Master of Science in systems engineering
Systems engineering is an interdisciplinary field of engineering that focuses on designing, integrating and managing complex systems over their life cycles. New and more complex technologies are challenging approaches to the practice of engineering and technology management and changing the needs of the modern workplace and workforce.
SMU Lyle’s M.S. in systems engineering provides a structured way of analyzing and solving complex problems across the product development or acquisition life cycle. This, coupled with systems thinking and leadership, provides students with both technical and management skills needed to expand beyond engineering silos and serve the current and expanding demands of industry.
Level up your career at SMU with a master’s degree you can complete online or on campus. Fill out the form to learn more about the program.
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Over $107,000
Average starting salary of Lyle master’s degree students (2023-24)
Top 50
Lyle School of Engineering
ranked in the top 50
engineering grad schools
(Money Magazine 2024)
9:1
student to faculty ratio at the Lyle School of Engineering
Student experience
Industry-leading faculty
Curriculum designed by leaders in systems engineering across aerospace, defense, tech and logistics, offering valuable insights into both theoretical and practical aspects of the field.
Tailored curriculum
Offered by Lyle’s Operations Research and Engineering Management (OREM) Department, renowned for blending engineering precision with business strategy, courses focus on complex projects, systems integration and interdisciplinary engineering problems.
Flexible and stackable
Earn your degree online, on campus, or via blended formats through Lyle Anywhere®. Also available in Lyle’s weekend format for working Dallas-Fort Worth professionals. Compliments technical and business graduate certificates.
Jobs you can land
Potential roles include:
- Engineering project manager
- Business analyst
- Systems architect
- Process optimization consultant
- Operations manager
According to SMU Career Outcomes 2023-24, systems engineering master’s students achieved an 87% placement rate within six months post-graduation. Top employers include Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Toyota, Amazon Web Services, Southwest Airlines, Department of Defense and more.
The SMU Lyle difference
Real-world
Learn to optimize across disciplines and gain expertise in modeling, risk analysis and systems architecture. Hands-on experience with projects that mimic real-world scenarios prepares graduates to lead large-scale, integrated engineering projects.
In-demand
Current demand for the systems engineering skill set is far higher than the supply and continues to grow across every engineering discipline including aerospace, logistics, defense, telecom and energy sectors.
Certification
First in Texas to offer academic equivalency with International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE). Students who meet requirements can bypass the Systems Engineering Professional certification exam and apply directly to INCOSE for Certification.