This 9-credit online engineering certificate focuses on technology management, leadership skills, and problem-solving. The certificate can help you prepare for a leadership position in engineering and technology fields.
Demonstrate a holistic understanding of complex systems and identification of emergent properties, feedback mechanisms, and their effects.
Oversee and coordinate projects and testing activities on an enterprise level.As a student in this online engineering certificate program, your course work will help you gain a deep understanding of:
The theory and practice of systems thinking. General systems theory; system dynamics; emergent properties; structure; feedback and leverage.
SYSEN 805 Technical Project ManagementStudy of project management as it relates to engineering and high-technology projects and personnel. Techniques and methodologies to eliminate, mitigate, and manage the risks that threaten project success are covered.
SYSEN 850 Creativity and Problem Solving IFoundations of individual problem solving including creativity, cognitive style and level, problem solving processes and techniques, the paradox of structure.
As part of the stackable pathway, the courses required for this 9-credit certificate can also be applied to a Master of Engineering in Systems Engineering if you apply and are accepted into the program. If you have been accepted into this certificate program, you will not be charged an additional fee to apply for the Master of Engineering in Systems Engineering program.
Courses may also apply to other degree programs. Students should contact their adviser to discuss transfer credit policies and application fees and details.
If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.
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You can use the knowledge gained from this online graduate certificate program and the support of Penn State career resources to succeed in a variety of engineering and management roles, including program manager, project manager, lead systems engineer, testing manager, and more.
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From the day you're accepted as a student, you can access resources and tools provided by Penn State World Campus Career Services to further your career. These resources are beneficial whether you're searching for a job or advancing in an established career.
Get the resources you need to make informed decisions about your education. Request information on this program and other programs of interest by completing this form.
Learn about this program's tuition, fees, scholarship opportunities, grants, payment options, and military benefits.
Tuition, Fees, and AidGraduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register. Tuition is due shortly after each semester begins and rates are assessed every semester of enrollment.
| How many credits do you plan to take per semester? | Cost |
|---|---|
| 11 or fewer | $1,027 per credit |
| 12 or more | $12,325 per semester |
Students pursuing a certificate are considered "nondegree," a status that is not eligible for federal student aid, including the Federal Direct Stafford Loan program. A private alternative loan may be an option to consider. Additionally, Penn State offers many ways to pay for your education, including an installment plan and third-party payments. Penn State World Campus also offers an Employer Reimbursement and Tuition Deferment Plan. Learn more about the options for paying for your education. Students pursuing a degree and meeting all other eligibility requirements may qualify for financial aid.
Some students may qualify for financial aid. Take the time to research financial aid, scholarships, and payment options as you prepare to apply. Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents should explore these potential military education benefits and financial aid opportunities, as well. To view the detailed list of cost of attendance elements, select “World Campus” as the location on the tuition site.
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This certificate can serve as a stand-alone credential and as a step on your journey toward a Master of Engineering in Systems Engineering. Stackable credentials recognize your new skills and knowledge while you work toward your master's degree — with no additional application fees.
Programs Included in Stackable CredentialsEarning graduate certificates from Penn State World Campus is a great way to gain new skills and quickly add valuable credentials to your résumé. This graduate certificate’s courses satisfy requirements toward the following degree(s):
Systems Engineering (Master of Engineering)Collaborate with your peers as you learn to identify, analyze, and manage complex systems and processes. This cohort-based online master's degree program encourages systems engineering students to build ties and gain perspectives from their peers in other disciplines. Learn more about the Master of Engineering in Systems Engineering
Programs Included in Stackable CredentialsUpon completion of this program, Penn State awards you a graduate certificate and a digital badge from Credly.
Credly Badge and Details
Certificate earners are awarded a digital badge for each certificate they complete as part of this stackable credentials group. Badges can be displayed digitally to recognize your accomplishment of attaining a new level of knowledge.
Close Credly Badge and DetailsThis program is designed to help students with an undergraduate degree in engineering, physics, chemistry, mathematics, or computer science.
Whether you are looking to finish your program as quickly as possible or balance your studies with your busy life, Penn State World Campus can help you achieve your education goals. Many students take one or two courses per semester.
This program's convenient online format gives you the flexibility you need to study around your busy schedule. You can skip the lengthy commute without sacrificing the quality of your education and prepare yourself for more rewarding career opportunities without leaving your home.
Penn State has a history of more than 100 years of distance education, and World Campus has been a leader in online learning for more than two decades. Our online learning environment offers the same quality education that our students experience on campus.
Are you a member of the military, a veteran, or a military spouse? Please visit our military website for additional information regarding financial aid, transfer credits, and application instructions.
Complete your application and submit all required materials by the appropriate deadline. Your deadline will depend on the semester you plan to start your courses.
For admission to the J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School, an applicant must hold either (1) a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or (2) a tertiary (postsecondary) degree that is deemed comparable to a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. This degree must be from an officially recognized degree-granting institution in the country in which it operates. The program contains a number of courses requiring a solid background in mathematics, typically found in an undergraduate program in engineering, physics, chemistry, mathematics, or computer science, with at least two semesters of calculus. Students with other undergraduate majors with a strong background in mathematics may apply. The admissions committee will consider the academic background, as evidenced by the transcript, as part of the overall application. All applicants are expected to have earned a junior/senior grade-point average of 3.0 or higher.
You will need to upload the following items as part of your application: Official transcripts from each institution attended, regardless of the number of credits or semesters completed. Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. If you are a Penn State alum, you do not need to request transcripts for credits earned at Penn State but must list Penn State as part of your academic history. Test Scores — GRE/GMAT scores are not required and will not be reviewed. English Proficiency — The language of instruction at Penn State is English. With some exceptions, international applicants must take and submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Minimum test scores and exceptions are found in the English Proficiency section on the Fox Graduate School's "Requirements for Graduate Admission" page. Visit the TOEFL website for testing information. Penn State's institutional code is 2660.
To begin the online application, you will need a Penn State account. Create a New Penn State Account If you have any problems during this process, contact an admissions counselor at [email protected] . Please note: Former Penn State students may not need to complete the admissions application or create a new Penn State account. Please visit our Returning Students page for instructions.
Degree
If you begin with a certificate and are interested in pursuing the Master of Engineering in Systems Engineering, work with your adviser while completing your first certificate to determine which program to apply to next.
Up to 15 credits earned in any of these certificate programs may be transferred to the master's degree in systems engineering, subject to restrictions outlined in GCAC-309 Transfer Credit.
Checking Your Status
You can check the status of your application by using the same login information established for the online application form.
Technical Requirements
Review the technical requirements for this program.
