Information on Master of Science (MS) Degree Program in Engineering Management
Majors Overview September 7, 2015This article talks about Master of Science (M.S.) degree programs in Engineering Management and their education requirements, coursework, career choices, job and wage outlook, and continuing education choices.
Master of Science (M.S.) Programs in Engineering Management
Engineers seeking career advancement into leadership roles could benefit from enrolling into engineering management master’s degree programs. Coursework covers engineering and business courses through the use of simulated industrial systems aimed at examining and solving problems. Students enrolled in some programs are allowed to select an area of concentration. Students in most programs can completed them within a year. Schools commonly offer weekend, evening and online classes aimed at accommodating students who are in full-time employment.
Education Requirements
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a 4-year degree in engineering or related fields, such as mathematics, computer science, or technology, in addition to completing a specified number of hours of mathematics. They may also have to submit letters of recommendation, Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) scores, and a statement of purpose.
Coursework
Coursework in the 30-credit-hour master’s programs typically includes courses in both advanced engineering and general business studies, including topic areas such as business law, quality management, and engineering project management. In some programs, students can choose from specialized tracks of study, including biomedical engineering, computer engineering, enterprise systems, or computer science. Core coursework may cover topic areas such as:
•Computer integration
•Engineering management
•Project management
•Cost analysis
•Operations management
Career Choices
Program graduates may choose from different sets of job titles in accordance with their chosen areas of interest and specializations. They can typically choose from mid-level management careers in areas such as aerospace, telecommunications, information systems, and utilities. They can choose from possible job options such as:
•Engineering consultant
•Director of Technology
•Product Manager
•Systems Architect
•Business strategy coordinator
Job and Wage Outlook
Over the 2012 – 2022 decade, engineering managers, including architectural managers, are expected to see a seven percent job growth (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). In May 2012, these professionals brought in an average annual wage of $124,870.
Continuing Education Choices
Program graduates seeking continuing education may enroll in graduate certificate programs in technology management, systems engineering, or information systems management. They may also choose to enroll in a Ph.D. in Engineering Management that could lead to careers in research or academia. Coursework in Ph.D. programs is devised to provide enrolled engineers with advanced research in management, design, and systems via a dissertation and directed research projects.