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 via asynchronous and interactive methods, drawing on UW faculty with industry experience. This format allows you to balance work, life, and coursework while achieving credential parity with on-campus graduates.
| Degree awarded | Master of Science in Engineering Management |
| Credits | 30 graduate credits |
| Format | 100% Online, part-time friendly |
| Duration | 2-4 Years (part-time) |
| Tuition | $1,300/credit |
| Start | Fall / Spring / Summer |
| Application Deadlines | Spring: November 1 Summer: May 1 Fall: July 1 |
Is This Program Right for You?
Online by Design
Purpose-built for your success: better interaction, better support, and better outcomes. No recycled lecture videos: you’ll engage, apply, and advance. Click "Online by Design" above to learn more.
Designed for working engineers, this part-time online master’s in engineering management bridges the gap between business leadership and technical expertise. You’ll develop leadership, data analysis, and project management skills to drive innovation — whether you’re advancing in your current role or shifting fully into engineering management.
- 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
Curriculum and Requirements
Complete 30 graduate credits, including 22 credits of required courses with a core in technical leadership, project management, and systems thinking, plus 8 credits of electives tailored to your goals. You will typically take two courses each semester.
Course web sessions are the only time-constrained activities; all other weekly assignments can be accomplished on days and times of your choice. You can expect to spend about 20 hours a week on coursework and participating in group activities.
This program is certified by the American Society for Engineering Management (ASEM). This certification allows students to attain ASEM professional certification upon graduation without having to take the certification exam.
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Required Courses
- EPD 518 Quality Engineering and Quality Management | View course overview video
- EPD 610 Engineering Analysis for Decision Making | View course overview video
- EPD 611 Engineering Economics and Management | View course overview video
- EPD 612 Technical Project Management | View course overview video
- EPD 616 Engineering Law | View course overview video
- EPD 617 Communicating Technical Information | View course overview video
- EPD 618 Applied Leadership and Management of Engineering Organizations | View course overview video
- EPD 710 Foundations of Engineering Leadership | View course overview video
- EPD 712 Ethics For Professionals | View course overview video
Elective Courses
- ISYE 412 Industrial Data Analytics
- ME/ISYE 512 Inspection, Quality Control and Reliability
- EPD 613 International Engineering Strategies and Operations | View course overview video
- EPD 614 Marketing for Technical Professionals | View course overview video
- EPD 706 Change Management | View course overview video
- EPD 708 Creating Breakthrough Innovations (Cannot be taken with EPD 619)
- EPD 619 Fostering and Leading Innovation (Cannot be taken with EPD 708)
- EPD/GEN BUS/MHR 785 Effective Negotiation Strategies
Other appropriate electives may be selected upon approval by the program director.
Tuition and Financial Aid
$1,300 per credit payable at the beginning of each semester. Students are billed for courses in which they are enrolled each term. There is no lump sum payment plan.
Tuition includes:
- Technology costs for internet course delivery
- Live web-conferencing
- Toll-free telephone line for the audio portion of conference calls
- Library use
- Use of the web-conferencing software for group project work for program courses
Scholarship
Students in the online Master of Science in Engineering Management program are 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.
Employer Support
Many students receive some financial support from their employers. Often, students find it beneficial to sit down with their employer and discuss how this program applies to their current and future responsibilities. Other key points to discuss include how participation will not interrupt your work schedule.
Federal Loans
Students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents are eligible to receive some level of funding through the Federal Direct loan program. These loans are available to qualified graduate students who are taking at least four credits during the fall and spring semesters, and two credits during Summer. Private loans are also available. Learn more about financial aid.
Admissions and Events
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Program 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.
Application materials
- Online application
- Resume/CV
- Personal statement
- Transcripts
- Two letters of recommendation
For complete application details visit UW–Madison’s Guide
Deadlines by Term:
| Spring 2026 | November 1, 2025 |
| Summer 2026 | May 1, 2026 |
| Fall 2026 | July 1, 2026 |
Online Graduate Programs Overview
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
12-12:30 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.
Q: What is the tuition?
A: Tuition is charged per credit. See Tuition & Cost for current rates.
Q: Can I keep working full time?
A: Yes. Courses are designed for part-time study alongside a full-time job.
Q: How do I apply?
A: Submit your application through our Professional Degrees & Certificates site. See Admissions for details.
Ready to lead with confidence? Advance your career with UW–Madison’s online MS in Engineering Management.
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