Press Release - Two New Academic Equivalency Agreements

SAN DIEGO (June 15, 2023) – The International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) is excited to announce that SMU and University of Maryland Global Campus have both had courses approved as equivalent to the certification knowledge exam, satisfying a significant requirement toward Associate Systems Engineering Professional (ASEP) and Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP) certification. 

Students who excel in university courses which have been assessed to have Academic Equivalence (AcEq) are allowed to bypass the certification knowledge exam when applying for ASEP and CSEP Certification. The assessments they did through their coursework have been recognized by the INCOSE Certification Program’s volunteer reviewers as an equivalent alternative to the standardized test developed by INCOSE. Academic Equivalency coursework may be offered in any language.

Dr. Diana Easton, Associate Chair in Operations Research and Engineering Management at SMU stated, “SMU has a long history of educating Systems Engineering professionals with strong ties to industry, especially defense. We are delighted to expand our offerings with a unique educational experience that helps students secure an ASEP or CSEP qualification, in addition to obtaining their engineering degree, giving them a true competitive advantage in the modern workplace.”

Dr. Barry Douglass, Program Director of the Master of Science in Information Technology Systems Engineering Specialization degree at UMGC stated “UMGC serves adult learners, and many of these work in systems engineering fields with federal government contractors especially in the defense industry.  They are earning their graduate education with us to enhance their careers.  INCOSE certification as ASEP or CSEP will complement their degrees, and our students have enthusiastically received the news about their eligibility for the INCOSE certification.”

Courtney Wright, INCOSE Certification Program Manager, said, “Universities adopting Academic Equivalency show commitment to offer their students from diverse engineering programs a systems engineering education aligned with the INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook. The programs at SMU and the University of Maryland Global Campus will bring the most current best practices of systems engineering to their students and will introduce those students to continued professional development through INCOSE.”

Members of INCOSE’s Academic Council are eligible to offer Academic Equivalency upon recognition by the INCOSE Certification Program. Candidates who apply through AcEq must still meet all other INCOSE certification requirements, including individual membership and payment of application fees.

Any university wishing to participate in this program needs to be a member of the INCOSE Corporate Advisory Board (CAB) or the local INCOSE chapter equivalent. There are no additional fees linked to securing Academic Equivalence for CAB members. Universities who are members of local chapter affiliates have a low-cost path to participate in the Academic Equivalency program.

 INCOSE Media Contact:

Honor Lind, Director for Marketing and Communications, [email protected]