Master’s Degree Programs in Quality Engineering Overview
Majors Overview September 11, 2015Graduates of the master’s degree program in quality engineering will be ready to troubleshoot a manufacturing company’s organizational controls and implement new quality control techniques. This article talks about master’s degree programs in quality engineering and their educational requirements, coursework, and job and wage outlook.
Master’s Programs in Quality Engineering
Bachelor’s degree holders seeking to further their careers as industrial engineers or manufacturing supervisors could benefit from enrolling into graduate quality engineering programs. Various industrial practices in quality control (QC), such as organizational management, ISO 9000, processes improvement, and Six Sigma are in these programs.
Students also learn about behavioral factors that impact quality control and manufacturing processes; additionally, presentation skills may be acquired by students, and industry-specific quality control practices learned. Students may need about 30 credit hours to complete these programs that could include a final project. Some schools offer programs in online formats. In many programs, students may be prepared for certification as Certified Quality Auditors, Certified Quality Engineers, and Certified Quality Managers. Whether or not they seek certification, all students are taught about troubleshooting quality control processes, researching manufacturing issues and auditing quality assurance protocols.
Educational Requirements
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold an undergraduate degree, preferably in a discipline related to engineering – before they enroll in a program. Prior work experience in an engineering setting may also be a requirement for applicants.
Coursework
Students enrolled in master’s degree programs cover matrix, block, and tree diagrams to impart expertise in visualizing the quality control process to students. Students will also gain a grasp of the role of manufacturing positions and how they deliver consistent products by relying on feedback mechanisms among them. Core coursework may cover topic areas such as:
•Quality control audits
•Organizational transformation
•Leadership
•Quality management
•Presentation skills
•QC strategies
Job and Wage Outlook
Over the 2012 – 2022 decade, little growth, if any, has been predicted for these professionals. The pessimistic projection is due to a decline in production brought about by international competition. In 2013, industrial production managers brought in an average annual wage of $99,370 (BLS). In the same year, industrial engineers earned a median wage of $83,390. Over the 2012 – 2022 decade, industrial engineers are expected to see a job growth of five percent, driven by a rising number of manufacturers seeking to keep costs under control. Individuals with master’s degrees in the field can seek entry-level engineering research jobs.
