Essential Information
Participants in the engineering management degree program are prepared to lead and manage engineering operations and personnel. Admission to a Ph.D. program in engineering management requires a master's degree in engineering or a related field. Applicants may also need work experience in engineering and previously completed advanced math courses (matrix algebra, integral calculus, etc.).
Once enrolled in the program, students are required to successfully defend a dissertation based on unique, independent research. To complement this rigorous academic training, students and faculty members might team with government entities and advanced technology companies in their research efforts.
Doctorate in Engineering Management
Curricula for these programs can be incredibly diverse, combining hands-on practical training with theoretical instruction across several fields. They typically train learners to apply the principles of diverse disciplines such as supply chain management, inventory control, scheduling, and computer modeling to the management of engineering projects. Technical engineering and information technology training is balanced by education in finance, organizational psychology, and leadership. Course topics might include:
- Integrated systems
- Project management
- Logistics planning
- Data analysis
- Risk analysis
- Operations research
Popular Career Options
Successful Ph.D. candidates typically go into teaching and/or research careers with colleges and universities, private technology companies, public research organizations, or government agencies. Potential occupations in which candidates might work include:
- Researcher
- Product designer
- Professor
Employment Outlook and Salary Information
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics stated that engineering post-secondary teachers would see a 9% growth in employment opportunities from 2019 to 2029. The median annual wage for engineering professors was $101,010 in May 2019.
Continuing Education
Doctoral graduates who seek to lead advanced research projects might consider pursuing post-doctoral fellowships. These fellowships might last for several years before individuals eventually break into the industry. In addition to this research-based education, professionals may need to take training courses to stay current in the latest technologies and procedures.
A doctorate program in engineering management not only covers course topics in analysis and research, but prepares students to manage and oversee various kinds of engineering projects. Graduates can pursue post-doctoral fellowships or work as professors, researchers and product designers.