Online Systems Engineering

The Systems Engineering Certificate Program provides valuable resources for any engineer responsible for the oversight, creation, or operation of a complex system.  The program provides focused learning opportunities for systems engineers, design engineers, lead engineers, software systems engineers, project managers, and others seeking to increase their professional knowledge and advance their careers.  Through this program, students will learn how they can ensure that a system will satisfy its requirements throughout the entire system life cycle.  The program has been designed to enable engineers, regardless of undergraduate discipline, to develop the analytical abilities needed to design, evaluate, and manage complex systems involving many components and demanding specifications.  The intent of the program is to extend the ability of engineers to work across disciplinary boundaries and to develop the engineering management capabilities needed in today’s work environment. 

Admissions Requirements

Individuals with undergraduate degrees in any area of Engineering, and graduated in top half of their class may apply. Applicants with non-Engineering degrees and/or not in top half of their class will be considered on an individual basis.  Applicants for admission to the Systems Engineering Program apply through the Graduate College at Iowa State University.  Each applicant must submit:

  • Application and application fee
  • Official academic transcripts
  • Three letters of recommendation
Applications should be submitted as early as possible before the beginning of the term for which admission is sought.  Students may take up to 9 credits as a non-degree seeking student, so it is possible to begin your studies before formal admittance into the program. 

Continuing on for a Masters Degree
If a person who receives a graduate certificate decides to continue for a graduate degree, the person needs to seek approval from that degree program.  Credits earned for the graduate certificate may also be used to meet degree requirements for the graduate degree if approved by the Program of Study Committee.  Students wishing to transfer into the Masters Program do not need to repeat the application process; instead, students must fill out the “Transfer From One Major/Program/Department To Another” form found on the Graduate College web site.  For details on the Systems Engineering Masters Program, please click here.

Certificate Requirements

The Systems Engineering Certificate consists of 5 courses for a total of 13 credit hours.

  • IE 565 Systems Engineering and Analysis (3)
  • IE 566 Applied Systems Engineering (3)
  • IE 570 Systems Engineering and Project Management (3)
  • IE 585 Requirements Engineering (3)
  • IE 590 Special Topics in Industrial Engineering (1)
Course descriptions can be found in the course catalog .

For more information on the Systems Engineering Degree Program, download the latest program handbook now!

Systems Handbook 2008 Systems Handbook 2008

Contact Information

Doug Gemmill                       
Engineering Distance Education
515-294-8731
  800-854-1675 or 515-294-7470
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