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Online engineering MBA degree programs offer a lucrative opportunity for students to acquire an added credential without attending a traditional program. This is especially helpful for students who do not live close to a university or have other personal and professional commitments that make a full-time on-campus program unviable.
It's important for those who wish to enroll in online engineering MBAs to research campus visitation requirements thoroughly. Some programs might have an on-campus orientation, while others might ask students to attend intensives regularly. A few programs also require students to present their final capstone project in a classroom.
While online programs offer ample flexibility, students who do not thrive studying independently might find it challenging. The key to succeeding in an online program is to regularly interact with peers and faculty members in discussion forums and tailor your schedule to keep pace with lectures and assignments.
Some programs also offer live classes to interact with peers and faculty members.
Students with the determination and drive to make independent learning work will find the flexibility of an online program most valuable.
Academic programs that offer engineering and business combinations can include on-campus or online coursework, such as MBAs with an engineering focus or dual degree programs. Here is a selection of online MBA programs with an engineering concentration and several dual degree options.
University of Southern Indiana
University of Southern Indiana’s 100 percent online MBA in engineering management is designed for working engineers seeking current business management knowledge. The school aims to prepare candidates for leadership roles managing technological organizations or engineering teams.
Admissions requirements include having a bachelor's degree (from an HLC-accredited institution or similar association) with a grade point average of at least 2.5. Application requirements include a current professional resume, three professional references, official transcripts, and TOEFL or IELTS scores for those whose native language is not English.
Made up of 30 credits, the program's curriculum includes traditional MBA subjects like marketing, finance, leadership, economics, and business law. Students also study project management, supply chain management, and quality management.
Upon completion, graduates of the program are prepared for leadership roles in manufacturing, technology, construction, industrial management, or research and development. They can take up roles such as engineering managers, architectural managers, construction managers, and industrial managers.
Southern New Hampshire University
Southern New Hampshire University in partnership with Worcester Polytechnic Institute offers SNHU's online MBA in engineering management program. This online program provides students with interdisciplinary knowledge as in a comprehensive MBA, and a special focus on engineering management.
The faculty of the program includes expert instructors with relevant, real-world experience. This online MBA is ideal for professionals who wish to take up leadership positions, or those who wish to develop skills to communicate and collaborate with engineering teams meaningfully.
Comprising 30 credits, this program features business core courses in organizational strategy in a global environment; leading people and organizations; measuring success in an organization; optimizing brands; leading organizational change; and strategic opportunity management.
Engineering management courses include an introduction to engineering for engineering managers; systems thinking for engineering managers; and systems engineering and business practices. Students also learn personal or professional decision-making, data analysis, and methods to seek and improve efficiency.
Program acceptance is offered on a rolling basis throughout the year. Transcripts and applications are required, along with a meeting with an admission counselor. GRE or GMAT scores are not required for admission.
Students through the program will learn valuable engineering practices and systems thinking concepts for engineering solutions, analyze primary as well as secondary data using information technology skills, and qualitative and quantitative techniques for effective decision-making and problem-solving, and create entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial opportunities in a global environment.
Henderson State University offers online MBA programs in two specializations: data science and engineering management. These can be completed in 14 months or more and comprise 33 credits.
The GMAT requirement is waived for students with at least a 2.7 GPA and the application does not require letters of recommendation, essays, or any course prerequisites. Both concentrations imparts skills such as leadership, ethical reasoning, strategic decision-making, and more.
Arizona State University offers a concurrent MBA and MS in industrial engineering. The fully online program is designed for working professionals who want to enhance their technical expertise while honing their business skills. Program faculty includes world-renowned engineering and business professionals with real-world experience.
To get accepted into the program, applicants must have a bachelor's degree, a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.2, GMAT or GRE scores, a resume, an essay, and a current resume. Additional application requirements include two letters of reference and official transcripts from each university or college attended. Proof of English proficiency is required of applicants whose native language is not English.
Consisting of 56 credits, this online program includes courses such as web-enabled decision support systems; ethical issues for managers; regression analysis; design engineering experiments; production systems; advanced simulating stochastic systems; and applied deterministic operations research, among others.
Graduates of this MBA and MS in industrial engineering enhance their business acumen, develop additional skills, take up management responsibilities, and pursue leadership roles in the engineering industry. Arizona State University also offers a concurrent MBA and electrical engineering master’s degree.
Purdue Engineering Online’s dual-degree MBA and master of science (MS) in engineering program may appeal to those with an undergraduate degree in engineering who want to continue their studies while developing business and management skills.
This program is offered in collaboration with the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. It includes three segments: bridge classes, technical/engineering, and MBA coursework. Online courses are taught through formats such as streaming video and downloadable files. The program is taught by the same experienced faculty members who teach on campus. Students graduate with a dual degree, namely, an MBA from Indiana University and an MSE/MS from Purdue University.
To enter the program, students require an existing bachelor's degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program or one with equivalent standards, three letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, GRE or GMAT scores, two official transcripts, and either a valid engineering degree or completion of prerequisite coursework. International students need to submit TOEFL scores.
The program comprises 60 credits, including courses in areas such as financial management; project management; law and ethics; accounting for decision-making; strategic marketing; strategic management and business planning; operations management, and organizational development and change.
Widener University offers a dual MSE and MBA in partnership with Widener's School of Engineering and School of Business Administration. The program blends managerial and technical responsibilities and educates business leaders seeking "real-world" challenges.
Online MBA degree programs are flexible and suited to working professionals. This program is not completely online, but graduate classes are held one night every week and are also streamed online live. This provides students with a direct connection with the faculty members and allows them to keep up with coursework.
Students interested in being part of the program must be admitted to both schools and have a bachelor's degree from an accredited university with a 2.8 minimum grade point average and GRE or GMAT scores. These can also be waived for applicants with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and above from an EAC/ABET-accredited undergraduate program. Application requirements include a completed online application, a current resume, a personal statement, transcripts, and two letters of recommendation.
This dual program comprises 54 credits. Students in this program have the option to specialize in the following engineering fields: chemical, biomedical, civil, mechanical, or electrical. The MBA portion of the program includes courses such as leading organizations and people; marketing; information systems and data analytics; accounting and managerial decision making; managing business processes; and managing for results.
Upon completion of the program, students are awarded both the master of science in engineering and master of business administration degrees. Graduates can take up roles such as project managers, engineering or plant managers, management consultants, and technology or operations directors.
Auburn University offers an online dual master of industrial and systems engineering/master of business administration program (MBA). The Samuel Ginn College of Engineering and Harbert College of Business come together to offer this online dual program. This program is ideal for students interested in learning about business and engineering and who wish to take up leadership roles, while also upgrading their knowledge of industrial engineering and systems.
Applicants to the program must have a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering or any other related discipline from an institution of recognized standing. Also, it is important to note that applicants must apply separately to each program. Application requirements include GRE or GMAT scores (can be waived), three letters of recommendation, a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.75, official transcripts from all institutions attended, a current resume, and a personal statement.
The program includes courses such as financial analysis; linear programming & network flows; advanced engineering statistics; quantitative decision making; organizational leadership, ethics, and change; strategic analysis & the competitive environment; cost analysis & systems; and operational excellence; among others.
The University of Michigan offers an online dual master’s in business administration (MBA) and a master of science in engineering-industrial and systems engineering (MSEISE), providing professionals with knowledge in management and engineering. Offered jointly by the College of Engineering and Computer Science and the College of Business, this program can be completed online, on-campus, or a combination of both.
Students must apply to the MSE-ISE and MBA programs for admission. The major admission requirements include a bachelor of science degree in physical science, engineering, applied mathematics, or computer science, probability and statistics coursework, operations research, and a course in human factors and ergonomics.
Comprising 57 to 66 credits, the program includes core MBA courses such as corporate social responsibility; organization behavior; marketing management; computer and information systems; and finance fundamentals and value creation, to name a few. The MSE-ISE courses include optimization; design and analysis of experiments; multivariate statistics; and production and operations management.
The engineering aspect of the program provides students with the knowledge and skills for designing, installing, and managing large integrated service and engineering systems. They are also provided with the analytical skills for evaluating and improving those systems. The MBA aspect of the program provides students with an understanding of the core business disciplines. They will be able to identify business problems, apply appropriate solutions, and explain alternative approaches to ethical or corporate social responsibility issues.
Norwich University offers an online master of business administration program with five concentrations that are related to engineering: Construction management, project management, technology management, energy management, and supply chain management.
The faculty of this 18-month program includes experienced professionals dedicated to students' success by providing one-on-one feedback, guidance, and a personal learning experience.
For admission to the program, applicants require a bachelor's degree from a regionally or nationally accredited U.S. institution or its equivalent degree, an undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 or higher, a completed online application, a current resume, three professional references, official transcripts, and proof of English language proficiency for students whose first language is not English. GRE or GMAT scores are not required for admission.
The program comprises 36 credits, of which 18 credits are for core courses and the remaining 18 are for the chosen concentration. Core courses include strategic resources management; managerial finance; and strategic marketing and operations management. Courses in the concentration include:
Project management - project management techniques, tools, and practices; project management leadership, communications, and teams; and strategic management in project management.
Construction management - project management techniques, tools, and practices; contracts and insurance; and project finance and accounting.
Energy management - energy resources and markets; energy savings and efficiency projects; and managing corporate energy needs.
Supply chain management - supply chain management strategy, planning, and operations; supply chain management logistics, design, and execution; and supply chain management assessment, integration, and optimization.
Technology management - technology management strategy; supply chain management strategy, planning and operations; and project management techniques, tools, and practices.
The PMI Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs (GAC) accredited the project management concentration. Students in this concentration are prepared to sit for PMI exams.
Lawrence Technological University
Lawrence Technological University offers a dual degree program in business administration and engineering management. Students will be required to take core courses in both the College of Business and Information Technology’s MBA program and the College of Engineering’s engineering management program. Upon completion, graduates will be awarded two master’s degrees. Classes are delivered in online, on-campus, and hybrid formats, accommodating the busy schedules of working students. They can complete this program entirely from home.
To get accepted into the program, applicants must possess an undergraduate degree from an accredited university or its equivalent in another country with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Application requirements include a completed online application, official transcripts from all the colleges attended, a professional resume, and GRE or GMAT scores for applicants with a GPA of less than 3.0.
Comprising 51 credits, the program’s MBA curriculum includes courses such as reflective leadership; managerial accounting; global business economics; strategic marketing management; management information systems; and corporate finance. MEM courses include enterprise productivity; six sigma process; production planning and control; engineering supply chain management; quality engineering systems; engineering management; and technology management.
Boise State University offers an online MBA program in construction management, equipping students with the credibility and skills they need to become leaders in the engineering, construction, or architecture industries. Along with business expertise, students will be able to successfully manage construction projects and teams from the planning stage to execution.
To be considered for admission, applicants will need a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, with a GPA of 3.0, two years of significant, full-time management experience, and a minimum score of 500 on the GMAT or 147/148 on the GRE (waivers available).
This 49 credits program includes core MBA courses such as design thinking and strategic management; marketing strategy; people and organizations; corporate finance; managerial accounting; and operations and supply chain management. Concentration courses include leadership in architecture, engineering, and construction; architecture, engineering, and construction project management; and architecture, engineering, and construction company management.
Graduates will be ready for positions such as architectural and engineering managers, contracts managers, civil engineer managers, senior project managers, and project engineers, among others.
Finally, some professionals prefer a master’s degree in engineering management (MEM) over a master of business administration program (MBA). Some notable online MEM programs include those available through:
Farheen Gani has researched a wide array of topics related to engineering since 2018. She has written about electrical and computer engineering programs, structural engineering programs, mechanical engineer salaries, environmental engineering programs, and many other subfields of engineering. She...
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