Systems Engineering

282: Systems Engineering Fundamentals Certificate

This certificate is designed to provide graduate level foundation courses in systems engineering to anyone interested in deepening their understanding of how DoD designs, develops and produces large complex systems. Students learn a disciplined approach to finding the right solution to the right problem: on-time, on-budget, supportable, and with minimal risk.

131: Capability and Mission Engineering Certificate

The Department of Systems Engineering offers a four-course academic certificate in systems capability and mission engineering that enables students to apply systems engineering in defense acquisition and system lifecycle support. Practicing systems engineers require technical and management competence with digital and model-based engineering, statistical operational analysis, requirements and capability engineering, lifecycle cost management, and verification and validation. This program is targeted for mid- and upper-level engineers working in or in support of the Defense Acquisition System but has great benefit for all who seek further knowledge in the theory and practice of systems engineering.

133: Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) Design and Development Certificate

The Department of Systems Engineering offers a four-course academic certificate in Model-Based Systems Engineering Design and Development that enables students to apply systems engineering in defense acquisition and system lifecycle support. MBSE is an increasingly important domain in systems engineering, especially with the introduction of digital engineering initiatives. It requires the skills necessary to create, analyze and execute models and to formally apply them throughout system development from requirements to validation. MBSE requires mastery of modeling languages, methods and tools. This program is targeted for mid- and upper-level engineers working in or in support of the Defense Acquisition System but has great benefit for all who seek further knowledge in the theory and practice of systems engineering.

135: Advanced Systems Suitability Certificate

The Department of Systems Engineering offers a four-course academic certificate in Advanced Suitability topics that enables students to apply systems engineering in defense acquisition and system lifecycle support. This certificate offers more detailed courses focused on specific suitability areas providing additional expertise useful in system design through integration and manufacturing, development and production efforts. Students create strategies that incorporate human factor considerations, software, production and risk in the overall systems engineering process and product lifecycle. This program is targeted for mid- and upper-level engineers working in or in support of the Defense Acquisition System but has great benefit for all who seek further knowledge in the theory and practice of systems engineering.

174: Systems Engineering and Integration of Naval Weapons Systems Certificate

The Department of Systems Engineering offers a four-course academic certificate in Systems Engineering and Integration of Naval weapons systems for distance learning (DL) students. The certificate is designed introduce the student to critical weapons concepts that are necessary for enlightened examination of both technology development and military planning. The overall emphasis is on what elements contribute to a combat system, their basic principles of operation, their performance limitations, trade-offs, and their interfaces with the rest of the combat system. The student is introduced to the nature of physical observables and propagators, the effects of the propagation medium on sensor performance, the relationship between signals and noise, and the characteristics of critical sensor functions (including detection, estimation, imaging, and tracking).

With that foundation, students then apply systems engineering principles to understand the design and operation of combat sensor systems. Sensor technologies covered include radars, ESM, active and passive sonar, infrared, and electro-optical sensors. Target engagement topics include the effects that conventional weapons (artillery, bombs, and missiles) can produce as well as the technologies needed by weapons systems to create those effects. Finally, techniques for integrating combat sensor systems and engagement elements into a common platform, including technology development, system development and integration, network integration, and system of systems integration are presented, including engineering analysis of interfaces for power, data, mechanical, and other attributes; engineering change management; advanced collaboration environments; technology readiness levels; and integration risk mitigation.

Systems Engineering Management

282: Systems Engineering Fundamentals Certificate

This certificate is designed to provide graduate level foundation courses in systems engineering to anyone interested in deepening their understanding of how DoD designs, develops and produces large complex systems. Students learn a disciplined approach to finding the right solution to the right problem: on-time, on-budget, supportable, and with minimal risk.

171: Systems Engineering Management Certificate

The Department of Systems Engineering offers a four-course academic certificate in Systems Engineering Management (SEM) that enables students to apply systems engineering and management in defense acquisition and system lifecycle support. Integrated product development team members work with systems engineers in both technical and management competency areas requiring skills in effective teamwork and communications, statistical operational analysis, lifecycle cost management, system verification and validation, and manufacturing and production. This program is targeted for mid- and upper-level integrated product team members working in or in support of the Defense Acquisition System but has great benefit for all who seek further knowledge in the theory and practice of systems engineering and the implementation of sound systems engineering management principles within an organization.

218: Advanced Acquisition Studies

The Certificate in Advanced Acquisition Studies is graduate academic certificate program available to NPS distance learning students. Designed for students interested in Defense system acquisition and program management processes, the program operationalizes the business of Defense acquisition and creates Acquisition Warriors for the DoD. This program supports continuous acquisition reform initiatives mandated by Congress and senior leaders and also supports initiatives to educate operational warfighters in the business of acquisition. The program contributes to Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) certifications in Program Management, Test & Evaluation, Production & Quality Management career fields. Additionally, the program provides education supporting for Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.