Online Master’s in Engineering Management

The Online Master of Science in Engineering Management is offered by The George Washington University’s School of Engineering and Applied Science — whose online graduate engineering programs are ranked #5 of 111 by U.S. News & World Report (2026), the highest ranking of any private university in the category. The 30-credit STEM-designated program combines engineering leadership and management with applied technical coursework: management foundations (EMSE 6001 The Management of Technical Organizations, EMSE 6810 Systems Analysis and Management, EMSE 6820 Program and Project Management), decision-making and finance (EMSE 6020 Decision Making with Uncertainty, EMSE 6410 Survey of Finance and Engineering Economics), professional skills (EMSE 6018 Engineering Law, EMSE 6992 Negotiation and Conflict Resolution), security and AI (EMSE 6540 Management of Information and Systems Security, SEAS 6525 Secure and Trustworthy AI), and a capstone (EMSE 6099). Graduates are prepared to pursue the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute. Tuition is $1,250 per credit hour ($37,500 total) with eBooks and software included. Classes meet live one evening per week (6:30–9:30 PM ET, Monday–Thursday). Students can complete the program in as little as one year and choose from five start terms per year.

Master’s Degree in Engineering Management

The Master’s Degree in Engineering Management is designed for engineers and technical professionals seeking to advance into leadership, management, or strategic roles without pausing their careers. This engineering management master's degree combines technical expertise with management, systems thinking, and decision-making skills to help graduates lead teams, manage complex projects, and drive innovation. Delivered fully online, the program offers the flexibility working professionals need while preparing them for leadership roles across engineering-driven industries.

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Program Overview

Through graduate-level coursework, students build an interdisciplinary foundation in engineering management, leadership, and applied technical knowledge. The curriculum emphasizes managing engineering teams, overseeing complex projects, and applying engineering principles within organizational and government settings, including areas such as supply chain and product lifecycle management. The program awards a master’s degree in engineering management and is designed for professionals balancing technical expertise with leadership and management responsibilities.

Taught by expert faculty, the program prepares graduates to lead technology-driven initiatives, implement innovative strategies, and navigate project-based environments. Graduates are also prepared to pursue the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification offered by the Project Management Institute.
 

Built for the Modern Engineering Leader: PMP-Ready, AI-Aware

GW’s online Master’s in Engineering Management is built around two things working engineering leaders need right now: a clear path to professional credentials, and fluency in the technologies reshaping technical organizations. The curriculum prepares graduates to pursue the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification offered by the Project Management Institute — the most widely recognized project-management credential in engineering-driven industries. Coursework in program and project management (EMSE 6820), systems analysis (EMSE 6810), and decision-making under uncertainty (EMSE 6020) maps directly to the knowledge areas PMP candidates need.

The program also includes a dedicated course in Secure and Trustworthy AI (SEAS 6525) — covering the security, governance, and responsible-deployment challenges of AI, generative AI, and machine learning systems. Very few engineering-management programs include AI governance in the core curriculum. For managers leading teams that build, buy, or deploy AI systems, it is a differentiator: engineering management for the AI era, not just the industrial era.

How Much Does This Degree Cost?

Tuition for the online Master’s Engineering Management Degree is $1,250 per credit hour for the 2026-2027 academic year. With 30 total credit hours, the estimated total tuition cost is $37,500 which is billed per semester based on enrolled courses.

A $495 non-refundable tuition deposit is required upon admission and is applied toward first-semester tuition. The program includes no additional fees, and required eBooks and software are provided at no extra cost. Student veterans, military personnel, and eligible dependents are encouraged to inquire about available military education benefits.
 

How Long Does the Program Take, and How Is It Delivered?

The online Master’s in Engineering Management can be completed in as little as one year for full-time students, with part-time options available. Courses are delivered fully remote and combine live, scheduled instruction with asynchronous coursework.

Quick facts:

• Format: 100% online
• Class schedule: One evening per week (Monday-Thursday), 6:30-9:30 p.m. ET
• Session length: Nine-week sessions
• Enrollment structure: Students enroll in four nine-week sessions, with an optional fifth summer session
• Start options: Up to five start terms per year

Curriculum Highlights

The curriculum consists of 10 courses (30 total credit hours) designed to build leadership, management, and applied engineering skills. Courses combine synchronous and asynchronous learning, providing live instruction alongside flexible coursework.

Learn more about the courses

EMSE 6001 The Management of Technical Organizations: The practice of management as applied within technical organizations. Includes history of the tradition and current effective practices, research findings, and case studies, with objectives of enhanced understanding of external and internal factors influencing organizational performance and leadership requirements. (3 credit hours)

EMSE 6018 Engineering Law: Legal principles and procedures of interest to engineers. The American legal system, contracts and specifications, liability of professional engineers, product liability, agency relationships, patent and proprietary rights, special problems in research and development contracts. (3 credit hours)

EMSE 6020 Decision Making with Uncertainty: Problem formulation. Concepts and techniques used in analyzing complex decision problems. Modeling decision problems using decision trees, probability models, multi-objective models and utility theory. (3 credit hours)

EMSE 6099 Problems in Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Capstone: Capstone project providing the opportunity to apply concepts and tools previously studied to the solution of a real-world problem. Students work in small groups, on a problem proposed by students and approved by the instructor. Open only to master’s candidates in the department, preferably during the last semester of their program. (3 credit hours)

EMSE 6410 Survey of Finance and Engineering Economics: Survey of material relevant to financial decision making for engineering activity. Includes traditional engineering economy topics; fundamentals of accounting; and financial planning, budgeting, and estimating applicable to the management of technical organizations. (3 credit hours) 

EMSE 6540 Management of Information and Systems Security: Information security techniques and countermeasures in defense fundamentals; critical infrastructure protection; network defense–firewall systems and IDS, VPNs, cryptographic and internet security protocols and cyber security, information assurance. (3 credit hours) 

EMSE 6810 Systems Analysis and Management: The systems or holistic approach as a methodology for making decisions and allocating resources. Analysis by means of objectives, alternatives, models, criteria, and feedback. (3 credit hours)

EMSE 6820 Program and Project Management: Problems in managing projects; project management as planning, organizing, directing, and monitoring; project and corporate organizations; duties and responsibilities; the project plan; schedule, cost, earned-value and situation analysis; leadership; team building; conflict management; meetings, presentations, and proposals. (3 credit hours)

EMSE 6992 Special Topics: Negotiation and Conflict Resolution: Acquire proven negotiation skills by using real world case studies, learning a broad spectrum of theories underlying negotiating approaches, and put their learning into practice. Discover a framework for understanding and addressing the challenging emotional dynamics that arise in everyday negotiations and conflicts. Students gain the tools for early recognition of unhealthy conflict, accurately diagnosing its causes and developing effective communication-based intervention strategies. (3 credit hours)

SEAS 6525 Secure and Trustworthy AI: In-depth knowledge of artificial intelligence (AI), generative AI (GenAI), and machine learning (ML) with a focus on security, governance, and protecting sensitive data. Tools to securely and responsibly design, implement, and operate AI/ML systems. (3 credit hours)

Academic Calendar

Session	Dates	Application Deadlines
Summer 2026	week of 6/1/26 – week of 6/29/26	5/16/2026
Fall-1 2026	8/18/26 –  10/15/26	8/10/2026
Fall-2 2026	10/20/26 – 12/17/26	10/5/2026
Spring-1 2027	week of 1/11/27 – week of 3/16/27	12/7/2026
Spring-2 2027	week of 3/22/27 – week of 5/10/27	3/1/2027

The course order is determined by academic advisors based on student progress. Course details are provided through Blackboard approximately one month before classes begin.

What Can You Do With a Master's in Engineering Management?

Graduates of the online Master’s in Engineering Management are prepared for leadership and management roles that sit at the intersection of engineering, business, and technology. The degree supports career advancement for professionals seeking to move beyond purely technical roles and into positions with greater responsibility, strategic oversight, and organizational impact.

This degree is particularly well suited for professionals who want to lead teams, manage complex projects, and influence decision-making in engineering-driven environments.
 
 According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), the median annual salary for Architectural and Engineering Managers — the occupation this degree most directly prepares graduates for — is $167,740, with employment projected to grow 4% from 2024 to 2034 (about as fast as average) and about 14,500 openings projected each year. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $111,450 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $239,200.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook — Architectural and Engineering Managers (11-9041).

Admissions Requirements

Who Should Apply

The online Master’s in Engineering Management is designed for applicants with a strong technical or quantitative background who are prepared for graduate-level study.

Applicants should meet the following requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, information technology, mathematics, physics, or a related field from an accredited institution
• A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• A grade of C or higher in at least one college-level calculus course and one college-level statistics course. (Applicants who do not fully meet the calculus or statistics requirement but are otherwise qualified may be conditionally admitted and required to complete an additional 3-credit course during their first semester.)
• Applicants outside the United States should review international admissions requirements for additional criteria
• Applicants may also apply to a six-course graduate certificate in Systems Engineering; upon successful completion of the certificate and reapplication, all certificate courses may be applied toward the Master’s degree*

*Subject to program policies and academic requirements.
 

Application Materials

There is no application fee for GW’s online engineering programs.

A complete application includes:

• Resume or CV
• Official transcripts from all institutions where a degree was earned
• Two professional letters of recommendation
• GRE scores (optional), which may be submitted if available to strengthen the application
   

After You Apply

Applicants are expected to remain engaged throughout the admissions process. You will receive email updates as your application is reviewed, and timely responses to requests for materials are required to keep your application moving forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a master’s degree in engineering management worth it?

A master’s degree in engineering management can be valuable for professionals seeking to move into leadership, management, or strategic roles while maintaining a strong technical foundation. The program is designed to support career advancement by combining engineering expertise with management and decision-making skills applicable across engineering-driven industries.

Do I need an engineering degree to apply?

Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, or a closely related technical field. Candidates with other quantitative or technical backgrounds may be considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on academic preparation and professional experience.

Is the GRE required?

No. The GRE is not required for admission to the online Master’s in Engineering Management.

Can I work full time while enrolled?

Yes. The program is designed for working professionals. Courses are delivered online with one scheduled evening class per week, allowing students to balance coursework with full-time employment.

Are international applicants eligible?

Yes. International applicants are welcome to apply. Additional documentation, including proof of English language proficiency, may be required depending on prior education and background.

Does GW’s online Master’s in Engineering Management prepare me for the PMP certification?

Yes. Graduates of the program are prepared to pursue the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification offered by the Project Management Institute. Coursework in program and project management, systems analysis, and decision-making under uncertainty maps to the knowledge areas PMP candidates study. The PMP is one of the most widely recognized project-management credentials in engineering-driven industries.

Why choose GW Engineering’s online Master’s in Engineering Management?

GW Engineering is ranked #5 of 111 in U.S. News’ 2026 Best Online Master’s in Engineering Programs — the highest-ranked private university in the category. The program combines engineering leadership and management with a modern technical edge, including a dedicated course in Secure and Trustworthy AI. It is built around live evening classes (6:30–9:30 PM ET, Monday–Thursday) for working professionals, can be completed in as little as one year, and prepares graduates to pursue PMP certification. Total tuition is $37,500 with eBooks and software included; no GRE and no application fee are required.

What kinds of careers does the Engineering Management degree lead to?

Graduates move into roles such as engineering manager, technical program manager, project manager, product manager, operations or systems manager, and technology or innovation manager. They work across technology and software, manufacturing and industrial engineering, aerospace and defense, energy and infrastructure, government and public-sector organizations, and consulting. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Architectural and Engineering Managers earn a median salary of $167,740 (May 2024). 

Can the M.S. in Engineering Management be completed in one year?

Yes. Full-time students can complete all 30 credit hours in as little as one year. GW offers up to five start terms per year (each session is approximately nine weeks long), allowing accelerated pacing for students who can take multiple courses per session. Part-time options are also available for students balancing the program with full-time work. Classes meet live one evening per week (Monday–Thursday, 6:30–9:30 PM ET) with additional asynchronous coursework outside scheduled class meetings.

Should I get a Master’s in Engineering Management or an MBA?

Both develop leadership skills, but they serve different goals. A Master’s in Engineering Management keeps you close to the technical work — it builds management, systems-thinking, and decision-making skills specifically for leading engineering teams, technical programs, and technology-driven organizations, while preserving and deepening your engineering foundation. An MBA is broader and more general-management focused, spanning marketing, finance, and operations across all industries. For engineers who want to move into technical leadership without leaving engineering behind, a Master’s in Engineering Management is typically the more directly applicable degree.

Explore Related Online Graduate Engineering Programs

• Online Master’s in Systems Engineering — closely related discipline; the Systems Engineering graduate certificate also stacks into this Engineering Management master’s on re-application
• Online Master’s in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning — natural pairing for managers leading AI/ML teams who want deeper technical depth
• Online Master’s in Cybersecurity — complementary for engineering managers overseeing security programs and critical-infrastructure protection
• Online Master’s in Cloud Computing Management — complementary for managers leading cloud infrastructure and migration programs
• Online Master’s in Electrical Engineering — for technical professionals weighing a deeper specialization before moving into management

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