More Information About Engineering Management

What should I know when considering a degree in Engineering Management ?

Engineering projects are vast undertakings. They involve many different components that must be combined into one cohesive endeavor. The task of organizing these components to ensure that the project is carried out smoothly falls to engineering managers. Engineering managers oversee engineering projects and determine the most efficient way to carry them out. They are in charge of supervising the design, testing the equipment and tools, and determining the efficiency of their use. They monitor project budgets and designate the proper allocation of resources. As managers, they are also responsible for hiring, training, and supervising the engineers and additional specialists involved in a project.

Engineering managers may work for agencies within almost any area of the engineering field. This includes: project engineering, sales, industrial engineering, manufacturing, production, cost control, and plant operations. Offices, industrial plants, and building sites are the typical work environments for these positions. Although 40 hour a week work schedules are the norm, overtime may be required on occasion if a project is behind schedule.

Required Education

Those interested in pursuing a career in engineering management should first obtain a degree through a program that is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). To accommodate students who work full-time, many colleges and universities offer an online engineering management degree in addition to traditional on-site programs.

Bachelor's Degree

A bachelor's degree in engineering management qualifies graduates for entry-level positions in the engineering field. Programs are four years in length on average and cover a broad area of subjects within the discipline. They are designed to train students in the fundamentals of engineering and to introduce them to the principles of leadership and project management. Curricula will vary by institution but may include courses in: math, physics, science, economics, accounting, and various topics in engineering.

Master's Degree

Acceptance into a master's degree program requires an applicant to possess a bachelor's degree in engineering or a closely related field, a minimum GPA, and satisfactory Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. At the master's level, further emphasis is placed on preparing students for the responsibilities that come with assuming leadership and management roles. Programs focus on teaching students the appropriate strategies for establishing objectives and maximizing the productivity of both the material and human resources available to them. These two-year programs offer courses in: project and risk management, law, statistics and research, engineering operations management, and environmental policy, among many others. Students may choose to enroll in the thesis option, in which they will complete an extensive research project, or the non-thesis option for which they will complete a final comprehensive exam. Graduates of the master's degree program are qualified to enter the workforce directly or continue on to pursue a PhD in engineering management.

State Licensing

In addition to a formal degree, engineering managers are required to obtain a state-issued license in order to become classified as a Professional Engineers (PE). In other branches of the engineering field, licensing is required only for those who want to submit plans for the public or for private clients. However, since they operate at the supervisory level, licensing for engineering managers is a legal requirement. This mandate is especially true for professionals employed by federal and state government agencies, and for a growing number of teaching positions.

Professional licensure is regulated and administered by the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE). Although licensing requirements are specific to each state, most generally require: a bachelor's degree from an accredited university program, a passing grade on the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, a minimum four years of supervised work experience, and a passing grade on the Principles and Practices of Engineering exam (PE). The NSPE offers valuable information on the licensing requirements for each state on their website. It is also strongly recommended that graduates of the bachelor's degree program seek engineering intern (EI) or engineer-in-training (EIT) status after passing the FE exam.

Earning Potential

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that engineering managers can earn a median wage of $111,020. The lowest earnings reported by the bureau were $70,640 and the highest were $136,650. Industries that paid the highest wages for engineering managers include: spectator sports, telecommunications, and scientific research and development services. Computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing, and the motion picture and video industries reportedly paid the lowest.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that there will be a steady growth in engineering management jobs throughout the year 2016.

Where an Advanced Degree Will Take You

Students entering an engineering management doctoral program are expected to have an expert command of the basic fundamentals of the field. Doctoral programs delve even deeper into the complex concepts of personnel management, resource control, and organizational policy. Admission requirements for doctoral programs usually include: a master's degree in engineering, engineering management, or a related field; a university application; official university transcripts; and often; one or more letters of recommendation. Courses in the doctoral curriculum may include: advanced systems engineering, technology issue analysis, risk analysis and management, logistics planning, and data analysis. Candidates for the degree will be required to complete and defend a doctoral dissertation that presents the results of a significant research project. After completing this three to five year program, students will possess the valuable technological, leadership, and analytical skills that employers look for in potential candidates.

Type of Person Who Will Succeed in This Career

Engineering management professionals deal with a multitude of technical and scientific issues on a daily basis. Individuals in this field should possess a natural interest in and aptitude for math, science, computers, and technology. They should be natural leaders and motivators who enjoy working and collaborating with others. Since projects may often cause stress, engineering managers should have the ability to work well under pressure and adapt to changing situations. Critical thinking and decision-making skills are necessary to anticipate any problems that may arise and to adjust plans accordingly. Time management and organizational skills are also extremely important in order to successfully coordinate the many facets of engineering projects.

Article References

Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
http://www.abet.org

Bureau of Labor Statistics
http://www.bls.gov

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
http://www.gre.org

National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
http://www.nspe.org

What are the leading schools offering programs in Engineering Management ?

• Northcentral University Northcentral University is an accredited online university that offers students graduate degrees in programs including business and technology management, education and psychology. ( More Info )