Online MBA in Engineering Management Programs

Earning an online MBA in engineering management can attract students and professionals seeking an off-campus, remote option for completing coursework. It can put these individuals in line to secure higher-ranking positions in leadership or even enhance one’s salary prospects. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2022), the median pay for engineering managers was $159,920 per year.

So what do these skilled workers do? Engineering managers are in charge of orchestrating activities among various teams to accomplish specific goals within engineering firms. They may work in office settings, research laboratories, industrial production plants, or construction sites. They can also own their own engineering firm. An MBA in engineering management is designed for problem-solvers who want to enhance their business savviness.

This MBA concentration combines the assets of both engineers and business managers. It may allow more technically-focused engineers to transition from management into administration easier by integrating best practices for human resources and even accounting and product development. Students who obtain an MBA in engineering management can learn how to make informed and successful business decisions that result in better efficiency, performance, and effectiveness in highly technical engineering environments.

In conclusion, many MBA programs in engineering are available both on-campus and online. This guide explores the many benefits of distance-based MBAs in engineering management, outlines some great schools that offer solid programs, and profiles three outstanding faculty members from schools with online engineering MBAs and dual degree programs.

Featured Engineering Management Programs
Southern New Hampshire University Online MBA In Engineering Management View Full Profile
Lamar University Online MBA - Construction Proj Mgmt View Full Profile
Lamar University Program Certificate - Construction Proj Mgmt View Full Profile
University of Southern Indiana Online MBA - Engineering Management View Full Profile
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN Southern New Hampshire University Online MS - Construction Management

Featured Online MBA in Engineering Management (and Related) Programs

Southern New Hampshire University offers an online MBA in engineering management program in partnership with Worcester Polytechnic Institute. The program taught by experienced WPI faculty members helps students gain traditional business skills in areas such as technology, finance, quantitative analysis, and project management.

The program features a seven-course business core, preparing students to navigate the intricacies of a volatile business world. The program consists of 30 credits, includes courses such as optimizing brands; leading people and organizations; introducing engineering for engineering managers; leading organizational change; systems engineering and business practices; and systems thinking for engineering managers.

At the end of the program, graduates can pursue opportunities such as engineering managers, cost systems analysts, industrial management engineers, senior lead analysts, and engineering project managers.

The program requires no GMAT exam and no work experience. GPAs must be 2.75 or greater. Notably, Southern New Hampshire University also offers an online master of science program in management with a concentration in construction management. This 36-credit program includes courses such as cultivating organizational culture; managing through communication; resource planning and decision-making; construction budgeting, estimating & bidding; construction materials & methods; construction law and contracts; and construction quality management and productivity.

Location: Manchester, NH
Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE); Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Expected Time to Completion: 15 months
Estimated Tuition: $637 per credit

This 100 percent online master of business administration with a concentration in engineering management program can prepare students for leadership, technology, manufacturing, construction, research and development, and industrial management roles. Students learn project management, supply chain distribution, and quality control.

Applicants to the program must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, a minimum grade point average of 2.5, a professional resume, three professional references, official transcripts, GMAT or GRE scores (waivers available), and TOEFL or IELTS scores for international students.

The program comprises 30 credits, including coursework in leadership skills and innovation; managerial economics; project management; quality management; supply chain management; and strategic and international management.

The program opens up several opportunities for graduates. They can take up roles such as engineering, architectural, construction, industrial, and IT managers.

Location: Evansville, IN
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International)
Expected Time to Completion: 11 months
Estimated Tuition: $450 per credit

Lamar University offers a unique online MBA program in ten concentrations, including construction project management; business analytics; enterprise resource planning (ERP); criminal justice management; financial management; healthcare administration; marketing; and management information systems.

Core coursework in this 30-credit advanced business degree includes instruction in managerial decision-making; strategic management; international business; financial management; managerial economics; managerial accounting; and marketing management.

The focus areas allow students to tailor the curriculum to their interests. For example, the construction project management focus allows students to choose three electives: advanced construction planning and scheduling; advanced construction project; construction cost management; conflict and negotiation management in construction; or sustainable practices in construction.

Location: Beaumont, TX
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International)
Expected Time to Completion: 12 months
Estimated Tuition: $421 per credit

The online MBA and engineering concurrent degree program at Arizona State University features advanced courses in technical areas with an intense management curriculum. The MBA/MS in industrial engineering is designed for those who want to stay current in their area of expertise and develop enhanced business skills.

With a total of 56 credits, there are 8 classes from the MBA program and eight classes from the MS in an industrial engineering program that take about seven-and-a-half weeks each to complete. A GPA of 3.2 is required. GMAT scores are required.

The program includes courses such as advanced simulating stochastic systems; design engineering experiments; applied deterministic operations research; information systems engineering; managerial accounting; and reliability engineering.

Please note that ASU also offers a dual-degree program in electrical engineering and a general online MBA.

Location: Tempe, AZ
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International)
Expected Time to Completion: 36 months
Estimated Tuition: $1,523.33 per credit
5Boise State University, Boise State College of Business and Economics (Related)View Full Profile

Boise State University offers a 100 percent online MBA emphasizing a construction management program that equips students with the necessary knowledge, skills, and credibility to become leaders in engineering, architecture, or construction industries. Along with business expertise, students will develop effective strategies that will help them successfully manage construction projects and teams.

Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, two years of experience working full time in a managerial role, a grade point average of 3.0, GMAT/GRE scores (waiver available), a current resume, a personal statement, and two letters of recommendation.

This 49-credit program features coursework in marketing strategy; leadership in architecture, engineering, and construction; architecture, engineering, and construction project management; architecture, engineering, and construction company management; and managerial accounting.

Graduates of the program can take up roles such as architectural and engineering managers, contracts managers; civil engineer managers; project engineers; and site supervisors.

Location: Boise, ID
Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International)
Expected Time to Completion: 12 months
Estimated Tuition: $750 per credit

Norwich’s online MBA program offers students seven possible tracks, with two relevant to aspiring engineering management professionals: the project management track and the construction management track. The 36-credit online program can be completed in 18 months to two years. Students take core courses in strategic resources management; managerial finance; and strategic marketing and operations management.

They also take electives pertinent to their chosen concentration. In the project management track, which is PMI-accredited, students take three classes: techniques, tools, and practices; leadership, communications, and teams; and strategic management. In the construction management track, students take techniques, tools, and practices; contracts and insurance; and project finance and accounting. The program can be mostly completed online; however, a one-week residency is required at the end of the program.

Location: Northfield, VT
Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE); Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Expected Time to Completion: 18 to 24 months
Estimated Tuition: $808 per credit
7Northcentral University, School of Business and Technology Management (Related)

Northcentral University, School of Business and Technology Management is designed to meet the needs of students’ busy lives and schedules. The online MBA program at NCU is great for self-starters and independent thinkers who can benefit from a one-to-one learning model that pairs one student with one doctoral professor, with no teaching assistants. The program has several specializations with project management being one of them.

Students in this project management specialization will explore concepts, principles, techniques, and tools to improve organizational effectiveness and project performance. Under the guidance of experienced professors, students in this specialization will examine all aspects of company projects, including budget management, cost estimates, risk assessment, cost control, bid contracts and negotiation, and performance reporting critical to the success of any organization.

Made up of 30 credits, the program courses such as operations management; strategic planning; project procurement management; project risk management; project monitoring and control; and management, leadership, and team building in the project and program environment.

Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC); Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Expected Time to Completion: 16 months
Estimated Tuition: $960 per credit

Students can earn their master of engineering management online through Penn State World Campus. Students through this program will be able to blend their technical expertise with essential management and business skills to become business-savvy engineering managers. Ranked among the best engineering programs in the country by the U.S. News & World Report, this online program is taught by the same world-class Penn State faculty members who teach on campus.

To get accepted into the program, applicants must have an undergraduate degree in engineering, mathematics, physics, or science, a grade point average of 3.0, two references, a current resume, a statement of purpose, official transcripts from each institution attended, and TOEFL or IELTS scores for international applicants. GRE test scores are not required for admission.

The 33-credit curriculum program comprises 11 courses over seven-week terms, requiring two years to complete. Topics include creativity and problem-solving; engineering management science; technical project management; decision and risk analysis in engineering; engineering management strategy; and financial studies for engineering.

Location: University Park, PA
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International)
Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
Estimated Tuition: $1,017 per credit
9Purdue University (Dual Degree)

Purdue University also offers a dual online (MSE+MBA) engineering degree program that enhances students’ knowledge of the engineering field, while developing business and management skills. The program comprises three segments: technical/engineering courses, bridge courses, and MBA courses.

Students must first complete the Purdue engineering degree requirements (30 credits), then transition to the MBA portion for 60 credits. Courses include accounting for decision-making; financial management; law and ethics; developing strategic capabilities; organizational development and change; strategic management and business planning; strategic marketing management; the US in a global economy; and personal leadership.

Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program or its equivalent. Application requirements include a completed application, a statement of purpose, two official transcripts, three letters of recommendation, a current resume, GRE or GMAT scores, and TOEFL scores for international applicants.

Location: West Lafayette, IN
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Expected Time to Completion: 27 months
Estimated Tuition: Purdue courses (resident: $1,139 per credit; non-resident: $1,459 per credit); Kelley courses ($1,145 per credit)

Admission Requirements – Online MBA in Engineering Management

Based on the six programs above, here are the common application requirements to earn admission to an online MBA in engineering management:

  • A competitive GPA and bachelor’s degree from an accredited school
  • Letters of reference and official transcripts
  • Some schools ask for a GRE or GMAT score, which may be waived under certain conditions
  • Professional references
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Statement of purpose
  • Some professional experience in a business/engineering field
  • International students must complete the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

Professors to Know from Schools with Online MBA Programs

  • Linda Ratsep, MBA, MCE Norwich University

    Linda Ratsep is a highly accomplished professional in the field of Civil Engineering. She currently holds the position of Academic Director in the Civil Engineering department at Norwich University. Ratsep's educational background is extensive, having earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, a Master of Business Administration (MBA), and a Master of Civil Engineering (MCE).

    In addition to her academic responsibilities, Ratsep has a rich professional experience. She served as a Course Developer, Senior Instructor, Academic Associate Program Director, and Program Coordinator. These roles have equipped her with a profound understanding of academic program development and management. Ratsep is also a Registered Professional Engineer and a respected member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, demonstrating her commitment to upholding the highest standards in the industry.

  • Ronald Uhlig, PhD Northcentral University

    Dr. Ronald Uhlig is a distinguished academician and researcher in Computer Science. He currently serves as a faculty member in the Department of Engineering and Computing at National University. Dr. Uhlig holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science, which has shaped his extensive research portfolio.

    His academic contributions encompass various topics, including student learning in online courses, sustainable development management, student collaboration, and ethics in technology fields. Some of his notable publications include "Enriching Responsiveness to Enhance Student Learning in Online Courses" and "Managing Sustainable Development". His work on the intersection of business administration and computer science degrees in earnings, job security, and satisfaction also stands out.

  • Ashkan Negahban, PhD Pennsylvania State University

    Dr. Ashkan Negahban is an associate professor of engineering management at Penn State World Campus. He received a BS from the University of Tehran; an ME from Auburn University; and a PhD from Auburn University. He teaches or has taught courses such as simulation in systems engineering; decision-making and risk analysis; economics and financial studies for engineers; and engineering management strategy.

    Dr. Negahban’s research focuses on discrete-event simulation, simulation-based optimization, agent-based simulation, statistical data analysis, and immersive simulation-based learning in STEM education. His research has been published in prominent journals such as the European Journal of Operational Research, Annals of Operations Research, and the International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology.

Farheen Gani
Farheen Gani
Writer

Farheen Gani is an expert in online MBA programs, having covered MBA programs in computer science, economics, healthcare management, and fraud and forensics, among others, since 2018. She writes about healthcare, technology, education, and marketing. Her work has appeared on websites such as Tech in Asia and Foundr, as well as top SaaS blogs such as Zapier and InVision. You can connect with her on LinkedIn and Twitter (@FarheenGani).