Master of Science in Engineering Management
The MSEM program focuses on leadership, project management, financial management, strategic planning, technology transfer, ethical and legal perspectives, team relations and organizational behavior skills. The program is designed for professionals who have an undergraduate degree in engineering, science, or technology.
Engineers solve technical problems. Engineering managers lead the people, projects, and organizations that bring those solutions to life. CBU’s Master of Science in Engineering Management (MSEM) is built for professionals who are ready to do both.
The program blends the scientific rigor of management science and engineering with the leadership, financial, and strategic skills that move careers from technical contributor to organizational leader. Designed for working professionals with undergraduate degrees in engineering, science, or technology, the MSEM at CBU fits into a career.
Program Highlights – Why CBU’s MSEM?
Engineering professionals who earn a master’s in engineering management at CBU leave with more than a credential. The program is structured to develop the specific combination of skills that engineering organizations promote into leadership: the ability to manage complex projects, lead cross-functional teams, apply financial judgment to technical decisions, and navigate the strategic and ethical dimensions of operating in a technical environment.
A few things that set the program apart:
- 18-month completion for full-time students – or take up to two-years part time. The program’s 33 credit hours can be completed on the timeline that works for you.
- Research projects to identify and propose solutions to engineering management problems
- One night a week per course – The MSEM is built for professionals with full-time jobs, families, and commitments. Courses meet once per week in the evening, so your career doesn’t have to pause to advance it.
- No GRE required – Your engineering background speaks for itself. CBU doesn’t require GRE scores for MSEM admission, because years of professional experience and an undergraduate technical degree tell a more complete story.
- Stackable graduate certificates – As you progress through the MSEM, you can earn graduate certificates in medical device quality, packaging, or data analytics – adding recognized credentials to your resume before you’ve graduated.
What You’ll Study
The MSEM curriculum is designed to close the gap between technical expertise and management effectiveness. Across 33 credit hours, you’ll develop a working command of the disciplines that define successful engineering leadership:
Engineering Management Theory and Applications – The conceptual and applied foundation of management science and engineering, how organizations function, how decisions get made, and how technical professionals contribute to both.
Engineering Financial Management and Accounting – Budget development, cost analysis, capital investment decisions, and the financial fluency that engineering managers need to lead projects and make the case for resources.
Quality Assurance – Methods, systems, and standards for managing quality across engineering processes and product development, including frameworks commonly used in regulated industries.
Operations Research – Quantitative approaches to decision-making, resource allocation, and process optimization, the analytical core of management engineering.
Technical Project Management – Planning, executing, and closing engineering projects on time and on budget. Scope management, risk identification, scheduling, and stakeholder communication in technically complex environments.
Strategic Management in a Technical Environment – Long-range planning, competitive positioning, and technology transfer–how engineering organizations define and execute strategy, and how managers within them contribute to and carry it out.
Supply Chain Analytics – Data-driven approaches to supply chain design, sourcing decisions, inventory management, and logistics performance in engineering and manufacturing contexts.
Students also complete research projects focused on identifying and proposing solutions to real engineering management problems–applying classroom frameworks to the kinds of challenges you’ll face, or are already facing, in your career.
View Master of Science in Engineering Management Course Requirements
Program Delivery Options
CBU’s MS in Engineering Management program is available in three formats:
- Face-to-face – Classes on the CBU campus in Memphis, Tennessee. For students who value direct faculty relationships and prefer an in-person learning environment.
- Hybrid – A combination of in-person and online instruction. The structure of a campus program with the flexibility of remote coursework built in.
- Fully Online – 100% online delivery for working professionals at any location. Note: this option is not available to F1 visa students.
All three formats lead to the same MSEM degree from CBU’s Gadomski School of Engineering.
View Master of Science in Engineering Management Course RequirementsCareer Opportunities
A master’s in engineering management opens doors across the full range of engineering sectors. Graduates move into roles that combine technical authority with organizational responsibility–positions where the work is making sure engineering teams, projects, and systems perform.
Common roles for MSEM graduates include:
- Engineering Manager
- Project Manager/Senior Project Manager
- Operations Manager in engineering or manufacturing settings
- Quality Assurance or Quality Systems Manager
- Supply Chain Manager
- Program Manager
- Technical Director or Director of Engineering
The combination of management science and engineering training (technical depth plus leadership and financial skill) positions graduates for the roles that bridge the two worlds, which most engineering organizations struggle to fill.
Memphis, as a major logistics, healthcare technology, and manufacturing hub, has consistent local demand for engineering managers across FedEx, Medline, International Paper, AutoZone, and the healthcare corridor anchored by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare.
Frequently Asked Questions – MSEM
What is a Master of Science in Engineering Management?
A Master of Science in Engineering Management (MSEM) is a graduate degree that combines technical engineering foundations with the business, leadership, and management skills required to lead engineering teams and organizations. It differs from an MBA in that it’s specifically designed for engineers. The curriculum is built around engineering contexts, problems, and environments, not general business management.
Who is the MSEM designed for?
The program is designed for professionals who hold an undergraduate degree in engineering, science, or technology and are looking to move into or advance within management roles. It’s well-suited for engineers who want to lead projects, departments, or technical organizations without leaving their engineering background behind.
Is the CBU MSEM available online?
Yes. The program is available fully online, in a hybrid format, or face-to-face on CBU’s Memphis campus. All three formats lead to the same degree. The fully online option is not available to F-1 visa students.
Is the GRE required for admission?
No. CBU does not require GRE scores for admission to the MSEM program.
How long does it take to complete the MSEM?
Full-time students typically complete the program in 18 months. Part-time students generally complete it within two years. The program requires a total of 33 credit hours.
What is the difference between an MSEM and an MBA?
An MBA is a general business degree covering finance, marketing, strategy, and organizational behavior across industries. The MSEM is specifically built for engineers — the curriculum focuses on engineering financial management, quality assurance, operations research, technical project management, and strategic management in technical environments. For engineering professionals, the MSEM develops directly applicable skills without requiring the broad business foundation that an MBA starts from.
Can I earn graduate certificates while completing the MSEM?
Yes. CBU’s MSEM connects to graduate certificate programs in engineering management, medical device quality, packaging engineering, and data analytics. These can be earned concurrently as you progress through the degree.
What career paths does the MSEM support?
Graduates move into engineering management, project and program management, quality and operations leadership, supply chain management, and technical executive roles. The degree is also a strong foundation for engineering entrepreneurs looking to start or scale a business in a technical field.
Related Programs at CBU
Graduate Certificate in Engineering Management
Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics
MS in Computer Information Systems
Master of Business Administration
How to Apply
To apply, submit the following:
- 1. Graduate Program Application
- 2. One official transcript of previous academic credits from each of the colleges or universities previously attended
- 3. A current resume/CV
International applicants must also submit:
- Course-by-course NACES credential evaluation
- Official English proficiency test scores. A minimum proficiency in English equivalent to a TOEFL ibt of 75, IELTS of 6.0, PTE of 55, or Duolingo of 110 must be demonstrated.
- Copy of passport
- Current bank statement
- Current affidavit of sponsorship
