MSSEM (522)

Master of Science in Systems Engineering Management  (522 curriculum) 

The Master of Science in Systems Engineering Management (MSSEM) Program is an interdisciplinary program combining systems engineering with acquisition management knowledge and skills. The program is intended to broaden the technical capabilities of officers who may have non-technical backgrounds so they are able to manage and lead acquisition programs for the complex combat systems the DOD needs. Students in this program learn the systems engineering process from establishing system requirements through test and evaluation. Simultaneously students learn how to manage, schedule, and budget programs, as well as work with DOD suppliers through contracts to meet program obligations.

The MSSEM degree is not ABET EAC accredited.

Admission Requirements

•    Baccalaureate degree with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.6 (the degree does not have to be an engineering degree)
•    Completion of at least two semesters of college algebra or trigonometry.

(These requirements correspond to the Academic Profile Code (APC) of 245.)

International students should refer to the Admissions section for current TOEFL and entrance requirements.

Entry Dates: October
Length of Study: Six quarters
Program Officer: CDR Michael Moran
Academic Associate: Joel Hagan

MSSEM Degree Requirements: 

  • Completion of an approved curriculum that includes:
    • A minimum of 36 quarter hours of 3000 and 4000 level courses, 16 of which must be at the 4000 level.
    • Completion of Core Systems Engineering and Systems Engineering Management course sequences
  • Completion of an 8-quarter credit hour capstone project course sequence and capstone project report or thesis course sequence and a thesis (by exception).

Student Outcomes

To achieve the program educational objectives for the Master of Science in Systems Engineering Management (MSSEM) program, graduates must complete at least one year of study, or at least 48 quarter credit hours, beyond a baccalaureate level program, achieve a mastery of systems engineering management, and complete a thesis or capstone project report, where each student attains outcomes demonstrating competency in:

  • The engineering relationships between the management tasks of planning, organization, leadership, and control, as well as the human element of managing engineering professionals in production, research, and service organizations.
  • The stochastic nature of management systems.
  • Systems engineering management to include an understanding of the systems engineering process, and the ability to contribute to the definition of system requirements, evaluation of system architecture, verification and validation activities, system integration, and system design.
  • Deriving and defining system requirements and specifications. This includes performing system assessment, evaluating system design alternatives, estimating and analyzing the system cost, schedule, and performance risk, and analyzing and planning for system verification and validation.
  • The planning and management of complex projects and the principles and current approaches to manage systems design, integration, verification and validation in a holistic manner across the system lifecycle.
  • Communication: Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Curriculum Sponsors

Director, Acquisition Career Management, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology): ASA/ALT (DACM)