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Program Description: “MEM program was developed to serve the specific need of US industry. Highly qualified faculty with terminal degrees and many years of experience teach in the program. It is fully supported by FORD, CHRYSLER and GM.” Dr. Daw Alwerfalli, Professor and Director of the MEM Program. Where is it: Southfield, MI Format: Online, On-campus & Mixed
Prerequisites: Engineering, Science or Math Degree Degree you get: Masters of Engineering Management Size of the Program: ~50 current students Number of credit hours: 36 credits (12 classes) And that will take how long? 2-4 years When to apply: Year round. Fees: $40,000 - $45,000 (grants available if learning online) Minimum Admission Requirements:
Not Required
Who should take it?
Claim to fame:
Articles: |
Dr. Alwerfalli launched Lawrence Technological University’s (Lawrence Tech’s) Masters degree in Engineering Management (MEM) program single-handedly. Over eleven years ago, his survey determined that local engineers and industry leaders needed engineering management education.
Today, Dr. Alwerfalli is still the program director of one of the largest programs at Lawrence Tech. Though the masters degree in engineering management has a large on-campus contingent, new students choosing to learn online can receive significant academic grants. This has become possible thanks to Lawrence Tech’s commitment to designing the program for the working professional.
Dr. Daw Alwerfalli, Professor and Director of the MEM Program (Left) and Dr. Richard G. Bush, Director, eLearning Services (right).
Engineering Management Online Push
In tandem with the large on-campus contingent, LTU has taken great care developing their online Masters degree in Engineering Management. This online push has attracted students from around the U.S. (and the world).
“Students will have access to the same materials online, there is no difference in technical content,” assures Dr. Alwerfalli. “The same textbooks, syllabi and often the same professors will teach the online course. This means you can take the courses anywhere around the world, or while on assignment, or relocating.”
Dr. Richard G Bush, the director of eLearning Services at LTU, believes “Students enjoy that the program is designed for working professionals. The flexibility the program provides is beneficial to the students. They can have a full day’s work, travel home, and log in at their convenience.”The programs is also well decorated, USNews has ranked LTU’s online engineering masters programs in the top 20’s. “Additionally, Lawrence Tech is ranked among the best universities for return of investment. Our graduates usually start with higher paying jobs than other graduates,” says Dr. Alwerfalli.
Masters of Engineering Management Curriculum
Dr. Daw Alwerfalli with his on-campus MEM class.
As for the curriculum, Dr. Alwerfalli notes, “Students get to learn from PhD’s with 30 years’ experience in engineering and management … The project management and global leadership courses are core to the program, every student must pass them. Additionally, the MEM faculty look at major problems in industry from class visits and student suggestions.”
Alwerfalli isn’t kidding, either. In one instance, a student working at Chrysler approached him with an automotive assembly problem she was experiencing at work. The class, which was a group of professional engineers, discussed it and determined a solution that saved the company hundreds of thousands of dollars. This inspired a Chrysler VP of engineering to personally praise their work, presenting a unique networking opportunity.
Online classes are organized and delivered on the popular BlackBoard system. “Distance education students receive a lot of guidance and direct instruction from the faculty. Students often feel they have the instructor’s total attention,” says Dr. Bush.
Dr Alwerfalli adds, “BlackBoard is a very important tool in education as a means of communication between student and professor. You can log in, answer exams, assignments, interact with other professional students and call professors online. It is an efficient method of learning by participation.”
The LTU masters degree in engineering management requires students―both online and on campus―to complete 36 credit hours to achieve the degree. Fortunately, students who already possess a master’s degree may be able to transfer or waive 9 credit hours from their workload.
However, this workload may still seem daunting to an engineer getting back into the swing of education. Dr. Alwerfalli assures that, “Some [students] may need some tuning up. But I had a student over 60 [years old] from Chrysler. He took the course to prove to his family he could do it. He planned to retire afterwards. Like other engineers, his technical expertise fit right into the curriculum. Unlike an MBA which focuses on the soft side of industry like marketing, HR, sales, and leadership; MEM focuses on technical skills preparing engineers to become leaders in an engineering profession and manufacturing industry.”
Dr. Bush agrees. He adds that, “Students will find they are able to get up to speed relatively quickly and successfully once they get back into the swing of things.”
Engineering Management Popularity
Dr. Alwerfalli notes that demand for Master of Engineering Management programs has quadrupled worldwide in recent years. “Many students,” he explains, “want to pursue a technical career and integrate that knowhow into business. They have a STEM background and want the management skills to compete and augment their education. With a MEM degree the sky is the limit, it is ideal for those looking to be middle managers, CTO or even COO.”
Dr. Alwerfalli says that the popularity of the masters degree in engineering management has also led to an increase in enrollment, which has contributed to some growing pains as the program develops. However, the move to online learning has alleviated many of the resource limitations.
Dr. Bush explains, “The move online has made the program more scalable. The quality of the students applying for admissions is very strong, thus increasing the acceptance rate for new students.”
Just as the program started with a survey, Alwerfalli says he thinks a new one is in order to re-assess the program with this recent expansion. Dr. Bush agrees, “We will be surveying employers to understand the changing needs of the various industries and determine if changes to our curriculum are needed.”
Why would you not get an MEM from Lawrence Tech:
- You’re looking for a larger program
- You’re seeking a program with a practicum, thesis, or internship component
- You’re more focused on the technical aspects than the business side of engineering
Lawrence Tech has sponsored promotion of their Masters of Engineering Management Degree on ENGINEERING.com. They have no editorial input to this post - all opinions are mine. Shawn Wasserman