University of Arkansas

The University of Arkansas offers a Master of Science in Engineering Management (MSEM) program designed to equip engineers with leadership and management skills to advance in technical and managerial roles. This flexible, 100% online program integrates engineering principles with business practices, preparing graduates to lead teams, manage projects, and address the complexities of modern industries.

Program Overview

The MSEM program at the University of Arkansas offers engineering professionals the skills necessary to advance into technical leadership roles. 

• Format: Fully online, allowing for full- or part-time study
• Degree requirements: 30 credit hours + a live exit exam
• Duration: Typically completed in 1-2 years with a maximum of 6 consecutive years for completion. 
• Curriculum Focus: Combines technical knowledge with management strategies, emphasizing strategic management, financial decision-making, project management, and quality control.

Graduates of the MSEM program are equipped to lead teams and projects in multiple fields of engineering, business, science, and technology. 

Specializations and Academic Pathways

The MSEM program at the University of Arkansas is tailored to the student’s specific needs. The first fifteen hours must be core courses to ensure proficiency in the foundational principles of engineering management. The last fifteen are electives. Students can work with an academic advisor to ensure that the elective courses fit the student’s career path.

Core Courses:

• EMGT 50303: Introduction to Engineering Management
• EMGT 54403: Decision Models
• EMGT 54603: Economic Decision Making
• EMGT 57003: Probability and Statistics for Engineering Management
• EMGT 57803: Project Management

Elective Courses:

The school website offers this small list of engineering courses outside of the core requirements. Once accepted into the program, contact your academic advisor to learn more about the courses listed here and additional approved elective courses.

• EMGT 50503 Tradeoff Analytics for Engineering Management
• EMGT 5140V Special Topics in Engineering Management
• EMGT 56003 Systems Thinking and Systems Engineering
• EMGT 57703 Engineering Risk Analysis

A comprehensive exam is required for graduation. It can be scheduled after eight graduate-level courses (including the five core) courses have been completed successfully. The online exam covers material from all completed graduate-level courses, including equivalent transfer courses.

At least 24 hours of graduate coursework must be completed at the University of Arkansas to receive an MSEM degree. 

Career Outcomes

The degree program prepares students for managerial roles in various industry sectors, including systems design, technical improvements, and research and development.

The program offers a learning environment that equips engineers for leadership positions based on  a curriculum that focuses “on the core elements of successful engineering leaders in highly complex environments.”

Admissions Process

Eligibility: A Bachelor of Science in Engineering or Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology from an ABET-accredited institution (or equivalent) with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0*

GRE: Not required

Required Materials:

• Completed online application
• Official transcripts from all institutions attended 

Application Deadlines: 

• Fall 8W1: August 1
• Fall 8W2: September 15
• Spring 8W1: December 1
• Spring 8W2: February 15
• Summer 8W: May 1

Fee: $60 admissions application fee

Graduation: Cumulative GPA of 2.85 to graduate — all graduate course grades will be included in the cumulative GPA, but only an A, B, or C grade in the course will be credited toward graduation.

*Applicants with a 2.5-2.99 GPA are encouraged to apply for individual consideration.

Tuition, Financial Aid, and Scholarships

The MSEM program costs $313 per credit hour, plus a $50 distance technology per credit-hour fee. For off-campus, non-OMGT/EMGT engineering courses, there is a $30 fee. There is no out-of-state tuition. 

Additional Notes: Students in online programs who take on-campus courses will pay on-campus fees, including mandatory and college-specific fees, for those courses only. Financial aid options are available, and students are encouraged to contact the university’s financial aid office for details.

Online Experience

All course materials and activities are offered through the learning management system Blackboard Learn. 

Faculty

Many of the school’s engineering faculty members are active in the engineering community, notably as the acting chair of an international conference on simulation; ranked as top-cited scientists by Stanford University; and a National Foundation of Science grant recipient.

Program Highlights

The University of Arkansas’s MSEM program has received significant recognition for its academic quality and alignment with industry standards:

Certified Graduate Program by ASEM

The program has been awarded as a Certified Graduate Program by the American Society of Engineering Management (ASEM), acknowledging its cutting-edge curriculum and adherence to the rigorous standards of the Engineering Management Body of Knowledge (EMBOK). This certification ensures that graduates are well-prepared to excel in engineering management roles and qualify for ASEM certifications such as the Certified Professional in Engineering Management (CPEM) or Certified Associate in Engineering Management (CAEM).

Program Rankings

The University of Arkansas is ranked 31st for best online Master’s in Engineering Programs by U.S. News & World Report, reflecting its strong academic reputation, innovative curriculum, and student success outcomes.1

Why Choose This MSEM Program?

There are several standout benefits of the program to consider:

Professional Certifications
Coursework aligns with ASEM’s Certified Associate in Engineering Management (CAEM) and Certified Professional in Engineering Management (CPEM), providing a clear pathway to industry-recognized credentials.

Career Support Services
Students have access to the Career Development Center where they can receive access to resume reviews, job search resources, and virtual career fairs tailored to graduate students.

Access to University Resources
Students receive full access to the University of Arkansas libraries for online journals, research databases, and other academic materials.

Class Profile

While the school site doesn’t offer specific demographic information, it states that its programs “are designed for working professionals in such fields as manufacturing, construction, technology services, aerospace, transportation, information technology, infrastructure, electronic systems, and state and government services.”

Next Steps

Take the next step toward becoming an engineering leader with the University of Arkansas's MSEM program. The flexible online format, affordable tuition, and industry-aligned curriculum offer busy professionals a way to acquire the tools to thrive in today’s dynamic engineering environments. Learn more and apply here.

Sources

1https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/engineering/rankings
https://online.uark.edu/programs/master-science-engineering-management.php  

https://engineering-management.uark.edu/  

https://catalog.uark.edu/graduatecatalog/programsofstudy/engineering-management-emgt/#text   

Disclaimer

All information about this program was found on University of Arkansas’s website, February 2025. Information is subject to change, so we advise that you confirm all program details, costs, and financial aid information with the university’s admissions office before applying. You can reach the university directly at 479-575-2000.