PhD Exploration Systems Design (Systems Engineering) at Arizona State University

Programme overview

The Doctor of Philosophy program in exploration systems design with a concentration in systems engineering offers you an advanced systems approach for developing scientific exploration technologies in a range of demanding environments on Earth and in space. This transdisciplinary degree program provides you with a valuable platform for training as a systems engineer interested in developing technologies for exploration science.

What you will study

84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation Required Core (1 credit hour) SES 502 Exploring SESE Research (1) Electives or Research (61 credit hours) Other Requirements (1 credit hour) SES 501 SESE Colloquium (1) Concentration (9 credit hours) Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) SES 799 Dissertation (12) Additional Curriculum Information When approved by the student's supervisory committee and the Graduate College, 30 credit hours from a previously awarded master's degree in a related field can be used for this degree.

Career pathways

Professionals with expertise in exploration systems design are in high demand across sectors and industries, including remote sensing, systems engineering, data science, consulting, Earth and planetary science, and engineering. Career examples: data scientist, engineering professor, instrument builder, project manager, research engineer, systems engineer.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: graduate admission application and application fee official transcripts statement of purpose three letters of recommendation proof of English proficiency Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. Systems engineering concentration: Successful completion of a senior capstone or design project is an admission requirement for this concentration.

Domestic applicants: USD 13,327 a year (2026-27). Arizona resident tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads Source

International applicants: USD 24,780 a year (2026-27). International tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads ar Source

Entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer; the terms available for each programme are listed in Degree Search.

Graduate application deadlines are set by each programme office and listed in Degree Search. The nonrefundable application fee is $75 for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA and international online students outside the U.S., and $120 for international students on a nonimmigrant visa studying in the U.S.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.asu.edu/apply/graduate/admission

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