INCOSE ASEP or CSEP Certificate

The International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) is the worldwide leading professional society for Systems Engineering. Its certifications are globally recognized by both industry and government as a trusted validation of a professional's knowledge, experience, and skills in the fundamental principles of modern systems engineering.
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INCOSE logos for ASEP and CSEP certifications

A Cornell First

Cornell Systems Engineering is proud that its course, SYSEN 5100: Model-Based Systems Engineering, was the first in the world to be recognized by the International Council On Systems Engineering (INCOSE)  as knowledge exam equivalent. This distinction allows students to earn ASEP (Associate Systems Engineering Professional) or, if eligible, CSEP (Certified Systems Engineering Professional) certification through their performance in the course—without needing to take the INCOSE exam. Since then, only a handful of other organizations have earned this recognition, and Cornell continues to lead globally in the number of students achieving knowledge exam equivalency through its program.

Main Requirements

To earn certification, students must complete the SYSEN 5100 course with a grade of 85% or higher and become a member of INCOSE as well as a CAB Affiliate with Cornell Systems Engineering. Students with at least five years of systems engineering experience can use the course to qualify for CSEP certification, while all other students will earn ASEP certification, which is the most common path. Since SYSEN 5100 is a core course in Cornell’s Systems Engineering M.Eng. program, the majority of graduates receive ASEP or CSEP certification as an additional professional recognition that enhances their degree.

Additional Information

INCOSE certifications require recipients to be active members of INCOSE. Although many companies are willing to pay for employee’s membership, membership fees and discounts are listed on the INCOSE website. All certification fees are set by INCOSE and are independent of Cornell. ASEP certification must be renewed every five years; however, many recipients transition to CSEP certification once they gain five years of systems engineering experience. For more information on INCOSE certification, please visit INCOSE’s Certification Program Overview.

SYSEN5100: Model Based Systems Engineering

For more information on SYSEN 5100—a highly rated course that covers both INCOSE certification material and additional advanced topics—please search for SYSEN 5100 on the Cornell Class Roster for Systems Engineering.

Certification Processing and Receipt

Upon successfully completing the course with a grade of 85% or higher, you will be awarded the INCOSE ASEP Certification. To process your certification, you must submit your INCOSE ID# through a survey that will be posted on the Canvas course page. If you do not have or know your INCOSE ID#, you can retrieve it by logging into or creating an account at www.incose.org. Additionally, if applicable, please designate yourself as a CAB Affiliate with Cornell Systems in the INCOSE system. Breonna Herring (blb253@cornell.edu) will submit the ASEP Certificate application on your behalf, and the process will be completed within a month of course completion. If you plan to pursue the CSEP Certification in the future, you will need to apply independently, as it requires additional materials and a minimum number of years of Systems Engineering experience.

How to Apply

  • Systems Engineering Professional Certificate Program Students

    Application information for students who are not currently enrolled in a Systems Engineering M.Eng. degree.

  • M.Eng. Students

    If you are a student enrolled in the Systems M.Eng. degree, earn this certificate by enrolling in the required courses.