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The online certificate in computer systems engineering is designed for students and professionals seeking knowledge and skills in state-of-the-art parallel hardware architectures, parallel software programming, algorithms, and networking technologies. Stay current on rapidly advancing technology, and learn to problem solve for future challenges.
Online students take the same engineering courses from the same faculty and receive the same computer systems engineering certificate as students in our on-campus program.
Focus your studies on three areas integral to computer systems engineering:
Students will work with a variety of hardware and software tools and analyze research to understand state of the art approaches to computer system design and future challenges the industry will face. The computer systems engineering certificate curriculum includes both individual and group project work. You will:
Topics of study include:
Colorado State University's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) has been a leader in innovation for more than a century. The department was awarded two Engineering Research Centers by the National Science Foundation, and is one of the top patent-producing departments at CSU.
The ECE department is known for leading research in areas including embedded systems, lasers and optics, radar systems, and biomedical systems; and is sponsored by industry (e.g., the Dept. of Defense (DOD), Dept. of Energy, the Airforce, and the National Science Foundation). The department maintains strong ties with leaders in the industry and works closely with them to meet the needs of employers through curricular input.
The computer engineering certificate program is taught by experts in the field who have both industry and research experience in computer systems engineering. Faculty have active collaborations with leading semiconductor, system on chip (SOC) design companies, and application-domain experts (e.g., automotive companies). ECE faculty work in partnership with industry to improve products and performance and bring that experience into the online classroom.
The Graduate Certificate in Computer Systems Engineering prepares students to succeed in job roles such as:
Credits completed for this certificate may be applied toward CSU's online electrical or computer engineering master's degrees after formal admission per University transfer policies. Additionally, you can earn a guaranteed admission recommendation into either master's program from the department and bypass the GRE requirement, if you complete two classes from the curriculum with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and with no less than a 2.7 in any course. Learn more about this option and the online computer and electrical engineering master's programs at CSU.
The curriculum for the computer systems engineering graduate certificate is customizable to your interests and educational goals.
You must be admitted to this program for the certificate to appear on your official University transcript.
This certificate can be completed in one year, though completion time will vary based on the number of credits successfully completed each semester.
Note: This certificate may have courses in common with other graduate certificates. A student may earn more than one certificate, but a given course may be counted only in one certificate.
Students can be admitted for either the fall or spring semester. Summer admission is not available. For full consideration, submit your application and supporting documents prior to the dates below.
| Fall semester | July 1 |
| Spring semester | December 1 |
Start your application online and upload materials directly into the online system. You can save your progress and return any time.
Apply NowThis graduate certificate requires applicants to have the following, at a minimum:
Note that meeting the minimum department standards does not ensure admission to the program. Admission to Colorado State University graduate programs is based on a number of factors, including prior academic and professional experience.
Complete the online graduate application and pay the nonrefundable application processing fee (payable online). As soon as you have completed the required information, please submit your application. Your application will not be reviewed until it is complete and all required materials have been received.
Request one official transcript from the institution where you earned your bachelor’s degree. Transcripts must be received directly from the originating institution to be considered official. Transcripts from Colorado State University are not required.
Electronic (preferred): Digital Transcripts must be submitted by the originating institution using a secure service such as parchment, eScrip-Safe, the National Student Clearinghouse, or e-Quals. Transcripts received via emails are considered unofficial. Use institution code 4075 for Colorado State University or gradadmissions@colostate.edu if the secure service requires an email address.
Mail (if necessary): Graduate Admissions Colorado State University – Office of Admissions 1062 Campus Delivery Fort Collins, CO 80523-1062
View your application status at any time to ensure your application checklist is complete or to check on updates.
Once your complete application, including supporting materials, is received, the department admission committee will review your application and notify you of their decision.
Proof of English language proficiency is required for applicants from countries or United States territories where there are official languages other than (or in addition to) English. This includes the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Puerto Rico.
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