Overview

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.

Courses Required

Eligibility

The following are eligible for this offering:

• Naval Officers
• Naval Enlisted
• Non-Naval Officers
• Non-Naval Enlisted
• DON Civilians
• DOD Civilians
• Defense Contractors
• Non-DOD Federal Employees
• International military personnel
• International non-military personnel

Requirements for Entry

• Undergraduate degree in engineering, math or basic science with minimum 2.6 grade point average
• At least one college calculus course
• Successful completion of System Engineering Fundamentals Certificate (282)

Learning Outcomes

• Create system architectures that are responsive to capability needs using model-based systems engineering (MBSE) methods.
• Create architectures for balanced system solutions, applying design heuristics and divergent thinking using multiple languages, methods, and tools.
• Evaluate an architecture’s feasibility through simulation, conduct trades, compare alternatives, and justify recommendations with appropriate analysis.
• Develop the cognitive structures to carry out integration and development, account for the impacts of emergence including system suitability, and apply appropriate tools to systems and
• system of systems integration.
• Evaluate MBSE compliant designs in specialized application areas, such as simulation for acquisition or software systems.
• Understand software in the context of systems engineering, the distinction between live, virtual, and constructive simulations, and discrete event, agent based, and systems dynamics simulations.
• Apply MBSE to enhance the overall benefits of systems engineering. Select and tailor or create a set of methods, tools, and techniques for decision support, operational effectiveness modeling, dashboard design, and trade space analysis.

Application Information

Applications are handled by the NPS Admissions Office. Please visit the admissions website or contact them at admissions@nps.edu.

Tuition & Service Obligation

For information regarding tuition, please contact the NPS Tuition office at tuition@nps.edu, or contact this offering’s POC at wowen@nps.edu.

For information regarding service obligation, please visit the Admissions Office’s Eligibility/Service Obligation page.

Other Information

The FY25 off campus tuition price for OPEN enrollment seats entering the one-year, four quarter (one course per quarter) distance learning part-time Model-Based Systems Engineering Design and Development Non-Resident Certificate Program is $2750 per course ($11,000 for certificate) for military, federal government civilian employees and defense contractors, payable in full by FY, quarterly installments or as negotiated with the program manager. Qualified active duty Naval and Marine Corps Officers are eligible for NPS mission funding. Tuition does not include textbooks or additional class materials (software, handouts, case studies, miscellaneous equipment, etc.). If requested, NPS can provide textbooks for an additional $250 fixed fee per course per student.

Additional Documentation

133-253O NPS Announcement for Certificate in MBSE (March 2025 PDF)
133-253O SE Certificate Non-Res Open Enroll Tuition Letter (March 2025 PDF)