Master of Science in Engineering Management Online

Q: What can you do with a master's in engineering management?

Graduates of this MSEM degree may qualify for roles in the field, such as an industrial production manager, architectural and engineering manager or industrial engineer. The degree can help you bridge the gap between engineering and business, which may position you to lead teams, inspire innovation and strategically manage resources to help accomplish company goals.

Overview

Advance Your Skills in Managing Engineering Projects and Processes

The Master of Science in Engineering Management program is designed to help professionals bridge the gap between technical expertise and organizational leadership. This program blends advanced engineering principles with business and management strategies, aiming to prepare you to manage complex projects and drive innovation within technical environments. In your engineering management master's program, you’ll work to build the knowledge to make data-driven decisions, optimize systems and processes and ensure quality and compliance across engineering operations.

Master of Science in Engineering Management

Offered By

College of Engineering and Technology

Class Settings

Online

Tuition Rate

Online: $600 per credit [More Info]

Cost of Attendance

Course Information

Credits: 38

Online: 8 weeks

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Transfer Credits

Up to 12 credits or 1/3 of the total program requirements in transfer (whichever is less)

Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements (Master's)

Undergraduate Degree*
2.8+ GPA

OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and

GMAT: 500
GRE: 300 combined**

Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an accredited college or program that has been approved by GCU.
** Combined verbal/quantitative, after August 2011 (1,000 combined verbal and quantitative, prior to August 2011).

Online Learning

Why GCU

Gain Expertise in Technology and Process Integration Online

Your master’s in engineering management online provides a learning experience that can support working professionals who want to advance their education without putting their careers on hold. As a GCU student, you can benefit from a values-driven community and experienced faculty who bring practical expertise into the virtual classroom to keep you connected and engaged. The online format allows you to complete coursework on a flexible schedule while still receiving the same quality education and support that defines our commitment to our students.

Coursework

Master’s in Engineering Management Online Coursework

As a student completing your MSEM degree, you’ll engage with coursework designed to build both your technical expertise and leadership abilities. Through coursework and applied learning, you can strengthen your ability to communicate across disciplines, make strategic decisions and establish engineering initiatives that align with business goals.

Coursework in the program covers the following topics:

Systems engineering

Complexity theory

Lean manufacturing

Leadership and organizational dynamics

Marketing management

Project management

Standards

Cyber warfare

Careers

Career Paths for MS in Engineering Management Graduates

Throughout this master’s program, you’ll have the opportunity to develop the skills needed to make strategic decisions, foster innovation and optimize processes. You may also gain the expertise to set goals and guide staff in enhancing technology and overall organizational performance.

Graduates of this Master of Science in Engineering Management program may qualify for roles such as:

Facilities manager

Industrial production manager

Architectural and engineering manager

Industrial engineer

$167,740

Median annual wage for architectural and engineering managers as of May 2024^{(See disclaimer 1)}

14,500

Number of projected job openings per year for architectural engineering managers from 2024 to 2034^{(See disclaimer 2)}

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re exploring the possibility of enrolling in an MS in Engineering Management program, read through some frequently asked questions and answers to gain some more insight into this graduate option.

Is a Master of Science in Engineering Management worth it?

An engineering management master’s degree can be a valuable investment for professionals who are looking to expand their knowledge set and combine technical expertise with leadership skills. This degree can help prepare you to oversee complex engineering projects, manage teams, optimize processes and drive innovation, which you may find beneficial to your current or future career. If your goal is to pursue management roles in the technical field, this program can provide practical skills that may directly impact your role.

What can you do with a master's in engineering management?

What is the difference between an MS in Engineering Management vs. an MBA?

An MS in Engineering Management focuses on integrating advanced engineering knowledge with business knowledge in leadership, project management and process optimization. It’s geared toward professionals in technical fields who want to manage engineering projects and position themselves for potential leadership. An MBA in Engineering Management provides a broader business education, often covering areas such as finance, marketing and strategy. This is typically tailored for individuals seeking general business leadership roles.^{(See disclaimer 3)}

Courses

Program Curriculum

Credit Summary

Major38 credits

Degree Requirements38 credits

Core Courses

UNV-507

2 Total Credits

SYS-501

4 Total Credits

SYS-520

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course provides a comprehensive examination of complexity theory and its applications in systems engineering. Students explore the principles and methodologies used to analyze, design, and manage complex systems. The curriculum bridges theoretical foundations with practical implications, preparing students to address the challenges of complex systems in various engineering domains. Students gain a robust understanding of how to apply complexity theory to enhance system performance and resilience. Prerequisite: SYS-501.

ENM-510

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This is an introductory course that provides an in-depth exploration of lean manufacturing principles, methodologies, and practices. Students are introduced to the foundational concepts and tools of lean. The course is designed for Master's level students and professionals seeking to enhance their understanding and implementation of lean principles to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance value in manufacturing processes.

MGT-605

4 Total Credits

MKT-607

4 Total Credits

Course Description

Management of the marketing function, market environmental analysis, and marketing planning, strategy, and control are fundamentals of marketing management. The course examines the marketing process, marketing research, product development innovation and diffusion, pricing strategy, distribution value drain, advertising and promotion, and strategic marketing issues. Emphasis is placed on case study analysis and current academic research with a marketing plan as a significant curriculum component.

ESG-600

4 Total Credits

MGT-640

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course covers fundamental aspects of traditional, agile, and hybrid project management. Microsoft Project competencies are developed while using a case study framework to illustrate the Project Management Institute's (PMI) standard of models, methods, and artifacts. Students also develop techniques for successfully planning, organizing, managing, closing, and evaluating projects.

MGT-641

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course covers fundamental aspects of predictive, adaptive, and hybrid project management and the 12 principles of project management structured around eight project performance domains as delineated in the Project Management Institute's (PMI) Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) and the Standard for Project Management. In addition, it focuses on how agile software development, DevOps, value streams, and business teams work in an enterprise. This course prepares students for the Disciplined Agile Scrum Master (DASM), Disciplined Agile Senior Scrum Master (DASSM), and Project Management Professional (PMP) exams through a Collaborative Learning Community (CLC) case study project. The course also covers the basic logistics of taking these exams via the DASM, DASSM, and PMP GCU bootcamps. Prerequisite: MGT-640.

CYB-505

4 Total Credits

Course Description

With a brief introduction to cybercrime and cybersecurity, this course will provide students with an overview of the various attacks and the countermeasures organizations can use to defend themselves. Exploring concepts such as defense-in-depth, layered security, vulnerability assessments, risk management, governance and compliance, and encryption; students will become familiar with prevention and protection theories, best practices, and strategies to securing corporate data (intellectual property). This course will conclude with an exploration of the various hacker psychologies and the differences between black-hat, grey-hat, and white-hat (Hackers with Halos) hackers. Prerequisite: UNV-504 or UNV-507 or enrollment in certificate program.

GCU cannot and will not promise job placement, a job, graduate school placement, transfer of GCU program credits to another institution, promotion, salary, or salary increase. Please see the Career Services Policy in the University Policy Handbook.
Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change

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Explore Engineering Management

Embrace your technical expertise to lead others, influence strategy and drive innovation. Transition from solving complex problems yourself to guiding teams, shaping systems and delivering results that matter. Start your journey today.

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The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (“BLS”), Architectural and Engineering Managers, as of May 2024, retrieved November 2025. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as architectural and engineering managers, nor does it reflect earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It is very unlikely that a median salary will reflect an entry-level salary. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective August 2025, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Architectural and Engineering Managers, retrieved November 2025.
Bouchrika, I. (2025, Oct. 21). Master’s in Engineering Management (MEM) vs. MBA: Explaining the Difference in 2025. Research.com. Retrieved November 2025.

Online Master of Science in Engineering Management

Advance Your Skills in Managing Engineering Projects and Processes

Gain Expertise in Technology and Process Integration Online

Master’s in Engineering Management Online Coursework

Career Paths for MS in Engineering Management Graduates

Earn Your MSEM Degree From an Accredited University

Frequently Asked Questions

Program Curriculum

Core Courses

Career Paths for MS in Engineering Management Graduates

Frequently Asked Questions

Advance Your Skills in Managing Engineering Projects and Processes

Master’s in Engineering Management Online Coursework

Gain Expertise in Technology and Process Integration Online

Earn Your MSEM Degree From an Accredited University

Program Curriculum

Core Courses