payscale.com)

Leaders in UAS Engineering

SkySkopes and UND have partnered to bring students to the field working directly with unmanned aerial vehicles.

 

Explore More Options

Check out the faculty you'll work with at UND or discover additional education opportunities.

Department Contact
Ryan Striker
Assistant Professor

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