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Systems EngineeringSystems Engineering
Offering the Master of Science Degree
The Systems Engineering program is a multidisciplinary program that blends engineering,
systems thinking, and management topics. The increasing complexity of systems, the
growth of global competitiveness, the enhanced focus on cost and profitability, and
ever more challenging customer expectations have led a number of premiere organizations
in the defense and commercial sectors to assume the role of system integrators. These
organizations are increasingly adopting an evolving business model that emphasizes
the selling of functionality, solutions, or capabilities, instead of focusing on providing
systems, system elements, and products.
The System Engineering Program is housed in the Division of Engineering. The program
offers a Master of Science degree with a major in Systems Engineering and a Graduate
Certificate in Systems Engineering. The curriculum emphasizes the development of large-scale,
complex, and multifunctional systems in a number of domains. Core courses in the SYE
Program have a strong case study and project orientation to facilitate understanding
of the concepts discussed.
All graduate Systems Engineering courses are offered online via several technologies
that allow a high degree of interaction with the faculty and fit into today's professional's
busy schedule.
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the Master of Science Program with a major in Systems Engineering must
submit the following to the Admissions Office no later than the published deadline
date for the semester in which the applicant plans to enroll:
- An application for graduate admission to SPSU. You can download a printable application
and mail it in along with the $20 non-refundable application fee. Or, you can set
up an online account and apply over the internet,
- Official transcript to be sent from each college or university attended,
- Certificate of Immunization. Download this form and sign the waiver at the bottom
for distance only students.
- An official copy of scores from the "General Test" of the Graduate Record Examination
(GRE), or a request for a GRE waiver (see Admissions Criteria below),
- At least three (3) recommendation forms completed by former or current supervisors,
professors, or professional colleagues,
- A 1 – 2 page Statement of Purpose describing your career and educational goals, and
- A current resume.
International students who do not possess a baccalaureate degree from a college in
the United States must submit (1) an official English-translated transcript of college-level
education, (2) the TOEFL scores, and (3) an affidavit indicating financial security.
Applicants to a Graduate Certificate Program must submit the following:
- An application for graduate admission to SPSU. You can download a printable application
and mail it in along with the $20 non-refundable application fee. Or, you can set
up an online account and apply over the internet,
- Official transcript to be sent from each college or university attended,
- Certificate of Immunization. Download this form and sign the waiver at the bottom,
- At least three (3) recommendation forms completed by former or current supervisors,
professors, or professional colleagues, and
- A current resume.
Admission Criteria
Graduate applicants shall have the following qualifications.
- An undergraduate degree in engineering, engineering technology, computer science,
physical science, or other technically oriented major from an accredited college or
university. Interested students from other disciplines may be admitted to the program,
but may be required to complete additional courses.
- A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 (on the 4.0 scale). Applicants
with a GPA of 2.75 or better may be considered with strong work experience and letters
of reference.
- Official GRE scores meeting the current admission profile (450 Verbal and 600 Quantitative).
Applicants with lower scores may be accepted provisionally requiring additional preparatory
course work. Test scores may be waived, if (1) an applicant has 4 or more years of
relevant work experience earned after receiving their first baccalaureate degree or
(2) a 3.5 undergraduate GPA or better. To request a GRE waiver, send a letter outlining
your work experience or a current resume.
- For international students, a 550 on the TOEFL Written Exam or a 78 on the Internet
version is required.
Admission Status
The Systems Engineering Program Director in conjunction with the graduate admissions
committee determines the student admission status.
- Full Graduate students have met all the criteria shown above.
- Provisional Graduate students are graduate students who have not fully met the above
criteria. They are limited to designated courses, either graduate or undergraduate,
during which they will be evaluated to determine their likelihood of success. Provisional
students are not guaranteed full graduate status.
- Graduate Certificate students are accepted for any of the certificates offered. Certificate
students are limited to certificate courses or preparatory courses approved by the
Program Coordinator. Certificate students may apply for Full Graduate status. After
being accepted into the Masters Degree Program, all hours earned as a Certificate
student can apply toward the Masters Degree.
Transfer Credit
Students may receive up to nine hours of credit for graduate work that is (1) equivalent
to Southern Polytechnic courses, (2) taken in the last five years, and (3) completed
with an "A" or "B" grade. Contact the department for more information.
For more information
For further information, contact the SYE Program Director, Dr. Renee Butler at 678-915-5414.
