What Can I Do with a Bachelor’s in Engineering Management?

Is an engineering management degree worth it? A bachelor’s degree in this field focuses on topics related to engineering management such as math, calculus, science, and physics courses. Some programs zoom in on specific fields such as civil, mechanical or electrical engineering.

Is an engineering management degree worth it? Students who wish to pursue a degree in engineering management should look for colleges accredited by ABET, Inc., previously called the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. This organization certifies universities and is respected by graduate schools, licensing boards, and employers.

In order to get into a good engineering management program, students will need a high school diploma or equivalent. These programs tend to be competitive, so good grades are a big factor in whether students receive an acceptance letter.

Getting an engineering management bachelor’s degree requires in-depth knowledge of finance, business management, accounting and laboratory coursework. Admitted students learn the fundamentals of several fields of engineering including electrical, mechanical and civil.

Some of the topics covered include the following:

• Engineering leadership
• Quality control
• Financial management
• Project analysis
• Operations management

Getting a bachelor’s degree in engineering management prepares students for continuing education at the master’s level or as part of a certification program. Getting a master’s degree can help engineering management graduates advance more quickly in their careers. There may be licensing requirements depending on what state students working.

For this looking for career in engineering management, knowing the proper accreditation to look for can help narrow down in person and online choices. Some programs specialize in one field of engineering, while others provide a broad range of engineering education.

Accreditation for Engineering Management

Learn more about the regional accreditation for programs in engineering management programs. Choosing a school and program with ABET credentials will help you secure a job in this lucrative field.

Engineering school accreditation has strict curriculum requirements such as:

• Programs with at least 30 hours of basic sciences and college level math. These programs must also have experimental experience such as labs related to engineering management.
• Programs with at least 45 hours of engineering coursework such as computer science, engineering, design and using engineering tools.
• A well-rounded program that includes broad educational components as well as technical content. Core courses should relate to the programs learning objectives.

These programs should offer keystone courses regarding engineering management and incorporate engineering standards, including the constraints involved in designing structures. Capstone courses should be based on skills acquired in prerequisite courses.

Does ABET accreditation matter? An ABET accredited online degree holds more weight with perspective employers as well as colleges that offer master’s and doctoral degrees in engineering management. You should always look for schools with the appropriate accreditation at the national and regional levels.

The ABET accreditation aims to ensure that future leaders in engineering management have the skills, tools and knowledge required to conduct their roles effectively. If you are interested in a school that does not have this accreditation, that should raise a red flag. On the other hand, achieving a degree from an ABET school can open many doors for graduates.

Is ABET accreditation important when you’re looking for a job? If you want to obtain employment or continue your education, you should obtain an undergraduate degree from a program with this engineering school accreditation.

ABET accreditation requirements ensure that students master the skills needed to succeed in an engineering career. Most engineering careers also have licensing requirements that require applicants to pass subject matter exams. Schools without the ABET accreditation may have subpar courses that do not prepare students properly for licensure and employment and various engineering fields.

Programs that meets ABET accreditation requirements enjoy the respect and recognition of various educational institutions that offer engineering graduate studies. Most employers will also prefer applicants that graduate from an accredited university or college.

Why does ABET accreditation matter? These credentials ensure that the school you attend has a curriculum designed for innovative solutions two engineering problems. In order to be an efficient professional in various environments, you need a diverse educational background that covers several engineering fields.

As an engineering manager, graduates will work in entry-level and supervisory positions where they must interact and coordinate with diverse teams. In order for degree to mean something, institutions and individuals must value it. Achieving a bachelor’s from an ABET accredited online degree gives learners the skills needed to communicate complex information in layman’s terms. Accredited programs include coursework that addresses the ethical considerations surrounding engineering management. This helps students make the transition from school to responsible leaders in engineering management.

Types of Engineering Management Degrees

An engineering management bachelors degree gives graduates a distinction within the industry. This degree combines valuable skills and knowledge related to management as well as proficiency in highly technical engineering concepts. management engineers must have strong communication abilities to interact with subordinates and other colleagues. Managers in engineering work with production processes, product development, workforce reliability and materials specializations

Achieving an engineering management bachelor degree online give students more flexibility to pursue their studies. This is ideal for students with families, jobs or other commitments that make in person classes difficult or impossible.  

 A bachelor of engineering management program provides a plethora of opportunities due to the broad spectrum of topics covered. Graduates can find jobs in the following fields:

• Manufacturing management
• Logistics analysis and supervision
• Construction management
• Technical consulting
• Chemical process consulting

Before starting a bachelors in engineering management, Research several programs to find the one that is the best fit for you. Prospective engineers also typically have the following characteristics:

• Strong SAT scores
• Natural problem-solving affinity
• Ability to use computer modeling software
• Ability to visualize solutions with design tools
• Strong abstract thinking ability

Engineering management bachelors programs offer a variety of specializations. Courses that you will find in many colleges and universities with this degree offering include the following:

• Managerial Science. If you would like to lead teams of engineers and cross-functional coworkers, this may be the right field for you. Coursework involves the fundamentals of management and students also learn to build their knowledge in math and science. You can also join clubs and take on leadership roles in academic organizations to gain practical skills.
• Marketing. This might surprise some students at first glance. However, engineering managers often find jobs in marketing companies or departments. They bridge the gap between engineers designing products and product development teams seeking to fulfill the needs and wants of their target demographics. This role involves mastering engineering concepts as well as practical business concepts such as clear communication skills, finance, sales and marketing.
• Accounting. Engineering managers must understand basic accounting needed to keep operations running efficiently. Many roles for this degree involved project coordination, budgeting and materials acquisition. Accounting and finance skills are integral to fulfilling these roles.
• Materials Handling and Plant Layout. As engineering management students, learners gained firsthand experience with the systems that create products and transport materials to factories. Often, mundane details such as materials handling and properly designing a plant drastically impact the success of business operations. This is one area where engineering managers can apply their specialized knowledge to solve problems during the design phase.
• Computer Science. Information technology plays a large role in any organization. Engineering managers must understand information technology concepts and master applications used to design, correct and distribute plans for buildings, products and structures.
• Physics and Chemistry. These subjects help students understand how to apply engineering theories to daily work task.
• Systems Engineering. This subject covers processes required for engineering functions.

Online Degrees in Engineering Management

Many students prefer to get an engineering management bachelor degree online versus an in-person degree. Engineering management is suitable for online study and is a convenient way for those looking to advance in their career to obtain a degree without giving up their job. Online students create view hypothetical situations and produce decisions that would solve those problems. Thanks to new technology, classmates can communicate with one another instantly. This facilitates collaboration via instant messaging, email and chat rooms. Since technology management involves communication and engineering skills more than laboratory work, online study is a viable option for many students.

A bachelor’s in engineering management has lead to rewarding job opportunities. Choose a bachelor of engineering management program that meets your needs. This might include a specialization and construction, manufacturing or other areas. If you need a program that is 100% online, make sure that all the courses are available online or that you can make accommodations for any in-person classes required.

Certifications and Licenses for Engineering Management

Most schools offer students the opportunity to take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. passing this exam is the first step towards licensure. In order to receive your engineering management license, you will also have to pass an exam such as the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam. Refer to your state licensing board to learn about the continuing education required to maintain your certification. Some positions also prefer experience in quality assurance and project management or coordination. These certifications help applicants stand out while looking for jobs.

Here are two examples of programs that offer a engineering management certificate:

• Rice University’s certificate in engineering management expands the skills of students and prepares them for leadership roles via a 12-week program that confers an engineering management certificate to students who complete the courses.  Participants in this program learn effective project management skills. Upon completion, they have the communication skills and leadership abilities to convey complex ideas and manage technical projects. The program includes cooperation with various departments at the university and completely available online.
• Drexel University has an online engineering management certificate program similar to the one at Rice University. Students learn in depth skills and gain exposure to what it takes to manage scientists and engineers.

Engineering project management certificate programs often include finance and business coursework as well as scientific topics.

Licensure

The National Council for Examiners of Engineering and Surveying offers assistance with licensure for engineering managers. Coursework includes quality control, accounting, industrial management and economics. This non-profit organization helps engineers and surveyors learn more about attaining their licenses.

Engineering managers have professional organizations dedicated to helping professional with everything from networking to licensure. This includes the following organizations:

•  American Society for Engineering Management (ASEM)
• Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SEM)

Overview of the ASEM Certification

ASEM certification in engineering management ensures that participants have mastered the art of managing engineers and scientists. Skills needed to complete the certification include organization, planning, resource allocation and managing technology components.

Engineering management certifications help engineers learn how to complete task on schedule and within the required time frame. Collaboration is a big part of successfully managing diverse teams of scientists and engineers. ASEM provides two options to help individuals pursue their career paths and receive training in necessary principles of engineering management.

Those with a bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field can take an individual professional certificate in engineering management. Those who have a master’s or doctoral degree can take a graduate engineering management certificate.

Online engineering management certificate program provide flexibility for those obtaining their certificate while working or fulfilling family obligations.

An engineering management certification helps to ensure that recipients understand Engineering Management Body of Knowledge (EMBoK) concepts. This certification teaches students how to lead teams and the workplace or to pursue careers in academia. Individuals who have scientific and technical degrees don’t always have the opportunity to develop their management and business skills. This certification can fill that gap.

An engineering project management certification provides the necessary education for professional trainers who wants validation of their skills. Professional certifications can help students advancing their career within their own organization or pursue other engineering management jobs in the workforce.

ASEM has two certifications for individuals:

• Certified Associate in Engineering Management (CAEM) which helps those who do not have technology, engineering or science experience crossover into these fields. This engineering management certifications is respected by employees and graduate programs across the country.
• Certified Professional in Engineering Management (CPEM). These engineering project management certification programs help students with a lot of experience in project execution. This program assumes students have design, leadership and management experience and want to solidify their experience with a certification.

An engineering management certification provides The knowledge and skills needed to successfully transition to engineering management from another degree.  An engineering project management certification, however, is not as valuable as obtaining a bachelors or master’s degree an engineering management.

Careers in Engineering Management

What can I do with an engineering management degree? The engineering management career outlook includes many roles, including the following:

• Engineering Design Manager
• Engineering Research Manager
• Engineering Manager
• Mechanical Engineering Director
• Global Engineering Manager
• Process engineering manager
• Electrical Engineering Director

Engineering management degree jobs include construction management, cost system analysis, senior lead analyst an industrial management engineer.

Jobs with engineering management degree requires a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university an engineering management or related field. There are many lucrative career options and gaining experience can quickly result in higher salaries for students graduating in this field.

Jobs for engineering management degree involve maintaining and organizing production and operations. This requires technical, supervisory and administrative skills learned via coursework in hands-on experience.

What can I do with an engineering management degree? Engineering manager careers include the engineering project manager career path. Students wishing to become project managers may want to consider a project manager certification in addition to their engineering management degree.

An engineering management career outlook is solid. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, engineering management degree jobs are growing at the same rate as jobs in most fields. Jobs with engineering management degree typically involved high paying positions.

Jobs for engineering management degree typically take place in an office setting. Some engineering management career path settings take place in research labs and construction sites. Other students may pursue jobs in science that take place in research laboratories and other settings.  

An engineering manager career path most often involves working in manufacturing facilities. However, many people with this degree work in engineering and related fields. Other engineering management careers include working for scientific research foundations, government agencies and management companies specializing in scientific projects.

Engineering manager careers Involved the development, manufacturing and design of products such as technological devices and automobiles. Engineering project manager career path yay include working in marketing, finance and construction. These professionals may also deal with suppliers and help direct engineering processes.

Career opportunities in engineering management cross many industries and departments and provide a wide array of choices for graduates. Find out how much you can make as an engineering manager at the beginning, median and experience stages of your career.

Engineering Management Salary

According to the BLS, engineering management degree salary ranges peak at $208,000. Half of those working in this career averaged $144,830. The low end for engineering management degree salary recipients was $92,510.

Top positions for architectural and engineering managers include the following specializations:

• Scientific R&D: $167,290
• Corporate management: $152,640
• Manufacturing: $143,550
• Architectural engineering: $143,160
• Government contracts: $133,320

These examples demonstrate the diversity and excellent remuneration available to students who successfully complete their engineering management degrees. If you have an interest in solving problems, designing products or leading teams of engineers and scientists, this could be the right choice for you.

Joining professional organizations is another great way to gain exposure to what’s happening in the field. You can also pad your resume with a few professional organizations pertaining to your specialization. Learn more about the professional organizations available to engineering management students and professionals in the next section.

Professional Organizations 

Here are some of the main organizations that add value to engineering management professionals who joined them. Joining professional organizations can help you get started or build your career. it’s also a great way to stay on top of changes in the industry. These membership-based associations are designed specifically with engineering management professionals in mind.

Check out these professional engineering associations and organizations to see which one can help you succeed in this competitive field:  

• American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AAEES) 
• American Association for Aerosol Research (AAAR) 
• American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) 
• American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 
• American Society for Precision Engineering (ASPE) 
• American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) 
• American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) 
• Association for Facilities Engineering (AFE) 
• Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE) 
• Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) 
• Illuminating Engineering Society (IES)
• Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) 
• National Association of Power Engineers (N.A.P.E.) 
• Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 
• Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) 
• National Association of Rocketry (NAR) 
• Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE)
• Society of American Value Engineers (SAVE)
• Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP) 

Joining professional associations such as the National Association of Power Engineers can help you advance for your job and show that you are serious about your field. These organizations include highly specialized memberships such as the Society of Plastics Engineers. However, there are also chapters devoted to more inclusive membership such as AAEES.

Many of these organizations charge nominal fees to join. However, the fees can add up overtime. Therefore, you may want to choose one or two that best suit your career goals. Including these on your resume can help you generate interest and find connections with hiring managers who also belong to professional engineering organizations.

Attaining a degree in engineering management opens the door to numerous fields that apply to your interest and offer high salaries. This is one of the most rewarding scientific and practical career choices that you can make. Building bridges, buildings and other structures requires engineering expertise. An engineering management degree coupled with experience and your specialization will help you quickly move up the corporate ladder or help you gain the expertise to start your own company.