What is Engineering Management?
What is Engineering Management? It's a special type of management needed to successfully lead engineering and technical organizations.
Last Updated: 11/12/2025 | All information is accurate and still up-to-date
What is Engineering Management, and how can it benefit me?
Engineering Management is a specialized type of management that is necessary to lead engineering and technical employees and organizations successfully. First, it combines the problem-solving skills of engineering with the planning and administrative skills of management. This combination, in turn, helps you oversee the operations of engineering-focused companies.
Next, to be a successful engineering manager, you need to know how to mentor and motivate technical professionals. These skills often differ from those required to manage people effectively in other fields.
Furthermore, the Master of Engineering Management (MEM) degree helps you in two main ways. First, it improves your science and engineering skills. Second, it enhances your critical management abilities. With an engineering management degree, you gain the skills needed to manage and succeed in today’s complex engineering environments, making you highly sought after.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an engineering manager’s median salary in 2024 is $167,740 per year.
Why is NC State the right place for me to get my MEM degree?
The NC State MEM program is designed to meet the industry’s demand for tech-savvy leaders, focusing on giving you flexibility in both the program and the curriculum. Additionally, we personalize the coursework to fit your needs while adapting to the future needs of the industry.
Moreover, our program offers eight concentrations, including “Build Your Own” and professional practice options. These concentrations benefit from our expertise in areas like advanced manufacturing, health and human systems, supply chain management, facilities engineering, entrepreneurship and analytics. These specialized tracks not only help you plan for your future career but also provide flexibility. As a result, you can connect with industries that employ MEM graduates:
- Pharma and life sciences (17%)
- Computer hardware and software (14%)
- Defense and aerospace (26%)
- Civil, environmental and energy (7%)
- Other tech industries (26%)
- Other (10%)
Furthermore, our concentration in facilities engineering meets the degree requirements and certification from the US military branches for MEM degrees
What does the curriculum look like?
| Theme | CORE CURRICULUM: Master of Engineering Management | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Take one course: | 3 | |
| BUS 554 Project Management | ||
Project Management | CE 561 Construction Project Management | |
| EGR 531 Engineering Project Management | ||
| EM 530 Project Management * | ||
| Take one course: | 3 | |
| EGR/EM 501 Engineering Leadership and Strategic Change | ||
Organizational Communication & Leadership | COM 527 Seminar in Organizational Conflict Management | |
| COM 530 Interpersonal Communication in Science/Technology Organizations | ||
| COM 556 Seminar in Organizational Communication | ||
| Take one course: | 3 | |
Decision Science | ISE/OR 501 Intro to Operations Research | 3 |
| Take one course: | 3 | |
| ST 513 Statistics for Management and Social Sciences I | ||
Quantitative Literacy | ST 515 Experimental Statistics for Engineers I | |
| ST 516 Experimental Statistics for Engineers II | ||
| ST 517 Applied Statistical Methods I | ||
| ST 518 Applied Statistical Methods II | ||
| Take one course: | 3 | |
| ISE 510 Applied Engineering Economy (ISE 510 is regularly taught with students from many disciplines) | ||
Financial Aptitude | EGR 505 Managerial Finance for Engineers (Current enrollment exclusively for engineering online students) | |
| CE 567 Risk and Financial Management in Construction | ||
| CORE Subtotal | 15 | |
| CONCENTRATION total | 15 | |
| DEGREE total | 30 |
Transfer Policy. You can transfer up to 12 credit hours (including from non-degree studies) into the MEM program, following the guidelines in the Graduate Student Handbook.
MEM vs MBA
While Engineering Management vs an MBA offers similar curricula, an engineering management degree emphasizes technical skills critical for leading in technology-driven industries. Thankfully, both will prepare you to be a proficient leader with a curriculum in:
- Management and leadership
- Decision-making
- Communications
- Economics
- Marketing
- Operations
Moreover, the technical focus of a MEM program equips you with specialized knowledge in engineering and technology. This expertise is increasingly sought after in industries driven by innovation and technological advancement. By combining management skills with a strong technical foundation, you become uniquely positioned to lead in dynamic and rapidly evolving sectors such as tech, manufacturing, and engineering services.