Master of Science in Engineering Management Overview

The University of Arizona engineering management curriculum examines fundamental leadership and business administration skills that can be applied directly to engineering projects. You’ll gain a greater understanding of the decision making and technical elements that go into technology-based ventures, learning to shape and manage advanced projects of varying sizes and scales. Adopt current best practices to optimize processes and guide technical teams toward their goals while staying on schedule, maintaining a budget, and complying with regulations.

Through a blend of engineering, mathematics, and business electives, you’ll build a customized, flexible plan of study that suits your career goals. Learn vital concepts in areas such as quality and reliability engineering, optimization, law, simulation modeling, supply chain management, and statistics. In addition, you can gain hands-on experience by completing an optional formal project on a problem that interests you.

Real-World Know-How for Engineering Leaders

The online engineering management master’s program from the University of Arizona is modeled on a distance executive MBA program, but offers a multidimensional focus. Our curriculum can prepare you to capture opportunities in the field with an in-depth understanding of both the technical and financial elements that go into successful projects.

Take courses from our internationally respected faculty, including academic researchers who work at the cutting edge of their fields and experts who spearheaded achievements in the private sector. You’ll benefit from the same course material and career development services as on-campus students as you gain a nuanced perspective on strategies for maintaining operational efficiency in an innovative engineering environment.

Fuel Your Engineering Management Career

We designed the University of Arizona engineering management master’s program to cultivate in-demand skills for advancing your career at innovative organizations. According to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the industries employing the most professionals in this field are:

  • Manufacturing
  • Professional, technical, and scientific services
  • Information sector
  • Finance and insurance
  • Accommodation and food services
  • Construction

An analysis of job posting data aggregated by Burning Glass shows that engineering managers with master’s degrees earn an average salary that’s 8.5% higher than those with only bachelor’s degrees. Further, professionals who have in-demand skills in areas like systems design and product development can command salary premiums.

By earning your online MS in Engineering Management, you’ll gain the knowledge and hands-on research experience you need to take advantage of these opportunities. Apply your understanding of complex processes to direct the teams of multidisciplinary experts who will create the future of technology and industry.

The online Master of Science in Engineering Management offers the opportunity to complete and defend a practical project in addition to core requirements. You can also choose to complete your requirements purely through coursework, with courses chosen from a range of diverse, practical electives that you can select yourself. In its entirety, the program can be completed in just 1.5 to two years if you’re a full-time student — or two to 2.5 years if you’re working part time.

Select from one of the following options:

1. Project Option (30 units)

A three-unit project may be selected with approval of the faculty advisor. The project option requires a written report and an oral presentation. The report is prepared under the guidance of the major professor and is reviewed by members of the examining committee prior to the oral presentation. The three-member examining committee consists of the major professor and at least two other members of the faculty selected on the basis of the student’s coursework and field of interest. Students will either defend their master’s report on campus, or will have to arrange for a teleconference defense.

The remaining elective credits for a total of 30 credit hours will be selected with the approval of an advisor.

2. Coursework Option (33 units)

A total of 33 units are required for this option. Elective credits will be selected with the approval of an advisor.

While you earn your MS in Engineering Management, you can stack one of our graduate certificates and share the required 12 certificate credits.

Required Courses

Elective Courses