Concordia launches a new Master in Engineering with Engineering Management Option

Engineers aspiring to move into management-level positions now have an option for sharpening their skills in both realms.

Concordia’s John Molson School of Business (JMSB) and Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science have teamed up to offer a new degree. The Master in Engineering with Engineering Management Option will help engineers acquire business skills, and managers in the engineering field sharpen their technical knowledge.

“Prepared in consultation with industry, the new program is a bridge between industrial engineering and management sciences,” says Amir Asif, dean of the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science.

“It prepares modern decision makers by providing interdisciplinary knowledge in traditionally distinct academic fields of data analytics, optimization, logistics, decision making, quality project management, and lean engineering.”

Sandra Betton, associate dean of Professional Graduate Programs at JMSB, explains that students from the separate streams already collaborate on a joint case competition at the undergraduate level.

“We like engineers,” she says. “And as the two professional schools at the university, there’s a natural fit between industrial engineering and business.”

Ali Akgunduz, associate dean of Academic Programs and Undergraduate Activities at the Gina Cody School, agrees that the program is a logical next step.

“We’ve been discussing this collaboration for years. This new program gives us a good opportunity to solidify our existing relationship,” he says.

“It also gives some good engineering flavour for students with a business background and business skills to engineers.”

‘A truly innovative program’

The program format will feature 20 credits in engineering, with a core management course component, elective management courses and two work term placements at the end of the program.

Course topics in industrial engineering include everything from production systems and inventory control to lean manufacturing. MBA course topics include managerial analytics and financial reporting for responsible decision-making.

“In addition to a rigorous industrial engineering and management curriculum, the focus is on practical, industry-oriented topics, modern case studies, and real-world project experience,” says Asif.

“All these aspects enable our graduates to play strong strategic and operational roles while leveraging the power of engineering and technology to transform industry and society. It is a truly innovative program from a next-gen university.”

‘It opens doors’

Similar to most MBA programs, the new program is expected to enroll mostly students who already have two to five years of work experience — in this case, in engineering.

“It opens the door for people who want to strengthen their technical and industry-specific knowledge while having an overlay of general business,” Betton explains.

The two required work terms allow students to apply their new skills in a practical setting. Both deans expect that engineering and aerospace firms will be typical destinations for the placements, as well as finance and health care organizations, which are seeing an increasing demand for industrial engineering management.

“Our program will be ideal for somebody who has a career in engineering and wants to go to the next level,” Betton says.

All inquiries regarding the expected start date of the program and its academic requirements should be directed to Charlene Wald, graduate program coordinator.

Find out more about Concordia’s Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science and the John Molson School of Business.