Elevate Your Career with an Online PhD in Engineering Management
Are you an engineer looking to advance your career or move to the business side of engineering? Explore popular programs, curricula, and career outlooks for graduates who earn a PhD in engineering management online.
Like many potential doctoral students interested in online PhD in engineering management degrees, you may be eager to deepen your engineering knowledge or advance to leadership roles. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that engineering managers earn $76.88 per houror $159,920 per year. This may account for the popularity of the degree, as 78% of awarded U.S. doctorates were in science and engineering fields, according to the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES).
Whether you’re an engineer eager to move into senior management or are interested in project management or operational research, an online PhD in engineering management may be for you. Academic rigor combined with real-world experience makes this doctoral degree a perfect fit. Upon graduation, you’ll be equipped with specialized engineering management skills to compete in today’s engineering job market.
As you begin your academic and professional journey, questions about cost, the quality of programs and curriculum, and job prospects may arise. Use this guide to online PhD programs in engineering management to make the most informed decisions as you navigate your engineering management doctoral options.
Program Profiles: Online PhDs in Engineering Management
The following colleges offer best-in-class programs. We’re profiling these schools to help you identify some top online PhD engineering management programs with the affordability, flexibility, and accreditation you need to advance your career. In the spotlights below, you’ll find three top-rated schools you can use as a quality barometer as you research programs.
Western New England University
Western New England University’s online PhD in Engineering Management program offers part-time or full-time study for students looking to gain the technical skills and knowledge to meet their career goals. Through dissertation research, students contribute original knowledge to engineering management. Students have the unique ability to create, design, and manage complex human technological systems such as service, logistical, and engineering/manufacturing systems.
All students must pass 10 courses before beginning their dissertation research projects. These courses include Engineering Supply Chain, Project Management, Strategic Economic Decision Making, and a Research Methods for Engineering Management seminar.
Courses are delivered in class or online, and students must earn 57 to 72 credits. A hybrid option is also available to accommodate work and family. All lectures are recorded and uploaded online. Tuition for this engineering management program is $1,575 per credit.
Old Dominion University
In Old Dominion University’s online Engineering Management and Systems Engineering PhD program, students work with expert faculty to develop groundbreaking research. Students meet in live online (synchronous) classes and coursework blends theoretical knowledge with practical research.
Graduates from this program go on to work at national research labs, teach and research at academic institutions, and work as technology leaders in various organizations that value technological leadership.
Students in this online PhD engineering management program must take at least 48 credit hours with three core courses in engineering research and multivariate statistics, two elective courses, three subject area courses, and at least 24 credit hours of research. Residents of Virginia pay $599 per credit hour, while out-of-state students pay $623 per credit hour. All students receive a dedicated academic advisor for this online engineering management PhD program.
The George Washington University
The George Washington University offers a Doctor of Engineering Management degree program for online engineering management doctoral students who want to apply their knowledge to a technical management environment. This degree differs from a traditional PhD in that the doctoral engineering students use the latest engineering management concepts and tools to solve real-world problems.
All students learn in a synchronous, online environment, meeting on Saturdays for classes. The program requires students to maintain a GPA of at least 3.2 by completing their coursework to advance to the research phase.
Core coursework includes Logistics Planning, Technological Forecasting and Management, and Applied Data Analytics, among others. To graduate, students must fulfill 48 credits. This consists of 24 credits in required courses and 24 credits in research.
Prerequisites for Engineering Management Admission
Engineering management programs require online PhD engineering management students to meet specific prerequisites, which may include a combination of educational qualifications, standardized test scores, official transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a resume that highlights relevant work experience. Prerequisites for engineering management programs tend to include the following:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited engineering, mathematics, or physical sciences program
- Official transcripts from an undergraduate program, usually with a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- GRE quantitative reasoning scores
- Personal statement that highlights relevant achievements and outlines academic and professional goals
- Work experience in engineering or management roles
- A resume that highlights relevant work experience
- Letters of recommendation
Please keep in mind that you may have to fill out an application and pay a fee to apply. Many of these fees are nonrefundable.
Advantages of a PhD in Management Online
Earning a PhD in engineering management online lets you delve into your research interests, such as digital transformation or supply chain management, while preparing you for advanced roles such as information systems manager and operational research analyst, among many others. While becoming an expert in your specialty, you’ll develop business knowledge, learn to manage teams, and gain the potential to accelerate your engineering career, often learning from the same top-tier faculty who teach on-campus students.
Online PhD in engineering management programs offer flexibility, affordability, and a potential boost in salary and job prospects. Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible for leadership positions. Significant advantages are cost-effectiveness, the freedom to learn at your own pace in your own space, and expertise development in your specialization within engineering management.
In an online engineering management PhD program, you can balance your studies with your current engineering career and maintain your personal obligations. At the same time, you earn your PhD in engineering management online. This degree will equip you with the skills to reach your unique engineering career goals while increasing your earning potential.
Cost-Effectiveness
Online engineering management PhD programs save money because online students pay less to attend school than traditional on-campus students. Online doctoral programs often have lower overhead costs, offering universities lower tuition. Many online PhDs also save by continuing to work full-time while they study, minimizing financial stress. They also save on commuting and relocation fees that burden many traditional, on-campus students.
Your Time, Your Place
Online engineering management PhD programs give you the freedom to learn in your own space at your own pace, from any location, with reliable Internet access. You can access digital doctoral course materials such as pre-recorded lectures and discussion boards and balance your studies with your current work and family commitments.
Expertise Development
Online engineering management PhD programs give you the tools to dig deeper into your engineering specialty and apply for advanced roles. Students who graduate from these programs are leaders in various engineering sectors, and many increase their earning potential. Through research projects, rigorous coursework, and meaningful interactions with industry leaders, students master the principles of organizational leadership, strategic decision-making, project management, and technology integration.
Online Engineering Management Doctoral Curricula
Online engineering management doctoral course programs offer a comprehensive blend of advanced engineering principles and strategic management skill-building. These programs emphasize leadership development, innovation, and applied research methodologies by combining flexible online coursework with interactive virtual classes.
Sample Courses
As you research different PhD in engineering management online degree programs, you’ll see popular courses in the subject. Many of these span multiple schools, as accredited programs must teach a certain curriculum to maintain accreditation. Essential course offerings include project management, systems thinking, operations research, and engineering supply chain.
Project Management
Project managers oversee all aspects of a project, from beginning to completion, focusing on both the logistical and technical aspects of each project, whether long- or short-term. In this course, PhDs examine project techniques that emphasize organizational and behavioral issues. Doctoral students learn through hands-on project management experiences, using computer software to develop project plans. Engineering management is a typical specialty related to project management. Students master advanced project and personal management skills.
Systems Thinking
Engineers need to learn to think in systems if they don’t already. Systems thinking is a framework that allows people to see patterns within their work. Systems thinking and engineering management courses teach the concepts of systems, systems engineering, and system engineering management. The course covers the pros and cons of the systems engineering approach. Learning outcomes include gaining the ability to describe systems engineering processes and analyze situations using systems concepts.
Operations Research
Operations Research, also called Elements of Operations Research, is an interdisciplinary course focused on using scientific methods to solve problems. It uses mathematical modeling to describe the issues and statistics to describe uncertainty. Learning outcomes include becoming familiar with operations research and formulating linear programming models. Doctoral students learn modeling techniques and optimization algorithms used in engineering design, optimal control, reliability engineering, and other disciplines.
Engineering Supply Chain
Engineering Supply Chain is a popular online engineering management PhD course that equips PhDs with the skills to design, analyze, and improve supply chains within companies. The particular focus of the supply chain engineer is to optimize parts of a supply chain for efficiency. In this course, doctoral students apply engineering fundamentals to supply chains using lean concepts, mass customization principles, decision-making models, and other tools.
Research Methodologies
Research methodologies are a crucial pre-dissertation step for identifying your research topic. This process includes identifying and analyzing information for a PhD research topic. Doctoral students learn how to plan and implement research methods, often working closely with faculty to develop expertise in their chosen research areas.
Do I Need to Complete a Comprehensive Exam or Dissertation?
Yes. For example, at Western New England University, online doctoral students must pass a comprehensive examination and a dissertation and required coursework. Students need a solid understanding of the field to become experts, graduate, and get good, high-paying jobs. Old Dominion University’s PhD engineering management students take written and oral comprehensive exams before they begin their dissertations.
Available Specialization
Engineering management PhD students can choose from various specializations, depending on their school’s offerings. So, it’s best to apply to online PhD engineering management programs that offer research areas that interest you. For example, in George Washington University’s engineering management program, PhD students can specialize in mathematical programming, sustainability engineering and policy, and operations research.
Costs for an Engineering Management PhD
Higher education is expensive. Even if you are an online student and you pay less than traditional, on-campus students, you need to understand the full financial commitment of earning a PhD in engineering management online. Create a payment plan and have some financial aid lined up to help alleviate your costs. Various financial aid sources include private and school scholarships, fellowships, work-study, and even employer tuition assistance.
Examples of Online Doctoral Program Tuition
| School Name | No. of Credits | Cost/Credit | Est. Total Tuition Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| The George Washington University | 45 | $1,150 | $51,750 |
| Stevens Institute of Technology | 54 | $796 | $42,988 |
| Old Dominion University | 48 | $599 | $28,752 |
Frequently Asked Queries: Online PhD in Engineering Management
Does accreditation matter in these doctoral programs?
Accreditation certainly matters when deciding which online PhD in engineering management program to pursue. Lack of accreditation can negatively impact your eligibility for financial aid and a job after graduation, as many employers overlook degrees from nonaccredited institutions. The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accredits online PhD engineering management programs. This nonprofit, non-governmental agency assures that college and university programs meet the quality standards of the professions they prepare students for.
How long does it take to complete an engineering management PhD?
Like many PhD programs, an online engineering management PhD takes between three to five years to complete. Part-time students can expect to take twice as long to complete their programs.
Can I get an engineering management doctorate without doing an on-campus residency?
Online engineering management PhD courses are technology-based, so students can complete them completely online if the program allows. Some programs incorporate in-person components like workshops. However, many universities design online engineering management PhD programs for students to complete 100% online without traveling to campus.
Careers & Salaries for Engineering Management Graduates
Online engineering management doctoral degrees are so popular because they lead to high-paying jobs in manufacturing, construction, healthcare, and technology. An online PhD in engineering management prepares graduates for various careers, including project manager, engineering manager, application engineer, and many more.
Engineering management PhDs go on to work for companies that range from large corporations to growing startups. Research institutions, consulting firms, and government agencies also hire online engineering management PhDs for roles that require advanced analytical, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
Online engineering management PhD degree programs offer more profound expertise than master’s and bachelor’s degrees, increased opportunities for career advancement, and the ability to lead research initiatives. Potential careers for online engineering management PhD program graduates include product development, industrial engineering specialist, research engineer, project manager, and university and college professor.
Salary Outlook
Earning salaries that often exceed six figures, graduates from online engineering management PhD programs tend to go on to in-demand roles such as operational research analyst, with a projected job growth rate of 23% from 2020 to 2030, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, much faster than average.
| Career | Median Annual Pay | Job Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Operational Research Analyst | $85,720 | 23% |
| Project Manager | $95,370 | 6% |
| Engineering Manager | $159,920 | 4% |
| Application Engineer | $108,530 | 5% |
| Information Systems Manager | $164,070 | 15% |
Source:Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023