M.S. in Systems Engineering

The M.S. in Systems Engineering is a career-oriented program. Graduates of this program will be able to work in multiple engineering disciplines and successfully lead a team working on a complex engineering problem in a real-world environment. Through their foundation of coursework, ability to solve problems, and understanding of issues related to engineering and project management, students will be prepared to work in a wide spectrum of industries, such as defense, aerospace, biotechnology, power and energy, cybersecurity, machine learning and AI, automation and manufacturing, chip design, and robotics, among many others.

A preliminary analysis of the need for this program has been conducted by the University. Evidence that supports the demand for this program was assessed by utilizing Lightcast software and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, evaluating competitor institutors, and reviewing job demand in local industries and organizations. Overall, engineers with graduate degrees can earn up to 28% more than bachelor’s degree holders over the course of their career and 10% more in year-over-year salary. The outlook for systems engineering jobs is very good, with demand for employment expected to grow 3-5% annually (about 13,600 jobs each year) through 2029, on pace with the national average, but in many specific industries such as defense, power, cybersecurity, where the M.S. in Systems Engineering program is offering specializations - the demand is much stronger, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Systems Engineering jobs in these areas are expected to grow by 9.6% in the State of New Jersey (2023-2028) according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook.

Additionally, the engineering sector overall will need to grow by 15% in the next decade to accommodate the increasing need for engineers and replace new and anticipated retirees, many of whom are exiting the workforce having reached managerial status. Success as an engineering manager cannot be reached through engineering expertise alone, however; the IEEE (Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers) maintains that non-technical abilities such as interpersonal communication, adaptability, problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and other managerial skills play an essential role in employment decisions, promotion, and overall career development for those seeking management roles. These are some of the skills that are particularly highlighted in Systems Engineering.

The Rowan University Master’s of Science in Systems Engineering program requires the completion of 30 semester hours. The M.S. in Systems Engineering program can be completed in a thesis or professional (course-only/non-thesis) track. In the thesis track, 6 credits will be thesis work.

The following courses make up the Master of Science in Systems Engineering program.

• 10 Courses / 30 Semester Hours
• Foundation Courses: Yes
• Graduation / Exit / Thesis Requirements: Yes
  • Students will graduate with the M.S. degree upon completion of 30 credits as per the program requirements. Thesis-track students will require successful completion of a thesis defense.
    • Complete 30 graduate credits from approved courses with a GPA of 2.7 or higher.
    • Grades in the required courses must be a B- or better.
    • No more than two elective courses with a C or C+ may be counted towards graduation requirements. 
    • Grades of C- or lower may not be used towards graduation requirements.
    • Students must maintain a GPA of 2.7 or higher. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 is also required to graduate. 
    • Thesis track students must successfully complete 6 credits of thesis work, and pass the thesis defense. 

An Inside Look at Coursework

The following list includes titles of foundational coursework for the M.S. in Cybersecurity program: 

• Fundamentals of Systems Engineering
• Model Based Engineering

Elective study may also be available in the following areas: 

• Combat Systems Engineering
• Cybersecurity Engineering
• Machine Learning 
• Power Systems Engineering
• Wind Energy Systems
• Project Management
• Engineering Analytics and Quality Control
• Software Engineering
• Cybersecurity Principles

Note: The course topics shown above are not official and are subject to change. For an official list of available courses please visit the Rowan University Academic Catalog.