Professional Certificate Details

Professional Systems Engineering Certificates — Distance Learning > Professional Certificate Details

The Professional Certificate Program offered by the Cornell University Systems Engineering program provides an accelerated path to advanced skills in systems development, analysis and design. For engineers looking to develop their skills and enhance their careers, this program can provide the education you need to reach new heights.

The convenient online format of the Professional Certificate Program enables you to work towards obtaining a valuable professional certificate while continuing to work full time. Enhance your career and build on your practical experience by learning industry-standard tools and current best practices for making the most of human, technological and informational assets. Our online Systems Engineering Professional Certificate Program was designed to benefit any engineer who is responsible for the creation, production, or operation of complex systems. The program is ideal for professionals pursuing careers as systems engineers, and it is also valuable for those working in design, life-cycle management, and project management.

Quick Facts

Complete your certificate part time while working full time.
Courses are offered during both Fall and Spring semesters.
Courses are 100% online.
Apply up to 9 credits to the Systems Engineering Master of Engineering degree program.
Course credits earned can be transferable to other degree programs worldwide, including those at Cornell.
Our certificates offer credible demonstration of masters-level expertise of high, in-demand skills.

Curriculum

The curriculum offered for the online certificates provides intensive instruction in the skills required to lead in this exciting field in a convenient, flexible distance-learning format.

You’ll complete coursework that explores the latest advances in systems engineering and the specialized, fundamental techniques required to bring a higher level of expertise to your work. The flexible curriculum provides a valuable opportunity for working professionals who want to update their expertise or pursue a new professional focus.

The diverse selection of electives makes it easy to build an academic plan that suites your professional aspirations, and these courses can be applied to several certificate programs, allowing you to earn more than one certificate at a time. The courses are taught by expert faculty members, providing students with direct access to leading Cornell educators who have real-world systems engineering experience.

Additional Value and Recognition

Several of the courses required for these certificates have received honored distinctions from industry and professional societies, which in turn provide additional opportunities for our students. For example, the course "SYSEN 5100—Model Based Systems Engineering" was the first course in the world (academic or otherwise) to earn INCOSE knowledge-exam equivalency. Students who who earn a minimum grade of 85 in the course and who also join INCOSE obtain INCOSE ASEP or possibly even CSEP certification without having to take the INCOSE knowledge exam. The INCOSE certification is awarded in addition to earning Cornell credit for the course and making progress towards the Cornell certificate options below. SYSEN 5100 is currently sponsored by Boeing, and elements of it are used within Lockheed Martin’s largest Engineering Leadership Development Program.

FAQs

If you have questions not answered below, email us at systemseng@cornell.edu.

Is there a grade requirement in order to earn the SYSEN Distance Learning Professional Certificates?

An overall GPA of 3.0 is required to earn the SYSEN Professional Certificatates. An exception is the Six Sigma Certificate, which requires you earn a B+ or better in order to get the Six Sigma Certification for either Green Belt or Black Belt.

I completed the certificate requirements. Do I have to re-apply to take another?

No, re-applying to take courses for another SYSEN Professional Certificate won’t be necessary. Please inform the Systems Engineering Student Services/Administrative office about your interest to enroll in another certificate. Good academic standing to enroll in another certificate is required.

How much is tuition?

The SYSEN Distance Learning Professional Certificate tuition is charged at the Cornell University Engineering M.Eng. tuition rate on a per-credit-hour basis. Information on tuition can be found on the Office of the Bursar website.

Will the certificate(s) appear on my Cornell transcript?

Although each course taken will appear on your Cornell transcript, these non-degree professional certificates will not be listed on your transcript. Upon successful completion the certificates are issued by the Systems Engineering Program directly, with the exception of the INCOSE certificate that is issued directly by INCOSE and an option to receive a the Six Sigma Certificate directly from the Six Sigma Council.

Is there a GRE requirement?

No, there is not a GRE application requirement.

I’m already enrolled in the SYSEN Professional Certificate Program, do I have to apply to enter Systems Engineering M.Eng. Degree program?

Yes, because they are two different programs, you will need to re-apply for the Systems Engineering M.Eng. program.

Can I transfer the course credits earned in the SYSEN Professional Certificate Program to the Systems Engineering M.Eng. Degree program?

Yes, pending program approval, students may transfer up to 9 credit hours of Master’s-level coursework that have not been used toward a conferred degree. Transfer credits are only accepted by an accredited institution/ university and a grade equivalent of 2.50 or above is required for each course transferred.

Can I stack or mix and match classes to earn SYSEN Professional Certificates?

Yes, if one (or more) course(s) is(are) required for multiple certificates, you would only be required to take the course(s) once. Upon successful completion, a course may be used to fulfill curriculum requirements for multiple certificates.

Can I take other Continuing Education courses?

No, for the professional certificates, you are not allowed to take additional courses through the Continuing Education school. Only courses offered within the SYSEN Distance Learning Professional Certificate Program will be open for enrollment in the program.