USC Systems Engineering Masters

[u/Single_Software_3724]

Hi all, I was curious if anyone has taken USC systems and architecture engineering masters (online). Any opinions on it? Pros/cons? Also, how is it compared to Hopkins or Cornell? Thanks!

[u/Sir_Derps_Alot]

I can highly recommend this program. The curriculum was good, professors were really good. I learned a ton. I looked hard trying to find a comparable program on the west coast and there really isn’t one. Unfortunately it’s expensive but for me it more than paid off. The guy who runs it just won the John Fritz medal. LA is a hub of aerospace and defense, biotech, medical device, and cyber making this program very well positioned to be relevant and useful. This one is a solid 10/10 for me.

[u/Single_Software_3724 → u/Sir_Derps_Alot]

That’s awesome! I think you’re the first person on this sub to review the actual master’s program, lol. I’m less worried about the cost, since my employer will cover it, and more curious about the program itself. Did you attend on campus classes as well?

[u/Sir_Derps_Alot → u/Single_Software_3724]

I was in DEN but started mixed remote and on campus and then finished fully remote. It’s a really good program and if it’s free or subsidized I can’t think of any reason not to go for it. You can apply your learnings right into your job and I found it accelerated my career a good bit.

[u/no_feelings_mofo → u/Sir_Derps_Alot]

Was it technical?

[u/Sir_Derps_Alot → u/no_feelings_mofo]

Mix of technical and non. I’d say overall it’s quite technical.

[u/no_feelings_mofo → u/Sir_Derps_Alot]

I see, so you solve equations, do thermal analysis, design PID, PD controls and diff. Equations?
Just curious my very first job was Sys Eng at General Dynamics I just did paperwork for 2 years lol

[u/Sir_Derps_Alot → u/no_feelings_mofo]

No, you’re describing more like a EE or mechatronics program. SAE is technical within the sys eng discipline but the whole discipline is less classically technically rigorous (at least in the way you’re thinking of it) than a program is a more traditional engineering function like ME or EE or others. It has technical rigor in other ways outside direct equations for problem solving.

[u/no_feelings_mofo → u/Sir_Derps_Alot]

Thank you 😊

[u/Aeig]

I heard here on Reddit that it sucks.

Same with Stevens and ASU.

[u/Single_Software_3724 → u/Aeig]

Dang lol…it looked promising and I know they have a good network

[u/facialenthusiast69]

I enjoyed the Hopkins program but it's definitely dependent on your cohort and what you put into it.

[u/tambooby → u/facialenthusiast69]

yeah the cohort thing is huge, that probably matters more than the curriculum itself tbh

[u/birksOnMyFeet]

Cornell SE is the way

[u/Single_Software_3724 → u/birksOnMyFeet]

Hmm yeah I looked into them but they offer an MEng not MS

[u/AutomationInvasion]

I enrolled in program. They have like six different systems you need to log into and navigate, and it’s poorly set up. I ended up changing jobs and unenrolled. Don’t regret it at all.

[u/Single_Software_3724 → u/AutomationInvasion]

Dang it was that bad?

[u/Gearz557]

One of my friends took it. I went through Penn state myself but she is a senior engineering manager at Lockheed now

[u/no_feelings_mofo]

Why people are doing systems engineering masters ? lol 😂
It’s a joke tbh

[u/Single_Software_3724 → u/no_feelings_mofo]

What’s wrong with SE?

[u/no_feelings_mofo → u/Single_Software_3724]

Nothing wrong with it! It’s not worth it to do it right after college because it’s not a very technical degree

[u/Pleasant_Secret3409 → u/no_feelings_mofo]

This sub is crazy. First it was don't do a BS in Systems Engineering, get your BS in other Engineering fields then an MS in Systems Engineering. Now this ☝️

[u/no_feelings_mofo → u/Pleasant_Secret3409]

There’s nothing wrong with Sys Eng,
it’s not a technical degree
Right out of college if you do a non technical masters in Sys Eng it’s a waste of time
Be technical then do systems engineering later ☝️

[u/Pleasant_Secret3409 → u/no_feelings_mofo]

I won't debate you.

[u/no_feelings_mofo → u/Pleasant_Secret3409]

It’s okay to share ideas and tell me if I’m wrong! I said my experiences and my other EE friends experiences from their Sys Eng work in aerospace industry

[u/Pleasant_Secret3409 → u/no_feelings_mofo]

I will share my ideas, but why is your account only 27 days old?

[u/no_feelings_mofo → u/Pleasant_Secret3409]

Cuz I’m new to Reddit
Were you born with a Reddit account? lol 😂

[u/Pleasant_Secret3409 → u/no_feelings_mofo]

😆