The document provides information about applying for Academic Equivalency through INCOSE certification. It discusses what Academic Equivalency is, the benefits for universities and students, and how the application process works. Universities can apply by mapping their course assessments to INCOSE's learning objectives, submitting syllabi and rubrics, and agreeing to use the INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook as a required textbook. If approved, student course completion waives the knowledge exam requirement for ASEP/CSEP certification. The presentation addresses common myths and frequently asked questions.

1. How to Apply for
INCOSE Certification
Academic Equivalency
17TH June 2023
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2. About Me ( Presenter )
bernardo.delicado@incose.net
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Academic Equivalency Coordinator
Certification Advisory Group (CAG)
INCOSE Central

3. What is INCOSE Certification?
• INCOSE Systems Engineering Professional (SEP) certification
formally recognizes progress through a career as
someone develops and applies systems engineering knowledge
and practices.
• INCOSE offer three levels of certification ASEP, CSEP and
ESEP.
• One of the requirements for ASEP and CSEP certification
is knowledge of the INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook.
This can be demonstrated through INCOSE's knowledge exam
or through Academic Equivalency.
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4. What is INCOSE Certification?
• INCOSE Systems Engineering Professional (SEP) certification
formally recognizes progress through a career as
someone develops and applies systems engineering knowledge
and practices.
• INCOSE offer three levels of certification ASEP, CSEP and
ESEP.
• One of the requirements for ASEP and CSEP certification
is knowledge of the INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook.
This can be demonstrated through INCOSE's knowledge exam
or through Academic Equivalency.
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5. What is Academic Equivalency?
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Knowledge Exam
Timed exam with multiple choice questions
from INCOSE Systems Engineering handbook
Academic Equivalency
University course using
INCOSE Systems Engineering handbook as textbook
Achieving High Grade in Academic Equivalency Course(s)
Waive Knowledge Exam for ASEP/CSEP

6. Academic Equivalency Benefits
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INCOSE
• Remove exam as barrier to certification
• ASEP/CSEP candidate afraid to take an exam
• Non-English-speaking candidate completes course
in native language using translated handbook
• Provide benefit to Academic Council members
• Expand understanding of systems engineering
practices beyond systems engineering students
• Expand exposure of INCOSE to students
Expand Knowledge of Systems Engineering
University
• Provide value to students
• Free textbook using associate membership
• Course completion waives SEP exam for
students
• Use INCOSE learning objectives as a resource
• Educate non systems engineering students
about systems engineering practices when used
as elective
• AcEq course can be stand-alone alternative to
SEP exam

7. How Does Academic Equivalency Work?
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University Requirements to Apply:
• CAB/Academic Council membership
• CSEP or ESEP as POC
Recommend Students Apply for ASEP
“Stop the Clock” for the Exam Requirement in CSEP
University Application:
• Identify assessment type for each
INCOSE learning objective
• Provide syllabus for equivalent course(s)
• Show INCOSE SE Handbook is a required
textbook
University Effort after AcEq Award:
• Submit list of students after course completion
• Renew application every 3 years
Student Effort for ASEP/CSEP:
• Join INCOSE as an individual member
• Submit 1-page ASEP application with fee within
1 year of course completion

8. Options for AcEq Course(s)
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One Course Multiple Courses
Modify
Create
Identify What Works Best for Your University

9. Options for AcEq Course(s)
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Update Existing Course
• Perform gap analysis to INCOSE learning objectives
• Add/modify content to support modified
assessments
• Make sure INCOSE handbook is a required
textbook

10. Options for AcEq Course(s)
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Create New Course
• Start with INCOSE learning objectives
• Create content to support assessments aligned with
learning objectives
• Use INCOSE handbook as required textbook

11. Options for AcEq Course(s)
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Select Multiple Courses
• Map INCOSE learning objectives to existing courses
• Make sure INCOSE handbook is a required textbook in each course

12. Implementation of Academic Equivalency
• Students do well in required courses
• University sends a list of student names and INCOSE IDs to
INCOSE (typically 1 to 3 times per year, at end of each term)
• INCOSE notes these students have met knowledge
requirement (good for 12 months)
• Students apply for certification
• Membership
• Certification application
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13. How Does a University Apply for AcEq?
• Fill out interest form online
• https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/654df1f805b944cc8bc5771cc7d7b9
be
• Meet administrative requirements
• CAB / Academic Council membership
• CSEP or ESEP POC
• INCOSE SE Handbook as required materials
• Signed Memorandum of Agreement (lawyer stuff)
• Map your course assessments to the Learning Objectives
spreadsheet
• Submit syllabi and scoring rubrics for courses
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14. Iterate Until Approved
• INCOSE assessors will review the Academic Equivalency
materials a university submits.
• The assessors may ask for clarification in writing or on a phone
call.
• Once the equivalency is approved, and the MOA signed,
INCOSE will notify the university and issue a press release.
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15. Myths and Facts
• Myth: University must send INCOSE artifacts of assessments
• Fact: University indicates assessment type for learning objective (quiz,
paper, team project, exercise).
• Fact: INCOSE does not review quiz questions or sample papers.
• Myth: University must send INCOSE lecture content
• Fact: INCOSE only requires the syllabus. INCOSE is looking at the
topics covered to establish context for the assessments.
• Fact: INCOSE is only concerned with assessments and does not look
at lecture content.
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16. Myths and Facts
• Myth: University cannot use other textbooks
• Fact: INCOSE requires SE Handbook as a required textbook.
• Fact: University can use additional textbooks if desired.
• Myth: University instructors can only deliver INCOSE content
• Fact: University has flexibility in delivery. Instructors can add
information, use additional resources, create additional assessments.
• Fact: INCOSE is only concerned with assessments identified for
INCOSE learning objectives. Instructors must use those assessments.
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17. Myths and Facts
• Myth: University cannot change course once approved for AcEq
• Fact: University can change lectures, add assessments, and has flexibility
in delivery. INCOSE is only concerned with assessments identified for
INCOSE learning objectives
• Fact: University can change AcEq assessment if they notify INCOSE of the
change. INCOSE expects universities to regularly refresh their classes.
• Myth: AcEq is restricted to Systems Engineering students
• Fact: Any student that successfully completes the AcEq course(s) is
eligible for ASEP.
• Fact: INCOSE encourages students outside systems engineering to
pursue an ASEP certification to show that they can “speak SE”.
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18. Myths and Facts
• Myth: Competing universities will be able to see our content
• Fact: No proprietary information is collected or shared.
• Fact: Samples provided from universities are provided with permission
from those universities.
• Myth: INCOSE needs access to private student information
• Fact: University sends a list of names with INCOSE ID numbers that have
successfully completed class with 85% or better.
• Fact: INCOSE ID is generated when student accesses INCOSE for a free
download of the SE Handbook (part of Academic Council membership)
• Fact: University can arrange for students to self-select to have their
names submitted. INCOSE does not require the entire student roster.
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19. Myths and Facts
• Myth: Competing universities will be able to see our content
• Fact: No proprietary information is collected or shared.
• Fact: Samples provided from universities are provided with permission
from those universities.
• Myth: INCOSE needs access to private student information
• Fact: University sends a list of names with INCOSE ID numbers that have
successfully completed class with 85% or better.
• Fact: INCOSE ID is generated when student accesses INCOSE for a free
download of the SE Handbook (part of Academic Council membership)
• Fact: University can arrange for students to self-select to have their
names submitted. INCOSE does not require the entire student roster.
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20. FAQs
• Must instructors be SEPs ? No
• If the AcEq is claimed through different courses, should they submit
applications for each program/course ? Each AcEq submission should
include the minimum courses required to assess against all Learning
Objectives.
• What is the level of detail you need for rubric/assignments? We’ve
developed an example we can share.
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21. FAQs
• Cost for CAB/ Academic Council membership and AcEq at INCOSE
Central $5225, $3919, or $2612, depending on country PPP
• Cost for CAB/ Academic Council membership and AcEq at National
Chapter case-by-case to be gathered ( not applicable in the US )
• Cost for students who don’t get certified None
• Cost for Students pursuing certification Student membership fee ($50)
or individual membership fee ($160, $120, or $80) plus ASEP application
fee of $180, $135, or $90
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22. FAQs
• Can the university offer the AcEq course to companies/organizations
apart from the Bachelor/Master students where the course is
implemented ? Yes
• If a university has different academic programs in the campus, should
they pay only one CAB membership and AcEq service at university
level or pay for each recognized course within each academic
program ? Only pay once per university to be a member of CAB. Can have
many AcEqs.
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23. FAQs
• If we do not have a CSEP or ESEP POC within the faculty staff, how do
we meet administrative requirements ? Can identify a SEP within the
community to serve as this POC.
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24. Academic Equivalency 24
Impact to AcEq
• Current learning objectives are based on v4 as required textbook
• Allowed for renewing AcEq through June 2026
• New learning objectives are based on v5 as required textbook
• Published in July 2023
• 23 hybrid learning objectives (apply to both v4 and v5, additional content in v5)
• 1 new learning objective (applies to v5 only)
• Allowed for new or renewing AcEq starting August 2023 (Universities are still
allowed to use the v4 template to apply through 31 July 2024, but INCOSE prefers
Universities switch to v5, but INCOSE will allow that old one for another 12
months )
• Required for new AcEq starting July 2024
• Required for renewing AcEq starting July 2026

25. INCOSE Learning Objectives V5
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INCOSE Core Learning Objective Description INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook v5 Reference(s) University Assessment Method, Course
Number, and Assignment for this Learning
Objective
Example SYS 501 Quiz 3
Body of Knowledge (Systems Engineering Handbook version 5) n/a
Systems Engineering and Life Cycle Overview Chapter 1 n/a
Identify systems engineering definitions, principles, and concepts
Define awareness level concepts of systems thinking
Lifecycle Models and Concepts Chapter 2 (sections 2.1-2.3.3) n/a
Define awareness level concepts for lifecycles
Define awareness level concepts of acquisition and supply
Define awareness level concepts of business and enterprise integration
Technical Management Processes Chapter 2 (section 2.3.4) n/a
Define awareness level concepts of planning
Define awareness level concepts of monitoring and control
Define awareness level concepts of decision management
Define awareness level concepts of risk and opportunity management
Define awareness level concepts of configuration management
Define awareness level concepts of information management
Technical Processes Chapter 2 (section 2.3.5) n/a
Define awareness level concepts of requirements definition
Define awareness level concepts of architecture definition
Define awareness level concepts of design for system realization
Define awareness level concepts of modeling and analysis
Define awareness level concepts of integration
Define awareness level concepts for verification
Define awareness level concepts for transition
Define awareness level concepts for validation
Define awareness level concepts for operation and support
Methods and Analysis Chapter 3 n/a
Define awareness level concepts of design for quality characteristics
Define awareness level concepts for interfaces
Application Considerations Chapter 4 n/a
Define how systems engineering is applied
Systems of Systems Chapter 4 (section 4.3.6) n/a
Define the complexities of a System of Systems
Systems Engineering in Practice Chapter 5 n/a
Identify aspects of systems engineering in practice

26. Any Questions?
Academic Equivalency Coordinator:
bernardo.delicado@incose.net
Certification Office:
certification@incose.net
Web Page:
https://www.incose.org/systems-engineering-certification/university-
organizational-agreements
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For more information visit:
www.incose.org/certification