Master of Science in Systems Engineering
Develop the technical expertise and managerial skills to design, integrate, and lead solutions to some of today’s most challenging problems across aerospace, defense, government, and advanced technology sectors.
Program Overview
Loyola Marymount University’s Master of Science in Systems Engineering is a flexible, fully online graduate program designed for working engineers who want to advance into leadership roles. Through evening classes, you’ll learn how to design, manage, and improve complex systems across aerospace, defense, software, cybersecurity, and engineering sectors — while also building the communication, management, and leadership skills to help you guide cross-disciplinary teams and projects.
LMU’s Systems Engineering program puts you at the forefront of innovation — where technology, leadership, AI, and complex systems converge. Here, you won’t just learn theory; you’ll be empowered to think big, collaborate across disciplines, and leverage lean engineering principles to take projects from concept to implementation.
You’ll gain real-world training from professors who also hold positions at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, The Aerospace Corporation, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and LinQuest.
Key Facts
Program Length: 1.5 – 2.5 years
Format: Online
Class Times: Weeknights
Units: 30
Application Deadline: July 1 (Fall); November 1 (Spring); March 1 (Summer)
Why Choose LMU
Learn from Industry Leaders
Learn from faculty who bring real-world expertise directly into the virtual classroom. Many are active leaders in the industry, holding positions at organizations such as NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, The Aerospace Corporation, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and LinQuest. Their experience ensures that what you learn is immediately relevant, while their mentorship provides invaluable guidance on career growth.
Schedule Tailored to Working Professionals
Courses are held online in the evenings, making it possible to advance your education without stepping away from your career. Plus, during your graduate capstone project, your professors provide flexible one-on-one engagement so you can continue to balance school, work, and personal commitments.
Small Classes with Individualized Mentoring
With a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio, you are guaranteed a highly personalized learning experience. Your professors know your name, provide tailored feedback, and adapt course content to align with your goals, interests, and professional aspirations.
Connected to LA Aerospace and Tech Industries
Engage directly with industry leaders — many of them LMU alumni — through college-wide and department-sponsored events such as Seaver Spotlight and the annual Systems Engineering networking brunch. These opportunities connect you to professionals across aerospace, defense, healthcare, and advanced technology, helping you expand your network.
Current, Industry-Relevant Curriculum
Curriculum is crafted with input from leaders at organizations like Raytheon, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman, who serve on the LMU Systems Engineering Advisory Board. Members ensure courses are based on current and future industry needs to keep LMU students competitive. Learn more about the Systems Engineering Advisory Board.
Earn Your INCOSE Certification
Graduate with the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) Associate Systems Engineering Practitioner (ASEP) certification — a respected credential that demonstrates your systems engineering knowledge to employers. Because LMU’s curriculum is approved by INCOSE, you can earn the certification without taking the INCOSE knowledge exam, giving you a valuable resume credential from day one. Learn more about LMU's INCOSE membership.
What You'll Learn
In LMU’s Systems Engineering graduate program, you will develop the technical engineering expertise and leadership skills needed to guide complex projects from concept through development, integration, and operation. The curriculum blends engineering rigor with practical management approaches, preparing you to navigate the full life cycle of modern systems with confidence and impact.
As a graduate of LMU’s Systems Engineering program, you will be able to:
- Apply core systems engineering principles to solve complex, real-world challenges
- Leverage project management and lean engineering practices to enhance efficiency and performance
- Model, analyze, and evaluate integrated systems using advanced technical methods
- Architect and manage complex systems across their entire life cycle
- Lead innovative technology initiatives, teams, and organizations
Customize Your Program
In addition to building a strong foundation in systems engineering and engineering management, you can tailor your academic experience to align with your professional goals and interests. LMU’s Systems Engineering program offers a diverse range of elective topics, allowing you to expand your expertise in areas such as:
- Aeronautics and space systems
- Business law for engineering
- Cybersecurity
- Engineering economics
- Engineering leadership and integrity
- Startup entrepreneurship
This flexibility empowers you to shape a program of study that supports your career aspirations and positions you for success in a rapidly evolving engineering landscape.
Systems Engineering Program Structure
The program consists of 11 courses, thoughtfully structured across four categories to provide both depth and flexibility:
- 4 required systems engineering courses to build your core foundation
- 4 systems engineering elective courses to deepen your expertise in specialized areas
- 1 elective course in math, science, engineering, or business to broaden your perspective
- 2 capstone courses spanning a full academic year, where you apply your knowledge to real-world projects
Learn more about the systems engineering master's program curriculum and courses.
Additional Systems Engineering Programs
In addition to the M.S. in Systems Engineering, LMU offers several other related programs:
Dual Degree – M.S. in Systems Engineering and MBA
Earn your M.S. in Systems Engineering degree along with an MBA at the same time at LMU. Earn both degrees in a shorter time frame. Learn more about LMU's dual M.S./MBA program.
Graduate Certificate
Fast track your technical expertise in specialized areas with LMU’s Systems Engineering certificate program, which can be completed in one year or less. Learn more about the four specialty certificates in systems engineering and admission requirements.
LMU Accelerated Master’s Program for Current Students
If you’re a current LMU undergraduate student, you can enroll in LMU’s Accelerated Master’s Program and earn your master’s in systems engineering in just a year. Learn more about how you can save time and money through LMU's Accelerated Master's Program.
Systems Engineering Outcomes
Graduate Success
The Systems Engineering graduate program at LMU helps students move into leadership roles and increase earning potential in technology, aerospace, defense, and engineering fields. Graduates of our program are prepared for and often secure job titles like:
- Systems Engineer
- Project Manager
- Department Manager
- Project Engineer
- Product Manager
Where LMU Alumni Work
Our Systems Engineering graduates secure jobs at some of the nation’s top aerospace, engineering, and technology firms. LMU alumni are working at:
- AT&T
- Boeing
- HRL Laboratories
- L3Harris
- General Dynamics
- NGC Aerospace
- Northrop Grumman
- Raytheon
- The Aerospace Corporation
- Voyager Technologies
Alumni Spotlight
Systems Engineering Alum Manages Satellite Systems at Boeing
Systems engineering alum Dal Lee, ’94, M.S. ’06, manages complex technical problems in his role as chief systems engineer of satellite systems at Boeing.
Alum Lands Promotion in Cybersecurity at Northrop Grumman
After graduating, systems engineering alum Bryan Calungcagin, M.S. ’20, got a promotion managing a systems engineering group for cybersecurity at Northrop Grumman.
Systems Engineering Alum Works on Starlab Space Station
Systems engineering alum Jackie Space, M.S. ’12, leads partnerships with universities and companies for the Starlab space station in her role at Voyager Technologies.
Alum Leads Remote Sensing Programs at Northrop Grumman
Systems engineering alum Candace Givens, M.S. ’11, VP of Remote Sensing Programs at Northrop Grumman, is responsible for delivering space systems, payloads, and software.
Admission and Application
The master’s program in Systems Engineering at LMU can be started in the fall, spring, or summer I semester. Note: Applications submitted after the listed deadlines may still be considered and reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Application Deadlines
- Fall Semester - July 1
- Spring Semester - November 1
- Summer I Semester - March 1
- Summer II Semester - N/A
Application Requirements
- A completed Online Application and $50 application fee
- Official transcripts of all colleges and universities attended
- If the applicant’s GPA is below 3.0: Also submit two letters of recommendation from past professors or current employer
- A resume demonstrating at least two years of work experience
- A personal statement (1-2 pages) discussing how the graduate program fits the applicant’s career goals
Find the full admission requirements for the Systems Engineering program, including academic requirements, transfer credit, and deferment policies, on the LMU Bulletin.
Tuition
The LMU Systems Engineering graduate program is 30 units total (11 courses). To calculate tuition costs, view the LMU Controller website for the latest academic year’s tuition cost per unit.
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