Master of Science in Systems Engineering
Study and gain skills in the tools, methods, and processes of designing, analyzing, controlling and improving complex engineered systems from world-renowned faculty who are experts in their field.
Ready to Take Your Next Step?
Overview
Engineer Solutions for Tomorrow’s Challenges
Purdue University’s online Master of Science in Systems Engineering is designed for professionals seeking to deepen their expertise in designing, analyzing, and managing complex engineered systems. Offered through a collaboration between Purdue’s College of Engineering and the Purdue Systems Collaboratory, the program delivers a flexible, interdisciplinary curriculum that integrates technical depth with leadership development. Students gain a strong foundation in systems thinking, while customizing their education to align with individual career goals across industries such as aerospace, defense, manufacturing, and more.
Taught by world-class faculty, this master’s program emphasizes real-world application of systems engineering tools, methods, and processes. Learners develop advanced technical skills alongside the ability to communicate complex solutions effectively and lead diverse, cross-functional teams. Courses are structured to build competencies in system optimization, control, and integration, all while reinforcing critical thinking and collaboration across engineering disciplines. This balance of theory and practice prepares graduates to drive innovation and efficiency in today’s dynamic engineering environments.
Graduates of Purdue’s online Master of Science in Systems Engineering program emerge as systems-focused leaders equipped to manage multidisciplinary challenges and deliver stakeholder-responsive solutions. The program not only enhances technical proficiency but also cultivates essential soft skills like technical communication and team leadership. With Purdue’s reputation for engineering excellence and the convenience of online delivery, this degree offers both prestige and practicality for advancing careers in systems engineering.
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.
Program Specifics
Criteria for Admissions
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area (Engineering, Science, Mathematics, or Technology) with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or equivalent (A=4.0).
Math Background
Applicants must have one semester each of Calculus 1, Calculus 2, and at least one of Different Equations, Probability, or Statistics.
More information on courses and faculty can be found at the program website. Button can just link to the website like above, to the curriculum page if possible.
Required Core Courses – 3 credits
- SYS 50000: Perspectives on Systems (3 credits)
- SYS 51000: Tools and Methodologies for Designing Systems (3 credits)
- SYS 53000: Practical Systems Thinking (3 credits)
- SYS 59000: Systems Engineering Processes and Professional Competencies (3 credits)
Systems Analysis and Design – 3 credits
Specialty Engineering – 3 credits
Engineering Economics and Decisions – 3 credits
Program and Project Management – 3 credits
Electives – 6 credits
150 Years of Consequential Impact
Purdue University’s College of Engineering stands apart through its legacy of impact, innovative spirit, and persistent pursuit of the next giant leap. From pioneering medical technologies to space exploration, our faculty drive world-changing ideas. With hands-on learning, industry partnerships, and groundbreaking research, Purdue prepares students to tackle the world’s toughest challenges—on Earth and beyond.
Purdue Systems Collaboratory
The global society in which we live is often faced with large-scale, pressing challenges that can only be solved through interdisciplinary research. The Purdue Systems Collaboratory is eager to equip the next generation of systems thinkers with the tools and approaches for tackling the world’s complex challenges – to move our world… forward.
For this graduate student, Purdue’s online Systems and Agile training are the perfect combination
An expert mechanic at Eli Lilly in Indianapolis with three children at home, Temi Adegboye needed an educational program he could fit in where and when it was possible around his other commitments. Purdue stood out – from its highly ranked College of Engineering, to the more than 200 courses offered in its online graduate engineering programs, to the plethora of positive reviews from alumni.
For many professionals, earning a master’s degree can provide a big return-on-investment. In addition to financial benefits like salary increases and promotions, master’s degrees also help professionals learn in-demand skills, which can improve their job prospects, help them pivot to a new industry, or help them stay competitive in a rapidly changing market.
Many employers value the advanced skills that master’s programs teach, and research shows that job candidates with master’s degrees have average salary increases from 25% to more than 75% in select fields. Ask your enrollment counselor for details on Purdue’s online master’s programs or learn more about the benefits of earning a master’s here.
Career Outcomes
Top Job Titles
- Software Engineers
- Systems Engineers
- Principal Software Engineers
- Software Developers
- Principal Systems Engineers
Top Industries
- Aircraft Manufacturing
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System
- Instrument Manufacturing
- Research and Development
- Education
Source: LightcastTM (2023). Unique job postings for July 2022-2023. Projected growth for years 2023-2033.
Contact Us
You are not alone in taking your next giant leap.
Get your questions answered, receive application help, or plan your degree journey by speaking with an enrollment counselor. Request more information today by filling out this form to connect with a Purdue University enrollment counselor and receive additional program materials.
Ready to Become a Purdue Boilermaker?
Are you ready to join the Purdue innovators and changemakers always striving to make giant leaps forward in our industries and fields? Start your application today!