Online Master of Science in Engineering Management

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.
 

How Much Does This Degree Cost?

Tuition for the online Master’s Engineering Management Degree is $1,200 per credit hour for the 2025-2026 academic year. With 36 total credit hours, the estimated total tuition cost is $43,200, 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), 6:30-9:50 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 12 courses (36 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 6005 Organizational Behavior for the Engineering Manager: The behavior of individuals and groups in the context of technical organizations, focusing on relationships and interactions within the organization’s operating activities. Individual and group development and motivation. Organizational structures and cultures. (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 6070 Management of Research and Development: Seminar on readings and classic and contemporary case studies in the strategic management of innovation and technology. (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 6801 Systems Engineering I: Systems approach to the architecting and engineering of large-scale systems; elements of systems engineering; methods and standards; computer tools that support systems and software engineering; trends and directions; the integrative nature of systems engineering. (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 6825 Project Cost and Quality Management: Developing project cost and resource estimates during the planning stages. Monitoring, forecasting, and controlling cost throughout the project life cycle. Project quality planning, assurance, and control. Relationships among project scope, time, cost, quality, human resources, communications, procurement, and risk. Preparation for the Project Management Professional examination. Prerequisite: EMSE 6820. (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)

Academic Calendar

Session	Dates	Application Deadlines
Summer 2026	week of 6/1/26 – week of 6/29/26	5/16/2026
Fall-1 2026	week of 8/31/26 – week of 10/19/26	8/15/2026
Fall-2 2026	week of 10/26/26 – week of 12/14/26	10/15/2026
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.
 
 

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
   

Application Materials

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

A complete application includes:

• Resume or CV
• Statement of Purpose (250 words or fewer) outlining academic goals, career objectives, and relevant experience
• Official transcripts from all institutions where a degree was earned
• Two letters of recommendation, including at least one professional reference
• 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.

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