How to Get a Master's Degree in Manufacturing Engineering
Manufacturing engineers create economic value from scientific principles. Their innovations aspire to increase productivity through efficient operations, improved manufacturing technology, and reduced cost. Manufacturing engineers optimize production processes and design technology such as precision assembly, high-performance materials, and automated control systems.
A master's degree in manufacturing engineering is a critical advancement tool in professional practice. The expertise and credential you gain qualifies you for lead design and management positions. You may also use the degree as a stepping stone to the PhD in manufacturing engineering and an academic research career.
Today's graduate manufacturing engineering programs make it easier than ever to move up in your career. Earn a master's degree online or on campus in approximately two years. WorldWideLearn.com features resources to help you plan your graduate program and expand your role in manufacturing design.
Guide to Master's Degrees in Manufacturing Engineering
Manufacturing engineering applies physics and mathematics to solve specific business problems. Part mechanical design, part operations management, manufacturing engineering is defined by the pursuit of production value through innovation. The discipline overlaps with industrial engineering, but emphasizes process and mechanical improvements over business logistics problems such as supply chain management.
To learn more about the field, see WorldWideLearn's Guide to College Majors in Manufacturing Engineering.
Professional and Academic Master's Degrees
Master's degree programs have evolved into two types, each reflecting a different set of career interests and goals.
Master of Science
The MS in manufacturing engineering is the traditional science master's degree, designed as an extension of the Bachelor of Science degree. Available to both recent graduates and returning students, the MS combines advanced coursework and a specialized research project. Research may be collaborative or independent, conducted under the direction of a faculty mentor.
Master of Engineering
The MEngis a professional engineering degree designed to accommodate the targeted training needs of mid-career engineers or engineering managers. MEng programs are accessible and allow more customization of the curriculum. Many Meng students earn a master's degree online while they work, taking advantage of the synergy between classroom and R&D lab.
Other master's degree options include joint MS and MBA degrees, which offer a combined engineering and business curriculum for aspiring engineering managers. Learn more about your master's degree options at WorldWideLearn.com's The Master's Degree Explained and Master's Degrees Online.
Manufacturing Engineering Specializations
Graduate manufacturing engineering programs feature the opportunity to deepen your expertise through specialization. Depending on the master's degree type, you may specialize through a research project, an applied R&D or business internship, or elective coursework.
Specializations generally focus on a specific engineering problem, a stage in the manufacturing process, or an applied technology.
Solutions and improvements to manufacturing components include:
- Product Development
- Manufacturability Design (design for manufacture and assembly)
- Materials Design
- Electronics System Manufacturing
- Automation
- Control Systems
Process specializations include:
- Process Design and Optimization
- Quality Control and Improvement
- Manufacturing Systems Integration
- Enterprise Optimization
Precision Manufacturing
Trends and next-generation technology in manufacturing engineering include:
- Flexible Manufacturing Systems
- Computer-integrated manufacturing
- MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical systems
- Intelligent manufacturing systems
- Lean Manufacturing
Graduate manufacturing engineering programs offer different specialization options depending on faculty expertise, local industry partnerships, and research lab resources. Depending on the development of your engineering career and interests, you may choose to make specialization options a top priority in your selection of a program, or let the program's emphases shape your career path.
Career Tracks for Manufacturing Engineers
A master's degree in manufacturing engineering offers a powerful credential for leadership positions in industrial R&D and engineering management. The MS in engineering also serves as a stepping stone to an academic research and teaching career, via the PhD in manufacturing engineering.
As a commercial design manufacturing engineer or manager, you may work in any industrial sector. Manufacturing businesses encompass biomedical devices, microelectronics, transportation and construction equipment, aircraft and spacecraft, automotive plants, processed foods, and more.
Job titles include:
- Design engineer
- Process engineer
- Test engineer
- Product developer
- Quality assurance specialist
- Senior engineering manager
- R&D lab director
- Product or project manager
- Operations research analyst
- Engineering consultant
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, industrial engineering in general should grow at a faster pace than average between 2008 and 2018, increasing the workforce by about 14 percent. Since manufacturing engineers directly impact industrial productivity, they remain an integral part of the workforce through both economic downturn and recovery.
Resource
WorldWideLearn.com's Career Pathways resource offers career planning and assessment tools to help you determine which career direction suits you best.
Plan for a Master's Degree in Manufacturing Engineering
A master's degree in manufacturing engineering features a world of options and opportunities. Careful planning ensures that the resources you choose accommodate your professional goals. Take the following steps to prepare for graduate study.
Step One: Find the Right Graduate Manufacturing Engineering Program
First, sift through master's degree programs to find the right one for you. You'll find resources online to help you research your options and individual program features.
1. List Accredited Programs
Survey your master's degree options by accessing directories and accreditation member lists. Taking a broad view from the outset will help you understand all the options available to you. The only limiting factor at this stage is accreditation, the baseline measure of quality for higher education programs. Accreditation agencies regularly review master's programs to ensure compliance with accepted standards. The value of your degree in the eyes of employers (and financial aid providers) relies on the program's accreditation status. You can find a directory of federally-approved accreditation agencies at the U.S. Department of Education website.
Resources
WorldWideLearn offers a starting point for your research, with links to. Degrees by SubjectAll WorldWideLearn educational partners are accredited.
ABET (formerly The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) is a major accreditation authority for engineering master's degrees. Search a database of accredited engineering programs by discipline ("manufacturing") and location.
2. Choose Program Format: Campus or Online Master's Degree?
Advances in digital graduate education technology have made the virtual engineering classroom a reality. Earn a master's degree online, combining digital study with a hands-in internship or off-campus research lab project. Or, take the traditional route and learn on campus. Campus programs retain the advantage of face-to-face interaction, research collaboration opportunities, and access to campus research facilities. Some online programs provide middle ground by requiring temporary campus residencies for research and community-building events.
The right program format for you depends on:
- Convenience and your life circumstances
- Learning style
- Career goals
- Access to necessary research facilities
- Cost
Generally speaking, mid-career professionals are the most likely to earn a master's degree online. Entry-level students and aspiring academics typically value access to campus facilities more than convenience, leading them to choose a campus program.
Resources
WorldWideLearn.com features information on both program formats, Online Degree Programs and Campus Education. Evaluate your options and find programs with your chosen delivery format.
The Sloan Consortium, which represents online institutions nationwide, publishes a list of online master's degrees in engineering.
3. Explore Academic Programs
The crux of your program research challenges you to compare the unique strengths, emphases, and resources of individual programs. Take into account features such as:
- Curriculum and Specializations
- Degree Format (thesis, capstone research, internship, or coursework-only)
- Faculty Research Areas
- Industry Relationships
- Career Support Services
- Academic Services and Learning Environment
How you prioritize these factors depends on your professional goals. Talk to an admissions counselor or undergraduate advisor to determine your strategy in choosing the ideal set of program resources.
Resources
WorldWideLearn.com features an interactive search tool that puts you in touch with representatives of your top schools. Fill out an online form indicating your academic program criteria, and the system returns a list of institutions that meet your specifications. Admissions counselors from these schools are available to answer any questions you have about the program.
School websites offer most of the information you need to know to evaluate program resources. Look for degree requirements, course descriptions, and faculty bios. Many department pages also link to a graduate student handbook, faculty publications, university research lab websites, and more.
Informational interviews with faculty, alumni, and current graduate students take you deeper into the program. Ask about the academic experience and the value of the degree in the job market. If possible, visit the school's campus to experience research facilities and support services firsthand.
4. Evaluate Program Quality
Finally, rank the remaining contenders by quality considerations such as:
- Reputation: U.S. News & World Report offers an influential, frequently-updated ranking of graduate manufacturing programs, Best Engineering Schools Specialty Rankings: Industrial / Manufacturing. Also ask faculty advisers for their sense of a program's reputation in your specialization area.
- Selectivity: Admissions departments can give you data about the admissions rate, as well as the GPA and test scores of the previous years' admitted students.
- Placement: Results matter more here than the presence of a career placement office. What is the job placement rate? Ask to see information about employers and salaries, if available.
- Student Demographics: A diverse classroom enriches your graduate education and expands your networking opportunities. You can also gauge whether your work experience is in line with your peers'.
Evaluate these features and identify five or six master's degree programs that offer the best educational value for students with your background. You can gauge admissions prospects by taking into account your GPA, work experience, and standardized test scores (if available).
Step Two: Apply to Graduate Manufacturing Engineering Programs
Graduate manufacturing engineering programs feature standard requirements for admission. Expect to find the following requirements as you prepare your application:
1. Complete Prerequisites
Eligibility for graduate study generally requires:
- A bachelor's degree in manufacturing, industrial, or mechanical engineering
- Prerequisite courses, if your degree is in another field
- Standardized tests such as the GRE and, for international students, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or IELTS
- Work experience (required by some master's programs)
WorldWideLearn.com's Education Resources Guide helps you meet these requirements by connecting you with test preparation resources, prerequisite courses, and online learning tools.
2. Prepare Application Materials
Look for a link to the application online, or order a copy from admissions personnel. In addition to an information form, plan to submit these supporting documents:
- Academic transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- Standardized test results
- Statement of objectives or specialization interest
- Resume, if required
In addition, applications may incur a processing fee. If you pass the first round of scrutiny, program administrators may ask you to interview with faculty.
3. Secure Financial Aid
A manufacturing engineering master's degree is an investment in your future earning power. To cover the cost of this investment in the present, however, you may benefit from financial aid. Sources of school funding include:
- University scholarships and fellowships
- University research and teaching assistantships
- Federal financial aid programs such as Pell grants, Stafford loans, STEM funding, etc.
- Employer tuition grants and continuing education incentives
- Low-interest bank loans for students
- Private scholarships funded by nonprofits, professional associations, etc.
Online master's degrees help you avoid some of the cost of going back to school--earn a master's degree online while you work. Learn more about graduate education fundingat WorldWideLearn.com.
Step Three: Join the Academic Community
Finally, take steps to establish yourself within the academic community. By reaching out to peers, potential mentors, and thought leaders in your field, you can build inside knowledge of the academic community well before you begin your graduate studies. Resources in this informal orientation to manufacturing engineering academia include:
Professional Associations: The Society of Manufacturing Engineering and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers are the leading national associations. Also consider joining a group in your specialization area. A partial list includes:
- American Society for Quality
- Fabricators and Manufacturers Association
- Institute of Industrial Engineers
- Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute
- Precision Metal Forming Association
- Robotics Industries Association
Journals: Major journals in the field include Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering, Journal of Manufacturing Engineering, The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, and Journal of Manufacturing Systems.
Networking Events.:Universities, industry R&D labs, and professional organizations sponsor networking events to foster community and the exchange of ideas. Look for:
- Manufacturing engineering conferences
- Expert lectures
- Social events
In addition to learning about the research trends and innovation in your specialty area, you can also build relationships with fellow scholars. This support network may serve you well throughout your graduate education and engineering career.
Conclusion
A master's degree in manufacturing engineering offers more than advanced knowledge in your field. You can also gain a foothold in a community of academics and industry professionals who share your interest in applied mechanical design. Plan your master's degree wisely, and the program could prove to be your launching pad into next-generation manufacturing innovation or industry leadership.
Sources
- Accredited Engineering Programs, ABET (formerly Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology).
- American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE).
- Best Engineering Schools Specialty Rankings: Industrial/Manufacturing, U.S. News & World Report (2010).
- Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs, U.S. Department of Education.
- "Engineers," Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Education.
- Manufacturing Engineering Fact Sheet, North Dakota State University.Manufacturing Engineering, MS: NYU-ePoly, Polytechnic Institute of New York University.
- Master of Engineering in Manufacturing, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
- Master of Science Degree in Manufacturing Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Stout.
- Programs in Engineering, The Sloan Consortium.
- Society of Manufacturing Engineers.
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