Engineering Management Certification: A Guide to Advancing Your Career

Give Your Technical Skills New Life With an Engineering Management Certification

Once engineers have entered the field and have a few years of experience, what options do they have for progressing in their engineering careers? CAEM and CPEM holders see significant salary advantages, with management roles in engineering and IT having significantly higher earning potential than technical positions.¹

An engineering management certificate is an option to enhance your technical skills and also develop the leadership and project management skills for leading a team or department.

In this article, we’ll review why engineering management certificates can benefit engineering leadership seekers, discuss different types of engineering management certificates, reveal how to choose the right certificate program, and answer frequently asked questions about pursuing this career path.

What Are Engineering Management Certifications?

For working professionals aiming for engineering leadership, an engineering management certification could be the next step.

An engineering management certification equips professionals to take on leadership positions in the field of engineering and technology management. The purpose of the certification program is to combine engineering expertise with business knowledge and skills often needed for professional advancement.

Coursework to earn a certification in engineering leadership may include topics like engineering project management, product management, decision-making, engineering economics, organization and strategy, and people management. Unlike general engineering and project management certifications, an engineering management certification is designed for those looking to develop leadership skills specifically for overseeing engineering teams and projects. It builds on a strong foundation of engineering expertise and requires professional experience to effectively guide teams and manage complex projects.

When considering future education in engineering, applicants need to know the difference between an academic certificate (such as an online graduate certificate) and a professional certification. According to Tulane University’s School of Professional Advancement, a certification is often issued by a professional organization or society, like the American Society for Engineering Management (ASEM).² On the other hand, an academic certificate is credit-bearing and provides students transcripts at the end of their coursework.

Benefits of an Engineering Management Certification

There are copious benefits to earning an engineering management certification, not the least of which is an increase in career advancement opportunities. A full list of benefits for a certified professional includes:

• Career Growth:

Working professionals who have an engineering management certification have a greater chance of developing skills that will foster career growth far into the future. Even after their first engineering leadership position, they’ll be poised to expand into other roles that require their unique expertise and experience.

• Industry Demand:

For engineering managers, growth is projected at 4 percent from 2024 to 2034, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates approximately 15,000 job openings each year during that period.³ Certification can help you stand out in this growing market.

• Higher Salary:

Professionals who complete an engineering management certification program and secure a role as a general engineering manager can earn an average annual salary of $171,270.⁴

• Professional Development:

Beyond engineering knowledge, engineering managers need to have a wealth of professional and leadership know-how to be successful in their roles. These might include planning, coordinating, and directing engineering projects as well as overseeing teams and adhering to deadlines.

• Job Flexibility:

The soft skills mentioned above can apply to countless other career opportunities. This gives certified professionals the flexibility to explore other industries if they choose to do so.

Watch: Accelerate Your Engineering Career with Credentials

Next, we’ll explore different types of engineering management certifications and how to choose the best certification program for your career goals.

Types of Engineering Management Certifications

If deciding to enroll in an engineering management certification program is step one, choosing a type of certification is step two. Fortunately, prospective students have plenty to choose from.

Engineering management hopefuls can opt to specialize in a particular area, such as construction management, systems engineering, product management, or software engineering, or decide to pursue an in-person or online graduate certificate in any of these specialties.

Official engineering management certifications are recognized by the following professional organizations:

• American Society for Engineering Management (ASEM):

ASEM is the central hub for those who want to pursue careers in engineering management. They offer their own professional certification programs, which are mentioned in a separate bulleted list below.

• American Society for Quality (ASQ):

The ASQ’s engineering certification catalog offers professional training in topics like construction quality management and quality/organizational excellence. These certification programs are approved by the ASQ Certification Board as well as the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB).

• International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE):

This not-for-profit membership program provides systems engineering professionals (SEPs) with education and career-advancement opportunities. Their SEP certification program offers three levels of certification: Associate Systems Engineering Professional (ASEP), Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP), and Expert Systems Engineering Professional (ESEP).

• Project Management Institute (PMI):

Professionals can upskill and grow their careers with one of PMI’s project management certifications, including Project Management Professional (PMP) or Construction Management Professional (PMI-CP)

Below are three common types of engineering management certifications:

• Certified Associate in Engineering Management (CAEM):

Students who are new to engineering or are early in their careers but hope to advance to technical management or supervisory roles one day might want to pursue this certification. Upon completing this certification, students will have a strong (or stronger) grasp of the Engineering Management Body of Knowledge (EMBoK).

• Certified Professional in Engineering Management (CPEM):

Experienced engineering professionals who are hoping to validate and solidify their management skills might pursue this more professional certification in engineering management. In order to obtain this certification, engineers need to have several years of experience in technical operations management. Certificate holders will have an advanced understanding of EMBoK as well as technical environment leadership.

• Engineering Manager Professional Certification (EMPC):

This final certification type is geared toward professionals who want to demonstrate their expertise in engineering management. To qualify for this type of certification, engineering managers need to have the right educational background and relevant experience. Once they’ve earned the certification, they’ll be proficient in leading engineering teams effectively and managing complex projects.

Watch: ASEM - Engineering Management Certification

How to Choose the Right Engineering Management Certification Program

As you begin your search for the best engineering management programs for you, you may want to ask yourself a few fact-finding questions:

• 1. What are my goals for career advancement?

This question will help certification seekers identify which type of program they should attend because it aligns their certification choice with their long-term professional objectives.

• 2. How do I know if a program is accredited?

Not all engineering management certification programs are accredited, so engineers must be on the lookout for programs that are recognized by the industry and formally accredited.

• 3. Should I attend an online program or an in-person program?

The answer to this question may depend on an engineer’s professional and personal commitments, learning style preferences, and geographic location.

Preparing for an Engineering Management Certification Program

Once you’ve gotten the answers you need from the questions above, it’s time to prepare to apply for and enroll in the engineering leadership program of your choice. Here are a few ways to prepare:

• Confirm you meet the prerequisites.

Ensure you meet the program’s prerequisites by reviewing the requirements and gathering necessary documents. This might involve obtaining academic transcripts to prove your educational background matches the prerequisites for a given program and/or updating your resume to show you have relevant professional experience.

• Gather the necessary resources.

If your engineering management certification program of choice requires you to take and pass a specific exam or complete a question-heavy application, consider using some of the following resources to refresh your knowledge:

• ASEM’s Professional Certification Prep Guide (for CAEM and CPEM)
• ASEM’s A Guide to the Engineering Management Body of Knowledge
• ASEM’s The Engineering Management Handbook

• Assess your time commitment and scheduling.

Not only do you need to prepare materials and knowledge, but you also need to carve out some mental space to take on an engineering management certification program. Consult your calendar to ensure you have enough time and the mental capacity to fully immerse yourself in a certification program.

Frequently Asked Questions About Engineering Management Certifications

How do you become an engineering manager?

The path to becoming an engineering manager can take many forms. It usually involves an undergraduate degree in an engineering discipline, like industrial engineering, computer engineering, or construction engineering, as well as several years as a working professional in the field. Some engineers obtain a master’s in engineering management to help them prepare for a long career in technology management.

What can you do with an engineering management degree?

Engineering management degrees can open a world of professional opportunities in the engineering space. Graduates can go on to work in aerospace engineering, computer engineering, systems engineering, or product management.

What are the prerequisites for enrolling in an online engineering management certification program?

The prerequisites you’ll need to pursue an engineering management certification may vary depending on the program, but most programs require incoming students to have completed basic engineering courses or even a bachelor’s degree. You also may need to submit a professional resume as well as transcripts from all previous education institutions.

How does an engineering management certification compare to other engineering certifications?

An engineering management graduate certificate program requires much less of a time commitment and financial obligation. A certification program is ideal for students who want to upskill quickly and advance in their careers in engineering project management, while other programs, like a master’s degree or an online graduate certificate, offer broader leadership skills.

What are the key considerations when choosing an engineering management certification program?

Engineers who are searching for an engineering management certification program should consider the duration of the program, the time commitment, whether the program is accredited, and whether they will make use of the certification as part of their future career path in technology management.

Engineering Management Certifications for a Long and Rewarding Career

Completing an engineering management certification sets learners up for all kinds of career trajectories in many industries. Whether you want to explore systems engineering, construction management, or software engineering, a certification will equip you to perform the duties of these engineering leadership roles now and far into the future.

Are you interested in exploring the many ways an engineering certification can advance your career? Click here to start researching engineering management certification programs.