MEM (Masters in Engineering Management) is an engineering management degree that serves as a bridge between technology, engineering, and management. MEM is an engineering management curriculum intended exclusively for engineers. It provides them with a more in-depth management education that is directly applicable to their profession.
Unlike an MBA, this degree focuses on both the technical and business sides of the firm, giving students a broader view of how to address challenges involving complex and dynamic systems. MEM is only for persons with an engineering background because it deals with management in the engineering process and hence necessitates a thorough understanding of engineering.
Due to today’s highly competitive market conditions, demand for MEM graduates is extremely high. Employees with strong engineering and business backgrounds are valued by employers. As a result, MEM graduates have a bright future.
5 Reasons to Pursue an Engineering Management Degree
Here are five reasons why getting an Engineering Management degree is a wonderful place to start if you want to move into management. There are undoubtedly more reasons, but these should suffice to persuade you that you are making the right choice.
1. Make The Change to Management:
Engineering managers who are successful and are able to mentor and inspire technical staff. A Master of Engineering Management (MEM) degree widens and deepens your critical analytical, science, and engineering abilities while simultaneously broadening and deepening your management skills. In today’s complicated technical contexts, you’ll need this combination of abilities to succeed.
2. Better than an MBA:
While comparing a MEM to an MBA is a comparison of two highly regarded programmes, both will educate you to be a capable leader through coursework in management and leadership, decision making, communications, economics, marketing, and operations.
An engineering management degree, on the other hand, will make you a better fit for today’s technological firms. This is because admittance to a MEM programme requires a STEM-related undergraduate degree. A MEM degree gives you an edge over an MBA since the majority of students have a non-technical background.
3. Designed With Professionals in mind:
A MEM degree can be finished in as little as 12 months, unlike many advanced degrees that take two years to complete. Many institutions offer both on-campus and online programmes, allowing you to tailor your studies around your busy schedule. Ensure the university you’re considering provides both options when deciding where to acquire your degree.
4. Specialization:
Many universities provide emphasis areas within their Engineering Management programmes. These tracks enable you to concentrate solely on the work role and career objectives that you have in mind. When choosing a university to pursue your degree, be sure the university offers a variety of concentration areas so you may pick and choose the abilities you’ll need for your future employment.
5. Engineering Managers are highly required:
Between 2013 and 2017, demand for master’s-level engineering managers surged by 59 percent across the country. Technical management degrees will prepare you to manage and excel in today’s complex engineering contexts, putting you in high demand.
What do I need before I join Masters in Engineering Management?
As mentioned above, an Engineering Management degree is for engineering graduates.
Students in the sciences and mathematics can also enrol in this programme, but they must first learn the fundamentals of engineering. Also, you need to be ready for this course as it requires full-time studies.
Also, introductory knowledge of management skills and business laws is a good advantage if you are willing to pursue this degree.
MEM V/S MBA
If you're unsure whether to pursue a MEM or an MBA, your decision will be based on your long-term job goals and interests. Applicants must be aware of the entrance standards, the programme of study, career prospects, and cost of education or tuition fees before making a good choice. The following are some considerations students should make while deciding between two courses:
| MBA | MS in Engineering Management (MEM) |
| Graduates from any degree or branch of study, such as science, arts, or commerce, are normally eligible for the MBA programme. | MEM is a specialised programme or degree for science and engineering graduates with a solid background in physics, mathematics, chemistry, and mechanics. |
| MBA programmes are significantly more expensive than pursuing a master's degree in engineering management. | It is far less expensive than a traditional MBA degree, which is also considered a money-making degree. |
| Prior to enrolling in an MBA school, professional or job experience is essential, especially if the programme is located outside of the United States. | Work or professional experience is not necessary for the MS in engineering management programme, which is aimed for young engineers and scientific enthusiasts. |
| MBA programmes cover a wide range of topics relevant to management and its disciplines, with a focus on management rather than technology. | An engineering student who pursues a Masters in Engineering Management maintains contact with the course he or she studied as an undergraduate while also learning new and varied viewpoints on how a corporation or business operates. |
| If you want to advance to higher-level corporate management and leadership positions, an MBA is the way to go. | The MS in engineering management was created with the goal of bridging the gap between engineering, technology, and management. |
| If you want to advance to top-level executive and business management roles, the MBA is the way to go. | If you are interested in technology and are eager to develop and foster strong business and decision-making abilities in order to handle difficult problems, an MS in engineering management is the programme for you. |
What is Master of Engineering Management Programs Consortium (MEMPC)?
The Masters in Engineering Management consortium is a highly selective and elite network of professional graduate programmes dedicated to matching the right candidates with the right schools. American Society for Engineering Management also promotes this field.
MEMPC members work together as a consortium to help high-potential students develop the necessary mix of technical and management skills to help them progress and become capable of leading generation ‘Z’ firms.
The list of MEMPC members are:
- Cornell University
- Dartmouth College
- Duke University
- Johns Hopkins University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Northernwestern University
- Purdue University
- TUFTS University
- University of Southern California
MEMPC Mission
The master of engineering management is a dedicated group consisting of a variety of professional graduate programs. It is devoted to providing the right program for the right students.
Elective Courses
The Masters in Engineering Management candidates need to go through several compulsory engineering management subjects related to the professional engineering stream. In addition, they also need to select some major choice subjects from their engineering stream as a part of postgraduate engineering studies. One such topic is product management.
In addition, a specified number of electives must be fulfilled.
Some electives available are:
- Accounting for Managers
- Corporate Finance
- Organization Design and Behavior
- Marketing Management
- Organization Information Systems
- Operations Management
- Industrial Financial Decisions
- Leadership in a Global Environment
Duration of Masters in Engineering Management degree
There are many universities which offer part-time Masters in Engineering Management program which ends in three to nine months.
A full-time curriculum at any reputable university, on the other hand, takes approximately 12 to 15 months to complete.
The period may include compulsory internships or projects. In general, the duration remains in the range as mentioned above in most of the universities.
Admission requirements for Masters in Engineering Management
In most universities, the admission requirements for Engineering Management are nearly same. They are:
- An undergraduate degree in engineering or science or an equivalent degree with a high CGPA.
- Universities prefer students to have good GRE or GMAT scores.
- Two letters of recommendation are required highlighting your academic and professional strengths.
- A Statement of Purpose statement
- For international candidates who do not speak English as a first language, scores of TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE are required.
- All previous academic records and transcripts are required.
- Experience in the workplace (if asked by a university)
Admission process
A Masters in Engineering Program has a two-step application process.
- The first selection is made based on your application and profile.
- Then the selected candidates are invited for an interview.
- Then the final selection will be made based on their overall profile.
- The student should have a strong desire to advance in the managerial hierarchy as well as a strong desire to master new abilities.
- The candidate should have a fixed motive for applying for this program.
Do I need GRE/GMAT Score
Mostly, the GMAT/GRE test score is compulsory. However, candidates with more than three to five years of work experience in some universities may wave it off.
The scores for your English proficiency exams should also be presented. If you get a good score in your GMAT or GRE, you might also be eligible for a Scholarship for Masters in Engineering Management programs.
Class Profile
- You should have an average GRE Quantitative of 161-167
- And the average for GRE Verbal is 152-157
- For the GRE Analytical Writing, the average is 3.5-4.0
- the Average Work Experience should be at least 2.5 years
- Your age should be 24 years or below
- Women 26%
- Undergraduate degree
Jobs after Masters in Engineering Management
MEng (Master of Engineering) graduates can work in a variety of engineering specialities, ranging from mechanical to electrical, chemical to civil. Advanced-degreed engineering personnel are in high demand in the market. According to Forbes, this field is expected to increase anywhere from 7% to 29% in the next few years. Although there will be many persons with an undergraduate degree in engineering, those with a graduate degree, such as a Master’s in Engineering, have a better chance of finding work.
Obtaining a master’s degree is advantageous for everyone who has finished an undergraduate degree. Studying something that will benefit you in the long run, on the other hand, is a good move. According to Forbes, a MEM degree is the third-best Master’s degree in terms of pay and demand, with an average pay of $121,000 per year for mid-career workers with a graduate degree.
Key job roles after pursuing MEng (Master of Engineering)
- Senior Systems Engineer
- Software Developer
- Senior Electrical Engineer
- Structural Engineer
- Design Engineer
- Product Engineer
- Senior Chemical Engineer
- Construction Project Manager
- Senior Mechanical Engineer
The average salary for different Master of Engineering graduates
- Electrical engineer – $82,000
- Software engineer – $95,000
- Senior software engineer – $118,000
- Project engineer – $75,000
- Mechanical engineer – $77,000
Ranking of Top Colleges for Masters in Engineering
Here are some of the top universities for Masters in Engineering Management programs.
| S.No | University Name | Program Name | Country |
| 1 | McGill University | Master in Manufacturing management | Canada |
| 2 | University of Ontario Institute of Technology | Engineering Management | Canada |
| 3 | Lambton College | Quality Engineering Management | Canada |
| 4 | University of Ottawa | Masters in Engineering Management | Canada |
| 5 | University of Windsor | Masters in Engineering Management | Canada |
| 6 | University of Alberta | Degree of MEng in Engineering Management | Canada |
| 7 | University of Waterloo | Management Engineering | Canada |
| 8 | Memorial University of Newfoundland, Newfoundland and Labrador | Masters in Engineering Management | Canada |
| 9 | Tsingua University | Masters in Engineering Management | China |
| 10 | Rwth Business School | M.Sc. Management and engineering in technology, innovation, marketing and entrepreneurship | Germany |
| 11 | Carleton University, Ontario | Master of Applied Science in Technology Innovation Management | Canada |
| 12 | National University of Singapore | Executive Masters in Systems Engineering & Management | Singapore |
| 13 | University College London | Master of Systems Engineering Management | UK |
| 14 | Kings College London | MSc in Engineering with Business Management | UK |
| 15 | University of Manchester | MSc in Engineering Project Management | UK |
| 16 | Brunel University London | Engineering Management MSc | UK |
| 17 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Masters in Engineering Management | USA |
| 18 | Stanford University | Masters in Engineering Management | USA |
| 19 | Cornell University | Masters in Engineering Management | USA |
| 20 | Columbia University | MSc Management Science & Engineering | USA |
| 21 | Duke University | Masters in Engineering Management | USA |
| 22 | Dartmouth College | Masters in Engineering Management | USA |
| 23 | Johns Hopkins University | Master of Science in Engineering Management | USA |
| 24 | Northwestern University | Masters in Engineering Management | USA |
| 25 | Purdue University | Masters in Engineering Management | USA |
| 26 | Tufts University | Master of Science in Engineering Management | USA |
| 27 | University of Southern California | Master of Science in Engineering Management | USA |
| 28 | University of California Irvine | Master of Science in Engineering Management | USA |
| 29 | Georgia Institute Of Technology | (Not Confirmed) | USA |
| 30 | University Of California-Berkeley | Master of Information Management and Systems | USA |
| 31 | University Of Wisconsin-Madison | MS in Engineering Management | USA |
| 32 | University Of Michigan | MS in Engineering Management | USA |
| 33 | Univ Of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign | Master of Science in Technology Management | USA |
| 34 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Masters in Systems Engineering & Management | USA |
| 35 | Pennsylvania State University | Master of Engineering Management | USA |
| 36 | Texas A&M University | Master of Science in Engineering Systems Management | USA |
| 37 | Ohio State University | Master's in Engineering Management | USA |
| 38 | University Of Iowa | Master of Engineering in Engineering Management | USA |
| 39 | Northeastern University | Master of Science in Engineering Management | USA |
| 40 | Lehigh University | M.Eng. in Management Science and Engineering | USA |
| 41 | Arizona State University | Master of Engineering in engineering management | USA |
| 42 | North Carolina State University | Masters of Science in Engineering Management | USA |
| 43 | University Of Pittsburgh | Master of Science in Information Science | USA |
| 44 | University Of Nebraska-Lincoln | Master in Engineering Management | USA |
| 45 | Oklahoma State University | Master of Science in Engineering and Technology Management | USA |
| 46 | Kansas State University | Master in Engineering Management | USA |
| 47 | Wayne State University | Master of Science in Engineering Management | USA |
| 48 | Iowa State University | Master of Engineering in Engineering Management | USA |
| 49 | Univ Of Massachusetts At Amherst | Master of Engineering Management | USA |
| 50 | University Of Florida | University Of Florida | USA |
For reference, we have shared links to the Masters in Engineering Management program listed on the official sites of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Cornell University. You can check them out here –
This program is a good fit after having an undergraduate degree. But, also, many graduate studies this particular course to advance their knowledge and get a better job.
Conclusion
The master's in engineering management degree has gained popularity over the past ten years as more universities around the country have started to offer it as an advanced credential. The demand for the degree is on the rise, and its reputation is only growing as a result of the rapid development of intricate organisations and businesses that are primarily fueled by engineering and technology.
Engineering isn't carried out in a vacuum in today's economic and industrial environment. With a master's in engineering management, students with technical or engineering backgrounds can complement their knowledge with the business skills necessary to succeed as leaders and decision-makers in high-tech organisations, departments, and corporations. This is possible because the programme was created specifically for, by, and with engineers.
FAQS
MBA or MEM: which is better?
The MEM curriculum emphasises technical disciplines while also providing training in management and leadership. An MBA, on the other hand, is an excellent fit for graduates from any field, though we expect a lot of STEM grads to apply.
Is it worthwhile to pursue a MEM degree?
The Present Net Value of a MEM degree from the United States is quite high, regardless of college rating. If you are currently working in India and earn around five lakhs per year, a master’s degree in Engineering Management from the US is a no-brainer. It has the potential to be a profitable investment.
Is engineering management a worthwhile profession to pursue?
A master’s degree in engineering management can lead to a variety of attractive managerial-level jobs, with advancement based on additional education and experience.
What can I do to strengthen my MEM application?
Here are a few points to improve your MEM application:
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Having worked full-time for at least a year. This is because management programmes benefit from industry exposure, and students who have worked previously can offer more to the classes. They are also better able to comprehend several concepts relevant to real-world work.
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Obtain at least one letter of recommendation from the industry. If you are employed, this can come from your manager or a project guide if you are an engineering student who completed an industry project or internship.