Gain Valuable Skills in Systems Engineering

Purdue University’s innovative online graduate program in Systems Engineering empowers professionals to tailor their educational experience to their unique goals and exposes them to a wide variety of issues and topics relevant to current engineering trends and the future of the field.

The major in Systems Engineering within the Interdisciplinary Engineering (IDE) master's program offers learners the opportunity to study and gain skills in the tools, methods, and processes of designing, analyzing, controlling, and improving complex engineered systems. In partnership with Purdue’s Systems Collaboratory, the program has been designed to produce students with a firm grounding in interdisciplinary engineering who are well prepared to lead and execute transdisciplinary processes that result in systems that are responsive to stakeholder needs. Specifically, the program will educate students to develop new products, services, and organizations to address grand challenges facing society.

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A Degree in Systems Engineering from Purdue University:

  • Increases leadership skills and ability to effectively lead diverse teams across multiple engineering disciplines.
  • Promotes effective technical communication of complex concepts, analyses and solutions.
  • Increases learner technical abilities and skills in a wide variety of cutting-edge engineering disciplines

Set yourself apart from the competition by joining a unique and flexible engineering program that is consistently ranked in the top three best online programs by U.S. News and World Report.

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Curriculum

This degree requires 30 credit hours total. A maximum of 6 credit hours can be taken in specific non-engineering courses such as math and/or statistics. The full curriculum can be found here.

The degree awarded is either the Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) or the Master of Science (MS) depending upon your undergraduate degree; the major is Systems Engineering.

MSE/MS Degree Requirements

  • Systems Core Courses: 12 credit hours
  • Systems Analysis and Design: 3 credit hours
  • Specialty Engineering: 3 credit hours
  • Engineering Economics and Decisions: 3 credit hours
  • Program and Project Management: 3 credit hours
  • Elective Courses (i.e. Other Engineering, Math, Statistics, etc.): 6 credit hours
  • TOTAL: 30 credit hours

After you begin your studies at Purdue, an academic advisor will provide you with tools to map out a plan of study tailored to align with your specific goals. Your academic advisor will also help you identify a faculty advisor.

Admissions Requirements

Below includes a few admissions requirements, please find all requirements here.

Criteria for Admissions

  • Minimum GPA of a 3.0
  • Math Background: One semester each of Calculus I, Calculus II and at least one of: Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Probability, or Statistics
  • Engineering Background: Preferred undergraduate degree in Engineering, Science, Mathematics or Technology.

Application Requirements

  • Transcripts from all universities attended
  • 3 recommenders
  • Academic Statement of Purpose
  • Personal History Statement
  • A professional resume
  • Math prerequisite checklist, if applicable

Full admissions requirements

Application Deadlines

  • For Fall Start: August 1
  • For Spring Start: December 1
  • For Summer Start: May 1

Tuition*

  • Resident of Indiana: $1,139 per credit
  • Nonresident of Indiana: $1,459 per credit
  • Domestic students and permanent residents may qualify for the following types of financial aid: US federal financial aid, Military, veterans, and military-connected students

*The cost of attending Purdue varies depending on where you choose to live, enrollment in a specific program or college, food and travel expenses, and other variables. The Office of the Bursar website shows estimated costs for the current aid year for students by semester and academic year. These amounts are used in determining a student’s estimated eligibility for financial aid. You can also use our tuition calculator to estimate tuition costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

The degree earned will be a Master of Science (MS) or Master of Science in Engineering (MSE). Those with an undergraduate degree in an area outside of engineering are eligible for the MS, while those with an undergraduate degree in engineering are eligible for the MSE. Note that the program is Interdisciplinary Engineering and the major is Systems Engineering

Diplomas include the degree name – either Master of Science or Master of Science in Engineering depending on the degree conferred (see ‘what degree will I earn” FAQ for more information).

Transcripts include the program and major name—e.g. Interdisciplinary Engineering with a major in Systems Engineering.

Neither your diploma nor transcript will indicate that any coursework was completed online. Diplomas and transcripts for students completing online programs look identical to the documents provided to an on-campus, residential student.

Transfer credits will be officially reviewed for transferability after admission with academic and faculty advisors. Course descriptions and syllabi will be required. Up to 12 transfer credits can be utilized for Interdisciplinary Engineering (IDE) programs; the amount accepted will vary depending on a student’s concentration and plan of study. Approved credits will be applied within a student’s electronic Plan of Study as electives. Since the Systems Engineering Major only requires 6 electives, it is unlikely that transfer credits will exceed 6 for this major. Transfer credits can only be applied towards IDE majors and not graduate certificates. If a student transfers to a program outside of IDE within Purdue's College of Engineering, previously honored equivalencies and transfer credit approval are not guaranteed. Students should check on this with their new program.

For courses to be evaluated for transfer, they must first meet all of the following requirements:

  1. Graduate level from an accredited institution
  2. Never used towards a previous degree program
  3. Engineering or STEM-related courses
  4. A grade of a B- or better
  5. Students typically need to be an active graduate student within the last 5 years for credit to be utilized.
Once admitted, students will work with their advisor to discuss their academic history and possible transfer credit.

You need to register for at least one credit to be considered an active student. If you do not enroll for more than two consecutive semesters, you will lose your student status and must reapply.

No, all courses are not available every term. You can see our course availability on the Courses List page.

The program requires 30 credits. You may complete the program as a full time or part time student. A full-time student takes at least 8 credit hours every term and may be able to complete this program within 12 to 18 months. A part time student takes less than 8 credit hours every term (on average 3-6). As a part-time student, you may complete the program within 2 to 4 years. The average time to complete the program is 3 years.

You may take a maximum of two consecutive semesters off. If you take more than two semesters, you will need to reapply to the program.

We suggest that you try to get at least one academic reference. If that is not possible, recommendations from employers will be accepted.

The courses will be offered asynchronously. We upload recordings of live lectures for you to view on your time. You will follow along weekly to complete your assignments, projects, and/or exams. Exams may require a proctor (virtual or in-person depending on the instructor's preference).

Scholarships and funding are not available through Purdue as this program is a course-based, self-funded master's program. U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents are eligible for federal financial aid. The Purdue Division of Financial Aid can answer your questions. Veterans can visit the Dorothy Stratton Veteran and Military Success Center to learn more about wrap-around support services for Purdue students who are veterans, members of the military, or benefit-using family members.

Please visit the admission criteria page for information.

Yes, students will have access through the Purdue Center for Career Opportunities.

Students enrolled in the online Master of Science in Systems Engineering, which is supported by Purdue University, receive robust support from a dedicated team of student engagement professionals. All students have an assigned academic advisor, who is available for one-on-one support and to helps students with academic-related questions or issues. Academic advisors also offer workshops on topics relevant to academic planning and preparation, including plan of study workshops and specialty information sessions for students enrolled in specific programs.

Additionally, students have an assigned student success coach, whose role is to support students who may be struggling in the online learning environment. Students can access their assigned success coach from the point where they accept their enrollment offer through graduation. Success coaches also work to build community among online students, offering networking events, resources, and opportunities for professional development.

A graduate student is expected to maintain a graduation index representing a B average (3.0/4.0 GPA) or better. A student's 30 credits of graduate coursework must be cumulatively calculated at a 3.0 or higher in order to receive the Degree.

For more details on policies and grading information, please visit: Policies and Procedures for Administering Graduate Student Programs - Purdue University - Modern Campus Catalog™ - see section VI for grading policies.