Systems Engineering Degree Requirements

• CSCI 178 Introduction to Systems Engineering 
• CSCI 188 Systems Engineering Economics, Risk, and Decision Analysis 
• 1 cloud communications course
• 1 cloud computing course
• 1 security and risk management course
• 1 database management course
• 1 IT management course (on campus; see on-campus experience)
• 1 business analytics course
• 2 systems engineering electives
• CSCI 597C systems engineering precapstone
• CSCI 599C systems engineering capstone

Learn how to search and register for courses.

The precapstone/capstone is a two-course, two-semester sequence where you work closely with your instructor and peers in a classroom setting. You receive as well as give expert advice and support creating a collaborative research environment.

Precapstone

In the precapstone, you explore interdisciplinary research topics from a variety of industries. Through workshops and collaborating with experts from different disciplines, you identify a team research topic, apply appropriate systems engineering methods, and use systems thinking to advance innovative solutions.

You’ll receive guidance on how to work effectively in teams, refine project proposals, and build necessary domain knowledge. By the end of the course your team submits a detailed capstone proposal, including project rationale, methods, and expected outcomes.

Capstone

In the capstone, you will execute your team-based capstone project proposal from the precapstone. You will collaborate on a complex systems engineering topic leveraging your academic and professional skills.

At the completion of the capstone, you’ll demonstrate the ability to think critically about systems, communicate with diverse audiences, and advance innovation in ways that benefit society.

Sample Capstone Topics

1. Renewable Energy Integration for Smart Grids
   • Objective: Develop a system to integrate renewable energy sources into an existing smart grid infrastructure.
2. Healthcare System Optimization
   • Objective: Enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of a healthcare delivery system using systems engineering methodologies.
3. Supply Chain Management System for E-commerce
   • Objective: Design a robust and efficient supply chain management system.

Sequencing

You enroll in the precapstone and capstone courses in back-to-back semesters in your final academic year. The capstone is taken as your sole remaining degree requirement.

You can choose to concentrate your degree studies and earn a Cybersecurity Graduate Certificate along the way.

To meet the on-campus requirement, you choose the standard on-campus option and study with us in the summer. For more details, see International Student Study Options for important visa information.

Come to Cambridge for Convocation (fall) to celebrate your hard-earned admission, Harvard career fairs offered throughout the year, HES alumni networking events (here at Harvard and around the world), and, of course, Harvard University Commencement (May).

• Prior to enrolling in any degree-applicable courses, you must possess a four-year regionally accredited U.S. bachelor’s degree or its foreign equivalent. Foreign bachelor’s degrees must be evaluated for equivalency.
• If English is your second language, you’ll need to prove English proficiency before registering for a course. We have multiple proficiency options.

With our performance-based admission process, you begin by taking courses with us first. You’ll simply register — no application required — for the following two 4-credit, graduate-level degree courses (available online).

These prerequisite courses count toward your degree once you’re admitted; they are not additional courses. They are investments in your studies to help ensure success in the program.

• CSCI 178 Introduction to Systems Engineering 
• CSCI 188 Systems Engineering Economics, Risk, and Decision Analysis 

You need to perform well in the two courses earning a grade of B or higher without letting your overall Harvard cumulative GPA dip below 3.0.

You have two attempts to earn the minimum grade of B in CSCI 178 and CSCI 188 (a withdrawal grade counts as an attempt) and both courses cannot be more than two years old at the time of admission.

The two courses don’t need to be taken in a particular order or in the same semester, and both are available for registration in our fall and spring semesters.

Learn how to search and register for courses.

During the semester of your second degree course, submit the official application to the program.

Don’t delay! You must prioritize the two degree courses for admission and apply before completing subsequent courses. By doing so, you’ll:

• Avoid the loss of credit due to expired course work or changes to admission and degree requirements.
• Ensure your enrollment in critical degree-candidate-only courses.
• Avoid the delayed application fee.
• Gain access to exclusive benefits.

Eligible students who submit a complete and timely application will have 10 more courses after admission to earn the degree.

Applicants can register for courses in the upcoming semester before they receive their grades and while they await their admission decision.

Prospective ALM students can expect acceptance into the program by meeting all the eligibility and academic requirements detailed on this page, submitting a complete application, and having no academic standing or conduct concerns.

GPA. You need to earn a B or higher in each of the two degree courses required for admission and a B– or higher in each of the subsequent courses. In addition, your cumulative GPA cannot dip below 3.0.

Withdrawal grades. You are allowed to receive two withdrawal (WD) grades without them affecting your GPA. Any additional WD grades count as zero in your cumulative GPA. See Academic Standing.

Repeat courses. We advise you to review the ALM program’s strict policies about repeating courses. Generally speaking, you may not repeat a course to improve your GPA or to fulfill a degree requirement (if the minimum grade was not initially achieved). Nor can you repeat a course for graduate credit that you’ve previously completed at Harvard Extension School or Harvard Summer School at the undergraduate level.

Expired coursework. Courses over five years old at the point of admission will not count toward the degree. As stated above CSCI 178 and CSCI 188 cannot be more than two years old at the time of application.

Five-year degree completion timeline. Further, you have five years to complete your degree requirements. The five-year timeline begins at the end of the term in which you complete any two degree-applicable courses, regardless of whether or not you have been admitted to a degree program.

Don’t delay! Potential degree candidates must plan accordingly to apply to the program in a timely manner, or they risk losing degree credit for completed course work.

Admission eligibility will be jeopardized if, at the point of application to the program, the five-year degree completion policy cannot be satisfied (i.e., too many courses to complete in the time remaining).

When you have fulfilled all degree requirements, you will earn your Harvard University degree: Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in Extension Studies, Field: Systems Engineering. Degrees are awarded in November, February, and May, with the annual Harvard Commencement ceremony in May.

When you become an officially admitted degree candidate, you have access to a rich variety of exclusive benefits to support your academic journey. To learn more, visit degree candidate academic opportunities and privileges.