Systems Engineering Master of Engineering
Shape the intelligent systems that will define the next era of engineering from aerospace and robotics to transportation, energy, and health care. Duke’s MEng in Systems Engineering is the modern systems engineering graduate program focused on designing and developing the systems of the future: systems that are intelligent, autonomous, and cyber-physical.
Don’t just be a contributor to the systems of the future. In our master’s of engineering program, you will develop the combination of technical mastery and systems engineering expertise needed to lead the design and development of these systems. Study on campus or complete your master’s online with the same Duke faculty, courses, and degree. Along the way, you’ll tackle real-world projects, build hands-on experience in systems design and engineering, and join a collaborative, supportive master’s program community in a world-leading university.
Learn to Design Complex, Multidisciplinary Systems
The systems engineering master’s of engineering degree (MEng) prepares you to design, integrate, and lead the development of systems that solve the world’s most complex problems. You’ll join a growing community of Duke systems engineers making an outsized impact in space, defense, energy, transportation, and beyond.
An ideal master’s degree for:
- Recent graduates with an engineering or computer science degree seeking to complement their disciplinary background with a systems engineering skillset and mindset
- Working professionals looking to advance their career and build a systems engineering skillset
- Duke undergraduates who want to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees in just five years
Curriculum Overview
Complete a minimum of 30 credits (typically 10 or more courses) in a systems engineering master’s degree curriculum that’s updated regularly to reflect changing industry needs as systems become more intelligent and autonomous. You’ll combine technical work to build depth in your field of choice with a strong foundation in modern systems engineering practices to prepare you for success in industry.
Every student in the systems engineering master’s program completes:
- Three (3) core systems engineering courses, including a capstone project
- Three (3) technical courses to build depth in a field of choice
- Two (2) systems engineering electives
- Two (2) industry preparation core courses
You can also optionally choose to pursue the Space Systems or Cyber Systems track through your choice of electives, allowing you to tailor your learning experience toward one of these fields.
Choose Your Path
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Pursue this degree over three (3) full semesters plus the summer session, allowing you time to take additional electives and specialize. Students pursuing this path may take a partial or whole load of courses during their final semester.
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Significantly more affordable than a traditional master’s program—in this option, pay tuition for only two (2) full semesters plus three (3) summer session credits.
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Work full-time while you pursue your degree over four (4) or more semesters, part-time
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Duke undergraduate students can complete an undergraduate degree and this master’s degree in just five (5) years.
Scholarship opportunity: The Systems Engineering 4+1 BSE+Master’s scholarship covers 20 percent of the costs. Eligibility and other conditions apply.
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Curriculum Schedules
The core of the curriculum follows a cohort-based course sequence. Select an option to view the schedule options.
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Pre-Program Summer Fall 1 Spring Summer Fall 2 Pre-requsite: SYSENG 503: Computing & Data Analysis for Systems Engineers SYSENG 510: Systems Engineering Fundamentals SYSENG 520: Systems Modelling & Analysis Industry Internship or Project SYSENG 549: Capstone Project SYSENG 511: Multidisciplinary Engineering Foundations MENG 570: Business Fundamentals for Engineers Technical Elective 2 MENG 540: Management of High-tech Industries SYSENG Elective 2 SYSENG Elective 1 Technical Elective 1 SYSENG 501: Industry Seminar Series EGR 590: Career Strategy & Design -
Pre-Program Summer Fall Spring Summer Pre-requsite: SYSENG 503: Computing & Data Analysis for Systems Engineers SYSENG 510: Systems Engineering Fundamentals SYSENG 520: Systems Modelling & Analysis Industry Internship or Project SYSENG 511: Multidisciplinary Engineering Foundations SYSENG 549: Capstone Project MENG 570: Business Fundamentals for Engineers MENG 540: Management of High-tech Industries SYSENG Elective 2 SYSENG Elective 1 Technical Elective 1 SYSENG 501: Industry Seminar Series Technical Elective 2 EGR 590: Career Strategy & Design -
Pre-Program Summer Fall 1 Spring 1 Summer 1 Fall 2 Spring 2 Summer 2 Pre-requsite: SYSENG 503: Computing & Data Analysis for Systems Engineers SYSENG 510: Systems Engineering Fundamentals SYSENG 520: Systems Modelling & Analysis MENG 570: Business Fundamentals for Engineers SYSENG Elective 1 SYSENG Elective 2 SYSENG 549: Capstone Project SYSENG 511: Multidisciplinary Engineering Foundations MENG 540: Management of High-tech Industries Technical Elective 1 Technical Elective 2 SYSENG 501: Industry Seminar Series On-Campus Residency On-Campus Residency On-Campus Residency
Why Duke for a Masters in Systems Engineering?
Duke’s Master of Engineering in Systems Engineering offers a flexible, adaptive curriculum aligned with the latest practices in industry, focused on the modern cyber-physical systems that are becoming increasingly intelligent and autonomous through the integration of AI. Whether you’re a recent college graduate or a technical leader looking to advance your career and build your systems engineering skillset and mindset, this program will help you grow into a systems engineering expert capable of leading the development of next-generation complex systems.
A Flexible Degree Designed for You
On campus or online — Duke has you covered. Choose the format that fits your life: study full time on campus in Durham, or complete a systems engineering masters online on a part-time schedule while you continue working. In either path, you earn the same Duke systems engineering master’s degree so you can advance your career without putting it on hold.
Partnered With Industry
Duke’s Systems Engineering curriculum was designed around modern approaches to systems engineering and focused on the systems of the future: software-intensive, intelligent and autonomous. The courses were developed with heavy input from leaders across systems fields. Our faculty come with significant experience in industry prior to joining Duke and draw from their experience to help students understand how things are done in the real world, not just in the textbook.
Students in the MEng Systems Engineering have significant opportunity to interact with industry through:
- Our weekly Industry Seminar Series during Fall semester
- Hands-on capstone projects
- An industry internship or project during the summer
FAQ for the Systems Engineering MEng
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The Duke MEng in Systems Engineering prepares graduates to pursue careers in systems – oriented fields such as aerospace, defense, transportation, energy, and health care. Many students pursue systems engineering job roles in industry after graduation, while others go into design engineering roles within their discipline but apply their systems engineering skills and mindset within their work. Some graduates take on leadership roles as systems engineering managers, engineering team leaders, or program/project managers.
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Yes. You can complete the Systems Engineering master’s degree on campus in Durham or via our online program; both options share the same courses, faculty, and Duke degree, and the online format includes three half-week residency periods on campus.
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Students in the Standard Track finish in 3 semesters on campus, and students pursuing the Accelerated Track finish in 2 semesters plus an online summer course. Students pursuing the online program can complete the degree in as little as 24 months but have the flexibility to extend it up to 6 years part-time.
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You’ll complete 30 credits, including core systems engineering courses, a set of technical courses to build depth in your chosen domain, two systems engineering electives, two industry preparation courses, and a capstone project.
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Yes. You can tailor your experience in the program by optionally pursuing the Space Systems track or the Cyber Systems track.
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Duke’s Master of Engineering in Systems Engineering teaches modern systems engineering practices and focuses on the design and development of modern systems across industries. Our program enables students to apply the practices of systems engineering to systems that are becoming increasingly software-intensive, intelligent, and autonomous. Our rigorous curriculum combines a strong foundation in systems engineering with opportunities to build technical depth and breadth in your chosen field to prepare you to become a systems engineering leader.
Ready to Design the Systems of the Future?
If you’re ready to advance your career with a systems engineering master’s degree, Duke gives you the flexibility, mentorship and real-world experience to move into high-impact roles. Whether you choose the on-campus option or the online path, Duke’s MEng in Systems Engineering program connects you with expert faculty, a supportive and collaborative community and the skills to lead in a rapidly changing landscape.