Engineering Management & Systems Engineering

1. Engineering Management & Systems Engineering John N. Wood, PhD (Program Alumnus)

2. About me… • BS in Electrical Engineering (U.S. Naval Academy) • MS in Systems Engineering (The George Washington University) • PhD in Systems Engineering (The George Washington University) • Completed MS & PhD programs while working full-time in San Diego • First time on GWU campus was for PhD hooding ceremony

3. Programs Offered • Graduate Certificate in Systems Engineering • Master of Science in Systems Engineering or Engineering Management • Doctor of Philosophy in Systems Engineering or Engineering Management • In person programs available in VA & MD • Special arrangements with corporations can bring professors to the workplace (even in CA!) • Online programs offered worldwide

4. Grad Cert & Master’s Program • Graduate Certificate earned in conjunction with Master’s Program following completion of core courses • 12-course (36 credit-hour) program explores the seven essential tasks of systems engineering defined by INCOSE: State the problem, Investigate alternatives, Model the system, Integrate, Launch the system, Assess performance, and Re-evaluate • Requires: • Bachelor’s degree with a minimum grade average of B in the last two years of undergraduate study from a recognized institution • Grades of C or better in two college calculus courses

5. PhD Program • Accelerated program can be completed in less than 3 years • Consists of 4 milestones: • Completion of course work (10 classes, 36 credit-hours) • Presentation at professional conference • Acceptance for publication in scientific journal • Successful dissertation defense • GRE or GMAT not required

6. Life During Master’s Program • Master’s program met in person every other week for two consecutive nights (4:30 – 7:30 Wednesdays and Thursdays) • Great camaraderie with fellow employees/classmates • Immediate application in the workplace • Minimal disruptions to work and family life

7. “Life” During PhD Program • Called accelerated for a reason! • First 15 months required full-day sessions every Saturday • Sundays mainly spent doing homework • Significant reading and prep-work throughout the week • Independent research phase less intense (at least for me) • Schedule largely driven by external influences (conference timing and publication timelines) • Meetings with advisors held about every 6 weeks • Required dedication of student and family

8. Life After • Master’s program provided me with essential SE tools • Confidently and competently led engineering efforts for nuclear weapon infrastructure program • Promoted within the company • PhD program provided me with in-depth, cutting-edge skill set • Interfaced with and provided direction to other PhDs (engineers and scientists) working on V-22 Osprey program • Enabled career move to applied medical research organization

9. Additional Information • Application information and course descriptions can be found here: http://nearyou.gwu.edu/em-dl/index.html • Additional questions should be directed to: Tammy Miller, Senior Marketing & Recruitment Specialist twm@gwu.edu or (757) 269-2209 • I can be reached at:dr.john.n.wood@gmail.com or (760) 659-0115