Essential Information
A bachelor's degree program in industrial management may emphasize management-oriented coursework in areas such as accounting and business operations. Students explore production practices and learn to oversee personnel. Master's programs may be designed for management professionals who want to increase their knowledge in order to expand their careers. Advanced coursework may cover economic theories, statistics and manufacturing systems. Some master's programs offer areas of specialization in strategic industrial management, manufacturing systems, engineering technology and industrial safety.
Common prerequisites include a high school diploma or GED for bachelor's degrees and a bachelor's degree in a related field for master's degrees. Some programs might look for work experience in the field.
Successful graduates of these programs might earn voluntary certification credentials through the Association for Operations Management. Candidates must complete a training program to qualify.
Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Management
Bachelor's degree programs in industrial management primarily focus on management theories, principles and skill sets, and prepare students for practical positions in industrial settings. Students enrolled in such a program learn about basic production processes, personnel management strategies and operational logistics, which can be applied to several different industries. Many 4-year degree programs in the subject also provide students with an understanding of mathematics, statistics and computer science.
The curriculum included in an industrial management degree program is similar to that of many business-related degree programs, but with a particular emphasis on production and operations. Some examples include:
- Statistics
- Managerial accounting
- Management principles
- Production systems
- Personnel management
- Operations management
Master's Degree in Industrial Management
Master's degree programs in industrial management are primarily designed for those students who have earned a baccalaureate degree in a related field, such as business management, and who are interested in pursuing a career in industry. Many schools also open up 2-year master's degree programs in industrial management to aspiring managers who have already had some professional experience in engineering and technology.
Industrial management courses offered at the graduate level cover advanced principles of management and system analysis, such as industrial management. Some of these include:
- Operations systems
- Economic principles
- Manufacturing systems
- Statistics
- Quality management
- Human factors in management
Popular Career Options
Industrial managers, production managers, supply chain managers and similar leaders can gain positions across several technical and industrial industries, including:
- Electronics manufacturing
- Pharmaceuticals
- Automobile manufacturing
- Printing
- Plastics manufacturing
- Textiles manufacturing
Employment Outlook and Salary Info
Around 179,570 industrial production managers worked in the technological and manufacturing industries in the United States in 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov). Between 2019 and 2029, employment is projected to increase by 1%. As of May 2020, California employs the highest percentage of industrial managers, while New Jersey employs the highest-paid industrial managers. The median wage for the profession in 2020 was about $108,790, states the BLS.
Certification Options
Certification is not typically required for the position of industrial manager, but it can help professionals looking to move up in their careers or switch over to another profession. The Association for Operations Management (www.apics.org) offers certification for professionals who complete a brief training program. It designates individuals as certified in Production and Inventory Management or as Certified Supply Chain Professionals.
Industrial management studies are available to students at the bachelor's and master's levels. Popular career industry options for graduates in this field include pharmaceuticals and printing.
