Architecture-Based Systems Integration Graduate Certificate

Program Description

This program prepares systems engineers for new industry regulations relating to the acquisition of systems, with a focus on an architecture-based approach for integrating proposed systems with other existing or planned systems. Students learn about formulation of the system integration problem, definition of architecture frameworks, use of structured analysis and object-oriented methodologies for the design of architectures, modeling and simulation for evaluation of architectures, and approaches to integration. Both defense and industrial applications are considered.

What it costs

The total cost for this program is $813.25 per credit hour for VA state residents or $1,581.25 per credit hour for Non-VA residents. See the Cost tab below for a breakdown of tuition and fees. All of Mason’s tuition rates and fees can be found on our Student Accounts site.

Application Deadline

This program has an application deadline of March 15 for Fall and October 15 for Spring. The application deadline for non-degree students is August 15 for Fall and January 4 for Spring. For all application information and deadlines, see the Admissions site.

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Who should apply?

Systems engineers who desire to be prepared for the new industry regulations related to the acquisition of systems should consider this program. Whereas other engineering disciplines concentrate on the details of individual aspects of a system (electronics, mechanics, ergonomics, aerodynamics, software, etc.), systems engineering involves the integration of all of these aspects into a coherent and effective system.

Students may pursue the certificate as a part of the fully online MS in Systems Engineering degree program or as a stand-alone graduate certificate.

Why choose George Mason?

Mason is located in the heart of the DC area, the region with the highest concentration of systems engineering professions in the US. Thus, faculty and students bring a wealth of practical experience that enhances the educational experience and helps all students prepare for a successful career.
Students in this program benefit from a matured corporate partnership program, developed by the Volgenau School of Engineering.
U.S. News & World Report ranks Mason’s School of Systems Engineering and Operations Research (SEOR) in the top graduate programs nationally.
This program can be completed on a part-time basis to fit your schedule.
You can complete all of your classes online, from wherever you need to be.

Program requirements are subject to change; please refer to the Mason Course Catalog for the most up-to-date requirements.

Sufficient courses are offered to complete the entire certificate program online. The courses are delivered asynchronously or synchronously but the offerings and their distance delivery mode may vary by semester.

Requirements: 12 credits total

SYST 520 Systems Engineering Design | 3 credits
SYST 618 Model-based Systems Engineering | 3 credits
SYST 620 Discrete Event Systems | 3 credits
SYST 621 Systems Architecture Design | 3 credits

Students much receive an average grade of B or better in all certificate courses. The graduate certificate may only be pursued on a part-time basis. Some courses may require math prerequisite courses.

Tuition (2021-2022)

TUITION CLASSIFICATION	COST PER CREDIT HOUR
Virginia Resident	$663.00
Non-Virginia Resident	$1,431.00
Mandatory Student fee	$150.25
Total Cost per Credit for VA Residents	$813.25
Total Cost per Credit for Non-VA Residents	$1,581.25
Graduate New Student Fee	$60 (non-refundable, one-time fee)

Please Note: In addition to the tuition and fees described above, various course and lab fees may be assessed depending on the course(s) in which the student is enrolled. Please refer to the Students Accounts Office website for more information on tuition and fees.

Financial Aid

For information on loans and scholarships, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid. For information regarding grants, tuition waivers and other merit aid, please inquire with your graduate department.

Career Opportunities

Many of the leading information and technology based companies, as well as defense contractors, engineering consulting firms, aerospace developers, informatics and communication companies, and software developers need systems engineers (SEs). Some specific companies include:

The Aerospace Corporation
BAE Systems
Boeing
CACI
General Dynamics
Lockheed Martin
MITRE Corporation
Noblis
Northrop Grumman
Perspecta
Raytheon
SRA International

As a Mason student, you may contact Mason Career Services for more career information and counseling.

USEFUL RESOURCES
Program Contact	Systems Engineering and Operations Research (SEOR) Volgenau School of Engineering (VSE) Phone: (703) 993-1670 Fax: (703) 993-1521 Email: seor@gmu.edu
Program Website	https://catalog.gmu.edu/colleges-schools/engineering/systems-operations-research/systems-engineering-graduate-certificate/
School Website	http://volgenau.gmu.edu/
Follow VSE on Twitter	@VolgenauSchool
"Like" VSE on Facebook	http://www.facebook.com/The-Volgenau-School-of-Engineering-at-George-Mason-University-27375939949/

All applicants should review Office of Graduate Admissions steps for How to Apply. For international applicants, see guidelines for International Graduate Requirements.

Prerequisites

Hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering, mathematics, computer science, physical sciencces, economics or a related field from a US institution that is accredited by one of the organizations found here
Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 in an undergraduate program and an acceptable GPA in any graduate courses
Complete coursework in calculus I, II, and III, matrix or linear algebra, elementary differential equations, and calculus-based probability

Application Materials*

Graduate application
Application fee
Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
Professional and educational goals statement
One letter of recommendation
Resume

*Students already enrolled in a master’s program at Mason only need to submit a Graduate Secondary Certificate Program Application.

If you have any questions during the application process, please contact the SEOR Department at seor@gmu.edu or 703-993-1670.

Systems Engineering, Architecture-Based Systems Integration Concentration (Graduate Certificate)