Professional Practice
The Professional Practice concentration helps students gain practical knowledge by solving real-world problems through co-ops and internships.
Last Updated: 07/06/2026 | All information is accurate and still up-to-date
The Professional Practice Concentration addresses your need for practical knowledge and real-world problem-solving. This concentration offers opportunities to apply industry co-op experience and work on an Engineering Management practicum project simultaneously.
During your internship/co-op, you will enhance independent learning by tackling real-world industrial problems. You will write and defend a technical report on your experiences, further boosting your professional worth.
Led by top faculty across Engineering, Management, and Textiles, courses cover Python programming, simulation modeling, and Lean Six Sigma. This concentration is customizable, allowing you to choose engineering and management courses tailored to your desired specialization.
Why Professional Practice?
- Gain hands-on experience while completing your MEM
- Apply engineering management concepts to real-world problems
- Build professional experience through an internship or co-op
- Work directly with an employer on an engineering management project
- Develop a portfolio of professional work
- Strengthen your technical and leadership skills
- Connect classroom learning to your career goals
Career Outcomes
- Engineering Manager
- Project Manager
- Operations Manager
- Process Improvement Engineer
- Manufacturing Engineer
- Technical Program Manager
- Product Manager
- Engineering Analyst
- Systems Engineer
Industries:
- Manufacturing
- Engineering & Construction
- Technology
- Energy
- Aerospace & Defense
- Healthcare
- Automotive
- Consulting
Curriculum
| CONCENTRATION: Professional Practice | Credits |
|---|---|
| CORE Subtotal | 15 |
| Take three courses: | 9 |
| Engineering discipline 500-level electives (currently offered and open to non-majors) | |
| Management discipline 500-level electives (currently offered and open to non-majors) | |
| Take one course: (credit course) (or substitute practicum with approval) | |
| EM 675 Engineering Management Masters Project | 6 |
| IMS 675 Masters Project | 6 |
| ISE 677 Industrial Engineering Projects | 6 |
Professional Practice Knowledge and Skills Gained
The Master of Engineering Management with a professional practice concentration equips you with skills to:
- Design database-based applications using rapid application development tools.
- Perform numerical and scientific computing with Numpy, Pandas, and SciPy in Python.
- Manage material flow through a manufacturing plant with production and inventory control.
Additionally, you will:
- Analyze different facilities using simulation models with SIMIO software.
- Learn quality engineering concepts and methods.
- Manage technical products through all product life cycle phases.
- Improve products and processes systematically with Lean Six Sigma principles.
This program readies you for a comprehensive array of tasks, including:
- Collecting, storing, processing and analyzing data
- Reporting detailed statistics and patterns
- Drawing conclusions and insights
- Making actionable recommendations
- Conveying information to others effectively
- Solving problems in an orderly and systematic way
Who Should Choose This Concentration?
This concentration is ideal for engineers who:
- Want to gain industry experience while earning their MEM
- Are currently completing or seeking an internship/co-op
- Want to apply classroom concepts to real-world problems
- Prefer hands-on learning
- Want to build their professional network
- Are looking to transition into engineering management
- Want flexibility to tailor their coursework around their career goals