OpTech Certificate Program:
The OpTech Certificate Program is a nine month program. This is study program for scientific and engineering (S&E) officers and technically trained project managers to expend operational knowledge, and to explore technologies they could exploit for AF purposes. Students completing this program will receive an OpTech Certificate.

This program consists of:

1. 18 credit hours of graduate coursework in systems acquisition management and product development, systems engineering, and operational technology and innovation;
2. Operational and technology immersion experiences where participants learn of cutting edge technologies and experience the warfighter environment and employment considerations.
3. A rapid design and prototype program where participants identify opportunities, develop a range of product concepts and conceptual designs, competitively down-select proposals, and then plan and execute a rapid product definition and demonstration effort.

Certificate Classes

• SMGT 546 - Project Management
• SENG 520 – Systems Engineering Design
• RDMT 541 – Operational Technology and Innovation
• RDMT 642 – Systems Development I
• RDMY 643 – Systems Acquisition Development II

Prospective students should possess a solid technical academic background, have strong records of performance and demonstrate leadership potential. This program is designed for junior officers and civilian engineers/scientists. Qualified candidates must:

1. Be currently employed at WPAFB with no projected change of station for the nine months of the program
2. Be serving in the grade of O-1 through O-3 or GS-9 through GS-12
3. Have a strong record of performance
4. Be able to participate in the program every Friday, with a 2-week immersion trip
5. Have an undergraduate degree in science, math, engineering or other technical field with an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 (recent GRE/GMAT scores should be provided if the GPA does not meet this minimum requirement).

Department of Systems & Engineering Management