Engineering Management is a unique field of study, combining technical expertise of engineering with the organizational and planning skills of management. Engineering managers apply their expertise to business practices, overseeing and guiding technical projects and teams to ensure the successful completion of engineering objectives and business goals. The engineering industry requires management, leadership, and innovation to be exercised at all layers of an organization and today’s engineering leaders need to lead with a global vision and be knowledgeable of how to effectively lead global teams. The minor will position students to be more competitive in the job market and help students develop the skills necessary to be an effective leader and manager.
The minor in Engineering Management, Leadership, and Innovation is designed to develop the skills necessary to lead with a global vision, work effectively with others to address social issues, and engineer solutions that improve communities and organizations. The minor in Engineering Management, Leadership, and Innovation will broaden student knowledge and skills in project management, leadership, innovation for impact, engineering economy, and entrepreneurship.
Policies
Eight credits of coursework must be unique to the minor and students must complete all coursework with a minimum GPA of 2.00. For policies governing all minors, see AP.5.3.4 Minors.
Minor Requirements
Total credits: 15
Required Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SYST 371 | Systems Engineering Management 1 | 3 |
| or SYST 370 | Systems Project Management | |
| SYST 375 | Engineering Economy | 3 |
| INTS 406 | Global Leadership (Mason Core) | 3 |
| SYST 492 | Innovation for Impact 2 | 3 |
| or SYST 496 | Sustainable Systems Methods Practicum | |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Additional Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Systems Thinking | ||
| Analytics for Financial Engineering and Econometrics | ||
| Innovation for Impact | ||
| Sustainable Systems Methods Practicum | ||
| Engineering, Computing, and Social Justice | ||
| Entrepreneurship: Starting and Managing a New Enterprise | ||
| Responsible Innovation | ||
| Entrepreneurship in Engineering | ||
| Energy Infrastructure, Market, and Management | ||
| Electricity Sector Engineering, Economics, and Regulation | ||
- 1
- 2
Both SYST 492 and SYST 496 can be taken with one of them as a required course and the other as an elective. The same course cannot be double counted both as a required and an elective for the minor.
Prerequisites
Some of the courses listed above have additional prerequisites. Students should pay careful attention to prerequisites when selecting courses.
Program Outcomes
1. Learn how to innovate for impact, manage, and lead complex projects
An engineering management, leadership and innovation minor degree allows you to build upon your technical expertise with the skills necessary to be a leader in your industry. Through the lessons learned in an engineering management program, you will enhance your ability to manage complex projects, drive strategic decisions, and build & inspire high-performing teams. A background in engineering management gives you the know-how to step beyond the role of an individual contributor.
2. Develop your technical management acumen
Studying engineering management bolsters your technical skills with a strong understanding of concepts such as project management, leadership, entrepreneurship, and innovation for impact in engineering fields. A well-developed technical management acumen will result become a more effective leader.
3. Develop team building skills by working across teams on diverse projects
Engineering managers typically work on a variety of projects, from small product improvements to large-scale development initiatives. This will give you the opportunity to connect with various teams throughout your organization whom you can learn from in turn. Engineering management can provide you with ample opportunity to see more of the “big picture” at your organization at a systems engineering level.
4. Develop leadership skills
Studying engineering management empowers you with management and leadership skills, as well as the confidence to put those skills to work. As a result, you have the potential to truly accelerate your career growth.
5. Gain ability to lead transformative engineering related changes in the world
Engineering managers play a vital role in the development of new products and technologies, the creation of which can change the way we all work and live, from improving the efficiency of manufacturing processes to developing new medical devices. Additionally, an engineering management minor degree teaches innovation for impact, aspects of sustainability in engineering applications, communication and leadership skills that can make you more than just a manager, but a compassionate leader driven to make a difference.