phd system engineering online

PhD in Systems Engineering Online

Traditional PhD programs are designed to support full-time, primarily on-campus students. WPI’s Online PhD in Systems Engineering program is different. We expect the majority of our students to be part-time, off-campus professionals who have full-time jobs and have been or are involved in systems engineering related work.

The implications of this expectation are that the WPI systems engineering program faculty and administrators will:

• Offer all program courses online, without a traditional on-campus residency requirement.
• Offer the required research seminars in a virtual classroom setting where all participants can readily interact with each other.
• Support student research by strongly encouraging our students to submit papers and presentations to national conferences.
• Expect regular, well-documented, research advisor(s) interactions.
• Utilize best-practice methods to enhance student engagement and encourage professional development.

While we accept applications at any time, faculty review applicants for this program only twice per year – March 1 and November 1.  Click here to apply now .

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On-Demand Webinar: Systems Engineering and SE Leadership Info Session

View our on-demand webinar to be introduced to WPI's online Systems Engineering graduate programs. Get an overview of program logistics, what online learning looks like, the application process, and more!

PROGRAM OVERVIEW (a minimum of 60 credits beyond MS)

DISTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS Selected in consultation with the Research Advisor Focus Area 1: A minimum of 12 credit hours of thematically related graduate courses selected from the areas of Science (including Computer Science), Mathematics, and Engineering excluding Systems Engineering (which can be waived for students with an MS in Science, as defined above) Focus Area 2: A minimum of 9 credit hours of thematically related courses, as defined above and different from the first Focus Area

RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS A minimum of 30 credits registered as SYS 699. Dissertation Research

EXAM REQUIREMENTS Qualifying Exam: Successfully completed no later than 18 credits beyond the MS degree Area Examination: Successfully completed after the Qualifying Exam and no later than 42 graduate credit hours after matriculation into the PhD program Defense: A public defense after certification of the final PhD dissertation research is required. The defense can be scheduled any time after the end of the semester in which the Area Examination was completed

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS Students must establish residency by being a full-time online graduate student for at least one continuous academic year. Full-time graduate students are required to take a minimum of 6 credits per semester.

Admissions Qualifications

Preferred program applicant.

The preferred program applicant will have an MS in systems engineering with a minimum GPA of 3.5. Applicants who have earned an engineering master's degree, but not in systems engineering, and who have demonstrated systems engineering work experience, are also strongly encouraged to apply. All applicants will be considered for admission into the PhD program based on a thorough review of their application materials.

Students who have not yet earned an MS degree will not be considered for the WPI Systems Engineering PhD program until completion of the MS program.

PhD Application Process

We are now accepting applications for the online part-time se phd program. if you are interested in a full-time se phd, please contact prof. shams bhada ..

• Non-refundable $70 application fee (waived for WPI alumni and current WPI students)
• Official transcripts in English from accredited institutions
• Three letters of recommendation (can be done through the application portal)
• Statement of purpose (to be submitted with the online application )
• A statement of relevant and related SE work experiences
• Proof of English language proficiency from all applicants for whom English is not their first language: TOEFL or IELTS

Note: GRE scores are not required; we strongly encourage applicants to submit their GRE scores though if they are still current (3 years or less)

For specific application requirements, visit  our admissions for online programs  page.

Experiential PhD: Working Full-Time While Pursuing Your PhD Degree

WPI supports individuals working full-time in industry to pursue PhD degrees either part-time or full-time on topics related to their employment. Want to learn more about this opportunity and how to obtain this industry-based PhD degree, visit the WPI Experiential PhD program page.

Other online graduate programs in Systems Engineering: 

• Online graduate certificate in Systems Engineering
• Online MS in Systems Engineering

See all the events and webinars that the Graduate Studies team are hosting and attending.

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Doctor of Engineering in Engineering

Program summary.

This online program provides a deep understanding of advanced engineering and high-level leadership principles, helping you prepare to direct high-performing research divisions or companies. This D.Eng. incorporates the rigor of a Ph.D. but shifts the focus of career progression from academic research to leadership in an industrial or commercial setting.

Learn in person

during a 5-day on-campus residency

Application deadline

Credits and costs, elevate your advanced engineering and leadership skills.

Research and develop new products or processes that can benefit industrial, governmental, or military entities.

Analyze and synthesize critical information within your discipline and, where appropriate, across multiple disciplines.

Communicate and effectively disseminate research findings through technical reports, presentations, and peer-reviewed papers.

Lead high-performing research and development teams, divisions, and corporations. 

Customize Your Course List

The engineering degree program offers an extensive selection of electives from more than 20 disciplines, allowing you to customize your learning to reflect your previous experience and/or desired career-advancement path. You will also learn through independent research in your chosen discipline.

To graduate from Penn State's 45-credit online Doctor of Engineering in Engineering program, you must maintain a grade-point average of 3.0 or better in all course work including:

• at least 9 credits of required core courses
• at least 6 credits of research and statistics methods
• at least 15 credits of technical electives
• at least 15 credits of praxis research

Doctor of Engineering in Engineering Praxis Research

The D.Eng. program is flexible enough to provide opportunities for both discipline-specific and cross-disciplinary research. A doctoral committee consisting of a minimum of three faculty members (with three members on graduate faculty at Penn State) will oversee the research. When pertinent to the student’s praxis topic area and personal circumstances, an additional member can be added as a “special outside industry member” from the associated industry, military, organization, or governmental function. This doctoral committee will require demonstration of analytical and critical thinking, consistent with the expectations for a doctoral research program.

The program culminates with a 15-credit praxis research project focused on applied research executed in a real-world industry environment. You will identify an industry problem and use applied research methods to develop and present a proposed solution.

Required Courses (select 9 credits)

If students have previously taken one of the professional core courses, they may request a substitution.

Traditional and contemporary leadership theory is analyzed to determine effective strategies for leading projects and innovation within an engineering context.

Develop competencies for leading new product/process development or participating in corporate spinouts using entrepreneurial skills within a corporation.

Covers the essential concepts and skills needed to make effective contributions on projects, on time and within budget.

Explores cultural differences and impact on business practices and team dynamics working on virtual project teams with global partner universities.

Research and Statistic Methods (select 6 credits)

This research methods course focuses on the development of competencies required to become a successful professional researcher in engineering fields.

Descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing, power, estimation, confidence intervals, regression, one- and 2-way ANOVA, Chi-square tests, diagnostics.

Analysis of research data through simple and multiple regression and correlation; polynomial models; indicator variables; step-wise, piece-wise, and logistic regression.

6 credits of statistics or STAT 500 ; matrix algebra

Analysis of multivariate data; T-squared tests; partial correlation; discrimination; MANOVA; cluster analysis; regression; growth curves; factor analysis; principal components; canonical correlations.

STAT 501 and STAT 502 ; matrix algebra

Identification of models for empirical data collected over time. Use of models in forecasting.

STAT 462 or   STAT 501  or STAT 511

Electives (select 15 credits)

You can customize your learning to match your past experience and future goals by selecting 15 credits from a comprehensive list of technical electives. Review the following course pages to see a sampling of electives offered in each area. Not all courses listed are eligible to satisfy the Doctor of Engineering elective requirements, and students will work with their adviser to finalize their academic plan.

• Additive Manufacturing and Design
• Artificial Intelligence
• Data Analytics
• Ecosystem Management and Administration
• Electrical Engineering
• Engineering Management
• Financial Engineering
• Geographic Information Systems
• Homeland Security – Base Program
• Homeland Security – Agricultural Biosecurity and Food Defense option
• Homeland Security – Counterterrorism option
• Homeland Security – Cyber Threat Analytics and Prevention option
• Homeland Security – Intelligence and Geospatial Analysis option
• Homeland Security – Public Health Preparedness option
• Human Factors Engineering and Ergonomics
• Industrial Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering – Thermal Sciences
• Mechanical Sciences
• Nuclear Engineering
• Project Management
• Renewable Energy and Sustainability Systems
• Software Engineering
• Systems Engineering

Praxis Research (15 credits)

Provides Doctor of Engineering students with the opportunity to identify an applied research problem and develop a praxis research project to address the problem/question. Students will investigate the literature relevant to the selected area(s) of interest. Students will develop and implement a comprehensive praxis research project to address the problem. Students will also disseminate the results in both a scholarly presentation (final oral exam) and praxis (final praxis research document).

Course Availability

If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.

Advance Your Career

You can use the knowledge gained from this program and the support of Penn State career resources to pursue careers in a variety of fields, depending on your goals.

Job Titles Related to This Degree

The following roles are often held by people with this type of degree:

• Engineering Director
• Project Development Director
• Research and Development Director
• Research and Development Engineer
• Research Engineer

Employment Outlook for Occupational Fields Related to This Degree

Estimates of employment growth and total employment are provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and are subject to change. While these occupations are often pursued by graduates with this degree, individual outcomes may vary depending on a variety of factors. Penn State World Campus cannot guarantee employment in a given occupation.

Architectural and Engineering Managers

Engineers, all other, career services to set you up for success.

From the day you're accepted as a student, you can access resources and tools provided by Penn State World Campus Career Services to further your career. These resources are beneficial whether you're searching for a job or advancing in an established career.

• Opportunities to connect with employers
• Career counselor/coach support
• Occupation and salary information
• Internships
• Graduate school resources  

Ready to Learn More?

Get the resources you need to make informed decisions about your education. Request information on this program and other programs of interest by completing this form.

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Learn more about this program

Ready to take the next step toward your penn state doctorate, costs and financial aid.

Learn about this program's tuition, fees, scholarship opportunities, grants, payment options, and military benefits.

Graduate Tuition

Graduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register. Tuition is due shortly after each semester begins and rates are assessed every semester of enrollment.

2024–25 Academic Year Rates

Financial Aid and Military Benefits

Some students may qualify for financial aid. Take the time to research financial aid, scholarships, and payment options as you prepare to apply. Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents should explore these potential military education benefits and financial aid opportunities , as well.

To view the detailed list of cost of attendance elements, select “World Campus” as the location on the  tuition site .

Residency Experiences

As a Penn State World Campus Doctor of Engineering in Engineering student, you will fulfill major program milestones during a campus residency.

Residency Requirement and Program Milestones

The online Doctor of Engineering in Engineering program requires you to spend a total of five days on campus. Major program milestones include the qualifying exam, comprehensive exam, and praxis defense. The full residency requirement can be met by attending a single five-day campus residency or multiple shorter on-campus residencies that combine to a minimum of five days. 

Immediately prior to each fall semester, the D.Eng. program will hold an optional two-day orientation on the Penn State University Park campus that can count toward part of the residency requirement. Residency days can also be obtained through visits to campus for research meetings with praxis faculty, students, and researchers; attendance in lab group meetings; on-campus workshops; and organized D.Eng. program–specific professional development activities that will be offered at least once per semester for those in the program and to the broader community. Some of these days may also be spent in fulfillment of major program milestones, including your qualifying exam, comprehensive exam, and praxis defense.

Set Your Own Pace

Whether you are looking to finish your program as quickly as possible or balance your studies with your busy life, Penn State World Campus can help you achieve your education goals. Many students take one or two courses per semester.

Our online courses typically follow a 12- to 15-week semester cycle, and there are three semesters per year (spring, summer, and fall).

Looking to fit your education into a busy life?  You can complete courses at your own pace while maintaining your professional and personal responsibilities. Most students take just one online course per semester. 

Looking to earn your degree as quickly as possible?  If you take two courses per semester, it's possible to complete this degree more quickly. Most graduate-level programs recommend a slower pace, and you should consult with your adviser if you would like to take three or more courses in a semester. 

Convenient Online Format

This program's convenient online format gives you the flexibility you need to study around your busy schedule. You can skip the lengthy commute without sacrificing the quality of your education and prepare yourself for more rewarding career opportunities without leaving your home.

A Trusted Leader in Online Education

Penn State has a history of more than 100 years of distance education, and World Campus has been a leader in online learning for more than two decades. Our online learning environment offers the same quality education that our students experience on campus.

Information for Military and Veterans

Are you a member of the military, a veteran, or a military spouse? Please visit our military website for additional information regarding financial aid, transfer credits, and application instructions.

How to Apply to Penn State

Apply by October 4 to start January 13

Application Instructions

Deadlines and important dates.

Complete your application and submit all required materials by the appropriate deadline. Your deadline will depend on the semester you plan to start your courses.

Spring Deadline

Summer deadline, fall deadline, steps to apply, 1. review the admission requirements..

For admission to the J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School, you must hold either (1) a master of science or master of engineering degree in a suitable engineering or related technical field from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or (2) a tertiary (postsecondary) degree that is deemed comparable to a master’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. This degree must be from an officially recognized degree-granting institution in the country in which it operates. Students should have earned at least a 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) in their master’s program.

2. Gather your required materials.

Applications are submitted electronically and include a nonrefundable application fee. You will need to upload the following items as part of your application:

Official transcripts from each institution attended, regardless of the number of credits or semesters completed. Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. Penn State alumni do not need to request transcripts for credits earned at Penn State but must list Penn State as part of your academic history. If you are admitted, you will be asked to send an additional official transcript. You will receive instructions at that time.

GPA and Test Scores — All applicants are expected to have earned a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher.

Statement of Professional Goals — This statement should be concise and well-written. It should reflect your academic interests, research/praxis plan, and motivation, as well as how these further your career objectives. Please include the following sections in your statement:

Academic Interests (about half a page) — Discuss your academic interest in this D.Eng. program. In addition, propose a course work plan (i.e., review the program’s electives and discuss which courses would be most effective to help reach your praxis research and professional goals).

Praxis Research Interests and Rationale (about 1 page) — The praxis research should apply what you come to the program with and will learn in this program (methods/technology/theory) to research and solve a significant/complex problem from your work. The goal of this section is to describe to the admissions committee a problem you have identified and the research plan, goals, and deliverables, and how these will be supported. In other words, this section should reflect your ability to effectively communicate the maturity of your research aspirations.

This section should include:

• Problem motivation (i.e., background of the problem/how do you know this is a problem that should be addressed via the praxis?)
• Problem statement/hypothesis (i.e., one or two sentences stating what specific problem this praxis research is going to solve)
• Project purpose (i.e., describe how the praxis research will generally address the problem)
• Project plan goals (i.e., a bulleted list of what will be analyzed, designed/researched, and implemented)
• Project deliverables (i.e., what could ultimately be delivered as the solution to this problem, in addition to the required written praxis)

Career Objectives (about half a page) — This section should communicate a synergy between the education and praxis research accomplished in this program with your career/professional goals.

English Proficiency  — The language of instruction at Penn State is English. With some exceptions, international applicants must take and submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Minimum test scores and exceptions are found in the English Proficiency section on the  Fox Graduate School's "Requirements for Graduate Admission" page . Visit the  TOEFL website  for testing information. Penn State's institutional code is 2660.

References (3)  — References should provide academic and professional perspectives. You will need to initiate the process through the online application by entering names, email addresses, and mailing addresses of three references. Upon submission of your application, an email will be sent to each reference requesting they complete a brief online recommendation regarding your commitment to success in an online program. Please inform all recommenders they must submit the form in order for your application to be complete.

At least one reference should be from your employer indicating they support the praxis topic and specifying what resources you will have access to in support of the topic, e.g., allocated time, lab support, data. This reference letter would ideally come from the immediate or area supervisor of the applicant.

Program-Specific Questions/Materials

Résumé or Vitae — Upload your résumé or vitae to the online application.

Writing Sample — Provide a published or unpublished paper, thesis, or another scholarly writing sample.  This sample must be in English.

Interview — You will be asked to participate in an interview, either via internet-based video conferencing or in person.

3. Create a Penn State login account.

To begin the online application, you will need a Penn State account.

Create a New Penn State Account

If you have any problems during this process, contact an admissions counselor at [email protected] .

Please note: Former Penn State students may not need to complete the admissions application or create a new Penn State account. Please visit our Returning Students page for instructions.

4. Read the application instructions.

You can begin your online application at any time. Your progress within the online application system will be saved as you go, allowing you to return at any point as you gather additional information and required materials.

• Choose Enrollment Type: "Degree Admission"
• Choose "WORLD CAMPUS" as the campus

Checking Your Status  You can  check the status of your application  by using the same login information established for the online application form. 

Technical Requirements   Review the technical requirements  for this degree program. 

5. Complete the application.

Admissions help.

If you have questions about the admissions process, contact an admissions counselor at  [email protected] .

Have questions or want more information? We're happy to talk.

Visit the Engineering Design and Innovation Site to explore the D.Eng. program student handbook and other guidance about the program and learn more about the College of Engineering.

For questions about the program, contact: Dr. Sven Bilén [email protected]

For general questions about Penn State World Campus, contact: World Campus Admissions Counselors Phone: 814-863-5386 [email protected]

Learn from the Best

Taught by respected Penn State faculty with strong academic credentials and real-world experience, the online D.Eng. program can position you for advancement to the highest-level leadership positions in research and engineering in both the private and public sectors.

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Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Online

• Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering
• Batten College of Engineering & Technology
• Department of Engineering Management & Systems Engineering

Program Delivery Method

• 100% online, with live online classes
• Live online class attendance is required
• Classes are usually held in the evening (Eastern U.S. Time Zone)

Why ODU for Engineering Management and Systems Engineering?

ODU's engineering management and systems engineering PhD program allows you to work with expert faculty to develop innovative solutions and conduct ground-breaking research.

You'll meet in live online classes. Your courses will blend highly theoretical knowledge with applied and pragmatic research. Then, you'll learn rigorous evaluation techniques to solidify your findings.

When you graduate, you will be prepared to teach and research at academic institutions, work at national research labs, or be a technology leader in public and private organizations that focus on innovation and technological leadership.

Admission to this program is competitive. As part of the application process, you will be matched with a faculty advisor with similar research interests. If a matching faculty advisor already has a full advising schedule, your admission may be delayed.

When you graduate, you will earn a Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering – Engineering Management and Systems Engineering.

Want to learn more? Contact us!

American Society for Engineering Management Founder's Award for Excellence in Engineering Management Education and Practice

Most Affordable Online Doctoral Degrees, 2023 -  OnlineU.com

Required Courses

• 48 credit hours minimum

You will take:

• Three core courses in engineering research and multivariate statistics.
• Two elective courses from a range of topics such as engineering design, big data, systems analysis, reliability and maintainability, and risk analysis.
• At least three subject area courses based on your research focus.
• At least 24 credit hours of research.
• View Courses in ODU's Graduate Catalog

Online Learning Environment

Participate in live, regularly scheduled online class meetings and access course materials online from any location. All courses follow ODU's regular academic calendar.

• Taking Classes Online

Careers in Engineering Management & Systems Engineering

• University Professor
• Lead Engineer
• Program Manager
• Lead Technology Officer
• Explore Career Data for Your Region at Our Career Coach Website

Calculating Cost

Rates are effective Fall 2024 and subject to change. * In-state rate assumes residency requirements are met.

• Explore ODUGlobal Cost & Aid

Licensure Disclosure

This program is not intended to lead to a specific state-level license.

If you plan to pursue a professional license or credential, we encourage you to explore requirements through the appropriate credentialing agency or professional organization in your state.  Learn More About State Licensure Disclosures

Meet Your Team

You'll have a dedicated academic advisor for this program.

Contact us if you have questions about admission requirements, transferring credits, or application deadlines.

Ready to get started?

How to apply.

Admission to this program is competitive. In addition to general ODU admission requirements, you must have:

• A master of science in engineering or a closely related technical field with a minimum 3.50 GPA from an accredited institution of higher education.
• A bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA from an ABET-accredited program in engineering or engineering technology, or from an accredited program in applied science.

You will also submit a research concept paper to aid in pairing you with a faculty advisor. The number of students admitted depends partly on the advising load of faculty with matching research interests. See full application details in the Graduate Catalog .

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GW Online Engineering Programs

• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
• Cloud Computing Management
• Cybersecurity Analytics
• Cybersecurity Policy & Compliance
• Electrical Engineering
• Engineering Management
• Systems Engineering
• Policies & Procedures
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• Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning (D.Eng.)
• Cybersecurity Analytics (D.Eng.)
• Engineering Management (D.Eng.)
• Systems Engineering (Ph.D.)
• Degrees Offered
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• Application Process

Apply for Admission

Online Doctor of Engineering in System Engineering

We are now accepting applications for the cohort beginning in August 2024.

The application deadline is June 30, 2024.

Info Session Sign up

Program Flyer

The School of Engineering and Applied Science Online Programs offers the Doctor of Engineering (D.Eng.) degree in Systems Engineering. Classes are held on Saturdays, starting in August 2024 with a target graduation date of August 2026. Applicants should typically hold a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in engineering, applied science, mathematics, computer science, or closely related fields from an accredited institution.

Program Description

The Doctor of Engineering (D.Eng.) in Systems Engineering is a program that blends advanced systems engineering knowledge with leadership skills. Designed for professionals aiming to elevate their careers in systems engineering, the curriculum offers both in-depth technical training as well as exposure to advanced topics in systems engineering. Graduates emerge as highly competent leaders, capable of guiding systems engineering teams, overseeing intricate projects, deploying innovative strategies, and contributing to the success of their organizations. With their extensive knowledge and hands-on experience, they are well-prepared to excel in various industries, taking on key leadership roles where they can significantly influence the evolution and impact of systems engineering.

The degree requires 24 credit hours of graduate-level courses and a minimum of 24 credit hours of research during which the student writes and defends a praxis paper on a topic related to Engineering Management, chosen by the student and approved by the advising committee.

EMSE 6420 Uncertainty Analysis in Cost Engineering:  Basic skills for building probability models to perform meaningful engineering economic studies, financial feasibility assessments, and cost uncertainty analysis in the planning phase of engineering projects; analytical and closed form equations from probability theory; simulation modeling for problems with structures without closed form equations. (3 credit hours) 

EMSE 6760 Discrete Systems Simulation:  Simulation of discrete stochastic models. Simulation languages. Random-number/ random-variate generation. Statistical design and analysis of experiments, terminating/nonterminating simulations; comparison of system designs. Input distributions, variance reduction, validation of models. (3 credit hours) 

EMSE 6765 Data Analysis for Engineers and Scientists:  Design of experiments and data collection. Regression, correlation, and prediction. Multivariate analysis, data pooling, data compression. Model validation (3 credit hours)

EMSE 6807 Advanced Systems Engineering:  Analysis of advanced systems engineering topics; system lifecycle models, INCOSE Vision 2025, requirements types and processes, architectural design processes and frameworks, DoDAF artifacts, enterprise architecture and enterprise systems engineering, complex adaptive systems (CAS), modeling languages and SysML, and Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE). Applications of systems engineering tools and techniques. (3 credit hours)

EMSE 6817 Model-based Systems Engineering:  Model-based systems engineering (MBSE) and its derivative, evidence-based systems engineering (EBSE), are techniques with strong potential for improving the technical integrity of complex systems. The foundation to these model-and research-based techniques for system definition and analysis as applied to life-cycle SE. Practical applications. (3 credit hours)

EMSE 6848 Systems of Systems:  Complex systems engineering in terms of systems of systems (SoS); theoretical and practical instances of SoS; application of life cycle systems engineering processes; various types of SoS and the challenges to be faced to ensure their acquisition and technical integrity. (3 credit hours) 

EMSE 6850 Quantitative Models in Systems Engineering:  Quantitative modeling techniques and their application to decision making in systems engineering. Linear, integer, and nonlinear optimization models. Stochastic models: inventory control, queuing systems, and regression analysis. Elements of Monte Carlo and discrete event system simulation. (3 credit hours) 

EMSE 8000 Research Formulation in Systems Engineering:  Doctoral seminar designed to give students their first exposure to the process of formulating and executing empirical research. Class format includes discussion, field experiments, data analysis, and theorizing. Study of core concepts in building theory from empirical data and classic works in technically oriented management theory. Participants design and execute a research project. Restricted to EMSE PhD students. (3 credit hours) 

EMSE 8199 Praxis Research:  Independent applied research in engineering management or systems engineering culminating in the final praxis report and final examination for the degree of doctor of engineering. May be repeated for credit. Restricted to students in the DEng in the field of engineering management or systems engineering program who have passed the praxis proposal defense. (24 credit hours) 

Classroom courses last 10 weeks each and meet on Saturday mornings from 9:00 AM—12:00 PM and afternoons from 1:00—4:00 PM (all times Eastern). All classes meet live online through synchronous distance learning technologies (Zoom). All classes are recorded and available for viewing within 2 hours of the lecture. This program is taught in an accelerated, cohort format in which students take all courses in lockstep. Courses cannot be taken out of sequence, attendance at all class meetings is expected, and students must remain continuously enrolled, i.e., leaves of absence are permitted only in the case of a medical or family emergency, or deployment to active military duty.

No classes on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, and Memorial Day Weekends

In order to proceed to the research phase, students must earn a grade point average of at least 3.2 in the 8 classroom courses, and no grade below B-. Upon successful completion of the classroom phase, students are registered for a minimum of 24 credit hours (ch) of EMSE 8199 Praxis Research: 3 ch in Summer 2025, 9 ch in Fall 2025, 9 ch in Spring 2026, 3 ch in Summer 2026. Throughout the research phase, the student develops the praxis under the guidance of a designated faculty advisor. Faculty research advisors meet individually with students every two weeks.

Sample research areas are listed below:

Complex Systems Design and Management

Cyber-Physical Systems and IoT

Human Factors and Systems Ergonomics

Sustainable Systems Engineering

Data Analytics and Decision Systems

Tuition is billed at $1650 per credit hour for the 2024-2025 year. A non-refundable tuition deposit of $995, which is applied to tuition in the first semester, is required when the student accepts admission.

Admissions Process

• Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering, applied science, business, computer science, information technology, or a related field from accredited institutions.
• Applicants with other majors are encouraged to apply. However, they may have to take EMSE 4197 as a prerequisite course if they have not completed two college-level calculus courses.
• A minimum graduate-level GPA of 3.2.
• TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores are required of all applicants who are not citizens of countries where English is the official language.  Check our  International Students Page  to learn about the SEAS English language requirements and exemption policy. Test scores may not be more than two years old.
• Up-to-date resume.
• Capacity for original scholarship.

Note: GRE and GMAT scores are not required to complete the application packet, but can be submitted to strengthen the application.

Please note that our doctoral programs are highly selective; meeting minimum admissions requirements does not guarantee admission.  

Order Your Official Transcripts – Request that official transcripts, in English, be sent to our office directly from all colleges or universities attended, whether or not a degree was earned. Contact the institutions you attended previously to learn the process for requesting official transcripts. Transcripts should be sent to  [email protected]  (if sent electronically), or via mail to: Online Engineering Programs

The George Washington University 170 Newport Center Drive Suite 260 Newport Beach, CA 92660

Statement of Purpose – In an essay of 250 words or less, state your purpose in undertaking graduate study at The George Washington University. Describe your academic objectives, research interests, and career plans; and discuss your qualifications, including collegiate, professional, and community activities, and any other substantial accomplishments not mentioned.

English Language Requirements – TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores are required of all applicants who are not citizens of countries where English is the official language. The School of Engineering and Applied Science requires a TOEFL score of 600 paper-based or 100 internet-based, or an IELTS overall band score of 7.0 with no individual band score below 6.0, or a PTE score of 68.

Normally official transcripts must be received before an admission decision is rendered for the Doctor of Engineering program. 

Ready to take the next step? 

To learn more about  GW’s online Doctor of Engineering in Engineering Management  join one of our upcoming info sessions. 

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Online Doctor of Engineering

Dr. Timothy Jacobs  serves as the program's department head, and Dr. Chuck Wolf  serves as the program's academic advisor.

Program Information

The Doctor of Engineering (D.Eng.) Program prepares our students to work at the highest levels of the engineering profession. This program emphasizes solving problems that arise in using technologies beneficial to mankind. However, those problems and their solutions frequently affect society in nontechnical ways. Therefore, technological advances implemented through business and industry require direction by persons possessing both high technical competence and professional understanding of the social, political and institutional factors involved. Graduates of the D.Eng. Programs are uniquely qualified to fulfill that important role.

The program prepares individuals for professional engineering careers in business, industry and the public sector. It is not intended as a research degree nor as preparation for a faculty position at a research university. That is the province of the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Degree. The D.Eng. program emphasizes engineering practice, public service and the development of leadership potential, not basic research.

D.Eng. graduates are prepared to move quickly into positions of responsibility and authority. Therefore, students are required to take courses in business and communications, supplemented by elective graduate courses. With this background, professional activities can and often do encompass both technical and nontechnical fields.

Positions of leadership call for interaction between technology and society; communication is required not only with other engineers but with other professionals, laymen and workers. The ability to think and express oneself clearly is essential. These needs are considered in the admission requirements and in the internship.

Admission Requirements

Individuals possessing a minimum of an ABET-accredited bachelor's degree in engineering or the equivalent may apply for program admission. Those persons applying with only a bachelor's degree must have a grade point average of at least 3.0/4.0. Individuals applying with a master's degree in engineering must have a grade point average of at least 3.25 for their overall graduate studies. Since the D.Eng. is a practice-oriented, professional degree, at least five years of fulltime engineering-related practice is an important factor considered for program admission. 

 Please note additional remote engineering fees are added each semester. 

How to apply

• Program Specialist IV, Department of Multidisciplinary Engineering
• Interim Graduate Advisor, Department of Multidisciplinary Engineering
• Office: ETB 1041K
• Phone: 979-845-0528
• Email: [email protected]

Systems Ph.D.

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• Ezra Postdoctoral Associate in Energy Systems Engineering
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Are you looking to take a leadership role within a research group or company division or as a professor? The employment prospects for the graduates of this program, both in academia and industry, are remarkably high as demand for systems experts far outweighs their supply. We expect the graduates of the program to find employment in a variety of fields, including academia, and public, private and governmental agencies specializing in energy, healthcare, defense, aerospace, information technology, policy making, etc. The applicable areas are endless because systems science and engineering are essential to tackle today’s complex global challenges.

Ph.D. in Systems

Accepting applications now for fall 2024 deadline to apply: january 15.

Graduates of the program will find employment in a variety of fields, including academia and public, private and governmental agencies specializing in energy, healthcare, defense, aerospace, information technology, policy making, etc.

Active areas of research

• Multi-agent simulation framework for cooperative observing systems of systems
• Patterns in architectural decisions and fast problem formulation in system architecture
• Extreme weather forecasting using constellations of nanosatellites
• Improved human-computer interaction for design of complex systems
• Integrated materials and process design for carbon capture systems
• Cyber-physical infrastructure and informatics for healthy living in smart cities
• Enhancing the food security through sustainable regional food systems development
• Forecasting evacuation behaviors of coastal communities in response to storm hazard information
• Willingness to improve the resiliency of New York City’s transportation system
• Pharmaceutical manufacturing modeling and control
• Systems design of chemical manufacturing from shale gas

Research Vision for Systems@Cornell

•    Strongly rooted in Cornell identity         • Rigorous theoretical foundations         • Disciplinary breadth         • Integrative and multi-disciplinary

•    Focused on solving global societal challenges         • Water-food-energy nexus         • Global climate change         • Built environment, infrastructure, transportation, energy, manufacturing  

“This PROGRAM is not ABOUT learning existing techniques. These are people who are going to create the state of the art… And so who do you turn to when appropriate techniques don’t exist for innovating complex systems? That’s a systems Ph.D.” –    Pat Reed, Professor,       Systems Engineering Field Faculty Member

Doctor of Philosophy in the Field of Systems Engineering - Online

The PhD in Systems Engineering is designed for those seeking to generate foundational and generalizable knowledge that expands the field of systems engineering as an academic and professional discipline.

The following requirements must be fulfilled:

The general requirements stated under  School of Engineering, Doctoral Program Regulations .

At least 54 credits, including a minimum of 24 credits in required and elective courses and 30 credits in dissertation research.

Additional requirements

• To advance to the research phase, students must achieve a minimum GPA of 3.4 with no grade below  B-  at the completion of their coursework.
• Students must be accepted to present their proposed research at an appropriate engineering professional society conference no later than the first semester of research.
• Students must submit an article based on the results of the dissertation research to an approved, refereed scholarly journal. Credit must be given in the publication to the fact that the material is abstracted, summarized, or developed from a dissertation submitted to the George Washington University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy degree. Before the candidate is permitted to defend the dissertation, this original article must be accepted for publication.
• Students must successfully defend their dissertation before a committee of five faculty members within five year from the start of the program. Students have a maximum of two attempts to pass their dissertation defense. When the committee is convinced of the quality and originality of the candidate’s contribution to knowledge as well as his or her mastery of the scholarship and research techniques of the field, the committee recommends the candidate for the degree of doctor of philosophy.

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Doctor of Philosophy in Industrial and Systems Engineering

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The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering offers students five different concentration areas from which to choose, with both thesis and non-thesis options available. Major areas of study are industrial systems, operations research, manufacturing systems, management systems engineering and human factors and ergonomics.

If you have an engineering degree and are ready to learn more and have greater opportunities to advance in your workplace, an advanced degree in industrial and systems engineering can help. If you have a desire to teach in higher education, you will also find yourself well prepared by obtaining a postgraduate degree.

Tuition and fees listed are subject to change and do not include all possible charges. Additional fees may apply. Please refer to the master class schedule for individual course charges.

What are some potential careers?

Program structure.

ISE Graduate Guide

This program requires a preliminary exam, a dissertation, and an oral exam in defense of the dissertation.

For additional information, please visit the Graduate Catalog .

Admissions Requirements

Students seeking full admission into this program should apply as a classified student. Non-degree seeking students wishing to take classes offered through the Online program should apply as an Unclassified student.

Applications for the degree programs are reviewed three times a year. The application deadlines for those semesters are as follows:

• Fall Semester – June 1
• Spring Semester – November 1
• Summer Semester – May 1

An applicant for admission to graduate study must hold a bachelor's degree from a fully recognized four-year educational institution that has unconditional accreditation with appropriate regional accrediting agencies. They must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate School and the Industrial and Systems Engineering program.

Regular admission to graduate study in the program requires a minimum grade point average (last four semesters of undergraduate work) of 3.00/4.00. When a student is deficient in one of the criteria cited, the student's application, nevertheless, may be considered for admission based on the strength of other materials contained in the student's application.

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores are NOT required for entry into this program.

Bagley College of Engineering programs may accept transfer work previously completed by the student. Transcript reviews to determine transfer or prerequisite work will be evaluated AFTER students are granted full admission. Once admitted an academic coordinator can review those transcripts for more information.

To meet admission requirements, submit a separate official final transcript from each college or university attended; faxed transcripts will not be accepted. An applicant may not ignore previous college attendance and must list all colleges attended on the application for admission. You must be in good standing at the last college or university attended

Attention International Students

International students are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and score greater than 550. Detailed information regarding international applications can be found in the Graduate Catalog . Questions regarding international applications can be addressed to the Office of the Graduate School at [email protected] .

• ETS is providing home testing for the TOEFL iBT test, and MSU is encouraging students to take advantage of this testing option. For those students applying who have taken the TOEFL within five years of the semester they plan to enroll and are unable to access the TOEFL iBT test from home, we will accept your previous test scores.

Admission Options

Domestic/international classified admissions, domestic unclassified admissions, international unclassified admissions, provisional admissions, readmission, transfer credit.

• Submit online application . You will choose Industrial and Systems Engineering as your Program of Study and Online Education as your campus.
• Statement of Purpose
• The TOEFL or IELTS scores are required for international students.
• You will be asked to submit three names and three email addresses of individuals you are using as references. Once you click submit, these individuals will be sent an email from MSU, which will provide a link to an online form for completing their recommendations.
• One official transcript showing bachelor’s degree or progress toward degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
• Electronic transcripts should be sent to: [email protected] Mississippi State University, Graduate School. Only one copy of an electronic transcript is required.
• Paper Transcripts Address (USPS): Mississippi State University The Office of the Graduate School P.O. Box G Mississippi State, MS 39762
• Physical Street Address (for DHL, Fed Ex, UPS, DHS, etc.): Mississippi State University The Office of the Graduate School 175 President Circle 116 Allen Hall Mississippi State, MS 39762
• Payment of $60 non-refundable application processing fee for domestic students. Payment of $80 non-refundable application processing fee for international students.
• Once you are admitted, you will receive an email with complete instructions on registering for classes and contacting your advisor

Only NINE (9) hours of course work taken as an "Unclassified Student" can be applied toward a degree program. All Unclassified students should submit a classified application once they have reached the maximum of nine hours. Full admission into the Industrial and Systems Engineering online program will be based upon successful completion of all classified admissions requirements.

If you are applying unclassified, select "Graduate School - Unclassified" as the college.

• Submit online application
• Pay $60 non-refundable application processing fee

PLEASE NOTE In general, students who are not admitted into a degree program are not eligible for student financial aid funds. For more information please visit Student Financial Aid to see if you will be eligible or not while taking courses as an Unclassified graduate student.

• TOEFL or IELTS scores are required for international students.
• One copy of academic records showing degree(s) (in native language along with translated copies if appropriate)
• Must obtain application approval from the Dean of the Graduate School
• Payment of $80 non-refundable application processing fee for international students.

A student who has not fully met the requirements stipulated by the University and the department for admission to graduate study may be granted admission as a degree-seeking graduate student with provisional status. Such student must have as his/her initial objective advancement to regular status. A provisional student must receive a 3.00 GPA on the first nine hours of graduate level courses on the program of study taken at Mississippi State University (transfer hours or unclassified graduate hours will not apply) in order to achieve regular status. If a 3.00 is not attained, the provisional student will be dismissed from graduate study.

Once enrolled in graduate study, a student who fails to meet the continuous enrollment requirement must complete an Application for Readmission to register for classes. Continuous enrollment is defined as enrollment in two of three semester terms (Fall, Spring, or Summer) with Fall enrollment required. Students who have not been enrolled for a period of three years or longer and are in good academic standing, are eligible to reapply to through the Lapsed Student Program. Readmission is not guaranteed and must be approved by the Department Head, Academic Dean, and Dean of the Graduate School. Interested students or academic departments should contact the Graduate School for more information.

Students may transfer up to twelve (12) hours of graduate level credits from regionally accredited institutions. The decision to grant transfer credit is made by the advisor and the student’s graduate committee. If you wish to transfer credits, contact your advisor. You will need to provide an official transcript showing the courses you wish to transfer.

MA 1713 Calculus I (Prerequisite: ACT Math subscore 26, or grade of C or better in 1323 or 1453) Three hours lecture. Analytic geometry; functions; limits; continuity; derivatives of algebraic functions; applications of the derivative. Honors section available.

MA 1723 Calculus II (Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in MA 1713) Three hours lecture. Antidifferentiation; the definite integral; applications of the definite integral; differentiation and integration of transcendental functions. Honors section available.

MA 2733 Calculus III (Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in MA 1723) Three hours lecture. Further methods of integration; polar coordinates; vectors; infinite series. Honors section available.

MA 2743 Calculus IV (Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in MA 2733) Three hours lecture. Differential calculus of functions of several variables; multiple integration; vector calculus. Honors section available.

IE 3123 Industrial Ergonomics (Undergraduate Students co-requisites: IE 4613 and IE 3121; Graduate Student co-requisite: IE 4613/6613) Three hours lecture. Analysis of work tasks; ergonomic design principles for manual work design, workplace design, and work environment design; work measurements; and design of wage payment plans.

IE 3913 Engr Economy I (Prerequisite: MA 1713) Three hours lecture. Principles of evaluating alternative engineering proposals. Economic measures of effectiveness, costs and cost estimates, basic comparative models, break even and replacement analysis.

IE 4333 Prod Control Sys I (Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in IE 4613) Three hours lecture. Principles, analysis, and design of production and inventory planning and control. Demand for forecasting, aggregated planning, inventory management, production scheduling and control systems.

IE 4613/6613 Eng Statistics I (Prerequisite: MA 1723) Three hours lecture. Introduction to statistical analysis. Topics include: probability, probability distributions, data analysis, parameter estimation, statistical intervals, and statistical inferences.

IE 6513 Engineering Administration (Prerequisite: Junior or graduate standing in engineering) Three hours lecture. Study of problems confronting the engineering manager. Includes: Organization and communication theory, internal and external relationships and responsibilities, and designing and implementing managerial systems.

IE 6533 Project Management (Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in IE 4613) Three hours lecture. Use of CPM, PERT, and GERT for planning, managing and controlling projects. Computer procedures for complex networks.

IE 6553 Industrial Quality Control (Prerequisite: Senior standing in engineering) Three hours lecture. The engineer and his relations to the law, to the public, and the ethics of his profession. Includes contracts, patents, copyrights, sales agreements, engineering specifications.

IE 6573 Process Improvement Engineering Three hours lecture. Introduction to quality and productivity improvement methodologies and tools. The design and implementation of continuous improvement systems in organizations.

IE 6623 Engineering Statistics II (Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in IE 4613) Three hours lecture. Continuation of IE 4613/6613. Introduction to engineering applications of regression, experimental design and analysis, and nonparametric methods.

IE 6733 Systems Simulation I (Prerequisites: MA 3113) Three hours lecture. Theory and application of linear programming; simplex algorithm, revised simplex algorithm, duality and sensitivity analysis, transportation and assignment problems algorithms, integer and goal programming. (Same as MA 4733/6733).

IE 6773 Systems Simulation (Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in IE 4934 or equivalent programming course, Co-requisite: IE 4623) Three hours lecture. The principles of simulating stochastic systems with an emphasis on the statistics of simulation and the use of discrete-event simulation languages.

IE 8000 Hours and credits to be arranged.

IE 8333 Production Control Systems II (Prerequisites: IE 4333) Three hours lecture. Inventory systems, static and dynamic production planning, operations scheduling and forecasting systems.

IE 8353 Manufacturing Systems Modeling (Prerequisites: IE 4733 and IE 4773) Three hours lecture. A study of models used to describe and analyze manufacturing systems. Development of models using queuing networks, mathematical programming, simulation, and other techniques.

IE 8583 Enterprise Systems Engineering (Prerequisite: Consent of instructor) Three hours lecture. Focuses on the design and improvement of an enterprise through the use of engineering tools and methods, based on the systems perspective of industrial engineering.

IE 8913 Engineering Economy II (Prerequisites: IE 3913 and IE 4613) Three hours lecture. Advanced principles and methods for engineering analysis of industrial problems. Topics include criteria for decisions, project investment and analysis, and elements of risk and uncertainty.

Accessing Online Courses

Accessing course videos.

Videos recorded during our on campus class sessions are uploaded for online students to view within our online course repository.  Online students will have access to course videos within 24 hours of the on campus course completion. Students should visit Engage to access the course videos. Instructions for viewing the recordings and downloading the recordings are offered below.

View and Download Videos

Instructions for viewing classes live or downloading videos, use our video download instructions.

If you experience technical difficulties or have any questions regarding the recording or format of our lecture capture, please contact:

IT Support & Staff Bagley College of Engineering Mississippi State University [email protected] 662.325.7794

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Online Doctoral Programs

Push your learning past a master's with an online doctoral program.

Colorado State University's online doctoral programs are taught by renowned faculty, known both for their and industry practice. Your accredited doctorate will be awarded without denoting the online delivery format. All students earn a CSU degree, regardless of how they take courses.

Systems Engineering Ph.D. The online Ph.D. in systems engineering prepares students to work with multi-disciplinary teams and methods to solve complex problems in any industry. The online format offers the advantage of synchronous or asynchronous delivery, allowing you the flexibility to study when and where it works best for your situation.

Doctor of Engineering in Systems Engineering This program is suited for both practicing engineers and professionals who desire to transition into a systems engineering career from a related discipline. Study online and on campus to earn your doctorate in engineering.

Hybrid and Classroom-Based Ph.D. Programs

CSU offers graduate degree programs and course instruction provided to students in classrooms off campus, during a short on-campus residency, and/or in combination with online learning. The amount of time that students are required to be in a physical classroom varies, so it is important to check each graduate program or course webpage for detailed information.

Higher Education Leadership Ph.D. (Online with classroom component) CSU's Ph.D. in higher education leadership provides the opportunity to study online and also to connect with your professors and cohort in person during two short visits to campus. Become a more accomplished leader with the practical knowledge needed to advance your administrative leadership career in higher education.

Organizational Learning, Performance, and Change Ph.D. (Denver) The OLPC Ph.D. develops skills and competencies in students who seek to improve organizational effectiveness, enhance decision-making skills, and develop analysis and research expertise. Designed for working executives, researchers, academics, and professionals, classes meet on Saturdays at CSU Extended Campus - Denver.

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Systems engineering, PhD

The systems engineering doctoral degree program advances students’ understanding of complex engineering systems. Students will learn how to manage systems that encompass technological, social, cultural and environmental components that impact the input, output and interactions within a system.

Program description

Systems engineering is the art and science of creating systems that meet requirements, often while managing opposing constraints. Systems engineering is a holistic, integrative field. Combined knowledge of several engineering disciplines lead to design and production of balanced, optimized systems.

Modern industrial systems must encompass the technological, environmental, social and cultural components that impact the input, output and interactions within a system. 

The systems engineering PhD program will prepare you to identify, model, analyze, interpret, optimize and manage the multidimensional interactions of modern technological challenges. 

Students will be required to complete a core of five courses, providing the foundation for

• systems thinking,
• systems identification,
• systems modeling,
• systems design and analysis, and
• perspective taking.

This program is designed for students who have completed a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a closely related field, and that have demonstrated excellent mathematical aptitude.

Career outlook

Graduates of the systems engineering doctoral program will possess the expertise to advance systems integration of key industry and government sectors. They will also be ready to contribute to the body of knowledge on interdisciplinary methods, techniques and strategies for designing and managing complex systems. 

Admission requirements

Applicants who meet the following requirements are eligible to apply.

• a minimum of a BS in engineering or a closely related discipline from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States or from appropriately credentialed institutions in other countries
• a minimum of 3.00 cumulative GPA (scale is 4.00 = A) in the applicable bachelor’s degree

Application process

The admission process begins by applying for graduate admission . The application requires that following items must be submitted:

• Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
• Statement of Purpose: Submit online a 300- to 500-word statement of purpose describing your motivation and rationale for obtaining a PhD in the Systems Engineering program at Arizona State University and how it relates to your long-term career goals.
• Official transcripts from each college or university attended.
• International applicants must also meet the  English proficiency requirements , as defined by Graduate Admissions. Please be sure to review the  TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE score requirements , as your application will not be processed without valid proof of English proficiency.

Graduate faculty and funding opportunities

More information.

ASU degree page

Schedule an advising appointment

Degree requirements

A minimum of 84 semester credit hours are required for the PhD degree, distributed as follows:

• A maximum of 30 credit hours of coursework from a previous master’s degree in engineering or a related field may be applied to the PhD.
• Three core courses, totaling 9 credit hours.
• One foundation course, totaling 3 credit hours.
• Additional coursework that is directly in support of the research area. This must total, at a minimum, 15 credit hours.
• 12 credit hours of MFG 792, Research.
• 12 credit hours of MFG 799, Dissertation

Application deadlines

August 15  Spring semester (January) January 15  Fall semester (August)

These are priority deadlines. Applications submitted after this deadline may still be considered.

Core courses

All students enrolled in the PhD in Systems Engineering must complete the following core courses* as early as is reasonable in their program. Students must also complete one course from their foundation area. Additional curriculum details are available in the PhD Systems Engineering program handbook .

• EGR 602: Principles of Independent Research
• EGR 608: Advanced Simulation
• EGR 611: Complex Engineering Systems

If a student needs additional preparation before taking one or more of the core courses the required deficiency courses may not be used as part of the Plan of Study, although the grades received in these courses will be used in computing the overall GPA. Additionally, PhD programs of study are dependent on both the background and the chosen specialization of individual students, and preparation beyond the minimum core requirements is occasionally necessary.

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The department of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering also offers three doctoral degrees in a fully online format.

The  D.Eng. in Cybersecurity Analytics  degree is offered in a synchronous, online format with classes held on Saturdays. The Doctor of Engineering in Cybersecurity Analytics program enables professionals who are employed full-time to pursue advanced study in a focused environment alongside like-minded fellow students. This degree empowers the student to plan and implement security measures to protect an organization’s network and systems, implement strategies to track threats and monitor networks for security breaches, and build secure and resilient computer systems.

The  D.Eng. in Engineering Management  degree is offered in a synchronous, online format with classes held on Saturdays. The Doctor of Engineering in Engineering Management program enables professionals who are employed full-time to pursue advanced study in a focused environment alongside like-minded fellow students. The Doctor of Engineering in Engineering Management is designed for practitioners who wish to apply the knowledge they gain in a technical management environment. 

The online Doctor of Engineering in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning is a research-based doctoral program designed to provide graduates with a solid understanding of the latest AI&ML techniques, as well as hands-on experience in applying these techniques to real-world problems. Graduates of this program are equipped to lead AI&ML projects and teams in a wide range of industries, including healthcare, finance, and manufacturing. They are also well-prepared for academic research and teaching roles, as they will have developed advanced research skills and the ability to communicate complex ideas to a variety of audiences.

The  Ph.D. in Systems Engineering  is offered online, with classes that meet on Saturdays to enable professionals who are employed full-time to pursue doctoral study and research in an intense, focused environment alongside like-minded fellow students and leading faculty. Graduates demonstrate mastery of broad-based knowledge in systems engineering, and of a specific area of knowledge relevant to their own research interests, as well as the methods, tools, and ethics of conducting primary research. They develop and present an original study to the scholarly community that is based on research in primary sources and that makes a significant contribution to the field, and that demonstrates the ability to engage in a productive research career.

Looking for on-campus programs? We offer an on-campus Ph.D. in Systems Engineering and a Ph.D. or D.Eng. in Engineering Management .

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Ph.D. in Systems Engineering

Program overview.

The Ph.D. in Systems Engineering allows rising scholars to produce original research in the systems engineering field. Systems engineering at GW is concerned with developing models and techniques for analyzing complex socio-technical systems: supporting their design and operation, managing risk and resilience, and understanding their fundamental dynamics.

Students work directly with a faculty advisor to formulate their research focus, write and publish their dissertation, as well as participate actively in professional and research-focused conferences in the field of engineering management and systems engineering.

The Ph.D. program is based on GW’s main campus in Washington, D.C. (Foggy Bottom), which lies in close proximity to a wide array of federal agencies and other organizations with significant engineering management challenges and interests. Faculty and doctoral students have built collaborative relationships that benefit from and support these organizations.

To learn more about our doctoral program, please explore our EMSE website to meet our faculty and learn more about our major research themes:

• Technology, policy, and management
• Complex systems design and operation
• Risk, resilience, and decision-making
• Data and models for socio-technical systems

Faculty Advisor & Research Focus

We strongly recommend that prospective doctoral students determine a faculty member in the department with whom they would like to work, as well as the research area of interest.

Download Faculty & Research Factsheet (PDF)

Please visit the GW Bulletin to see a description of the program requirements.

Admissions Requirements

• If applicant has obtained a master’s degree, a minimum grade point average of 3.5 (on a scale of 4.0) is required.
• If applicant has only obtained a bachelor’s degree, the minimum grade point average must be a 3.3 (on a scale of 4.0).
• Successful submission of online application form, exam scores and other documents as outlined in the  admissions requirements .

Online Option

If you are seeking to complete this program online, please view the requirements and apply at GW Online Engineering .

• Doctoral Degrees

Doctor of Philosophy in Systems and Engineering Management

Hybrid/Blended Requires some face-to-face courses.

About the Program

The Doctor of Philosophy in Systems and Engineering Management program prepares competent industrial engineers and engineering managers for industry, consulting, university teaching and research. The Bureau of Labor Statistics growth rates for engineering management professionals project that these roles will increase by 30% in the next decade.

Visit the program website for more details.

Some programs may require you to come to the main campus or regional site for a course or activity. Make sure and check with the Department/Program Advisor to ensure you are able to meet the programs' requirements before you apply. Visit the program website for more details.

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582: Systems Engineering PhD - NPS Online

Systems engineering ph.d..

Ph.D. Degree #582

Starts: Quarterly

Program Area: Naval Engineering

POC: Program Director

Modality: Hybrid

The Department of Systems Engineering offers a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Systems Engineering (DL). Students take graduate level courses in systems engineering (as needed to pass the oral and written qualifying examinations), advanced graduate courses in systems engineering and an application domain, and perform research that leads to a dissertation involving some aspect of systems engineering. Research topics may be selected from a broad variety of studies of the systems engineering process, applications of systems engineering to solving complex problems, systems level modeling and simulation, and systems suitability assessment. Subject to approval of the student's dissertation committee chairman, dissertation research may be conducted away from NPS at cooperating facilities. Students must satisfy a one-year residency requirement. This may be met by completing periodic extended stays (nominally two weeks per quarter) at an NPS campus spread throughout the duration of the student's program.

Eligibility

The following are eligible for this offering:

• Naval Officers
• Non-Naval Officers
• DON Civilians
• DOD Civilians
• Non-DOD Federal Employees
• International military personnel
• International non-military personnel

Requirements for Entry

• Ideally, applicants should possess an M.S. degree in Systems Engineering .
• Applicants with only a B. S. degree or an M.S. degree in another discipline will be required to take a number of systems engineering courses (equivalent to the coursework portion of an MSSE degree program) to pass the qualifying examinations. Unless an M.S. thesis and any other ABET EAC accreditation requirements are also satisfied, an M.S. in Systems Engineering degree will not be awarded for this preparatory work.

Application Information

Applications are handled by the NPS Admissions Office. Please visit the admissions website or contact them at [email protected] .

Tuition & Service Obligation

For information regarding tuition, please contact the NPS Tuition office at [email protected] , or contact this offering’s POC at [email protected] .

For information regarding service obligation, please visit the Admissions Office’s Eligibility/Service Obligation page .

Other Information

View the Systems Engineering Distance Learning Programs Flyer (PDF 661KB)

Program Requirements and Standard Curriculum

• Six courses (24 quarter credits) above the Masters degree 
• Core required courses may be waived if students have already taken a similar course at the discretion of the PhD committee and/or advisor.  The student is still responsible for the material in the waived courses during written and oral qualifier exams.
• OS3180: Probability and Statistics for Systems Engineering
• SE3100: Fundamentals of Systems Engineering
• SE3302: System Suitability
• SI3400: Fundamentals of Engineering Project Management
• A research methods course
• Other 4000 level courses at the discretion of student’s advisor
• Within the six courses taken, three of them should form a sequence for the student to obtain depth within a specialty field of interest. For example, a student could specialize in model-based systems engineering by taking: SE4150 (Systems Architecting and Design) , SE4930 (Model-Based Systems Engineering) , and SE4900 (Advanced Studies in Systems Engineering) .

Five written exams

• SE Fundamentals
• Applied Probability and Statistics for Systems Engineers
• Three exams on 4000 level courses at the discretion of dissertation adviser
• Adviser may choose to have student sit for additional exams as necessitated by the student’s research

Dissertation Research

• A minimum of 3 dissertation research course blocks (12 quarter credits) but must stay enrolled each quarter until completion of dissertation.
• Publishing in archival, peer-review journals is considered one of the best ways to disseminate scholarly research. Additionally, publication in recognized journals entails external validation of the quality and relevance of the research.
• All PhD students are required to have a prepared manuscript for journal publication. The manuscript shall be available and deemed acceptable for submission to a journal prior to scheduling the dissertation defense.

Additional Expectations

Biennial on-campus meetings: Twice year to coincide with beginning of Fall and Summer quarters (e.g.: synched with 721 SEM-PD21 curriculum ) an orientation will be held on campus and other activities for both new and continuing PhD students. The purpose is to meet face-to-face, develop a research community among PhD students, and orient new as well as continuing students.

Admissions Requirements

Please contact the offering POC for details about where to submit application materials.

Materials required:

• Academic transcripts
• 2 Letters of academic recommendation
• Letter of intent
• Sample of technical writing
• GRE scores may be requested to be taken under certain circumstances to include candidate has marginal academic performance, lacks engineering or technical experience or significant gaps exist between undergraduate, graduate and proposed PhD degree
• A Participation Agreement
• Confirmation of funding

Application Deadlines

No upcoming deadlines.

Academic Calendar

No upcoming events.

Systems Engineering

Program overview .

The 100% online systems engineering (SYS) concentration offers an area of specialization for students in the Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Engineering (MSE) / Master of Science (MS) degree.  The concentration aims to develop professionals who are both well-grounded in interdisciplinary engineering as well as prepared to create and execute trans-disciplinary processes that result in engineered systems that are responsive to stakeholders' needs.   

Graduates will be able to apply state-of-the art methods in designing, analyzing, and controlling the next generation of complex systems that respond to rapidly changing environments.  Application areas include next-generation air traffic management, sustainable buildings, intelligent healthcare devices, healthcare delivery systems, flexible manufacturing integrated with design, next generation transportation systems, and next generation intelligent systems.   

Purdue University's online graduate engineering program is consistently ranked among the top three online programs by  U.S. News and World Report, 2024 .  

Students pursuing the systems concentration have the opportunity to earn a  Graduate Certificate in Systems  without taking additional courses. A separate application is required  to be considered.   

Interested in learning more?  Contact an enrollment counselor .  

Course Topical Areas: 

Degree Requirements with the Systems Concentration

The Interdisciplinary Engineering (MSE or MS) degree requires a total of 30 credit hours with at least 18 credits of Purdue, graduate level, engineering courses.  The Systems Engineering (SYS) concentration must be completed within these degree requirements.  

Core Systems Courses - 6 Credit Hours

• Required:  SYS 50000 Perspectives on Systems
• SYS 53000 Practical Systems Thinking 
• SYS 51000 Tools and Methodologies for Designing Systems

Systems Related Elective Courses - 6 Credit Hours

Students must take 2 system related elective courses or 6 credits. Below is a a current list of options.

• AAE 55000 Multidisciplinary Design Optimization
• AAE 56000 Systems of Systems Modeling and Analysis
• AAE 57100 Complex System Safety
• ECE 58000 Optimization Methods for Systems & Control
• IE 53000 Quality Control
• IE 53200 Reliability
• IE 53600 Stochastic Models in Operations Research
• IE 54500 Engineering Economic Analysis
• IE 54600 Economic Decisions in Engineering
• IE 57700 Human Factors in Engineering
• IE 57800 Applied Ergonomics
• IE 58000 Systems Simulation
• IE 59000/AAE 59000 Science Technology & Policy
• IE 59000/BME 59500 Complex Systems: Theory & Applications
• SYS 59000 Systems Engineering Processes and Professional  Competencies
• ME 55300 Product & Process Design
• ME 55700 Design for Manufacturability  (3 on-campus, Saturday labs required)
• ME 57100 Reliability Based Design
• ME 57500 Theory & Design of Control Systems
• SYS 53000 Practical Systems Thinking

Engineering Courses - 6 Credit Hours

Visit our  courses page.

Elective Courses - 12 Credit Hours

Any courses listed on our  courses page  will fulfill this requirement, including available non-engineering courses.

All questions regarding courses and transfer credits should be directed to a student’s academic advisor. 

Creating  Your  Plan of Study  

The MSE/MS master's program offers a wide range of flexibility in course options. After you begin your studies at Purdue, an academic advisor will help you create an Electronic Plan of Study (EPOS) to best fit your educational needs and career goals.   

The student is ultimately responsible for knowing and completing all degree requirements. This website is a knowledge source for specific requirements and completion.  

Ph.D. in Systems Engineering

The Ph.D. is an advanced graduate degree for students wishing to contribute to knowledge creation through independent, original, cutting-edge research. 

The PhD in Systems Engineering provides a springboard for careers as an academician, as a researcher, as a consultant or in management/leadership within a university, institute, industry or government setting. SIE doctoral programs include three components:

• Coursework and Teaching to gain fundamental and advanced knowledge, as both student and GTA
• Research conducted in a collaborative environment leading to a doctoral dissertation and scholarly papers
• Engagement in UVA’s intellectual life

See below for information on the Systems Engineering PhD program, or download the SIE Graduate Student Handbook .

Admissions Criteria

The deadlines for PhD applications with financial aid requests are January 6th for fall semester and September 30th for spring semester. All SIE faculty are eligible to advise students enrolled in the SE PhD program. We accept applications from candidates with degrees from all engineering and some affiliated backgrounds. In some cases, candidates who do not have engineering or similar credentials will be offered conditional admission, which will require them to take selected undergraduate coursework in addition to the coursework required for their PhD. 

All candidates are evaluated by one or more of the SIE research subgroups. Some students are admitted directly into a specific research group with a specific advisor. Other candidates are admitted into a subgroup and are then connected with an advisor during the first year. 

Most accepted PhD students receive financial aid. Funding offers take the form of GRAs, GTAs and/or various fellowships. SIE is committed to acquiring the resources to fund PhD students for five years, contingent upon satisfactory progress toward the degree. The department’s default stipend for PhD students is $36,050 per year. 

Funded offers also include tuition and health insurance. Some PhD students are funded by third-party entities (e.g., their employer or government or military agencies), and a small number of students are self-funded. 

Join our vibrant community of graduate students!

Engineering School Requirements

Engineering School requirements for the PhD degree are described on the UVA Graduate School of Engineering’s information webpage . The page also addresses admission requirements, rules and regulations pertaining to financial assistance and outside employment, and other matters. The portion of the Engineering School’s website devoted to current graduate students contains many helpful resources, including required forms.

Time limit: All requirements for the PhD degree must be completed within seven years after matriculation to the program.

Coursework, Professional Development and Engagement

SIE has three general classes of PhD requirements: coursework, professional development, and academic engagement. These are described below. 

The Ph.D. in SE involves relevant coursework to help students access foundational knowledge in their discipline while striking a balance between depth and breadth. It requires at least seventy-two (72) credit hours of graduate-level work, of which twenty-four (24) credits must be graded coursework beyond the B.S. degree. Students that enter the Ph.D. program with a STEM master’s degree must take at least six (6) credits of graded graduate-level course work in the department. If students earned an M.E. or M.S. degree in SE at UVA, they are not required to take additional courses.

Program Requirements:

• 2 semesters of SYS 7096 Systems Engineering Colloquium (required) in the first academic year (1 zero-credit hour per semester).
• 3 credits of SYS 6001- Introduction to Systems Analysis & Design
• 6 credit hours of Foundation Courses: two courses selected from SYS 6003, SYS 6005, SYS 6007, and SYS 6021. 
• 15 credits of graded, graduate-level SYS or other graduate courses relevant to the student’s field of study (graduate-level 6000 and above).
• No more than three (3) credit hours of Independent Study SYS 6993 or SYS 7993.
• No more than three (3) credit hours at the 5000-level from the School of Engineering and Applied Science.
• 33 credits of SYS 9999 (Dissertation) research or a combination of SYS 9999 and SYS 8999 (Thesis, taken if getting an enroute MS). The research is performed under the direction of the faculty advisor and the advisory committee and is documented in a written dissertation.

Special Circumstances 

Prerequisites: The student who does not have the prerequisites (i.e., calculus, linear algebra, probability and statistics, computer programming) should take articulation courses. These courses cannot be used to satisfy the degree requirements. 

Transfer Credit: PhD students who have earned a master’s degree in a STEM field will receive an automatic bulk transfer of 24 graduate course credits toward SEAS’s total graded coursework credit requirement. 

• PhD students who have earned a master’s degree in a non-STEM field will receive an automatic bulk transfer of 12 graduate course credits toward SEAS’s total graded coursework credit requirement. Students who receive a bulk transfer of credit may not transfer any additional credits toward the PhD degree. 
• At least 6 additional credits of graded, graduate-level SYS coursework must be taken at UVA (i.e., they cannot be transferred). A minimum grade of “B” is required.
• PhD students entering without a Master’s degree that have previously taken graduate level courses may transfer a maximum of six graduate course credits into their program of study.
• Only courses with a grade of B or better that have not been applied toward another degree may be transferred. The request for credit transfer must include the following documents: a completed Request Approval of Transfer Credits form, a description of course content and level, and an official transcript. The documents are provided to the SIE Student Services Coordinator to facilitate processing of the request. If the student is already admitted into a UVA program, then the request for credit transfer must be preapproved before the course is taken.
• Whether any individual transfer course counts toward our PhD degree Foundations Courses is determined by the Graduate Director. If a student has already taken a course equivalent to a Foundations course, they may petition the graduate director for credit. Students that received automatic bulk transfer credits that are applied towards SEAS’s credit requirements must complete the  SE Coursework Petition Form to receive credit towards their degree program requirements. Other transfer coursework taken in another STEM program will count towards elective credits.

Students are encouraged to take additional courses beyond those required for graduation, and work with their PhD advisor and committee in selecting coursework.

Please refer to the UVA Graduate Record for more information:  https://records.ureg.virginia.edu/content.php?catoid=62&navoid=5418#transfer-credit .

Professional Development and Academic Engagement

The ultimate goal of an SE PhD is to give students the best possible preparation for their careers in research, government, or industry. The following professional training requirements help students prepare for the full spectrum of career choices: 

• GTAs : Students typically serve as a GTA at some point over the course of their MS or PhD. GTAs will enroll for three credits (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory, or S/U, basis) of SYS 6097 or SYS 9997 in a section corresponding to their supervising instructor. Receipt of one or more U grades for graduate instruction may endanger a student’s eligibility to serve as a GTA in future semesters. More information about the Engineering School’s language-skills requirements for international students serving as GTAs can be found on the Center for American English Language & Culture's Assessment website.
• Research Dissemination : Students will disseminate their research via journal and conference papers. Before scheduling the final defense, students must have at least one first-authored paper with their research advisor published or accepted by a journal or peer-reviewed conference paper approved by their advisory committee. To aid in supporting student travel to conferences, all SIE PhD students are able to apply to receive a travel grant if their research adviser or fellowship is unable to fund their travel, conference registration, and lodging. To receive a travel grant, the student must be the primary author presenting a peer-reviewed publication. Additionally, their advisor must write a statement that there are no research funds to support travel. See the Doctoral Student Travel Grant section below for more information. 
• Seminars and Defenses : SIE is committed to providing members of our community with the opportunity to learn from a wide range of scholars and practicing engineers through seminars. These seminars are organized as (a) our weekly Graduate Colloquium and (b) Distinguished Speakers invited by our faculty on an ad-hoc basis. As an essential component of graduate education, PhD students should register for at least two semesters (preferably in their first year) of SYS 7096 with zero credit hours. Students are expected to attend and participate actively in scheduled SIE and UVA seminars and student thesis/dissertation defenses. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, it is expected that seminars and defenses are held in person at the university. 
• Academic Engagement : Doctoral students are valued members of SIE’s community of scholars. They are expected to be good citizens by engaging in departmental and school-wide events (e.g., milestone defenses, symposiums, workshops, social events). Section 5 provides more information about the role of the SIE Graduate Student Council (GSC) and opportunities for students to be involved in departmental leadership.

Doctoral Student Travel Grant

Each SIE PhD student is eligible to apply for a one-time travel grant of up to $1,500 to present their research at a peer-reviewed conference once during their tenure at UVA. To receive a travel grant, the student must be the primary author presenting a peer-reviewed publication. Additionally, their advisor must write a statement that there are no research funds to support travel. The one- time grant can be requested by using the SIE PhD Student Travel Fellowship Request Form . The request should be submitted at least 6 weeks prior to the conference date.

The three main milestones toward completion of an SE PhD are the qualifying exam, the dissertation proposal, and the dissertation defense. 

The typical timeline for the completion of the PhD in SIE is listed below. This timeline assumes that students enter the PhD after first completing a master’s degree. However, SIE also routinely accepts students directly into the PhD program without first requiring them to complete an MS. For these students, it may be valuable to extend the initial timeline by one year, in which case students can delay the qualifying exam until the end of their second year. The rest of the timeline then proceeds as shown below.

Engineering School policy allows a leave of absence (an action students can take after the completion of a semester, indicating that the student plans to be away from the university for at least one semester) for parental leave or serious personal or family illness; this requires notification to and approval from the appropriate department or program and the Office of Graduate Programs. When considering these options, students are urged to talk with their advisor, their program’s graduate director and the Engineering School’s graduate registrar. These individuals are committed to helping students find and navigate their best possible paths. Students must first obtain the approval of their advisor and the graduate director of the student’s program.

Typical timeline for doctoral students entering with a master’s degree .  Students entering without an MS may need one extra year before taking the qualifying exam. Different research groups offer qualifying exams at different times of year.

• Establish a working relationship with the faculty advisor(s)
• Begin coursework
• Identify a research area and doctoral committee
• Prepare a plan of study*
• Pass the qualifying exam (August)

Year 2 

• Finish coursework
• Establish research
• Present and defend dissertation proposal (March–June)

Year 3 

• Continue research
• Submit a paper for publication
• Attend and present at a research conference

Years 4-5 (as needed)

• Complete research
• Publish additional papers or proceedings
• Defend dissertation

*The plan of study form is for departmental use only. Students should file the form with an SIE student services coordinator and maintain a copy for themselves to access it whenever they convene their committee and/or complete a requirement. Official tracking for SEAS and SIE requirements are done using the student's academic requirements report in SIS.

Qualifying Exam

The principal objective of the qualifying exam (also referred to as the comprehensive exam and Ph.D. exam) is to assess a student’s research aptitude and confirm that they have the skills necessary to make a substantive contribution in their field. The exam also provides an opportunity for students to receive early, individualized feedback on research output that could influence the direction of their dissertation. As such, preparation for and participation in the exam should be viewed as research.

The qualifying exam is not meant to directly assess content from required courses. Thus, students must have already specified the coursework they will take before the exam. Required coursework varies by concentration, the student’s anticipated dissertation topic, and the recommendation of the student’s committee.

Students who have already passed their qualifying examinations at a previous institution may petition the Graduate Program Committee for an exemption from the UVA SIE qualifying exam upon presentation of acceptable evidence (typically a letter from the previous department).

•  To pass the qualifying exam, students may be asked to demonstrate that they can:
• Understand, interpret, and critically evaluate relevant literature.
• Analyze data (via experiments, observations, surveys, simulation, etc.) and draw meaningful conclusions.
• Apply technical/engineering tools, concepts, coursework and/or approaches to gain insight on real-world problems.
• Effectively communicate results in both oral and written formats.
• Answer questions and respond to critical feedback when sharing, defending, and revising their ideas.

The examination consists of two parts, written and oral. The following guidelines apply.

Committee Composition

The examining committee will include three to five members. It is highly recommended that at least two of the faculty have expertise in the student’s research area. At least three of the members must be faculty members with non-zero percentage appointments in SIE. External (non-SIE) or courtesy faculty may be a part of the committee, but do not count toward this requirement. In most instances, the qualifying committee contains many of the same members as the student’s dissertation advisory committee. However, this is not mandatory.

The chair of the qualifying exam committee should have an appointment in SIE and cannot be the student’s advisor. The chair will be responsible for collecting and delivering feedback to the student, as explained below.

Committee Creation and Preliminary Scheduling

Students should work with their advisor to identify a qualifying exam committee and schedule their exam to take place no later than the end of their second year in the SIE department. 

The student should send a completed Recommendation and Certification of Doctoral Advisory Committee form to the SIE Student Services Coordinator no later than two weeks prior to the date of the written exam component. Students should meet with each of their committee members before beginning their exam preparations so they can discuss how they can best use their time.

Structure and Format of Exam

There are two options for the qualifying exam. Students should work with their advisor to identify the format that best suits their research goals.

Option 1: Targeted Research Questions: I n this option, the student’s committee will formulate a set of targeted research questions based on a research summary and reading list prepared by the student. The student will then have up to one week to prepare written answers to those questions. This will be followed by an oral exam. 

Students will work with their individual examination committees to identify dates for the written and oral components of the exam. They should then work backward from those dates to complete the activities summarized below. 

This qualifying exam should proceed as follows:

• The student should prepare a two-page document that outlines their research area and ex-plains how it will advance knowledge in their Ph.D. discipline.
• The student should prepare a preliminary reading list (research papers, book chapters, etc.) organized by topic to be used in their qualifying exam. The student is encouraged to start preparing these materials early and to meet or engage with their committee members to establish a comprehensive reading list. 
• The student should circulate these materials to their committee members no later than one month before their scheduled written exam start date.
• Committee members will have one week (three weeks before the written exam start date) to respond to the student with suggested modifications to their proposed reading list.
• The student will then circulate the final reading list to the whole committee no later than two weeks before the written exam start date.
• Committee members will then prepare their questions based upon the research overview and finalized reading list. They will forward the questions to the advisor and other commit-tee members before the exam with enough time for everyone to evaluate the exam before it begins. As the person who is most familiar with the student’s research area and how the exam could be best used for their benefit, it is highly recommended that the advisor coordinate with the committee to create a coherent and targeted set of questions.
• The committee chair will deliver the questions to the student on the scheduled day of the exam.
• The student will work on the exam for up to seven days (unless the committee specifies a different time frame). Responses should be prepared as a single written document that should state each question followed by its response. 
• The student will submit their solutions to the examination committee at the end of the ex-am period.
• The committee will have up to one week to read the student’s response and confer. They should ultimately communicate to the chair whether the student has passed or failed the exam and/or whether any additional response is required
• The committee chair will communicate the results of the evaluation to the student. If the student passed the written portion, they should proceed to the oral portion of the exam.
• Unless otherwise specified by the committee chair, the student should schedule the oral exam for one hour. The exam should be scheduled to occur in less than two weeks of no-tice to proceed. 
• The student should prepare a 30-minute presentation summarizing their answers to the exam questions.
• The student will present at the oral exam.  The remaining exam time will be used for questions from the committee. 
• The committee will collectively determine the examination's outcome: pass, pass with remediation, or fail.

Option 2: Individual Research Project: In this option, the student will propose an independent research product. The student then completes this research product and documents it in a form suitable for publication as a peer-reviewed conference paper or journal article. This could be anything that constitutes publishable research in the student’s research area. This could include (but is not limited to): an experiment, a simulation study, an analysis on an existing data set, an observation study, a model-based analysis, a novel mathematical proof, or a systematic literature review. The work used for the qualifying exam must exclusively be the student’s work (in conference with their adviser and examination committee) and cannot be a previously completed or published effort.

• Background/Problem Statement: Provide a brief background on the topic area and/or the problem the research is going to solve.
• Research Objectives: The specific research questions that will be answered, hypotheses that will be tested, and/or research objectives. 
• Proposed Methods: How the student plans to answer the research questions, test the hypotheses, and/or achieve the research objectives. 
• Contributions: A description of what the project will produce, why it is important, and why the work is novel.
• Deliverables: What the student proposes to deliver to the committee at the end of the process. At minimum, this should include a conference paper or journal article manuscript documenting the completed research.
• Timetable: A proposed schedule for completing the proposed work. This can be flexible but should be a minimum of 2-months and maximum of 9-months.
• Bibliography: References cited in the other sections and papers the student thinks are pertinent to the proposed research. 
• The student should circulate a preliminary version of proposal to their committee.
• Committee members will confer and (within one week) communicate any revisions and recommendations (to the proposal or bibliography) to the committee chair. 
• The committee chair will synthesize committee recommendations and send them to the student.
• The student will revise the proposal and repeat steps 2-4 until the committee is satisfied with the student’s proposal. 
• The student will complete their research proposal in accordance with the proposed timetable. The student is encouraged to engage with their adviser and the rest of their committee during this process as necessary to keep the research on track and/or respond to unexpected issues that arise. 
• The student will submit their solutions to the examination committee at the time prescribed in the timetable.
• The committee will have up to two weeks to read the student’s response and confer. They should ultimately communicate to the chair whether the student has passed or failed the written exam and/or whether any additional response is required
• The committee chair will communicate the results of the evaluation to the student. If the student passed the written portion, they should proceed to the oral portion of the exam. 
• Unless otherwise specified by the committee chair, the student should schedule the oral for one hour. The exam should be scheduled to occur in less than two weeks of notice to proceed.
• The student will prepare a 30-minute presentation summarizing their research product findings.
• The committee will collectively determine the examination outcome.

Exam Outcomes

The outcome of the exam is determined collectively by the examination committee choosing from four options: pass with distinction, pass, pass with remediation, or fail. The committee weighs both parts of the exam (written and oral) at its discretion when determining the outcome. The chair is responsible for communicating the outcome of the exam and delivering feedback from the committee to the student after the exam.

At the discretion of the student’s committee, students who fail can retake the examination within six months. Students who do not receive permission to retake the exam are dismissed from the PhD program. After two unsuccessful attempts, the student is automatically dismissed from the PhD program.

• Engineering School’s Recommendation and Certification of Doctoral AdvisoryCommittee : This form is due to an SIE student services coordinator at least two weeks before the scheduled examination.
• Engineering School’s Report on Ph.D. Exam and SIE Ph.D. Qualifying Exam Assessment : These forms are sent to the chairperson of the committee by the SIE student services coordinator to be completed and returned to them after the exam.
• Academic Requirements Report from SIS: The student brings one copy for each committee member to the oral exam.

Dissertation Proposal

Formulation of a dissertation proposal is a key step toward completion of the PhD This milestone allows a student’s committee to make three important determinations:

• To assess whether the student’s knowledge of their chosen area and their understanding of relevant literature is adequate to complete a PhD.
• To recommend coursework, approaches/techniques and other resources that would facilitate or enhance the proposed work.
• To evaluate whether or not the proposed work, if completed, would constitute an acceptable basis for a doctoral dissertation.

Selection of a PhD committee is an important component of the dissertation proposal process, insofar as the committee is responsible for helping the candidate navigate their path to the PhD. The PhD committee approves a candidate’s plan of study, including coursework, teaching, dissertation proposal and the final dissertation. SIE faculty place high value on interdisciplinarity and crosscutting collaborative research. Accordingly, we are firmly committed to letting each student work with their research adviser to select a committee that best supports their scholarly and professional development. PhD candidates must adhere to both the committee composition rules set by SEAS as well as by the department. The requirements are outlined below: 

• SEAS Requirements: The final dissertation committee must include a minimum of three Engineering School faculty with a minimum of four UVA faculty and a minimum of five total members; one of the UVA members (the external member) must be from outside SIE. At least three of the dissertation committee members must have non-zero appointments in SIE.
• SIE Courtesy faculty member policy: Courtesy faculty members appointed by SIE may serve as the primary adviser of a PhD student. Courtesy faculty members that are not the primary adviser can count towards either an internal or external member.
• SIE Committee composition rules: Final committee composition should consist of no fewer two SIE faculty members with greater than 50% appointment. The committee chair should also have a primary appointment in SIE.

Finally, it is strongly recommended that the dissertation proposal committee consist of all five faculty members that would be on the final defense; however, it is acceptable for a dissertation proposal committee to have four instead of five members, in which case the fifth person is added before the final defense. 

The dissertation proposal consists of both a written document and an oral presentation. The written document should discuss the proposed work, contributions, preliminary results to date, and research timeline in a concise manner. Proposal documents should not exceed 15 single- spaced pages (or 30 double-spaced pages). The bibliography and any appendices (appendices are not required to be read by the student’s committee) are not included in this page limit. Significant departures from these guidelines must be approved in advance by the student’s proposal committee. The written proposal document must be submitted to the committee at least two weeks in advance of the proposal presentation.

All members of the committee evaluate the proposal and generate a preliminary assessment of the candidate’s achievement of the following research skills: a) identifying relevant problems of interest, b) interpreting existing literature, c) generating hypotheses, d) collecting data (via experiment, observation, modeling and/or simulation), e) interpreting results and drawing conclusions, f) communicating results (in oral and written formats), g) answering questions and defending their work, and h) commenting/critiquing on the work of others. 

The oral defense of a dissertation proposal is advertised within SIE and Engineering School. All interested parties are welcome to attend. The candidate gives a brief overview (20 to 30 minutes) of their proposed dissertation research, then takes questions from the audience and their committee. The committee then deliberates and decides whether the candidate has passed. The committee also reviews the student’s transcript and plan of study to recommend additional coursework or other relevant training if necessary. In this way, the emphasis of the dissertation proposal will be on supporting student growth, rather than just deciding who passes/fails. Candidates who fail the exam must take it again within six months. The chair of the candidate’s committee takes the lead in identifying an appropriate format and timeline for the second-chance defense. Students who do not pass on their second attempt are dismissed from the PhD program. 

It is the candidate’s responsibility to email the SIE student services coordinator their announcement information which consists of the committee members list with the chair and advisor identified, the meeting date, time, and location information, and the dissertation proposal title and abstract at least two weeks before the proposal. The SIE student services coordinator will provide the chairperson with the relevant forms ( Dissertation Proposal and Admission to Candidacy and Dissertation Proposal Assessment ) for the proposal defense. It is the candidate’s responsibility to bring their transcripts and plan of study. Each committee member is responsible for completing a research skills assessment and submitting it to the committee chair. The chair collates the feedback, submits an aggregated assessment form to the SIE student services coordinator (who sends it to the Engineering School registrar) and circulates the feedback to the candidate and their advisor within two weeks of the proposal. 

Finally, reiterating from Section 4.4 and Table 4-2, SIE students typically complete their proposal milestone at the end of Year 2, or the end of Year 3 if they enter the PhD without an MS. A revised Recommendation and Certification of Doctoral Advisory Committee form should be submitted to the SIE student services coordinator no later than two weeks before the scheduled proposal if the student has revised their committee since their qualifying exam and/or have added the fourth committee member. Proposal defenses are typically scheduled from March through June. 

Final Defense

The final dissertation defense is the culminating step of the PhD process. The main objective of this milestone is to confirm that the completed research constitutes a meaningful contribution to the body of knowledge in the student’s field of study. A secondary objective is to ensure that the written quality of the final document is adequate to highlight the value of the work and make it accessible for an educated audience. Often, there are intermediate meetings with the committee between the proposal and the defense to Students are eligible to defend their dissertation once they have completed all other requirements, including the publication requirement. The final defense committee must have five members (see Section 4.4.3). There is no required format for the dissertation. Rather, the candidate should work with their committee to prepare a satisfactory document. The candidate should circulate the final dissertation to their committee no later than two weeks before the oral defense date. Final defenses are advertised within the SIE and Engineering School. All interested parties are welcome to attend. The candidate gives a brief overview (30 to 35 minutes) of their dissertation research. The candidate then takes questions from the audience and their committee. The committee deliberates and decides about whether the candidate has passed. 

It is the candidate’s responsibility to email the SIE student services coordinators their announcement information which consists of the committee members list with the chair and advisor identified, the meeting date, time, and location information, and the dissertation defense title and abstract at least two weeks before the final defense. The SIE student services coordinators will provide the chairperson with the relevant forms( Report on Final Examination and Thesis and Dissertation Assessment ) for the final defense. The chairperson will return the completed forms back to them after the final defense. 

PhD candidates must apply for graduation in SIS at the beginning of the semester in which they’re expected to graduate. In addition, after successful completion of the final defense, the candidate must submit the dissertation via Libra  (see Graduation Procedure ) and complete the Survey of Earned Doctorates .

Administrative Forms

It is important that graduate students submit administrative forms related to degree requirements in a timely manner to the SIE student services coordinators. These forms can be found on the Engineering School’s webpage for current engineering graduate students.

The information contained on this website is for informational purposes only.  The Undergraduate Record and Graduate Record represent the official repository for academic program requirements. These publications may be found here .

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Systems Engineering Doctoral Program

Program details.

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Systems Engineering prepares students to become systems thinkers who, through exploring the synergism of engineering, systems and management, learn to proactively assess challenges from all angles, see the big picture, and ultimately create elegant solutions to enterprise-wide problems.

A Ph.D. in Systems Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology positions students to address systems integration, life cycle issues, systems of systems, and enterprise levels in their post-graduate careers in diverse domains such as aerospace and defense, energy, healthcare, financial services, and infrastructure systems.

The Stevens Advantage: Widen Your Career Options

Graduate Cooperative Education Program : Available with two tracks, your co-op experience can serve as a starting point for a research project or augment your on-campus research with complimentary experience.

International Student Experience : Tap into our expanding worldwide network of research, academic and alumni partners and mentor with our expert faculty in a number of federally-designated STEM degree programs. Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is available to gain work experience in your major/field of study.

State-of-the-Art Research Labs and Facilities : Build, tinker and test your designs in Stevens' MakerCenter, Prototype and Object Fabrication Lab, or numerous other research facilities.

Research Opportunities : Renowned faculty, labs and research centers – as well as industry partnerships and funding from leading national agencies – support strategic and interdisciplinary research in engineering and science.

Assistantships and Fellowships: Stevens offers funding to select graduate students in the form of teaching assistantships, research assistantships and fellowships. Limited in number, these highly competitive opportunities are awarded to exceptional candidates based on merit.

Expanded Learning Options : The Schaefer School offers new opportunities for doctoral students to do coursework at universities in the New York City area – and around the world – through our growing list of academic partnerships with other prestigious universities. Learn more about our latest partnerships.

Program Admission Requirements

Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended

Two letters of recommendation (academic or professional only; Select Ph.D. programs require a third letter of recommendation)

Statement of Purpose

$60 non-refundable Application Fee

Proof of English language proficiency

Writing sample(s). All applicants are encouraged to submit a lab report (preferable) or paper that they wrote, individually, for an engineering course. Applicants who have published a journal article are also encouraged to submit a copy of their article.

For more complete details, visit our General Admissions Requirements page .

Apply Online >

View objectives, outcomes, and other Ph.D. curriculum details in the most recent academic catalog.

View Academic Catalog >

Each Ph.D. curriculum must also adhere to the institute wide standards listed in the doctoral handbook.

View Doctoral Handbook >

If you have existing graduate credits or experience in this area of study, contact [email protected] to discuss opportunities to include it in the curriculum.

Information about assistantships and fellowships can be found here .

The four fields comprising STEM – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – offer a wide variety of professions that are classified as some of the highest-growing and highest-paying jobs right now and in the future. And for international students, the demand for STEM-related professionals in the United States can open the door for an extended stay. An ever-growing list of eligible programs across all levels is available here .

Graduate Programs That Advance Your Career

Lockheed Martin

A Tech Forward Education

Within the systems industry or domain, Stevens' systems engineering program is really at the top. The unique combination of industry and traditional professors make the program practical and fully practice-oriented.

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Systems Engineering Graduate

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Space systems engineering master's program.

The Department of Systems and Enterprises' Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) in Space Systems Engineering program affords professionals working in government and private space-related enterprises access to a technical education in space systems design and development, key space system processes, and a holistic understanding of systems engineering principles.

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Top 25 Doctorate in Engineering Programs

Engineers use their math and science knowledge to develop practical solutions to technical and mechanical problems. Organizations hire engineers to develop commercial applications based on current and emerging scientific research and discoveries.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), most engineers earn higher annual median salaries than the national average for all other workers. The BLS projects average growth rates for many jobs in the engineering sector between 2019 and 2029. In addition to on-campus programs, several universities now offer online Ph.D. in engineering programs. Well-trained engineers can expect to enter a job market that offers robust financial and professional opportunities.

Top 10 Doctorate in Engineering Programs

What Is a Doctorate in Engineering?

A doctorate in engineering allows students to conduct groundbreaking research and devise solutions for problems in a range of fields, including the environment, technology, healthcare, and aerospace. Engineers’ work directly impacts the lives of people from all walks of life.

A doctorate in engineering typically takes 3-5 years to complete. Several factors influence program length, including a student’s enrollment status and work background, the specific engineering field, and the degree’s requirements. Professionals with a doctor of engineering degree often qualify for technical leadership roles in private and public sectors or tenure-track academia positions.

Why Get a Degree in Engineering?

Although a doctorate in engineering requires a significant investment of time and money, the benefits often outweigh the costs. Engineers with a doctoral degree often enjoy several advantages, including the five below.

• Higher Salary: According to the BLS , professionals who hold doctoral degrees earn roughly 17% more than professionals with master’s degrees and about 30% more than those with bachelor’s degrees.
• Increased Research Opportunities: Doctor of engineering programs give enrollees ample opportunities to perform in-depth research on a range of topics with far-reaching implications.
• Improved Employment Opportunities: BLS data reveals that doctoral degree-holders enjoy the second-lowest unemployment rate among U.S. workers at 1.7%. Only holders of professional degrees, such as doctors and lawyers, enjoy a lower unemployment rate (1.5%).
• Professional Advancement: Companies are more likely to offer leadership positions to engineers with a doctorate because of their extensive training and breadth of knowledge in the field.
• Job Security: Tenure-track faculty positions in U.S. colleges and universities often require candidates to hold a terminal degree in their field. A doctorate in engineering meets this requirement.

Accreditation for a Doctorate in Engineering

Accreditation attests to the quality of an institution’s academic programs. The U.S. Department of Education (ED) acknowledges six regional accrediting bodies throughout the United States, each one in charge of a specific section of the country. Most nonprofit degree-oriented institutions seek regional accreditation. The ED also recognizes accrediting bodies that grant national accreditation to career-oriented, for-profit vocational or trade schools.

Accreditation also matters because the ED channels federal financial aid only to accredited institutions. Students who plan to apply for any type of government financial assistance must be enrolled in or accepted by an accredited school or program. Accreditation affects students who plan to transfer credits. Regionally accredited institutions usually accept credits earned only at schools holding the same type of accreditation.

To date, no accrediting body specifically accredits doctoral engineering programs. Therefore, prospective students should explore doctoral degrees offered by regionally accredited institutions since this type of accreditation covers all of a school’s academic programs. The Distance Education Accrediting Commission accredits schools that offer at least 51% of their programs entirely online.

Courses for a Doctorate in Engineering

Many doctor of engineering programs require learners to complete at least 90 credits beyond a bachelor’s or 60 credits beyond a master’s. Schools offering an on-campus and online Ph.D. in engineering typically maintain the same coursework requirements for all students, regardless of which delivery schedule their program follows.

Each school offers a curriculum that supports their academic objectives and engineering specialization, so students take a variety of classes. The courses below comprise some of the more common classes in a doctor of engineering program.

Engineering Optimization: Methods and Applications

Students learn how to maintain a balance between theory and application when working with complex systems in civil, electrical, environmental, and industrial engineering fields. The course includes different types of optimization methods, such as linear programming, network flow algorithms, mathematical modeling, and interior point methods. The course requires familiarity with Python and MATLAB as computational tools for classwork and course projects. Students can take advantage of built-in tutorials.

Engineering Project and Program Management

Students explore the different aspects of program management as the practice relates directly to highly technical engineering projects. The course covers topics such as risk assessment, costing options, control strategies, and work breakdown structures. Practitioners who are part of or managing a technical team gain additional skills in analyzing and enhancing team efforts, coordinating project requirements, and setting realistic objectives. The class prepares students to sit for the certification exam administered by the Project Management Institute.

Engineering Risk Analysis

This course focuses on identifying and quantifying risks involving engineering systems and projects. Students learn how to reduce system uncertainty and anticipate possible risks by employing proven mitigation strategies. The course includes relevant case studies that demonstrate effective and timely risk response in a variety of industries and scenarios. Students learn how to prioritize and implement risk management measures according to costs and benefits.

Simulation Modeling

Students learn how to use a variety of tools to model different types of engineering applications. The course provides ample opportunities for students to improve their ability to complete engineering and scientific computations for research and design. The course covers topics such as integrated modeling, verification and validation of computational models, synthesis and simulation, and multidisciplinary optimization. Students gain practical experience in enhancing the capabilities of their simulation projects.

Systems Engineering Architecture

This course provides an overview of the principles of object-oriented design and the fundamental aspects of a model-based system architecture process. Students learn how to develop new or optimize existing architecture to support complex information-intensive systems. Topics include enterprise architectures, information assurance, implementable architecture models, and reference frameworks. Degree-seekers must show mastery of course topics by completing an architecture project on a system of their choosing.

How Much Do Engineering Majors Make?

According to the BLS, petroleum engineers are among the field’s highest-paid professionals. They earned an annual median salary of $137,720 in 2019. Marine engineers earned a lower annual median salary ($92,400). Generally speaking, engineers earn an annual median salary that is higher than the national average, no matter their engineering specialization.

Length of professional experience also impacts earning and career potential. Just like in most fields, practitioners with longer work histories usually earn higher salaries. For example, according to PayScale , mechanical engineers at the beginning of their career (less than one year of experience) earn an annual income of about $63,000. Mid-level mechanical engineers with 10 years of experience earn significantly higher salaries ($90,000), and top-level professionals (more than 20 years of experience) earn even more ($101,000).

Career and Salary Outlook for Engineering Majors

Engineers make significant contributions in professional arenas such as agriculture, aerospace, electronics, and computer hardware. Engineers with advanced degrees often qualify for top salaries and leadership positions in addition to access to cutting-edge research in their specialization area. The four engineering jobs below make up a small percentage of possible career choices for well-qualified engineers.

• Mechanical Engineer : These professionals design and maintain different types of power-producing and power-using machines such as turbines, electric generators, internal combustion engines, refrigerators, and air conditioning systems. They also test mechanical and thermal devices and sensors and implement improvement or maintenance procedures. Mechanical engineering features several subspecialty areas, including automotive, robotics, and HVAC systems engineering.
• Environmental Engineer : Often working with urban planners, hazardous waste technicians, and scientists, these engineers study and devise solutions to problems such as ozone depletion, carbon dioxide emissions, and climate change. Environmental engineers working for local governments often evaluate the impact of construction projects on the environment, design systems for treating and containing hazardous waste material, and craft long-term sustainability plans.
• Electrical and Electronics Engineer : These engineers use their knowledge of engineering equipment and design software to solve multiple engineering challenges. They focus on designing electrical equipment such as radar and navigation systems, power generators, and electric motors. Electronics engineers design electronic devices such as communications and recording equipment, GPS instruments, and computer hardware.
• Postsecondary Teacher : These professionals draft course syllabi, prepare lectures and other classroom activities, and assess students’ progress. They also keep up with their field’s latest research findings and developments. Most postsecondary teachers work with their colleagues in other fields to find common areas of instruction and expose their students to interdisciplinary learning.

Source: BLS

Scholarships for a Doctorate in Engineering

Many colleges and universities that offer doctorate in engineering degrees also provide funding for doctoral students, often in the form of fellowships. However, several independent organizations and private philanthropic associations offer a variety of financial assistance packages. The five programs below represent some potential financial aid opportunities for students pursuing a doctorate in engineering.

AAUW Dissertation Fellowship Who Can Apply: Doctoral candidates who identify as women can apply to this program sponsored by the American Association of University Women. Applicants must be in the final year of writing their dissertation. The program welcomes applicants pursuing a doctorate in any area of study, but doctoral candidates in science, technology, engineering, and math fields are especially encouraged to apply. Amount: $20,000

AGC Education and Research Foundation Graduate Scholarship Who Can Apply: Administered by the Associated General Contractors of America, this program accepts applications from students pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree in construction management or construction engineering. Applicants must submit two completed evaluation forms from an academic advisor and a current (or recent) employer along with other application requirements. Amount: $3,750-$7,500 per year

ASCE Trent R. Dames and William W. Moore Fellowship Who Can Apply: The American Society of Civil Engineers accepts applications from practicing engineers and earth scientists currently enrolled in a graduate engineering program. Applicants must be ASCE members in good standing. The fellowship requires applicants to submit a research proposal, preferably addressing the geotechnical engineering aspects of environmental, political, or socioeconomic issues. Amount: $2,000-$6,000

Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program Who Can Apply: The program accepts applications from students pursuing a master’s or doctorate related to the transportation industry. Several engineering fields qualify, including civil, environmental, mechanical, and structural engineering. U.S. citizens and international students can apply. Applicants must maintain full-time enrollment status throughout their participation in the program. Amount: $35,500

The Link Foundation Ocean Engineering and Instrumentation Ph.D. Fellowship Who Can Apply: The program welcomes applications from doctoral students pursuing a program in ocean engineering and instrumentation full time. Fellowships help doctoral students with living expenses. Recipients cannot use the fellowship award for tuition, overhead research costs, salary for support staff, or compensation for a research advisor. Amount: $30,000

1. Boston University

Boston University offers online Ph.D. programs in engineering in six fields: biomedical, computer, electrical, materials science, mechanical, and systems engineering. Admission requires transcripts, letters of recommendation, GRE results, a current resume, and a statement of purpose. Each program may require applicants to submit additional documents or meet specific educational criteria.

With the exception of the doctoral program in mechanical engineering, all the programs accept applicants with either a bachelor’s or a master’s degree in their specific field. Boston University’s doctoral programs in engineering offer innovative options for students to pursue. For example, the biomedical department offers a dual MD and Ph.D. program that allows students to earn two degrees simultaneously.

Some programs offer areas of concentration, such as the doctorate in materials science and engineering. Students can choose to focus their studies on biomaterials, electronic/photonic materials, nanomaterials, and materials for energy and environment. Boston University is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

2. Clarkson University

The doctorate in engineering offered at Clarkson University includes studies in mechanical, environmental science, chemical, and electrical and computer engineering. Applicants must hold a master’s degree or show proof of enrollment in a postgraduate engineering program for consideration. The doctorate in materials science and engineering exempts applicants from this requirement.

The electrical and computer engineering program offers an online delivery option, thus opening enrollment to non-resident doctoral candidates. The materials science and engineering doctoral program offers research and teaching assistantships to qualified students. The assistantship comes with a stipend and full tuition waiver.

The Ph.D. in environmental science and engineering program maintains a strong interdisciplinary component. Delivered by the university’s Institute for a Sustainable Environment, the program draws from other disciplines, including social and natural sciences. Clarkson University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

3. Clemson University

Clemson University offers 12 Ph.D. in engineering programs through the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences. Programs offered include bioengineering; environmental engineering; and earth science, industrial, and mechanical engineering.

The doctoral program in civil engineering offers six areas of concentration including construction engineering and management, geotechnical engineering, risk engineering and system analytics and transportation systems engineering. The program accepts applicants holding a bachelor’s or master’s degree

The electrical and computer engineering program offers several research focus areas, including applied electromagnetics, communications systems and networks, computer systems architecture, and digital systems processing. Students pursuing a PhD. in environmental engineering and earth sciences work with their advisors to craft an individualized plan of study. Since the program is interdisciplinary, students enroll in classes in a variety of areas including physics, geology, mathematics, and biology.

Clemson University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

4. Columbia University in the City of New York

Columbia offers two doctoral degrees in engineering — a doctor of engineering science and a doctor of philosophy in engineering. Students pursuing the doctor of engineering degree have several areas of specialization to choose from, including industrial engineering and operations research, earth and environmental engineering, and materials science and engineering.

Both programs require applicants to hold an MS in engineering (or a relevant field) for consideration. Students currently enrolled in an MS in engineering at Columbia may apply for the doctoral program after completing at least 15 credits of coursework.

Working closely with their advisors, doctoral students customize a learning plan that supports their research and career objectives. The university encourages students to craft a cross-program collaborative study plan that takes advantage of Columbia’s rich academic offerings. Departmental requirements for degree completion may vary, but all doctoral students must complete and defend their dissertation to graduate from the program. Columbia is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

5. Duke University

Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering offers doctor of engineering programs in five areas: mechanical engineering and materials science, biomedical, civil and environmental, electrical and computing engineering, and materials science and engineering.

In addition to a doctorate in biomedical engineering, the university also offers a combined MD/Ph.D. program for highly qualified students. Funded by the National Institutes of Health, the program typically takes 7-8 years to complete. The civil and environmental engineering program offers five tracks of study: computational mechanics; hydrology and fluid dynamics; systems, risk, and decision; environmental geomechanics and geophysics; and environmental health engineering.

The university provides Ph.D. students with generous financial support throughout five continuous years of enrollment. Students receive a living stipend, health insurance, and full tuition and fees remission. Students still enrolled in a doctoral program after five years can apply for departmental and/or external funding. Duke University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

6. George Washington University

George Washington University offers eight Ph.D. in engineering and computer science degrees through the School of Engineering and Applied Science. Students can pursue a doctor of engineering management and a Ph.D. in systems engineering online.

The Ph.D. program comprises at least 54 credit hours that students complete in two phases. The classroom phase follows a cohort model and consists of eight courses. Students enroll in two classes per 10-week session. Coursework covers topics such as advanced systems engineering, data analysis, discrete systems simulation, and knowledge management. Students must achieve a minimum 3.4 GPA during this phase. Those who receive a grade below a B- are dropped from the program.

The second phase consists of at least 30 credit hours of research, culminating in a dissertation that students must defend before a faculty panel. Students must also pass an oral exam and publish at least one scholarly article in an approved industry journal. George Washington University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

7. Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus

Georgia Tech offers a Ph.D. in engineering in 19 fields of study, including nuclear engineering; machine learning; algorithms, combinatronics, and optimization; and engineering science and mechanics.

The industrial engineering doctorate offers three tracks: applied statistics, supply chain engineering, and systems informatics and control. The nuclear engineering program offers a specialization in medical physics and nuclear enterprise management. Students enrolled in the machine learning program enroll in classes at the College of Engineering and across several schools and colleges at Georgia Tech.

Georgia Tech participates in the Ocean Visions program, giving students pursuing the ocean science and engineering degree the chance to participate. The program brings together leading scientists and researchers from all over the country to draft actionable solutions to the world’s current and emerging ocean problems. Georgia Tech is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

8. Johns Hopkins University

The Whiting School of Engineering at Johns Hopkins University offers an off-campus, full-time doctor of engineering degree. The program is a collaboration between the school and the student’s employer. Working closely with school and company advisors, students craft a customized plan of study that directly relates or contributes to their current position or workplace environment.

Applicants must hold a master’s degree in engineering or a closely related area of study and have significant work experience in the field. Applicants must include a research proposal identifying possible faculty advisors and a letter of support from the applicant’s employer or second outside advisor. Current research topics include analytics and machine learning to secure the Internet of Things; cyber resilient autonomy; and wireless security through anomaly detection.

The program requires students (including online enrollees) to attend two conferences in Baltimore per year. Students use these conferences to build their professional network, take oral exams, consult with advisors, and attend social events. Johns Hopkins University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

9. Lehigh University

Lehigh University offers a Ph.D. in engineering through the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science. Students can pursue doctoral studies in areas such as environmental engineering, bioengineering, industrial and systems engineering, and polymer science and engineering.

The college accepts students either as regular or associate enrollees. Regular students meet all admission requirements and are admitted as degree candidates. Associate graduate students must meet certain requirements before becoming degree candidates or regular enrollees. Many programs require associate enrollees to complete the first nine credits with no more than one grade below a B-. Students who earn a grade of C or below are dropped from the program.

Doctoral students can take advantage of the university’s resources for their research and coursework requirements. For example, the Institute for Cyber Physical Infrastructure and Energy gives engineering students the chance to collaborate with experts in sociology, psychology, and economics. Together, they explore complex issues like the effect of humans and society on existing energy systems and surrounding infrastructure.

Lehigh University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

10. Missouri University of Science and Technology

The College of Engineering and Computing at the Missouri University of Science and Technology offers a Ph.D. in engineering . Students can pursue doctoral studies in traditional engineering arenas such as civil, aerospace, chemical, and mechanical engineering. The college also offers doctorates in less common sub-fields such as geological, metallurgical, and explosives engineering. The explosives engineering program is the only one of its kind offered at the doctoral level.

Although admission requirements vary, most doctoral programs in engineering require the following: a bachelor’s in engineering, GRE scores no older than five years, a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.5, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose. Some programs accept students on a probationary status. Ph.D. students must pass a qualifying exam, a comprehensive exam, and complete all degree requirements within eight years from the date of initial enrollment.

Missouri University of Science and Technology is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

11. New Jersey Institute of Technology

New Jersey Institute of Technology’s Newark College of Engineering offers a Ph.D. in engineering in 10 areas of study. The college requires all doctoral candidates to pass a qualifying exam taken at the end of their second semester. Students needing to retake the exam must do so by the end of their third semester in the program.

The biomedical engineering program is jointly offered by NJIT, Rutgers University, and the New Jersey Medical School. Students gain access to each university’s facilities and resources as well as the chance to engage in collaborative research.

The environmental engineering program only accepts applicants holding an MS in engineering or a closely related field. On rare occasions, the program accepts exceptional applicants with a bachelor’s degree in engineering. Bachelor’s-trained enrollees must complete an additional 36 credits of coursework (the equivalent of a master’s degree) prior to enrolling in doctoral classes. New Jersey Institute of Technology is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

12. North Carolina State University at Raleigh

The College of Engineering at North Carolina State University at Raleigh offers a Ph.D. in engineering in 12 areas. These include nuclear, industrial, environmental, and biomedical engineering.

Faculty and doctoral students in the industrial engineering program pursue research in several areas such as advanced manufacturing, systems analytics and optimization, and supply chain logistics. Doctorate in mechanical engineering students can select from six areas of specialization, including aerodynamics, fluid mechanics, propulsion, and space exploration systems.

The Department of Nuclear Engineering crafted the first educational curriculum in the nuclear engineering field. It currently offers four focus areas: reactor systems engineering, radiation interactions and detection, plasma science and engineering, and nuclear fluids and materials.

The university offers several financial aid opportunities to outstanding doctoral students. Doctoral fellowships typically include tuition and health insurance coverage as well as a living stipend. North Carolina State University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

13. Purdue University-Main Campus

The College of Engineering at Purdue University offers several Ph.D. in engineering programs in fields like agricultural and biological, environmental and ecological, industrial, and materials engineering.

The Wheldon School of Biomedical Engineering offers a doctoral program with four major research areas: imaging, engineered biomaterials and biomechanics, instrumentation and quantitative cellular, and systems engineering. Students enrolled in the doctoral program in biomedical engineering can apply for financial assistance in the form of fellowships from the NIH, the College of Engineering, and the Indiana University School of Medicine.

The doctoral program in electrical and computer engineering accepts applications from bachelor’s and master’s degree-holders. The College of Engineering recently established the Dean’s Fellowship, a new financial assistance program specifically for doctoral students in electrical and computer engineering.

Purdue University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

14. Stevens Institute of Technology

The Schaefer School of Engineering & Science at Stevens Institute of Technology offers a Ph.D. in engineering in nine diverse fields of study. Students can pursue a doctorate in electrical, chemical, materials science, and ocean engineering, among others.

The ocean engineering program currently supports five active research areas: coastal engineering, naval architecture, living shorelines, physical oceanography, and computational fluid dynamics. The chemical engineering program offers courses on topics like biofuels, pharmaceutical manufacturing, nanotechnology, and biomedical applications of processed polymers.

Stevens Institute of Technology was the first school in the country to offer a degree in mechanical engineering. This doctoral program gives students the chance to participate in cutting-edge research in fields like robotics, sustainable energy systems, and bioengineering.

Most doctoral engineering programs consist of 84 credits beyond a bachelor’s degree, or 54 credits beyond a master’s degree. Core coursework and approved electives make up at least 30 credits and dissertation research accounts for the rest. Stevens Institute of Technology is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

15. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

SUNY Polytechnic Institute offers a Ph.D. in nanoscale engineering with tracks in nanoelectronics, optoelectronics and photonics, nanobiology engineering and technology, and four other areas. The program requires applicants to hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering, mathematics, computer science, or a related science field. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA. Although applicants are encouraged to submit their most recent GRE scores, it is not a requirement.

SUNY Poly also offers a combined MD/Ph.D. in medicine and nanoscale science or engineering. The seven-year program requires students to enroll in doctoral coursework between the didactic and clinical years of medical school. Students apply simultaneously at SUNY Poly and the SUNY Downstate College of Medicine. Applicants must hold at least a bachelor’s degree (preferably in a science or pre-med field) with exceptional academic performance. However, the program also accepts applications from nontraditional students with diverse training and professional experience.

SUNY Polytechnic Institute is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

16. Syracuse University

The College of Engineering and Computer Science at Syracuse University offers a Ph.D. in engineering in six areas of study including computer/information science and engineering, mechanical and aerospace engineering, and electrical and computer engineering. Students must take a qualifying exam after completing a certain number of credits before they can proceed with the remainder of the program. This minimum credit requirement varies among programs.

The college maintains several financial assistance packages for qualified doctoral students including fellowships, research grants, and teaching assistantships. Many of these programs cover tuition and also provide a living stipend. Students must show satisfactory progress in their program to qualify for assistance each year. Doctoral engineering programs require the completion of at least 42 credits of coursework. With few exceptions, the college gives students up to five years to earn their Ph.D.

Syracuse University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

17. University of Denver

The University of Denver offers Ph.D. in engineering degrees through the Daniel Felix Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science. Students can pursue a doctorate in electrical and computer engineering, mechatronic systems engineering, and mechanical engineering.

The doctoral programs accept applications from master’s degree-holders, preferably in engineering or a closely related science or technology field. Bachelor’s degree-holders can apply, but they must be willing to enroll in preparatory classes. Preparatory courses do not carry credit toward the doctoral degree.

The mechatronic systems engineering program currently supports research in robotics and unmanned systems. The robotics research focuses on service robotics, actively addressing problems such as autism and Alzheimer’s disease. Current research in the mechanical engineering program focuses on biomedical devices and technologies. The university allows mechanical engineering students to craft an individualized plan of study that supports specific career objectives.

The University of Denver is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

18. University of Florida

The University of Florida offers Ph.D. in engineering programs through the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering. The doctoral programs cover several fields of study including aerospace, chemical, electrical, and mechanical engineering.

The college requires applicants to submit their most recent GRE scores along with a statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, transcripts, and a resume. Specific programs may have additional requirements. The college offers several fellowship opportunities and assistantships that include full tuition, fees waivers, and a stipend. Applicants are automatically considered for any financial aid package for which they qualify.

The doctoral program in agricultural and biological engineering offers four specialization areas: agricultural production, information systems, biological engineering, and land and water resources. The coastal and oceanography engineering program supports several research focus areas, including estuarine and coastal physics, inlet morphodynamics and wave-current interactions, and storm surge and inundation.

University of Florida is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

19. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign offers several Ph.D. in Engineering programs through the Grainger College of Engineering. The college provides guaranteed financial assistance for doctoral students through a funded appointment such as a research or teaching assistantship. Students who meet the minimum eligibility requirements receive financial assistance for the first five years of enrollment. The financial aid provides a stipend and full or partial tuition waiver.

The bioengineering program offers optional specializations in biomechanics, cancer nanotechnology, and computational science and engineering. Students can apply to the program with a master’s or bachelor’s degree. The doctoral program in environmental engineering offers 10 areas of specialization including construction management, sustainable and resilient infrastructure systems, societal risk and hazard mitigation, and structural engineering.

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

20. University of Massachusetts-Amherst

UMass-Amherst offers a Ph.D. in engineering in six areas: industrial engineering and operations research, polymer science and engineering, and chemical, civil, mechanical, and electrical and computer engineering.

The doctorate in industrial engineering and operations research accepts applications from master’s and bachelor’s degree-holders. The Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department administers the program. Current research fields supported by the department include biomedical and healthcare engineering, fluid dynamics, robotics and mechatronics, and renewable energy.

The Civil and Environmental Engineering Department offers four areas of specialization: environmental and water resources, geotechnical engineering, structural engineering and mechanics, and transportation engineering. The Chemical Engineering Department offers Ph.D. enrollees a full graduate research assistantship, which typically includes a full tuition waiver, health care coverage, and a living stipend. The assistantship requires no additional work beyond regular coursework and dissertation research.

University of Massachusetts-Amherst is regionally accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education.

21. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering and in environmental sciences and engineering. The university administers the doctorate in biomedical engineering jointly with North Carolina State University. The program requires applicants to submit their most recent GRE scores. To be competitive, applicants must achieve at least 50%, 70%, and 30% respectively on the verbal, quantitative, and written components of the test. Applicants must also submit a 1-2 page statement about their research background and interests.

The doctoral program in environmental sciences and engineering currently supports active research in many critical issues and concerns. Students can explore topics such as molecular approaches to addressing diseases caused by toxic substances, engineering and policy solutions to environmental risks, and developing practical solutions to health problems in developing countries. Designed as an interdisciplinary degree, the doctorate draws from three main areas of study: air quality and atmospheric process, sustainable water resources, and human exposure and health effects.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

22. University of Southern California

The Viterbi School of Engineering at the University of Southern California offers Ph.D. in engineering degrees across 11 subfields including aerospace, petroleum, computer, and mechanical engineering. The majority of doctoral students at USC receive some type of financial support through fellowships and assistantships.

The doctorate in aerospace engineering offers several research areas, including in dynamical systems and controls, robotics, computational engineering, and fluid mechanics and aerodynamics. The program accepts applications from students with a bachelor’s degree in engineering, math, or a related hard science field. Admission also requires GRE scores from an exam taken no longer than five years prior to the date of application.

The environmental engineering program offers four areas of specialization: sustainable development; water quality, access, and distribution; disasters and extreme events; and coupling of complex systems. Students gain access to several research labs and centers, including the Air Quality Lab and the Tsunami Research Center. The University of Southern California is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

23. Villanova University

Villanova University offers a Ph.D. in engineering program in eight subfields, including mechanical, civil, biochemical, and computer engineering. Many of the programs accept full- and part-time enrollees and are delivered both on campus and online.

The College of Engineering receives funding from institutions like the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the Environmental Protection Agency, and various local businesses and private foundations. Students reap several benefits from these partnerships in terms of funding, knowledge exchange, and future employment opportunities.

Every doctoral program in engineering at Villanova performs research in specific arenas within an engineering subfield. For example, research areas in mechanical engineering include topics such as thermal science, nanotechnology, and dynamics and controls. This research generally revolves around four major areas: water, energy, and food security; materials for a sustainable future; smart and resilient infrastructure systems; and better medicine and improved healthcare delivery systems.

Villanova University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

24. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

The College of Engineering at Virginia Tech offers a Ph.D. in engineering across 15 areas of study. These include biological systems engineering, industrial systems engineering, and aerospace engineering.

The College of Engineering partners with federal agencies, private organizations, and local industries to help fund graduate research and special projects. The college offers numerous research and teaching assistantships, fellowships, and grants to support doctoral students. Many of these funding opportunities include a tuition and fees waiver, health insurance coverage, and a living stipend.

The college maintains several research centers and laboratories for its students, including the Center for Space Science and Engineering Research and the Innovative Particulate Materials Laboratory. Doctoral students also have access to several research institutes located on the university campus. Engineering students often access the facilities of the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute.

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

25. Worcester Polytechnic Institute

The College of Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute offers 12 Ph.D. in engineering programs. Students can pursue a doctorate in fire protection engineering, electrical and computer engineering, and robotics engineering, among several others.

Along with the University of Massachusetts Medical School, WPI jointly offers the doctorate in computational biomedical sciences and engineering. Students enrolled in this highly individualized program craft a plan of study that reflects and supports their career and educational objectives. Students must demonstrate expertise in three core competency areas: computational biology and physiology, math and statistics (including integral/differential calculus), and molecular techniques and algorithms.

The College of Engineering offers most of the courses for the doctorate in systems engineering online. Courses follow a synchronous delivery schedule, and professors conduct classes in a virtual classroom at specific times. Applicants with an MS in systems engineering and a minimum 3.5 GPA have the best chance of admission to the Ph.D. program.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

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Ph.D. Industrial and Systems Engineering

The ISE Ph.D. program provides educational opportunities to talented students to acquire the advanced knowledge needed to become creative researchers as well as technical leaders and technology innovators in industrial and systems engineering.

This Ph.D. program of the Rackham Graduate School of the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is located, administered, and offered by UM-Dearborn. The program observes the standards for admissions, registration, degree requirements, awarding of degrees, and other administrative policies and regulations established by the Executive Board of the Rackham Graduate School. 

Program Details

The program is a full-time, research-based degree designed to address the growing needs of society for scientific and engineering professionals with advanced knowledge, technical skills, and abilities to conduct original and high-quality translational research in industrial and systems engineering.

Students are admitted for full-time study and all admission offers are for the Fall & Winter terms only. 

Program Description

The Ph.D. ISE program offers concentrations in integrated design and manufacturing, decision science and operations research, and human factors and ergonomics.

The program requires the core, concentration, and cognate coursework; qualifying and dissertation proposal examinations; a written dissertation; and an oral defense of the dissertation. The Ph.D. ISE degree is offered to exceptional students who have completed, with distinction, a  bachelor's or master’s degree in engineering or a closely related field.

Specific coursework requirements for students depending on their admission options are as follows:  

• Students admitted with a relevant bachelor’s degree must complete no fewer than 36 credit hours of coursework, of which a minimum of 18 credits must satisfy the core (breadth) and concentration (depth) coursework requirements of the Ph.D. (I&SE) curriculum. The remaining 18 credits must be from the existing MSE (I&SE) curriculum.
• Students admitted with relevant prior MS degrees earned in a Rackham program or at UM-Dearborn , must complete no fewer than 6  credit hours of coursework from the approved Ph.D. (I&SE) curriculum.
• Students admitted with a relevant master’s degree acquired outside the University of Michigan system must complete no fewer than 18 credit hours of coursework from the approved Ph.D. (I&SE) curriculum.
• All students must complete a minimum of 24 credit hours of a Ph.D. dissertation.

The completed coursework for all students must satisfy the core (breadth), concentration (depth), and cognate requirements of the Ph.D. (I&SE) program.   This may require greater than the minimum number of credit hours.

The Ph.D. ISE is composed of five major milestones, which all students are required to pass successfully before graduation:

• Filing an approved plan of study
• Completion of the required coursework with the minimum GPA 3.3
• Passing the qualifying examination on the core coursework
• Advancement to candidacy
• Passing the dissertation proposal examination
• Completion of required dissertation research credit hours
• Successful oral defense of an approved written dissertation

The target typical time of degree completion is four (4) years.

Students Admitted with a Bachelor's

Students in this group must complete no fewer than 36 credit hours of coursework, of which a minimum of 18 credits must satisfy the core (breadth) and concentration (depth) coursework requirements of the approved Ph.D. (I&SE) curriculum. Students of this group are expected to become candidates in the third year and are strongly encouraged to complete the degree within five years. These students ordinarily complete the requirements for the MSE (I&SE) degree along the way and may receive this degree in addition to the Ph.D. A master’s thesis is optional.  MSE (I&SE) degree is the only master's degree that students of this group may receive in addition to the Ph.D. (I&SE). 

Advancement to Candidacy and Time Limits

Students of this group should achieve candidacy within three years from the time of initial enrollment in the program. To achieve candidacy, a student is required to:

• Complete the required coursework
• Pass the qualifying examination by the end of the fourth semester in the program
• Complete ENGR 700 including RCRS training workshops
• Submit the candidacy application form
• Post a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 out of 4 at the time of applying for the candidacy

A student should apply for candidacy as soon as they meet all the candidacy requirements. If it has been more than three years since the student started the program, a Petition for Modification or Waiver of Regulation asking for an extension for time to candidacy approved by the Ph.D. (I&SE) program committee is required.

Students Admitted with a Master's earned from Rackham Program or at UM-Dearborn

Students in this group must complete no fewer than 6  credit hours of coursework from the approved Ph.D. (I&SE) curriculum. The completed coursework must satisfy the core (breadth), concentration (depth), and cognate requirements of the Ph.D. (I&SE) program. 

Students Admitted with a Master's earned from Outside of the University of Michigan System

Students in this group must complete no fewer than 18 credit hours of coursework from the approved Ph.D. (I&SE) curriculum. The completed coursework must satisfy the core (breadth), concentration (depth), and cognate requirements of the Ph.D. (I&SE) program. 

Students admitted with a relevant Master's should achieve candidacy within two years from the time of initial enrollment in the program and are strongly encouraged to complete the degree within four years. To achieve candidacy, a student is required to:

• Pass the qualifying examination by the end of the third semester in the program

A student should apply for candidacy as soon as they meet all the candidacy requirements. If it has been more than two years since the student started the program, a Petition for Modification or Waiver of Regulation asking for an extension for time to candidacy approved by the Ph.D. (I&SE) program committee is required.

Post Candidacy Registration Requirements

Candidates must register for the IMSE 990 Dissertation course each fall and winter until completion of all degree requirements. 

Program Goals

Learning Goal 1: To provide students with analytical skills that enable them to develop creative solutions for complex engineering problems Learning Goal 2: To prepare students to conduct high-quality original research in areas of industrial and systems engineering Learning Goal 3: To prepare students for the varied responsibilities and opportunities of careers in research in areas of industrial and systems engineering  

Admission Requirements

The Ph.D. degree program will be offered to exceptional students who have completed, with distinction, a bachelor's or master’s degree in engineering or a closely related field. All students will be required to submit an application to be considered for the admission into the program.

• DEGREE REQUIREMENT: A  bachelor's or master’s degree in engineering, applied mathematics, computer science, or a physical science from an accredited program.
• ELIGIBILITY: To be eligible for the program, students are required to have completed three semesters or 12 credit hours of calculus and a course in linear algebra.
• COURSE PREREQUISITE/DEFICIENCIES: One course in operations research, one course in calculus-based probability and statistics, and knowledge of computer programming.
• GPA REQUIREMENT: A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher on a 4-point scale for the B.S. degree and 3.5 or higher on a 4-point scale for the master’s degree.
• GRE SCORE: GRE general test scores are no longer included in the admissions process for Rackham’s doctoral programs as of the 2022–2023 admissions cycle.
• ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: Foreign applicants whose native language is not English or do not have a degree from an English-speaking institution must provide the Test of English as a Foreign Languages (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score. A minimum score of 84 on IBT TOEFL or 6.5 on IELTS is required for admission.
• LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION: Three letters of recommendation, at least one of which must come from former faculty.

The application package must also include a curriculum vitae or a resume, an academic statement of purpose indicating the intended field or fields of research, and a personal statement that describes the background and life experiences, including cultural, geographical, financial, educational or other opportunities or challenges that motivate the decision to pursue a Ph.D. degree at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. The academic statement should identify one or two IMSE faculty with matching research interests.

Funding Support

We understand the financial commitment of continuing your education.  Our Ph.D. program adheres to the CECS full-funding model for Ph.D. students. All Ph.D. students receive full-funding in the form of an appointment as a Graduate Student Instructor (GSI), Research Assistant (GSRA), or a combination of both which covers: a monthly stipend, health insurance, and tuition waiver.

Students admitted to the program are fully funded for up to five years. Funding is guaranteed based on continued good academic standing and adequate progress towards the Ph.D. degree.

Program Policies

In addition to the Rackham Graduate School policies for doctoral students, as a doctoral student in IMSE, you need to know the requirements, timeline, and processes for Pre-candidacy years 1 and 2, the Qualifying Exam at the end of year 2, Proposal Exam, and eventually your Dissertation Defense. See the Path to Degree section below.

Also, an Annual Progress Report completed by you and your faculty advisor must be submitted for review to the IMSE Ph.D. Committee in May of each year. 

The IMSE Ph.D. Committee and your Faculty Advisor are the main resources for information and guidance throughout your program. The IMSE Committee is chaired by Dr. Yubao Chen and includes Drs. Jian Hu and Bochen Jia.

Registration and Enrollment Requirements

Registration policy.

Students must register before the first day of classes.   A student who registers  on or after the first day of classes  (not including course adds, drops, or changes to initial registration)  will be charged a late registration fee. 

Ph.D. Continuous Enrollment Requirement

Students in Ph.D. programs must register for each fall and winter term until final completion of degree requirements unless they have received an authorized leave of absence or have been approved for extramural study. 

Required Registration to Complete Milestones

• A student who takes candidacy or preliminary exams in a spring or summer half term must register in that half term.
• A student who defends the dissertation and/or finalizes degree requirements in a spring or summer half term must register for the full spring/summer term and submit the final dissertation and all materials by the published deadline to avoid registering for another term.
• Pre-candidates preparing for qualifying exams may be enrolled in 980, “Dissertation/pre-candidate,” for the number of credit hours that reflect their effort and as required by outside agencies such as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. 

Candidacy Registration and Enrollment Requirement

• Ph.D. candidates will be registered for 990, “Dissertation/candidate,” which consists of 6 credit hours for a full term.
• Ph.D. candidates register in the fall and winter terms for six credit hours of 990/Dissertation Candidate.  Part-time enrollment is not permitted.
• A student who defends in either the spring or summer half term must register for 6 credit hours of 990 for the spring/summer full term, or for both 3 credits in the spring half-term and 3 credits in the summer half-term.
• A candidate who registers for a course (other than the 990) must seek prior approval from the faculty advisor and also register for 990.
• When a candidate registers for a course during the fall, winter, or spring and summer half-terms but does not register for 990, the Registrar’s Office will add the 990 to the term and assess any required tuition.

Path to Degree

Please refer to the  Path to Degree  page for the procedures and forms for the following:

• date/deadlines
• milestone exams
• dissertation committee
• dissertation proposal
• dissertation
• final oral defense

Plan of Study

Satisfactory Progress Requirements

Only letter-graded courses at the 500+ level count toward the degree. Courses completed with a grade lower than B or a "U" grade are not accepted. 

To advance to candidacy, the cumulative coursework GPA (Grade Point Average) must be 3.3 or above on the 4.0-scale.

Coursework Requirement

Breadth requirement :.

The breadth requirement is satisfied by a student taking three core courses (9 credit hours) in the program. The minimum grade for breadth requirement courses is B.

Depth Requirement:

Students must select at least three courses (9 credit hours) from the same concentration area. The minimum grade for depth requirement courses is B.

Cognate Requirement:

At least 4 credit hours of coursework must be outside the industrial and systems engineering area.  See the Cognate section below for ways to satisfy this requirement. A list of cognate course is provided in the approved program courses section.

Required Seminar Courses

ENGR 700 Ph.D. Research Methodology Seminar:

This course provides doctoral students with the fundamental training for conducting high-level scholarly research used in the various fields of engineering. Topics include evaluation of information resources, intellectual property, writing for journals and dissertation, effective work with scientific literature, literature review, plagiarism, publication, bibliographic management, and library resources. Students also complete the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) and Scholarship Training workshops. Additionally, students appointed as GSIs are required to attend the approved GSI training workshop.

The course is required for all doctoral students in the first year of enrollment and prior to taking the qualifying exam. Passing is based on participation and attendance and passing the RCR exam. The seminars will carry no credit hours.

Approved Program Courses

A. core courses (select three courses, 9 credit hours).

• IMSE 505: Optimization
• IMSE 514: Multivariate Statistics
• IMSE 548: Research Methods in Human Factors and Ergonomics
• IMSE 581: Production and Operations Engineering II

B. Concentration Areas and Courses (9 credit hours)

Area 1. integrated design and manufacturing (select 3 courses).

• IMSE 511: Design and Analysis of Experiments
• IMSE 519: Quantitative Methods in Quality Engineering
• IMSE 559: System Simulation
• IMSE 561: Total Quality Management and Six-Sigma
• IMSE 567: Reliability Analysis
• IMSE 538: Intelligent Manufacturing
• IMSE 5655: Supply Chain Management
• IMSE 586 Big Data Aanal & Visuliztn
• IMSE 580: Production and Operations Engineering I
• EMGT 580: Management of Product and Process Design
• AENG 589: Automotive Assembly Systems
• AENG 587: Automotive Manufacturing Processes
• IMSE 605: Advanced Optimization
• IMSE 606 Advanced Stochastic Processes 

AREA 2. Operations Research and Decision Science (SELECT 3 COURSES)

• IMSE 5205: Engineering Risk-Benefit Analysis
• IMSE 5215: Program Budget, Cost Estimation & Control
• IMSE 581: Production and Operations Engineering II
• IMSE 586: Big Data Aanal & Visuliztn
• IMSE 606: Advanced Stochastic Processes

AREA 3. Human Factors and Ergonomics (SELECT 3 COURSES)

• HCDE 510: Foundation of HCDE
• IMSE 501 Human Factors & Ergonomics
• IMSE 511: Design of Experiments
• IMSE 543: Industrial Ergonomics
• IMSE 545: Vehicle Ergonomics I
• IMSE 546: Safety Engineering
• IMSE 577: Human-Computer Interaction for UI and UX Design
• IMSE 593: Vehicle Packaging Engineering

Cognate Courses

Computer and information science.

• CIS 505: Algorithm Design and Analysis
• CIS 536: Information Retrieval
• CIS 550: Object-Oriented Programming and Applications
• CIS 556: Database Systems
• CIS 571: Web Services
• CIS 579: Artificial Intelligence
• CIS 652: Information Visualization and Computer Animation

Electrical and Computer Engineering

• ECE 533: Active Auto Safety Systems
• ECE 531: Intelligent Vehicle Systems
• ECE 537: Data Mining
• ECE 542: Intr to Pwr Mgmt & Reliability 
• ECE 552: Fuzzy systems
• ECE 579: Intelligent Systems
• ECE 5831: Pattern Recognition and Neural Networks
• ECE 644: Advanced Robotics
• ECE 679: Advanced Intelligent Systems

Mechanical Engineering

• ME 552: Sustainable Energy Systems
• ME 565: Mechatronics
• ME 567: Reliability Considerations in Design
• ME 580: Advanced Engineering Materials
• ME 584: Mechanical Behavior of Polymers

Mathematics and Statistics

• MATH 520: Stochastic Processes
• MATH 525: Mathematical Statistics II
• MATH 562: Mathematical Modeling
• MATH 583: Discrete Optimization
• MATH 584: Applied and Algorithmic Graph Theory
• MATH 592: Introduction to Topology
• STAT 535: Data Analysis and Modeling
• STAT 530: Applied Regression Analysis
• PSYC 530: Psychology in the Workplace
• PSYC 548: Psychological Assessment I
• PSYC 563: Sensation and Perception
• PSYC 561: Learning and Memory
• PSYC 565: Ind. & Grp Tech in Clinical Health Psycology

Cognate Requirement

The IMSE department recognizes the value of intellectual breadth in graduate education and the importance of formal graduate study in areas beyond the student’s field of specialization. The student can satisfy the Ph.D. ISE program cognate requirement in one of the following ways:

• Completion of at least four hours of approved cognate credits, which must be from outside the IMSE department. The minimum acceptable grade for a cognate course is a B. The list of approved cognate courses can be found in the Approved Program courses section.
• Completion of a University of Michigan master’s degree that included a cognate component. This coursework must be completed no more than five (5) years before admission to the Ph.D. ISE program.
• Completion of a relevant master’s degree from another university that had coursework that meets the expectation of the program cognate requirement. This coursework must be completed no more than five (5) years before admission to the Ph.D. ISE program. These courses do not apply toward the minimum 18 credit hours in residence at UM-Dearborn required for the degree and do not appear on the university transcript.

Exams, Milestones and Timeline

Pre-candidacy.

• All coursework
• ENGR 700 seminar
• RCR requirement
• Completion of a 4-credit cognate course with a minimum B grade.

Qualifying Exam

• Completed related Core area coursework 
• Posting a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 out of 4 at the time of applying for the exam

Students must take the Qualifying Exam by the end of the third term in the program.

Candidacy:  Achieving candidacy for the Ph.D. ISE requires:

• Completion of the coursework and Pre-candidacy requirements
• Passing of the qualifying examination
• Dissertation Chair or Co-Chairs
• Submission of the candidacy application form
• Posting a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 out of 4 at the time of applying for the candidacy

Candidates must register for the IMSE 990 Dissertation course each fall and winter until completion of all degree requirements. A Ph.D. ISE student should achieve candidacy within two years from the time of initial enrollment in the program.

Dissertation Proposal Requirements:  The dissertation proposal examination requires:

• Achieving Candidacy
• Identify a research advisor and agree on an appropriate topic
• Submit and defend a proposal for the doctoral research content

The examination must be completed within a year of passing the qualifying examination.

Dissertation and Oral Defense:  The dissertation examination requires the following:

• Conduction an original research
• Submission of a written dissertation
• A Pre-Defense meeting
• An Oral Defense of an approved written dissertation

The dissertation defense may not be scheduled in the same academic term as the dissertation proposal examination.

The Ph.D. ISE program has a limit of 7 years. Students are expected to complete the degree within five years of achieving candidacy, but no more than seven years from the date of the first enrollment in the Ph.D. ISE program.

The purpose of the qualifying examination is to assist both the department and the student in determining whether a student can be expected to perform at a sufficiently high level in advanced coursework and research to complete the requirements for the degree.

The examinations are given twice a year, once in the fall and once in the winter. The qualifying examination is composed of the following.

• By the end of the third semester in the program, a student must take one three-hour written qualifying examination covering the material in three core courses taken in the program.
• Each one-hour portion of the examination covers material from one of three core courses taken in the program: (1) Optimization (coverage of IMSE 505), (2) Applied Probability and Statistics (coverage of IMSE 514), (3) Production (coverage of IMSE 581), and (4) Ergonomics (coverage of IMSE 548).

Forming the Dissertation Committee

Dissertation committee.

The composition of a dissertation committee adheres to the Rackham guidelines (see the Rackham dissertation handbook).

• The dissertation committee will consist of four members, including at least three tenure-track members (appointment as Professor, Associate Professor, or Assistant Professor) of the instructional faculty affiliated with a Rackham doctoral program.
• The student’s dissertation advisor, who must be a member of the graduate faculty of the department, will serve as chair or co-chair.
• Of the additional members, two must hold at least 50% appointment as tenured or tenure-track faculty of the Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, with at least one being a member of the IMSE graduate faculty.
• The third committee member (cognate member) must be from outside the department: a faculty member with at least 50% appointment from a Rackham Doctoral program other than Ph.D. in ISE.
• The composition of the dissertation committee must be approved by the Ph.D. program committee and requires Rackham approval. 
• tenure or tenure-track members of the University’s instructional faculty who are not affiliated with a Rackham doctoral program;
• research faculty;
• instructors and lecturers;
• similarly qualified University faculty or staff, or person from outside the University; and
• former University faculty members who have moved to a faculty position at another university.

In the cases when it is justified by the nature of the student’s research and by approval of the program committee, the dissertation work can be co-supervised by two co-chairs. Both co-chairs must hold at least 50 percent appointments as tenured or tenure-track faculty. One of them must be a member of the graduate faculty of the IMSE department. The other can be from the IMSE department or a department other than IMSE.

Dissertation Proposal and Dissertation Research

Please refer to the path to degree for the policies, procedures, and forms for the dissertation committee, dissertation proposal, dissertation, and final oral defense. , dissertation proposal examination.

The main objective of the dissertation proposal examination is to ensure sufficient strength and feasibility of the proposed research topic, as well as the suitability of the student’s background and skills regarding the topic.

The examination consists of a written dissertation proposal and its open-to-the-public presentation by the student. The examination is conducted by the dissertation committee. As a rule, the dissertation committee continues overseeing the student’s work to the stage of the final dissertation defense.​​​​​

Dissertation

After passing the dissertation proposal examination, the student may proceed with the dissertation research and the writing of the dissertation. The dissertation should document the original contributions made by the candidate as a result of independent research. This research work should be of archival quality. In advance of graduation, all members of the student's dissertation committee must approve the dissertation. To obtain this approval a student must submit a written copy of the dissertation to the dissertation committee and defend the research work at a final oral examination open to other faculty, students, and the interested public. Students must be registered for IMSE 990 the full spring/summer term if defending the dissertation after May during the spring/summer term.

The dissertation must strictly follow the Rackham Graduate School Dissertation guidelines as described in the Dissertation Handbook Guidelines for copyrighting, publishing and distributing, dissertation embargo and distribution limitations.

Students are expected to complete the degree within two years of passing the dissertation proposal exam, but no more than seven years from the date of the first enrollment in the Ph.D. ISE program. The Ph.D. ISE committee conducts annual reviews to evaluate progress toward degree completion. Students defending the dissertation must be registered in the 990 Dissertation Research course.

Dissertation Research Requirement

• Students who have completed the coursework requirements but have not reached the candidacy status should register for IMSE 980 (Pre-Candidacy Dissertation Research). A maximum of 12 credits may be completed in IMSE 980 Pre-Candidacy course. 
• Students who have achieved candidacy should register for 6 credits in IMSE 990 (Doctoral Dissertation Research).

Note that the actual completion of the dissertation project is likely to take several years at full-time enrollment and, thus, require more than the minimum number of credit hours.

Final Oral Defense

Upon completion of the dissertation work, the student initiates the last step toward the degree—the dissertation defense process. The process follows the official guidelines and consists of the following main stages:

• Preparation of a written dissertation formatted in accordance with the guidelines,
• Pre-Defense meetings with the members of the program committee,
• Written evaluations of the dissertation by the dissertation committee members presented to the Ph.D. program committee,
• Public seminar and open question session held by the student
• Private deliberations by the committee,
• Final oral examination report and certificate of approval prepared by the dissertation committee and submitted to the Ph.D. program committee.
• Post-Defense meeting with the CECS Graduate Education Office

Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering

Systems Engineering and Design

Master systems design — online or on-campus.

The Systems Engineering and Design (SED) Master of Engineering (MEng) program at the University of Michigan is designed to shape students into resilient leaders who can thrive in today’s rapidly evolving industries. This program, which can be taken online or on-campus, combines fundamental engineering principles with human-centered design in mind to consider the broader implications of engineering decisions.

Why should I choose SED as my major?

Whether you choose to study online or on-campus, SED graduates will leave with the skills to innovate, optimize complex systems and lead in top companies and research institutions. 

What are the application requirements for the SED program?

A four-year Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or STEM field with a good grade point average.

When is the SED program application deadline?

A holistic review of all applications happens on a rolling basis throughout the year and we admit students for each term: Fall (August), Winter (January), and Spring/Summer (May). Domestic, U.S. permanent resident, and international students wishing to begin on-campus should apply for Fall or Winter.

Students are encouraged to review and consider each deadline carefully to ensure they have adequate time to prepare a complete application: if an application is incomplete by the extended consideration deadline, the applicant must re-apply for a future term and pay that application fee. International students are encouraged to apply for the early decision deadline, as it may require extra time to collect the necessary documentation for visa paperwork after admissions.

Applicants will receive an admissions decision within 6-8 weeks of the posted deadline. All application submissions are final and application fees are non-refundable.

SED rolling deadlines chart

How do I apply to the SED program?

Application submissions are open year-round which means you can submit your application today! To speak to an advisor about the SED program contact [email protected] .

Graduate Advisor

Matt Irelan

Graduate Student Advisor/Program Coordinator

Program Lead

Robert Bordley

Professor of Practice

Graduate Certificate in Manufacturing Systems

• College of Engineering

Become an efficient and innovative manufacturing engineer. You will be trained to design and manufacture sustainable products using more sustainable processes and systems. This online program will prepare you to become a highly skilled engineer that contributes to the success of organizations.

At a Glance

Spring 2025, credits and tuition cost (2024-2025).

• All Programs
• Graduate Certificates
• Manufacturing Systems

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Graduate Certificate in Manufacturing Systems overview

What you'll learn.

Are you interested in pursuing graduate education in manufacturing systems engineering but not ready to commit to a master’s degree yet? Then, consider enrolling in the Online Graduate Certificate in Manufacturing Systems. The certificate is structured as a four-course program with all courses available entirely online. It provides graduate-level qualifications for engineers and manufacturing professionals in industry who are interested in expanding their qualifications with less of a time investment than is required for a full master’s degree.

• To ensure production processes are efficient and more sustainable and that products are produced at the lowest cost in the shortest time more sustainably.
• Designing, evaluating, and installing systems in manufacturing equipment.

Course Examples

• MFS 505 Modeling of Manufacturing Processes
• MFS 605 Systems for Factory Information and Control
• MFS 606 Global Issues in Manufacturing
• MFS 613 Sustainability, Ethics, and Leadership in Manufacturing Organizations

How to Apply

Application requirements.

Standard graduate application requirements apply.

• Statement of Purpose
• Two Letters of recommendation ( Only an email address is required. Our system will ask them to upload their letter.)

NOTE:  Any student currently enrolled, or accepted, to the University of Kentucky Graduate School as a graduate student, or in post-baccalaureate or university scholar status**, can be considered for admission [**University scholar students must have senior standing, have completed all University studies requirements --- a minimum of 90 hours, 3.5 GPA in major, 3.2 GPA overall].

Admissions Criteria

Standard graduate admission requirements apply.

• A minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA
• A bachelor’s degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited post-secondary school (or equivalent) or a bachelor’s degree in technology management, business,  chemistry, mathematics, physics, or other related areas
• Demonstrate (via official transcript) successful completion (grade B or better) in each of 2 courses (minimum total 6 credit-hours) of college mathematics (consisting of differential and integral calculus). 

Program Contact

Distance learning, licensure & authorization.

Where you live matters when completing distance education activities. If you will live outside of Kentucky while completing your program, please check the Distance Learning Authorization & Licensure page to confirm that the program can be offered in your state or country, and if relevant, that it meets professional licensure requirements in your state. Please note: Admission and enrollment in a fully-online program can NOT lead to the issuance of a J-1 or F-1 student visa. 

Student Support

Once you become a student, you will have access to a wide variety of academic support services to maximize your success. These services are available completely online to meet the needs of our online students.

Why UK Online

One tuition rate, be supported.

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