Only you can say whether you are considering an online Master of Engineering Management (MEM). But if you fit the profile for a MEM, don’t be surprised if the schools come looking for you.
ENGINEERING.com conducted a survey of schools that offer online MEM programs. We found that universities want their MEM students to have a few miles on their odometer. In fact, most students are still employed while taking their courses. Some schools have a minimum experience requirement of 2 years. However the target is students within a range of
2 to 5 years of experience.
The student age group the schools target tends to be from mid-twenties to late thirties with job titles at the level of senior Engineer. Given the level of experience the schools require, this all fits.
Schools cited career positions before admission have a wide range from entry-level to management. Similarly, salary levels ranged from as low as $40,000 to $100,000+. In fact, many of the schools surveyed didn’t track data on these two factors at all.
Frankly, we were a little surprised that schools didn’t track salary and career progress more closely for their students. Perhaps that’s a result of the nature of online masters of engineering programs. Many students keep their jobs and even earn promotions and raises while taking the program, so there isn’t a clear “before and after”.
To get a better sense of the outcomes you can expect, take a look at comments from the program directors of each of the schools we interviewed.
Target audience experience in years.
Target audience age range.
Target audience job title.
Target audience experience level (as management title).
Target audience salary.