Online Engineering Management Degree Programs

What does an engineering management degree entail? Engineering Management is a profession that deals with the application of engineering principles used in planning and operational management of industrial and manufacturing operations.

Often the degree program is offered at the masters degree level. In some cases engineering management distance learning options are available, Students of engineering management are focused on the application in engineering in this program. An engineering management degree is acquired through a masters degree program. It facilitates an engineer in learning the business knowledge that must combine with their current engineering knowledge. To be a good engineering manager requires skills in both areas. The combination of the two allows for a well-run project. The manager must be a good leader in order to supervise fellow engineers and technologist. They need good communications skills to work with clients, engineers and senior management. There is also a need for business skills to manage a project. Of course, their skills as an engineer come into play by setting and overseeing technical and scientific goals.

Search for a Masters Degree Engineering Management

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Selected Online Engineering Management Degree Programs

Strayer University - Campus and Strayer University Online

• MSIS: Software Engineer Management

Walden University

• Ph.D. in Management - Engineering Management

Grantham University

• BS, Engineering Management Technology

Northcentral University - Graduate

• Management of Engineering and Technology

Engineering Management Training and Education

Usually to become a manager requires several years of working as an engineer. To be an engineer requires getting a four to five year bachelors degree in a specialty area of engineering. There are many areas to go into such as mechanical, civil, environmental, architectural, chemical or biomedical. Sometimes mathematics majors also become engineers.

Engineering management degree programs courses in environmental management, quality control, accounting, economics, finance, human resources management, industrial psychology, project management, management information systems, mathematical modeling and optimization, operations research, and safety and health topics.

Getting a degree in engineering management can be done on a part time basis. This works best for working adults. They can continue working and earning an income and still not lose their current position to return to school. Many employers have tuition assistance programs that will pay for all or part of the tuition. The coursework can be done in person in a classroom or online. There will be courses in managerial science, marketing, accounting, and decision making among others.

Engineering Management Careers

Engineering managers mostly work in the manufacturing industry, then for architectural and engineering companies. They can also move into academics, logistics, and technical consulting. Government agencies on all levels do employ engineering managers. In order to manage the less technical aspects of the engineering industry, a masters of business administration can be obtained instead.

They will need to be able to work well under pressure. There will be deadlines on completing projects under budget. As a manager how these budgets are spent and who will work on what project will be their responsibility. Besides the necessary administrative work, will also be the need to supervise the work and make sure industry and company standards are met and policies followed.

Expected Salary and Project Career Growth

At this time the field in growing and will continue to through the next eight years. The fastest growing engineering fields are biomedical and environmental engineering. An increase in salary can be expected with a management position. How much of an increase depends on engineering specialty and amount of responsibility.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary is about $115,000 with 50 percent making between $91,870 and $141,730. A masters of engineering management degree can lead to more than one path for advancement. When a management position becomes available at the current employer, the degree shows a readiness to step into the role.

It will allow for advancement into management in another company or industry as well. The engineering management degree can be used in becoming a project manager, a construction or industrial manager or a cost systems analyst. To complete the coursework can take from twelve to eighteen months.