Systems Engineering Processes and Professional Competencies - INCOSE

Take the Path to INCOSE Certification with Purdue University

SYS 59000: Systems Engineering Processes and Professional Competencies is a 100% online Purdue course accepted by the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) for academic equivalency of the INCOSE certification knowledge exam.  

INCOSE offers three levels of certification as a Systems Engineering Professional (SEP). An INCOSE certification showcases knowledge, education, experience, and leadership in systems engineering, and can help systems engineers distinguish themselves in a competitive field. 

About the course and the INCOSE knowledge exam equivalency

SYS 59000 is three credits and offered regularly in the spring and summer semesters. Students complete 8 modules over 8 weeks of study. This course does not include any live lectures so students can study on their own time and complete the course at a pace that works for them. 

Purdue University is a member of the INCOSE Corporate Advisory Board The course prepares students to master topics from the INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook, which is the basis for the INCOSE certification knowledge exam. INCOSE has more than 23,000 members and CAB associates across 77 countries and a certification program that recognizes and distinguishes professional engineers who have demonstrated competency in systems engineering, regardless of where they are in their careers. In addition to teaching the life cycle processes performed by systems engineers detailed in the INCOSE Handbook, Purdue’s course also covers primary literature in the field, guidance to successfully complete an application for certification, and soft skills essential to being a successful systems engineer. 

INCOSE will waive their knowledge exam requirement towards a SEP certification for education and demonstrable experience in systems engineering. For details, visit https://www.incose.org/certification. 

Course Objectives:

  • Identify the organization, content, and key principles of the INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook 
  • Critique primary literature on systems engineering practices and competencies and apply it to the practice of systems engineering 
  • Synthesize systems engineering life cycle processes and competencies to create tailored applications of the concepts for an industry or organization 
  • Identify key components of INCOSE systems engineering certification and create a certification application 
  • Identify systems engineering professional competencies and create a professional development plan 

Enrollment Options

Students who want to take the standalone 3-credit hour course—or continue their education up to 12 credits of coursework—may apply as a Non-Degree seeking student. This application has no fee to apply. 

Admission Criteria:

Non-degree students must hold a relevant bachelor's degree in engineering, science, technology, math, etc., and have a relevant background for the desired course(s).

To apply as a non-degree student:

  • Apply on the application page using the following details
  • Campus: Purdue West Lafayette 
  • Major: Interdisciplinary Engineering 
  • Degree Objective: Non-degree 
  • Course Delivery: Distance (online or off-campus location) 

 Application Deadlines:

  • Fall-August 1
  • Spring-December 1
  • Summer-May 1

Purdue online master’s in engineering students may take this course as part of an online degree program. Current students should speak to their advisor to ensure the course will fit into their plan of study.

For further information, please reach out to one of the following contacts:

  • For prospective students or alumni: poapply@purdue.edu
  • For current students in the Interdisciplinary Engineering Master’s program: Brittany Cruz, blcruz@purdue.edu
  • For questions about the Systems graduate certificate or from students currently in the Certificate program: Catherine Burkhart, caburkha@purdue.edu

FAQs

This course is accepted by the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) for academic equivalency of the INCOSE knowledge exam required for the Associate Systems Engineering Professional (ASEP) and Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP). Students enrolled in the course must be taking the course for credit and receive a grade of 85% or higher to qualify for a knowledge exam waiver. Additional steps are required to apply and receive a SEP INCOSE certification. Please visit the INCOSE certification page for further details.

Please visit the INCOSE Becoming Certified Webpage concerning applying for a certification through INCOSE, joining the organization and paying a fee, documenting experience, and more. Purdue’s system will automatically send passing scores for students to INCOSE for their records.

No. Please review the plan of study on the Graduate Certificate in Systems for the required courses. SYS 59000: Systems Engineering Processes and Professional Competencies is not a required course for the Graduate Certificate in Systems.

The 3-credit, graduate-level academic course is offered 100% online and may be used as an elective for students in Purdue’s Interdisciplinary Master's in Engineering, as well as students pursuing relevant engineering concentrations. Students earning their master’s in other online degree programs should contact their current advisor or graduate program administrator to inquire about degree requirements.

To enroll as a non-degree student in Interdisciplinary Engineering, applicants must have a relevant (i.e. engineering) background and hold an undergraduate degree in engineering or a related area (STEM).

The INCOSE certification program recognizes and distinguishes professional engineers who have demonstrated competency in systems engineering, regardless of where they are in their careers. The different certifications are built for candidates at various levels of their careers. Please visit the INCOSE certification page for further details.

Typically, students can receive their grades 7-10 days after course completion.

Generally, we do not have a waitlist for courses once courses are full. Please contact the appropriate contact above if you are interested in taking the course.

Please visit our tuition page to review cost per credit information. SYS 59000 is a 3-credit course.