Doctor of Systems Engineering

Earn your Doctor of Engineering in Systems Engineering from CSU

As the technology we use becomes increasingly more complex and interconnected, the need for skilled systems engineers is growing, particularly in industries like aerospace, aviation, power and energy, and information technology. This program is intended to help create the next generation of leaders in the field of systems engineering. Coursework reflects the rigor and depth expected of a professional doctorate program and emphasizes strategic problem solving, advanced leadership and business skills, and the knowledge required to address enterprise-level systems engineering challenges.

A program designed for engineering professionals

Developed with practicing engineers in mind, CSU’s Doctor of Engineering in Systems Engineering program provides advanced training and in-depth knowledge that can be used to solve complex, real-world problems. As a participant in this program, you will study both the theoretical framework of systems engineering and the technical applications needed to organize, manage, and implement projects in a range of industry settings. Interdisciplinary skills and the applied aspects of systems engineering are fundamental elements of this program’s core curriculum.

Ideal candidates for this systems engineering degree have considerable industry experience in addition to support from their current employer or organization. After being accepted, doctoral candidates in this program are assigned an advisory committee, which will include a faculty member with industry experience.

How does the Doctor of Engineering differ from a Ph.D.?

While CSU’s Ph.D. in Systems Engineering is primarily focused on systems engineering theory and scholarship (an excellent path for anyone interested in teaching), this professional doctorate program is centered on the practice and application of systems engineering principles. After being equipped with a greater depth of knowledge, graduates of this program will be prepared to seek advancement opportunities and take on leadership roles in their industry of choice.

Learn from leaders in engineering scholarship and research

By participating in this program, you will have the opportunity to study under faculty with decades of experience in applying engineering research to real-world challenges. Because CSU faculty often incorporate their own scholarship and work into the curriculum, you will also have access to some of the groundbreaking research currently taking place at the College of Engineering.

To learn more about the faculty members associated with the systems engineering doctorate program, please visit the Systems Engineering website.

The highly selective nature of this program maintains the integrity and quality of the student experience. There are two options for students pursuing the Doctor of Engineering in Systems Engineering:

1. A 72-credit program for students who do not already have an engineering or science master’s degree
2. An alternate 42-credit program option for students who already have an applicable master's degree with at least 30 credits

Requirements

A minimum of 72 credits are required to complete this program.

Doctor of Engineering in Systems Engineering – 42 credits needed

(Students with an applicable master's degree earned with at least 30 credits)

• 24 course credits required
• Practicum (9 cr.)
• Dissertation (9 cr.)

Doctor of Engineering in Systems Engineering – 72 credits needed

(Students without an applicable master's degree)

• 54 course credits required
• Practicum (9 cr.)
• Dissertation (9 cr.)

Required Courses

Note: SYSE 710 must be completed in your first year. SYSE 501, ENGR 502, SYSE 530, and ENGR 531 are required courses for students without an applicable master’s degree. For students with an applicable master’s degree, SYSE 501, ENGR 502, SYSE 530, and ENGR 531 are Systems Engineering Depth course choices.

• SYSE 501 – Foundations of Systems Engineering (3 cr.)
• CIS 600 – Information Technology and Project Management (3 cr.)
  Or
  CIS 670 – Advanced IT Project Management (3 cr.)
  Or
  ENGR 502 – Engineering Project and Program Management (3 cr.)
• SYSE 530 – Overview of Systems Engineering Processes (3 cr.)
• ENGR 531 – Engineering Risk Analysis (3 cr.)
• SYSE 710 – Leadership/Innovation in Systems Engineering (3 cr.)

Systems Engineering Depth Courses

• Students with an applicable master’s degree will select 15 credits.
• Students without an applicable master’s degree will select 21 credits.

• SYSE 501 – Foundations of Systems Engineering (3 cr.)
• ENGR 510 – Engineering Optimization: Method/Application (3 cr.)
• SYSE 512 – Systems Sensing and Imaging Analysis (3 cr.)
• MECH 513 – Simulation Modeling and Experimentation (3 cr.)
• ENGR 520 – Engineering Decision Support/Expert Systems (3 cr.)
• ENGR 525 – Intellectual Property and Invention Systems (3 cr.)
• SYSE 530 – Overview of Systems Engineering Processes (3 cr.)
• ENGR 531 – Engineering Risk Analysis (3 cr.)
• SYSE 532 – Dynamics of Complex Engineering Systems (3 cr.)
• SYSE 534 – Human Systems Integration (3 cr.)
• ENGR 540 – Design Analysis of Engineering Experiments (3 cr.)
• SYSE 541 – Engineering Data Design and Visualization (3 cr.)
• ENGR/ECE 565 – Electrical Power Engineering (3 cr.)
• SYSE 567 – Systems Engineering Architecture (3 cr.)
• SYSE 569 – Cybersecurity Awareness for Systems Engineers (3 cr.)
• ENGR 570 – Coupled Electromechanical Systems (3 cr.)
• SYSE 571 – Analytics in Systems Engineering (3 cr.)
• SYSE 573 – Cost Optimization for Systems Engineers (3 cr.)
• SYSE 580A1 – Control Engineering for Systems Engineers (3 cr.)
• SYSE 580A2 – Applied Systems Thinking for the Real World (3 cr.)
• SYSE 580A3 – Development of Aerospace Actuation Systems (3 cr.)
• SYSE 580A4 – Space Mission Analysis and Design (3 cr.)
• SYSE 580A5 – Teaching and Training Using Immersive Tech. (3 cr.)
• ENGR 581A6 – Quant. Behavioral Modeling for Engineers (3 cr.)
• CIS 600 – Information Technology and Project Management (3 cr.)
  Or
  CIS 670 – Advanced IT Project Management (3 cr.)
  Or
  ENGR 502 – Engineering Project and Program Management (3 cr.)
• SYSE 602 – Systems Requirements Engineering (3 cr.)
• SYSE 603 – Introduction to Systems Test and Evaluation (3 cr.)
• SYSE 667 – Advanced Model-Based Systems Engineering (3 cr.)

Note: New or experimental courses may be added; check with SE advisor

Applied Electives

Select at least 3 credits from the following:

• BUS 500 – Business Systems and Processes (2 cr.)
• BUS 601 – Quantitative Business Analysis (2 cr.)
• CIS 570 – Business Intelligence (3 cr.)
• CIS 575 – Applied Data Mining and Analytics in Business (3 cr.)

Professional Electives

Select at least 3 credits from the following:

• BUS 620 – Leadership and Teams (2 cr.)
• BUS 630 – Information Management (2 cr.)
• SYSE 711 – Ethics in Systems Engineering (1 cr.)
• CIS 676 – Information Technology Management (3 cr.)
• PSY 647 – Applied Industrial Psychology (3 cr.)
• PSY 648 – Applied Organizational Psychology (3 cr.)

Technical Electives

For students with an applicable master level degree, no technical electives are permitted.

For students without an applicable master level degree, select 12 credits from a list of suggested electives. The list is not exhaustive. If you find a graduate-level technical course that pertains to your professional goals and/or the systems engineering field, please contact the systems engineering department to check if it may apply as an elective.

Practicum and Dissertation

• SYSE 786 – Applied Systems Engineering Practicum (9 cr.)

Note: The Preliminary Exam is expected to be completed prior to enrolling in SYSE 786 credits. SYSE 786 credits may be taken concurrently with a last semester of coursework, with committee permission. Practicum credits can be completed throughout multiple semesters. 9 credits is the minimum; students may end up needing to take more depending on their progress and project.

• SYSE 799B – Dissertation: Professional Doctorate (9 cr.)

Note: All SYSE 786 credits and requirements must be completed prior to enrolling in SYSE 799B credits. Dissertation credits can be completed throughout multiple semesters. 9 credits is the minimum; students may end up needing to take more depending on their progress and project.

Please email sys_engr_info@engr.colostate.edu with any questions pertaining to coursework or advising.

Before applying to this program, it is strongly recommended that you contact the Systems Engineering Department to understand all requirements.

Application Deadlines

The Doctor of Engineering is a highly competitive program with limited openings. Your complete application is due by the following dates. If an applicant misses these dates, they will need to change their application term to the next term.