Published:Dec 15, 2024

Explore Undergraduate Engineering Management Degree Options

Engineering management is a vital and expanding field that combines engineering skills with business acumen.1 ,2 Engineering managers bridge technical and operations teams with technical expertise to drive deliverables and meet goals efficiently across numerous industries.

Most engineering managers advance from engineering roles in their chosen fields before pursuing an engineering management MS or graduate certificate. While this is the traditional path, earning an undergraduate degree in engineering management offers another route into the field.

Explore Online MEM Programs

University of Nebraska - Lincoln

University of Nebraska - Lincoln

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Nebraska’s MEM program fuses technical, and operational skills with in-demand professional skills to prepare students for a career managing and leading engineering and technical people, projects, and teams.

Washington University in St. Louis

Washington University in St. Louis

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Designed as a STEM-focused, comprehensive “Engineer’s MBA”, this degree program covers the business cycle essentials, such as leadership and data-driven decision-making, tailored for students with a technical background.

Washington State University

Washington State University

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Washington State University's Engineering and Technology Management (ETM) program is designed for working professionals aiming to enhance their skills in managing people, projects, and operations in engineering and technology sectors.

Duke University

Duke University

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This MEM program combines technical and business training, ideal for an early-career engineer. The curriculum includes four technical elective courses, business courses tailored for tech leaders, a seminar series, and an internship.

Types of Engineering Management Bachelor Degrees

Several paths lead to a career in engineering management, whether through refining engineering skills first or building out a business foundation. Pathways and degree names vary by institution, but they share a core emphasis: comprehensive engineering knowledge coupled with engineering leadership skills. Common undergraduate engineering management degree variations include:

  • Bachelor of Science in Engineering Management

  • Bachelor of Engineering in Engineering Management

  • Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Engineering Management

  • (Branch of Engineering) with Management, for example, Electrical Engineering with Management

  • (Branch of Engineering) management, for example, Industrial Engineering Management

  • Bachelor of Science in Business Administration - Engineering Management

  • Bachelor's Degree in Engineering and Management

Selecting a suitable engineering management program requires aligning your interests with career objectives. Since engineering encompasses numerous disciplines, identifying your preferred engineering focus helps inform the choice. Primary engineering disciplines include:

  • Aeronautical or aerospace engineering

  • Chemical engineering

  • Computer engineering

  • Software engineering

  • Civil engineering, which includes specialties such as architectural engineering, transportation engineering, environmental engineering, structural engineering, and hydraulic engineering.

  • Electrical or electronic electrical engineering

  • Mechanical engineering

Engineering Management Careers

An engineering management degree opens doors to diverse career options and environments where quality management and technical leadership are paramount. For instance, construction managers are likely to split time between the office and construction sites, while research managers primarily operate out of laboratory environments.

Engineering managers could locate opportunities in:

  • Government agencies 

  • Manufacturing facilities 

  • Scientific research foundations

  • Technical project management firms

  • Quality control operations

  • Product development organizations

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, architectural and engineering management positions will see 2% growth between 2023–2033, while computer and information systems management roles project 13% growth during this period. Both sectors offer median salaries exceeding $150,000 annually.

With your engineering management degree in hand, you can choose to pursue roles such as:

  • Engineering design manager
  • Engineering manager
  • Engineering research manager
  • Global engineering manager
  • Process engineering manager
  • Mechanical engineering director
  • Systems engineering management
  • Electrical engineering director
  • Product planner
  • Project manager
  • Quality control manager

You may also choose to further your education with a master's in engineering management MS or an MBA, to prepare you for senior management positions (and potential higher salaries). Professionals also pursue graduate certificates in quality management to specialize their expertise. Others may use their acquired entrepreneurial skills to start an engineering enterprise.

Admissions Requirements for Undergraduate Engineering Management Programs

Admissions requirements vary by institution, with more selective programs maintaining higher standards. Prospective students should prepare to meet these common prerequisites:

  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0

  • Completion of core high school coursework, including, chemistry, advanced algebra, physics, and trigonometry

  • Competitive standardized test scores such as ACT or SAT

  • Well-crafted admission essay

  • Focused statement of purpose demonstrating engineering leadership potential

Undergraduate Engineering Management Degree Programs

When evaluating engineering management programs, focus on these critical factors:

  • Verify ABET accreditation and program reputation

  • Examine admission requirements and potential pathway programs

  • Analyze curriculum alignment with industry demands

  • Assess experiential learning opportunities

  • Review career development resources and placement statistics

  • Consider advanced degree pathways and professional certification options

As with most undergraduate programs, you can expect to spend three to four years working through the course load that comes with an engineering management bachelor’s degree and additional university-required core courses. The following ABET-accredited programs exemplify the options available for 2025.

Arizona State University: Online B.S.E. in Engineering Management

Arizona State University: Online B.S.E. in Engineering Management
Location: Tempe, AZ
Credit Hours: 120
Format: Online

This program integrates analytics, management theory, and technical expertise. Students complete engineering fundamentals alongside business-oriented coursework in project management and quality management. Specialization options include business analytics, mechanical engineering, or computing industry focus, culminating in a two-semester capstone project.

The University of Vermont: B.S. in Engineering Management

The University of Vermont: B.S. in Engineering Management
Location Burlington, VT
Credit hours: 128
Format In-Person

Offered in cooperation with the Grossman School of Business, this curriculum combines a basic education in the engineering disciplines with the study of economics, accounting and finance, operations, and management.

University of Scranton: B.S. in Engineering Management

University of Scranton: B.S. in Engineering Management
Location: Scranton, PA
Credit Hours: 127
Format: In person

This program offers carefully curated business and economics courses coupled with coordinated physics and electrical engineering studies in preparation for administrative careers in technical enterprises. The curriculum establishes a foundation for advanced study, including MBA or engineering management MS programs.

New York Institute of Technology: BS in Engineering Management

New York Institute of Technology: BS in Engineering Management
Location: Long Island, NY
Credit Hours 123
Format In-Person

This comprehensive program merges business management acumen with technical expertise, preparing program graduates to effectively lead technical teams. The curriculum encompasses leadership development, financial management, project analysis, operations management, and quality management. Core liberal arts integration develops critical thinking and communication skills essential for global markets. Students may accelerate their education through a combined undergraduate master's degree pathway.

Western Michigan University: BS in Engineering Management Technology

Western Michigan University: BS in Engineering Management Technology
Location: Kalamazoo, MI
Credit Hours 127
Format: In-Person

This interdisciplinary program equips students with practical knowledge in mathematics, science, engineering, and technology for solving complex engineering challenges. Alumni have gone on to careers at General Motors, Pfizer, and Stryker.

University of the Pacific: BS in Engineering Management

University of the Pacific: BS in Engineering Management
Location: Stockton, CA
Credit Hours: 120 units of academic work, 32 units of Cooperative Education credit
Format: In-Person

Distinguished by its mandatory 7-month cooperative education component—or “CO-OP” credit—this unique program provides invaluable experiential opportunities. Students may begin graduate coursework during their undergraduate studies, accelerating progress toward an MSE degree. Program alumni have worked at PepsiCo, Siemens, and Accenture.

Stevens Institute of Technology: BE in Engineering Management

Stevens Institute of Technology: BE in Engineering Management
Credit Hours: 134
Format: In-Person

This hands-on program prepares students for careers in financial services, consulting, pharmaceutical, construction, government/defense, energy, manufacturing, telecom, and logistics. Students also have the option to choose a concentration in Systems Engineering or Financial Engineering.

What's Next?

Engineering management offers a robust career path for professionals combining engineering acumen with business strategy. Practitioners lead technical teams while solving complex problems—effectively bridging the technical-management divide. Consider these essential factors when selecting a program:

  • Choose an ABET-accredited university offering comprehensive engineering management curricula

  • Consider the admission requirements and potential bridge programs 

  • Assess course curriculum alignment with career objectives

  • Review internship opportunities or hands-on learning

  • Consider programs offering strong support systems and access to financial resources

Sources:

1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Architectural and Engineering Managers, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/architectural-and-engineering-managers.htm. (visited October 24, 2024)

2. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Computer and Information Systems Managers, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/computer-and-information-systems-managers.htm. (visited October 24, 2024)