Dec 05, 2025  
2025-2026 Catalog 
    
2025-2026 Catalog

Model-based Systems Engineering (MBSE) Systems Architect Post Baccalaureate Certificate


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The Industry-based Post-Bachelor’s Certificate in Model-based Systems Engineering (MBSE) is a launching point for enhancing systems engineering skills in the systems engineering workplace and modern systems community, and continuing education toward a Master of Science in Systems Engineering. 

This Certificate will prepare students and current industry Systems Engineering practitioners with current and emerging knowledge, skills, and abilities in model-based systems engineering (MBSE). At completion, students will be proficient with Magic Systems of Systems Architect, which is the current preferred MBSE software tool for the local industry partners. Additionally, students will gain valuable skills in implementing architecting complex systems using best practices, methods, and frameworks. This Certificate will give students a significant competitive advantage in the marketplace.

The Certificate will consist of four courses, totally 10 credit hours, and can be completed in one year (two semesters).

  • Program Prerequisite: SE 6010  or equivalent from another university
  • Credit Hour Requirements: 10
  • Program Code: 8119PBC
  • CIPC: 142701

Grade Requirements: 

  • A student’s GPA for the cumulative Graduate Certificate coursework must be a minimum of 3.0.
  • A student must earn a minimum of “B-” in courses included within the Certificate while meeting the cumulative 3.0 GPA minimum.
  • Note: If the student wishes to transfer to the MSSE program, then a grade of “B” or higher is required.

Time Limit: A student is expected to complete all work within four semesters from the date of first enrollment in the certificate program. A student who fails to complete requirements within four semesters may be withdrawn and required to apply for readmission. Students exceeding this limit must submit a petition to the program requesting additional time to complete the certificate. Petitions must describe why they were unable to complete their certificate during the requisite time frame, the amount of work remaining, timeline for completion, and the term in which they expect to complete the certificate.

The program will place a notation of “below minimum academic requirements” on the academic record at the end of the term in which a student’s cumulative GPA falls below a 2.0. The program may decide whether unsatisfactory academic standing may be a basis for placing a student on academic probation. A student with unsatisfactory academic standing will not be advanced and will not be awarded a graduate certificate.

Upon the recommendation of the program director, a student will be given an opportunity to correct the academic deficiency and return to satisfactory academic standing. A student with unsatisfactory academic standing must provide documentation including: reasons for the poor academic record; explain how conditions that produced this performance have changed; and present specific plans for improvement. A student whose cumulative GPA falls below a 2.0, is not making satisfactory progress toward the degree, and is failing to succeed in the plan of studies, may be denied permission to register, required to withdraw, or dismissed from the program.

Repeating a Course

A student may repeat a course with permission of the program and course instructor.  A student may repeat a single course once and is granted only 2 total repeat opportunities.

Advisement

Contact program.

Admission Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants for admission into the MBSE Certificate program should have completed SE 6010  with a minimum of a “B” or have least 5 years of professional Systems Engineering experience.

SE 6010  taken prior to Fall 2024 is not eligible for transfer to meet the SE 6010  pre-requisite.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred applicants have at least 7 years of professional Systems Engineering experience, possess a current INCOSE Systems Engineering certification, and possess a B.Sc. in engineering (EAC), engineering-technology (ETAC), or computing (CAC) from an ABET accredited program with a minimum of Calculus I and STEM Statistics.  B.Sc. in any other related subject is on a case-by-case basis only. A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 is required from the undergraduate program in which the bachelor’s degree is earned; a 3.3 is preferred.  The program reviews the student portfolio, including bachelors program, calculus and statistics grades, rigor of courses taken (upper division), work experience, professional certifications, and participation in the systems community).  Each application is reviewed on a case-by-case basis and acceptance and leveling courses are determined at the time of application review.

Applicants will submit:

  • Official transcripts from every institution of higher education attended
  • 3.0 GPA min to apply, 3.3+ preferred
  • Academic Statement of Purpose
  • 3 letters of recommendation:
    • Immediate supervisor
    • Another person within student’s work organization whom is charge or intimately familiar with the student’s responsibilities, future responsibilities, or individual development plan
    • Student’s choosing

(The above letters need to clearly indicate experience in systems engineering and current or future need of digital engineering, MBSE, digital twins, digital threads, CAMEO No Magic, SysML etc)

Transfer of Credit

Course transfers into this Certificate will not be available.

Availability

Available seats in this Certificate will go to matriculated Systems Program students first

Program Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate knowledge of identifying, developing, reading, and interpreting SysML diagrams, agnostic of software tool
  • Demonstrate applied use of a framework for architecting
  • Demonstrate knowledge of MBSE governance
  • Demonstrate applied use of the architecting software tool selected by the program

Major Course Requirements


SE 6380  - MBSE and SysML will cover fundamental concepts of Model-based Systems Engineering (MBSE) practices and principles and will cover the basics of the system modeling language (SysML®) managed by the Object Management Group (OMG). The MSOSA software tool will be introduced and students will be familiarized with it by completing simple tutorials. Student learning outcomes above will be assessed using assignments, exams, and Canvas discussions. This course prepares students to take the OMG-Certified SysML® Professional (OCSMP™) test if they wish.

SE 6385  - Architecting Proposal will be a 1 credit hour course for the students to prepare their proposal for the system they want to architect in SE 6390 and 6400. The instructor will work with them on appropriately scoping their projects during the semester.

SE 6390  - MBSE II builds upon the basics from the MBSE 1 course by architecting a complex system using MSOSA and SysML. This course will predominantly be driven by a course project, where students will architect their systems in their approved proposals. Students will be introduced to the MagicGrid framework for completing their architecting projects. This framework was developed by the vendor of MSOSA in collaboration with industry and government practitioners. The course project will culminate with a final update to their system architecture model, a written lessons learned report, and a presentation. Student learning outcomes above will be assessed using project assignments and Canvas discussions.

SE 6400  - MBSE III explores more advanced capabilities of the MSOSA tool. Students use their project artifacts from MBSE 2 and create additional features and details to their system architecture model, and explore simulation and integration with other tools (e.g., Matlab Simulink and Python). These additional features, while considered more advanced modeling, can be performed concurrently with the development of their system architecture models. Additionally, this course will cover the importance of governing a system architecture model and MBSE project. Students will develop a governance plan and have an opportunity to explore modeling the plan using MSOSA. Like in the MBSE 2 course, the course project will culminate with a final update to their system architecture model, a written lessons learned report, and a presentation.

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