Lead technical teams. Drive innovation. Advance your career without pausing your job.
The UW–Madison online MS in Engineering Management is a 30-credit graduate program designed for engineers moving into leadership roles. You’ll study through flexible, interactive online methods with UW faculty who bring real-world industry experience. This format allows you to balance work, life, and learning while earning a credential recognized for excellence.
| Degree awarded | Master of Science in Engineering Management |
| Credits | 30 graduate credits |
| Format | 100% Online, part-time |
| Duration | 2-4 Years (part-time) |
| Tuition | $1,300/credit Starting Fall 2026, tuition will be $1,100 per credit for eligible programs, with an automatic $100 per-credit Wisconsin Resident Scholarship. Learn more. |
| Start | Fall / Spring / Summer |
| Application Deadlines | Spring: November 1 Summer: May 1 Fall: July 1 |
Is This Program Right for You?
Designed for working engineers, this part-time online master’s in engineering management bridges the gap between business leadership and technical expertise.
- Join a cohort of working engineers in a flexible, interactive program (evening online sessions, no travel required)
- Build leadership, communication, and engineering decision-making skills
- Apply course projects directly to challenges at your job for real-time impact
- Learn from industry-experienced faculty and collaborate with peers from top technical organization
Build Your Degree Path
All students begin with the MEM core curriculum, where they build leadership, operations, financial, and strategic decision-making skills. From there, they choose the path that best supports their goals:
Specialization Tracks
- Operational Excellence & Systems Leadership
- Product & Innovation Leadership
Graduate Certificate Option
- Artificial Intelligence for Engineering Data Analytics
Custom Elective Path
- Build an individualized plan with advisor guidance.
Explore the curriculum for more details.
Online by Design
Our courses blend applied activities, structured opportunities for interaction, and recorded instructor materials. This intentional design supports strong engagement, clear guidance, and meaningful results.
Why This Program?
27 years
of delivering interactive online education, reflecting deep experience designing high-quality online programs for working professionals.
ASEM certified
to ensure you’ll gain the critical knowledge necessary for success in the field of engineering management.
#10 graduate ranking
Online Graduate Engineering Management Programs
U.S. News & World Report, 2026
Curriculum and Requirements
Complete 30 graduate credits, beginning with a strong foundation in engineering leadership, business decision-making, and managing technical organizations. Then customize your degree through specialization tracks, graduate certificates, or elective pathways aligned to your goals.
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Core Curriculum (take all 19 credits)
- EPD 610 – Engineering Analysis for Decision Making
- EPD 611 – Engineering Economics and Management
- EPD 612 – Technical Project Management *
- EPD 616 – Engineering Law
- EPD 618 – Applied Leadership and Management of Engineering Organizations
- EPD 710 – Foundations of Engineering Leadership
- EPD 711 – Strategic & Ethical Communication for Engineers
Operational Excellence & Systems Leadership Track
- EPD 518 – Quality Engineering and Quality Management (3 credits)
- EPD 613 – International Engineering Strategies and Operations (3 credits)
- EPD 678 – Supply Chain Management (3 credits)
- ISYE 641 – Design & Analysis of Manufacturing Systems (3 credits)
- EPD 605 – Fundamentals of Technical Project Management* (1 credit)
- EPD 706 – Change Management (1 credit)
- EPD 708 – Creating Breakthrough Innovations** (1 credit)
- EPD/GEN BUS/MHR 785 – Effective Negotiation Strategies (1 credit)
Product & Innovation Leadership Track
- EPD 613 – International Engineering Strategies and Operations (3 credits)
- EPD 614 – Marketing for Technical Professionals (3 credits)
- EPD 619 – Fostering and Leading Innovation (3 credits)
- EPD 707 – Engineering Research & Professional Projects (3 credits)
- EPD 605 – Fundamentals of Technical Project Management* (1 credit)
- EPD 706 – Change Management (1 credit)
- EPD 708 – Creating Breakthrough Innovations** (1 credit)
- EPD/GEN BUS/MHR 785 – Effective Negotiation Strategies (1 credit)
Artificial Intelligence for Engineering Data Analytics Graduate Certificate
- EPD 416 – Engineering Applications of Statistics (3 credits)***
- EPD 522 – Generative AI for Engineering Applications (3 credits)
- ISYE 516 – Introduction to Decision Analysis (3 credits)***
- ISYE 521 – Machine Learning in Action for Industrial Engineers (3 credits)
*** Choose either EPD 416 or ISYE 516
Custom Elective Pathway
Design a pathway aligned to your goals by selecting electives with your advisor.
* EPD 612 is required for all students. EPD 605 is optional; if taken, it must be completed before EPD 612.
** Cannot take both EPD 708 and EPD 619
Tuition and Financial Aid
$1,300 per credit payable at the beginning of each semester. Starting Fall 2026, tuition will be $1,100 per credit for eligible programs, with an automatic $100 per-credit Wisconsin Resident Scholarship. Students are billed for courses in which they are enrolled each term. There is no lump sum payment plan.
See Tuition & Fees for more information.
Paying for Your Degree
Many students use a combination of employer tuition assistance, scholarships, financial aid, and payment plans to reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Click on the link/title above to explore employer reimbursement strategies, scholarship opportunities, federal aid options, and flexible payment resources for online students.
Scholarship
Students in the online Master of Science in Engineering Management program are also eligible for the new Wayne Pferdehirt Scholarship, a $2,500 award honoring the legacy of a beloved program director. Learn more and apply through WiSH.
Admissions and Events
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Admission requirements
All applicants must:
- Have a Bachelor of Science in engineering or a related STEM field from an accredited institution.
- Have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on the last 60 semester hours of coursework.
- Have a minimum of two years of post-baccalaureate engineering experience. Engineering co-op or intern experience may be applied to the experience requirement.
- Submit evidence of English language proficiency, if applicable. See the Graduate School Requirements for more information.
- GRE is not required. Applicants who have taken the test are encouraged to submit their scores.
The admissions committee considers exceptions to standard requirements on an individual basis.
If you don’t currently meet these requirements, you may consider our Applied Engineering Management Capstone Certificate, which can help you transition to this Master’s degree program.
Application materials
- Online application
- Resume/CV
- Personal statement
- Transcripts
- Two letters of recommendation
For complete application details visit UW–Madison’s Guide
Application Deadlines by Term:
| Fall 2026 | July 1, 2026 |
| Spring 2027 | November 1, 2026 |
| Summer 2027 | May 1, 2027 |
Online Graduate Programs Overview
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
5-5:30 PM CT
Join program staff for a conversation about our online graduate programs, including curriculum, application process and career impact.
Online Graduate Programs Overview
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
12-12:30 PM CT
Join program staff for a conversation about our online graduate programs, including curriculum, application process and career impact.
Online Graduate Programs Overview
Tuesday, September 8, 2026
5-5:30 PM CT
Join program staff for a conversation about our online graduate programs, including curriculum, application process and career impact.
Watch anytime on YouTube:
Program Overview: Engineering Management
Program Director Heather Smith and Enrollment Coach Pat Walsh go in depth about the Engineering Management master’s program, including curriculum, application process and potential career paths.
Alumni Insight: Engineering Management
Alumni Spotlight: Engineering Management
Faculty and Staff
FAQ
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Q: Is the program fully online?
A: Yes. The MS in Engineering Management is 100% online and designed for working professionals.
Q: How long does it take to complete?
A: Most students finish in about two to four years while working full time, typically taking 1 to 2 courses per semester.
Q: What is the tuition?
A: Tuition is charged per credit. See Tuition & Fees for more information.
Q: Can I keep working full time?
A: Yes. Courses are designed for part-time study alongside a full-time job.
Can I customize my Engineering Management degree?
A: Yes. After completing the core MEM curriculum, students can tailor their degree through specialization tracks, graduate certificate pathways, or elective coursework aligned to their professional goals and career interests.
Q: Will my diploma indicate that the degree was completed online?
A: No. The diploma awarded is a UW–Madison graduate degree and does not reference online delivery. Courses are taught and assessed under the same academic standards used across UW–Madison graduate programs. The mode of instruction does not change the credential earned.
Q: How do I apply?
A: Submit your application through the Graduate School. See Admissions for details or click here.
Ready to lead with confidence? Advance your career with UW–Madison’s online MS in Engineering Management.
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