In a rapidly changing technological world, graduate degrees are highly desirable and very often, master’s degrees are required to hold professional systems engineering positions in the industry, and in federal, state and municipal government agencies. Our graduate programs are designed to educate the technological leaders of the future in system engineering and are structured to accommodate both full-time and part-time students.
Program Overview
The Master of engineering with a Concentration in systems engineering requires 31 credits. The curricular requirements are described in detail in this catalog. Prospective students are encouraged to speak with the Graduate Program Director.
Additional Information
Graduate Student Program Handbook: For additional information, please contact the Graduate Program Director (emse@odu.edu).
Additional Graduate Student Resources (Graduate School): The Graduate School has extensive additional resources for graduate students at https://www.odu.edu/graduateschool/graduate-student-resources
Program Financial Aid: Our programs offer graduate assistantships with stipends that are awarded to students after a competitive review process. The level of award is determined on the basis of previous experience and performance as a graduate assistant and on the student’s academic achievement and potential in the field. In addition, a number of teaching and research positions are available for financial support of graduate assistants during the summer months (June and July).
Accelerated Study (Dual Dominion Program): Undergraduate students in the Frank Batten College of Engineering and Technology can apply for entry into the Dual Dominion Program, which permits students to begin pursuit of a graduate degree in system Engineering while they are still pursuing their undergraduate degree in a complementary discipline. Subject to the approval of the undergraduate and graduate program directors, a student enrolled in the Dual Dominion program can count up to six credit hours of course work towards both the undergraduate and the graduate degrees. Full-time students may be able to complete the requirements for the bachelor's degree in four years and the master's degree in one additional year. Students who are matriculated in an undergraduate major in the Frank Batten College of Engineering and Technology with a GPA of at least 3.00 overall and 3.00 in the major are eligible to apply for admission to a Dual Dominion Bachelor's/Master's program. Additional Undergraduate Catalog information on the Dual Dominion program can be found at https://catalog.odu.edu/undergraduate/registrationrequirementsandprocedures/linked_programs/.
Degree Description
The Master of Engineering – Systems Engineering, provides an interdisciplinary approach to support the realization, deployment, and maintenance of successful system solutions to complex problems. This program builds upon your technical background as an engineer. It is designed to provide in-depth, real-world practitioner expertise in engineering complex system solutions. In addition, this rigorous educational experience will help develop your skills in effectively addressing complex problems for both government and commercial organizations. Students in the program are introduced to core competencies for systems engineering, complex systems, modeling, systems analysis, complex problem solving needed for successful delivery of system solutions.
Admission Information
Application Process
Summary: Applications for graduate study in the Master of Engineering - Systems Engineering (MESE)) should be made through the general ODU Application Portal. Additional materials supporting your application (outlined below) will be required. Once complete, your application package will be reviewed and forwarded to the Graduate Program Director for consideration. Questions regarding the general application process and application deadlines can be directed to admissions@odu.edu (on-campus) or globaladmissions@odu.edu (online).
General ODU Requirements
General ODU Requirements: General requirements for graduate admission to the MESE Program can be found on the ODU Graduate Admissions website. Additional details can be found in the Admissions section of the Graduate Catalog.
Additional Program Requirements:
Prior Degrees: Master of Engineering - Systems Engineering degree applicants will have a bachelor’s degree in engineering or engineering technology, from an ABET accredited institution with a strong background in mathematics and physical sciences. International students must meet University admission requirements; please refer to the website: https://www.odu.edu/admissions/proficiency.
Undergraduate GPA: Undergraduate degree from a U.S. ABET-accredited program in engineering or engineering technology with a GPA of 3.00 (out of 4.00) or better. Students who do not meet the requirements may be considered for admission based on transcript evidence of applicable physics and calculus courses, a résumé indicating relevant work experience in an engineering discipline, and/or satisfactory GRE quantitative scores.
Transcripts: All official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended are required.
Examination/Test Scores: Submission of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are nominally required. However, this requirement is waived if the applicant holds an engineering degree from an ABET accredited institution in the USA.
Language Proficiency Requirements: TOEFL (or IELTS) scores are required for all applicants whose native language is not English unless their BS degrees are from USA institutions. These applicants must meet University admission requirements (IELTS: 6.5 or TOEFL iBT: 79); please refer to the website: https://www.odu.edu/admissions/proficiency for additional details.
Résumé: A résumé or CV detailing relevant experience is required.
Personal Statement: Each applicant must submit an essay of 500 words or less describing personal and academic goals, professional objectives, preparation for graduate study, and how the chosen program will help the applicant achieve these goals and objectives.
Recommendation Letters: Two letters of recommendation must be submitted. At least one must be from former or current professors, and one could alternatively be from an employment supervisors.
Provisional Admission: Students not meeting the above requirements may be admitted provisionally. Only the Graduate Program Director (GPD) can waive an admission requirement. Please reach out directly to the GPD if you think you are eligible for a waiver from a requirement. The GPD may request additional information, including GRE scores. Provisionally admitted students may be required to complete additional prerequisite course requirements to prepare them for the graduate curriculum in the discipline.
Curriculum Requirements
Curriculum requirements in the Master of Engineering with Concentration in Systems Engineering (MESE) are in accordance with the general requirements for master's degrees at Old Dominion University as specified in the Requirements for Graduate Degrees section of this catalog.
Progression in the MESE program is governed by a Plan of Study that is established by the student in conjunction with his/her advisor within the first nine credit hours of coursework. The Plan of Study will follow the established course requirements (below) unless a substitution to one or more courses is agreed upon between the student and their primary advisor and approved by the Graduate Program Director.
All students must have mathematics coursework through the level of integral calculus, matrix algebra or differential equations, and ENMA 420 or equivalent calculus-based probability and statistics. Students who have not had a calculus-based probability and statistics course will be required to include ENMA 420, or equivalent, as part of their plan of study as an additional requirement to the 31 credit hours. All students are expected to communicate effectively both orally and in written documents, that are correct in grammar, style, and mechanics. Those deemed insufficient may be required to take remedial speech or writing courses.
Curricular Requirements
The Master of Engineering with concentration in Systems Engineering (MESE) program requires 31 credits of coursework (10 three-credit courses plus a one-credit capstone course). At least three-fifths (3/5) of coursework must be at the 600- or 700-level for the M.E.M. degree. Students must maintain a 3.00 GPA or better. Students must meet all University continuance requirements.
Progression in the MESE program is governed by a Plan of Study that is established by the student in conjunction with his/her advisor within the first semester of coursework. The Plan of Study will follow the established course requirements (below) unless a substitution to one or more courses is agreed upon between the student and their primary advisor and approved by the Graduate Program Director.
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credit Hours |
| Introduction to Systems Engineering | |
| Mathematical and Computational Modeling in Systems Engineering | |
| Systems Architectures | |
| Model-based Systems Design | |
| Systems Analysis | |
| |
| System Risk and Failure Analysis | |
| Reliability and Maintainability | |
| Robust Engineering Design | |
| Risk and Vulnerability Management of Complex Interdependent Systems | |
| Systems Engineering Capstone | |
| Total Credit Hours | 31 |
Additional Requirements
Requirements for Graduation
In addition to completing all the required courses, all graduate students must complete the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) basic course, Responsible Conduct for Engineers. The basic course includes the following modules: Misconduct (falsification, fabrication, and plagiarism); Data acquisition, management, sharing and ownership; Mentor/trainee relationships; Publication practice and responsible authorship; Peer review; Conflicts of interest; and Collaborative research. The RCR modules must be completed prior to completion of 12 semester hours. Students who fail to complete this requirement will have a registration hold placed on their records.
