Degree Overview: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree in Engineering Management
Majors Overview November 12, 2014Engineering management features a combination of engineering and business principles. Bachelor’s degree programs in this area will cover a variety of subjects, such as science and math. Students are given the chance to choose the type of engineering they wish to pursue and whether or not the program is accredited.
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree Programs in Engineering Management
Those seeking a career in engineering management would need to hold at least a bachelor’s degree. Students enrolled in engineering management programs are taught about application of business management principles to the field of engineering. The focus of some programs is primarily on the management of a specific discipline in engineering. Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a GED certificate or a high school diploma.
Programs that carry accreditation by ABET, Inc., once known as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, may be considered by students interested in the field. Certification boards and employers prefer graduates from ABET-accredited programs. In addition to core courses, coursework includes a significant proportion of scientific and mathematical classes, including physics, calculus, and chemistry.
Coursework
Coursework combines lab sessions and classroom instruction in business management, accounting, finance, and engineering. Engineering coursework focuses on important themes relating to major engineering disciplines, such as electrical, civil, and mechanical. The curriculum may include topic areas such as:
• Project analysis
• Quality control
• Engineering leadership
• Financial management
• Operations management
Career Choices
Those that successfully complete the program may seek employment with firms involved in research and development, manufacturing, and engineering services (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)).
Many employers expect candidates seeking engineering management positions to have experience in the field they are interested in managing. These professionals could choose from possible job titles such as:
• Manufacturing engineering manager
• Project manager
• Quality assurance manager
• Systems engineering manager
• Value engineering manager
Job and Wage Outlook
A job growth rate of 7% has been predicted for architectural and engineering managers over the 2012 – 2022 decade (BLS). The low growth rate is attributed to the increasing trend of outsourcing. In May 2012, engineering managers brought home an average annual wage of $124,870, with engineering managers in Texas, Massachusetts, and California among the highest paid in the field.
Continuing Education Choices
Professional licensure may be mandatory for engineering managers; they can obtain it through the passage of two exams and adequate work experience. Towards the end of their graduation, students may take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. Following passage of the FE, individuals would typically need to log four years of work experience, after which they would be allowed to take the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam, leading to licensure.
Licensure must be maintained by meeting continuing education standards. Individuals with project coordination or quality assurance certifications are preferred by employers for some engineering management positions.
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