Master’s in Engineering Management vs. Master of Business Administration: What You Need to Know
22 July, 2024
Securing and performing well in an engineering leadership role generally requires a graduate degree. However, it can be difficult to decide which degree makes the most sense for your strengths, experiences and career goals.
While both a master’s in engineering management (MEM) and a master of business administration (MBA) are intended to provide students with a comprehensive and in-depth education in advanced business topics, they diverge in their core areas of focus, coursework and professional outcomes. Each type of program has distinctive strengths that have the potential to shape the careers of aspiring leaders who want to spearhead technical innovation and change for the good of the world.
MEM and MBA Overview
A master’s in engineering management and an MBA both explore the advanced concepts and skills required to lead business operations effectively. Both degrees typically include studies in core business areas such as finance, data analytics and supply chain management, as well as coursework that enhances interpersonal skills like communication. The result of each is an advanced business education that can prepare graduates to lead diverse teams and address complex challenges.
MEM Coursework
Coursework in a program dedicated to engineering management is designed to fit the unique engineering environment. In engineering organizations or departments, project management processes, supply chain operations and business law often have distinct frameworks that aspiring leaders must understand to successfully complete complex technical projects. By focusing on the intersection of engineering and business, students will prepare for high-level roles requiring technical expertise and management skills.
MBA Coursework
In comparison, traditional MBA coursework has a broader scope that covers advanced business knowledge in a more generalized way. This allows graduates to apply concepts like business analytics, leadership, entrepreneurship and global business to a variety of industries and career paths. While many MBA programs offer specializations related to specific fields, a specific industry context is not typically embedded in core courses.
Typical Student Backgrounds and Goals
Master’s in engineering management and MBA degrees are designed with different students in mind.
MEM students usually have a background in science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) and may have work experience in engineering roles. They often enter a master’s program with a desire to gain a greater understanding of business functions within an engineering context. Prospective MEM students may consider this degree to gain the business fundamentals needed to oversee teams and projects effectively. They also likely are seeking the skills to execute high-level strategic plans that support organizational growth and have the potential to increase revenue — a crucial ability in an industry characterized by rapid technological development and change.
Since an MBA serves a broader audience and doesn’t require technical expertise, students can come from a wide range of professional backgrounds. Students with highly technical knowledge and experiences may appreciate sharing a common background with their classmates in an MEM program, while MBA students can learn from the valuable perspectives of fellow students with very different expertise and experiences.
Admission Requirements
While the typical admissions materials and requirements for both degrees may look similar, applicants to MBA and MEM programs will be expected to highlight different aspects of their experiences and accomplishments. For example, an MEM applicant is expected to emphasize their technical knowledge and experience more than an MBA applicant.
Requirements | Master’s in Engineering Management | Master of Business Administration |
---|---|---|
Bachelor’s degree | Yes, in engineering, science or a related field | Yes, any major |
Undergraduate GPA minimum | Generally requires a minimum GPA | Competitive schools may require a minimum GPA |
Relevant work experience | Yes, usually two years of full-time employment is required | Varies by university |
Letters of recommendation | Yes | Yes |
Statement of purpose | Applicants may be asked to explain their academic and professional goals, how the degree will support those goals, their engineering experience and why they want to expand their management skills. | Applicants may be asked to explain their academic and professional background, career goals, how the MBA will help them achieve their goals, past business experience and why they are interested in the specific MBA program. |
GRE or GMAT | May be optional | Often required |
Résumé or CV | May be required | May be required |
Interview | Not usually required | Sometimes required |
*Admissions requirements vary across universities, departments and programs. View our admissions page for the requirements for the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering’s online Master of Science in Engineering with Certificate of Specialization in Engineering Management.
MEM vs. MBA Curriculum
The core curriculum of a Master of Engineering Management program typically covers**:
- Systems engineering: the elements of engineering projects and how they interact
- Project management: the frameworks, workflows and best practices for ensuring projects stay on track and in line with the budget
- Product management: the process of managing a product’s lifecycle through definition, development, launch, scaling and sunsetting
- Operations and supply chain management: the issues and decisions involved in managing engineering business operations and strategies
- Financial management: the accounting and finance concepts and practices that govern business management
- Data and business analytics: the way in which organizations use technology, software and data to inform strategic planning
- Management communication: the verbal and written skills that are used in presentations and interpersonal interactions
- Intellectual property and business law: the legal issues surrounding the ownership of engineering ideas and designs
- Statistics for management decisions: a mathematical framework for analyzing and evaluating data
**Competencies reflect the curriculum of UCLA Samueli’s online M.S. in Engineering with Certificate of Specialization in Engineering Management. Core curricula vary by program.
MEMs may also offer opportunities for students to explore topics of interest. For example, UCLA Samueli’s online M.S. in Engineering with Certificate of Specialization in Engineering Management allows students in their final year of study to take special topics courses that have covered areas such as cybersecurity or technology and policy.
MBA Core Curriculum
MBA core curricula typically include classes in:
- Finance and accounting, providing foundational knowledge in financial reporting, auditing, budgeting and forecasting
- Business strategy, including competitive analysis, strategic planning, and execution
- Organizational behavior, so that students can gain an understanding of group dynamics, motivations and organizational culture
- Marketing management, which may cover strategy, market research and branding
- Leadership, including skills in conflict resolution, team building and managing diverse teams
- Data or business analytics, so that leaders can make data-driven decisions
- Ethics and corporate social responsibility, which may cover topics such as corporate governance, ethical decision making, sustainability practices and the impact of business activities on society
- Global business, for an understanding of business operations in the global marketplace
- Entrepreneurship, which provides insights into techniques and skills required to launch and run new business ventures successfully
MBAs sometimes offer electives that allow students to dive deep into specific areas of interest. These may also be grouped into concentrations or specializations that cover major fields, such as finance, human resources or healthcare.
Program Outcomes
Master’s in engineering and MBA degrees are generally structured to prepare students for leadership positions ranging from management to executive roles.
Graduates of MEM programs may qualify for various roles that involve guiding projects and teams, which require someone who deeply understands engineering concepts, terminology and processes.
This table outlines some of the top management positions, as well as corresponding growth expectancy and average annual salary.
Job Title*** | Role Summary | Average Annual Salary, National 2023–2024 (According to Lightcast***) | Average Annual Salary, California 2023–2024 (According to Lightcast***) | Growth Expectancy Through 2032 (According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Engineer manager | Professionals in this role plan and direct large infrastructure and civil engineering projects. | $113,200 | $197,233 | 4% (Architectural and engineering managers) |
Software development manager | Managers with software expertise lead the development, maintenance and upgrades of software solutions. | $177,900 | $167,932 | 25% (Software developers, quality assurance analysts and testers) |
Information technology (IT) manager | IT managers oversee all computer-related operations at an organization and ensure projects run smoothly. | $105,300 | $209,839 | 15% (Computer and information systems managers) |
Engineering project manager | Engineering project managers use their industry expertise to lead teams and communicate with stakeholders effectively. | $119,800 | $107,696 | 6% (All project management specialists) |
***The job titles and salary information are sourced from Lightcast, whose data come from millions of job postings. Please note that salary will vary by experience, responsibilities, location and other factors. UCLA Samueli does not project job placements and salaries for its graduates.
These are just a sampling of the many potential roles available to those on an engineering management career path. Actual titles and responsibilities vary, as each organization has its own job requirements.
Graduates of master’s in engineering management programs are not limited to only aspiring managers. The high-level technical and leadership skills taught in an MEM program are equally relevant to graduates who are more interested in team contributor roles but who also want the leadership skills needed to spearhead major projects or processes. These roles can include:
- Senior Software Engineer
- Principal Engineer
- Lead Systems Engineer
- Senior Mechanical Engineer
- Senior Electrical Engineer
- Senior Project Engineer
- Senior Data Engineer
- Senior DevOps Engineer
- Senior Quality Assurance Engineer
- Engineering Project Lead
MBA graduates may pursue high-level positions across a wide range of industries and business operations, depending on their areas of interest and specialization. A few examples of these roles — as well as corresponding growth expectancy and average annual salary — are included in this table.
Job Title*** | Role Summary | Average Annual Salary 2023–2024 (According to Lightcast***) | Growth Expectancy Through 2032 (According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics) |
---|---|---|---|
Marketing manager | These professionals plan and execute marketing strategies to promote a product or service using advertising, content, email campaigns and more. | $91,500 | 7% (Marketing managers) |
Human resources (HR) manager | HR managers can do everything from recruiting candidates to planning compensation and benefits for employees. | $86,900 | 5% (Human resources managers) |
Management consultant | Management consultants analyze a company’s operations to identify opportunities to improve efficiency, performance and revenue. | $106,900 | 10% (Management analysts) |
Financial manager | These professionals manage an organization’s money through strategic investments and planning. They may produce reports and presentations to share information about financial activities and results. | $125,300 | 16% (Financial manager) |
***The job titles and salary information are sourced from Lightcast, whose data come from millions of job postings. Please note that salary will vary by experience, responsibilities, location and other factors. UCLA Samueli does not project job placements and salaries for its graduates.
Is a Master’s in Engineering Management Right for You?
Selecting the graduate business degree that most closely aligns with your career aspirations is critical. It is also important to choose a degree program that is designed with industry needs in mind.
The UCLA Samueli School of Engineering offers an online Master of Science in Engineering with Certificate of Specialization in Engineering Management (MSEOL: ENGR MGMT) that combines technical and business expertise and gives students the tools for lifelong learning. Graduates gain the ability to analyze engineering challenges, develop creative solutions and execute them in line with the frameworks, processes and expectations of the business environment.
The MSOL: ENGR MGMT delivers UCLA’s top-ranked graduate education in a flexible format designed for those working full time.
About the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering
The UCLA Samueli School of Engineering is a tightly knit community of nearly 200 full-time faculty members, more than 6,500 undergraduate and graduate students, as well as 40,000 active alumni. Known as the Birthplace of the Internet, UCLA Samueli is also where countless other fields took some of their first steps — from artificial intelligence to reverse osmosis, from mobile communications to human prosthetics. In 2021, UCLA became the first university to win an XPRIZE, with a UCLA Samueli team awarded a $7.5 million grand prize in the NRG COSIA Carbon XPRIZE. Times Higher Education lists UCLA among the top 10 universities for engineering in the U.S. and top 20 in the world. U.S. News & World Report has ranked the school’s online master’s program No. 1 in the nation.
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