Master of Engineering Administration (MEA) (2024)

Program Overview

The Masters of Engineering Administration at Virginia Tech is designed for engineering professionals seeking to advance to leadership positions within an engineering enterprise. Graduates learn how to apply engineering expertise in a business context to manage and lead an engineering enterprise toward innovative opportunities. Courses are offered in the late afternoon or evening to accommodate those working full-time. This program is a non-thesis, coursework-only degree, focused on applying management and executive expertise within an engineering enterprise.

Our program is designed for highly motivated individuals seeking a competitive edge. Taught by renowned College of Engineering faculty members who provide students with individualized attention, our program benefits from its unparalleled access to top industry and business leaders in both private and public sectors. We take pride in our innovativecurriculum, the strength of our alumni network and ourexcellent careerplacement.

This degree program is designed for individuals who are interested in leadership positions or career opportunities in the management of research, engineering, or technology development enterprises.

Admissions and Policies

Each applicant for the MS program should meet the following entrance requirements

  • Have a B.S. or B.A. degree from an accredited institution.

  • Provide evidence of satisfactory educational achievement in at least one of the following forms:

A GPA of at least 3.00 as an undergraduate or an acceptable GPA in graduate courses.

  • International students must complete a test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL) with an Internet-based test (iBT) score of 90 (with a score of 20 or greater in the Listening, Writing, Speaking, and Reading subsections) or an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.5. (https://www.ets.org/toefl/score-users/ibt/interpret-scores.html)

  • Have two letters of recommendation submitted by former professors or supervisors

Visit the bursar's website for more information on cost per credit hour.

Degree Requirements

Core Required Courses (16 Credit Hours)
All of the following course are required. These are all offered in the late afternoon or evening using the distance learning infrastructure for synchronous online course delivery.
  • ENGE 5304 (1) Graduate Student Success in Multicultural Environments
  • ISE 5104 (3) Operations Research
  • ISE 5124 (3) Quality Management
  • ISE 5164 (3) Transfer and Application of Emerging Technology
  • ISE 5174 (3) Engineering Program and Project Management
  • ISE 5434 (3) Economic Project Evaluation
Electives (15 Credit Hours)

Any ISE graduate courses can be chosen to meet the 15-credit hour elective requirement. Not all current ISE courses may be feasible for students who are not located in Blacksburg, Virginia. The courses listed below are offered once per week in the late afternoon or evening, using the distance learning infrastructure for synchronous online course delivery.

  • ISE 5114 (3) Case Studies in Industrial Engineering
  • ISE 5015 (3) Management of Change, Innovation & Performance in Organizational Systems I
  • ISE 5016 (3) Management of Change, Innovation & Performance in Organizational Systems II
  • ISE 5134 (3) Enterprise Information Systems
  • ISE 5144 (3) Management and Measurement of Efficiency & Productivity
  • ISE 5154 (3) Applied Human Factors Engineering
  • ISE 5204 (3) Manufacturing Systems Engineering
  • ISE 5804 (3) Fundamentals of Systems Engineering
  • ISE 5814 (3) System Dynamics Modeling of Socio-Technical Systems
  • ISE 5834 (3) Decision Analysis for Engineers
  • ISE 5844 (3) Health Systems Engineering & Modeling
  • ISE 5874 (3) Digital Engineering
  • ISE 5884 (3) System Architecture

In addition, the following courses may be taken to satisfy the elective requirement and are offered once per week in the late afternoon or evening, taught through the Pamplin College of Business (MGT) or the School of Public and International Affairs (PAPA) using the distance learning infrastructure for synchronous online course delivery.

  • MGT 5314 (3) Dynamics of Organization Behavior
  • MGT 5804 (3) Strategic Leadership in Technology-based Organizations
  • PAPA 5315 (3) Government Administration
  • PAPA 5614 (STS 5614) (3) Introduction to Science and Technology Policy

Accelerated Master's Program

For well qualified students in a College of Engineering bachelor’s degree program at Virginia Tech, the ISE department offers the opportunity to begin the MEA coursework in the final year of their bachelor’s studies.

Admissions Requirements for the Accelerated UG/G program in SYSE:

  • Minimum 3.4 GPA in last 60 hours of bachelor’s coursework completed
  • Statement of purpose, including career objectives
  • CV/Resume
  • 3 letters of reference
  • Transcripts, including official transcripts of all non-VT coursework

Applicants must be in the last 12 months of their undergraduate degree and must be accepted into the program prior to the beginning of the semester in which they would enroll in courses to be used in the UG/G program.

Additional Program Requirements:

  • A maximum of 9 hours may be double‐counted, none of which can include required undergraduate classes.
  • No more than six credits double counted may be at the 4XXX level.
  • Conjoint classes, to double count, must be taken at the 5XXX level.
  • A grade of “B” or better must be earned in each course to be double counted.
  • Courses must not be taken pass‐fail if a graded option is available.

Related Certificate Programs

Graduate Certificate in Technology Management

  • ISE 5164 - Transfer and Application of Emerging Technology
  • ISE 5174 - Engineering Program and Project Management
  • ISE 5134 - Enterprise Information Systems
  • ISE 5154 - Applied Human Factors Engineering

Affiliated Faculty

  • BioItem

    Master of Engineering Administration (MEA) (1)

    Peter Beling , bio

  • BioItem

    Master of Engineering Administration (MEA) (2)

    Deborah E. Dickerson , bio

  • BioItem

    Master of Engineering Administration (MEA) (3)

    John P. Geraghty , bio

  • BioItem

    Master of Engineering Administration (MEA) (4)

    Navid Ghaffarzadegan , bio

  • BioItem

    Master of Engineering Administration (MEA) (5)

    Joseph Godfrey , bio

  • BioItem

    Master of Engineering Administration (MEA) (6)

    Niyousha Hosseinichimeh , bio

  • BioItem

    Master of Engineering Administration (MEA) (7)

    Brian M. Kleiner , bio

  • BioItem

    Master of Engineering Administration (MEA) (8)

    Nathan Lau , bio

  • BioItem

    Master of Engineering Administration (MEA) (9)

    Taylan G. Topcu , bio

  • BioItem

    Master of Engineering Administration (MEA) (10)

    Konstantinos P. Triantis , bio

  • BioItem

    Master of Engineering Administration (MEA) (11)

    Eileen M. Van Aken , bio

Master of Engineering Administration (MEA) (2024)

FAQs

How valuable is an MEng? ›

Is a MEng worth it? A MEng is a worthwhile degree if you're looking to pursue a career in engineering. Because it includes a postgraduate qualification, many graduates find they are more qualified and therefore better able to get a job after completing their course.

Is masters engineering management worth it? ›

A master's in engineering management is extremely beneficial to those interested in working in engineering, technology, or manufacturing, because these industries often have complex processes that require both business operations knowledge and engineering expertise.

Is MEM a good option? ›

Both the MEM and MBA offer valuable paths to leadership and high earning potential. Your choice depends on whether you prefer to specialize in engineering management or seek broader business leadership opportunities across various sectors.

Is MEM in USA worth it quora? ›

Is it worth pursuing masters in engineering management in USA without any work experience? - Quora. Generally not a good idea. You will have harder time landing your first job. Hiring managers will feel like you want their job and you are less interested in doing the hands-on engineering work.

Is MEng a real Masters? ›

The MEng and the postgraduate MSc are professional masters degrees in Engineering. They are available in different forms and usually are a pre-requisite to becoming a chartered engineer. Read through the guidance below, which answers the main questions between an MEng and an MSc qualification.

Is MBA better than MEng? ›

To sum up the MBA or Engineering Management question, a Master's in Engineering Management is designed to provide engineers with leadership skills in the context of the field of engineering and preparation for leadership in technical organizations. An MBA prepares students for more general roles in business.

Is it better to get an engineering Masters or an MBA? ›

A MEM program is more geared toward students who want to advance within the rapidly evolving R&D, innovation, engineering and tech/IT fields, while an MBA may be more suited to individuals who want to explore other fields or business-related career paths like corporate strategy, organizational design, corporate ...

Is a masters in engineering impressive? ›

A Master of Engineering degree shows potential employers that you have deepened your knowledge in a complex area—an advantage that identifies you as a stronger, more qualified fit for a job than someone with an undergraduate education alone.

Is engineering management a hard degree? ›

An engineering management degree can prove challenging in several ways. The discipline requires you to learn and manage many fields. You must balance personalities and responsibilities. Also, engineering disciplines feature complex and specialized training and advanced mathematics and science courses.

What is the average salary of MEM graduate in USA? ›

Salaries for MEM graduates in the USA vary depending on several factors, including education, experience, location, industry, and employer. According to various sources and industry reports, the average salary for MEM professionals in the USA typically ranges from $80,000 to $120,000 per year.

Which is better, mim or MEM? ›

MIM (Master of Information Management) programmes focus on managing information systems and technology inside organisations, whereas MEM (Master of Engineering Management) programmes combine engineering and business principles, providing a more comprehensive understanding of both technical and managerial aspects.

Is MEM a good course in USA? ›

Yes, definitely! The USA has nearly 60 universities/colleges which offer Masters in Engineering Management to international students along with the domestic lot. This course is also famous as MBA for Engineers or Engineer's MBA. A large number of renowned, high-ranking universities in the State offer a MEM program.

Which country is best for MEM? ›

Q. Which are the top countries to study Masters in Engineering Management (MEM) abroad? A. The United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, and Germany are the top countries for international students to pursue a Master in Engineering Management.

Is MEM a stem course? ›

Yes, the MEM Program is STEM-designated degree program.

Is MEM from purdue worth it? ›

Purdue MEM program is ranked the top 10 Public University in America by the 2023 Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education and 4th Best Graduate Engineering School in 2023 & 2024 U.S. News & World Report.

Is it worth it to get MEng? ›

The benefits of doing an MEng degree are that it is more of an industry-oriented course and while pursuing it, you will be able to make meaningful network connections. Apart from this, after doing MEng, you will get a high salary and great job opportunities.

Is it worth doing a master's of engineering? ›

A Master's Degree Unlocks Higher Earning Potential and Career Advancement. Engineering is a dynamic, growing specialty, and entry-level wages can be competitive even for those with just a bachelor's degree. Getting a master's degree, however, can significantly increase your earning potential.

What is MEng equivalent to? ›

The UK MEng (undergraduate degree) is typically equivalent to the European Diplom Ingenieur (Dipl. -Ing.) and Civilingenjör degrees. Universities are free to set their own entry requirements.

Is it better to have MEng or MSc? ›

For those who wish to become chartered engineers, the MEng will be the better choice. While it is possible to become a chartered engineer with an MSc, it is generally considered easier to achieve accreditation if you have an MEng.

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