Application deadline
Credits and costs
Nationally Recognized
Master the Science and Engineering Skills Needed to Optimize Processes and Systems
Industrial engineering is rooted in the study of systems and processes and the effective management of people and teams. The best industrial engineers are driven, creative problem-solvers who possess the skills and knowledge needed to evaluate and optimize complex engineering systems and processes to improve efficiency, performance, quality, and safety, while simultaneously reducing cost and waste.
The Demand for Skilled Industrial Engineers Continues to Grow
Highly trained industrial engineers — with their abilities to build, refine, and integrate systems in manufacturing, information technology, consumer products, and workplace dynamics — find themselves in higher demand than ever before. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects industrial engineering jobs to grow by 10% from 2016 to 2026 — significantly faster growth than the overall job market.
Your Online Industrial Engineering Education from Penn State
The 30-credit Master of Engineering in Industrial Engineering, offered online through Penn State World Campus in partnership with the Penn State College of Engineering, is largely based in math and science, with opportunities to study business and psychology. You'll learn from the same faculty who teach on campus and are honored with top rankings in both research and education. The flexible course requirements for this degree allow you to customize your education to match your professional goals and personal interests.
What a Penn State Industrial Engineering Degree Can Do for You
This program offers a respected education in a broad and versatile discipline, helping to prepare you to excel in careers in virtually every sector of the economy. As a successful graduate of this program, you should possess an understanding of human factors and ergonomics, manufacturing, operations research, and supply chain and service engineering. The knowledge and skills you acquire through this program can qualify you to lead groups in a number of fields, including electronic and aerospace manufacturing, shipping logistics, supply chain management, and health care and human services.
Who Should Apply?
This program is designed for working professionals who a hold bachelor's degree in engineering and want to enhance their knowledge and skills to advance their careers.
Information for Military and Veterans
Are you a member of the military, a veteran, or a military spouse? Please visit our military website for additional information regarding financial aid, transfer credits, or application instructions.
Courses
You must successfully complete 30 course credits at the 400-, 500-, or 800-level, of which 21 course credits must be earned at Penn State (i.e., only 9 credits can be transferred from other institutions). In addition:
- All students must successfully complete three credits of IE 894: Capstone Design.
- At least 18 credits must be in 500-level or higher courses (including IE 894).
- At least 15 credits must be in 500-level or higher IE courses (including IE 894).
- At least 21 credits of the 30 credits must be IE courses (including IE 894).
The Master of Engineering in Industrial Engineering has limited formal course requirements; you and your adviser can tailor the program specifically to suit your needs and educational goals by choosing from the following list of courses.
Courses
Electives
Students may select from a list of elective courses maintained by the program. This list may change over time in response to market demand. Students may also use the graduate certificate courses in Additive Manufacturing and Design, Supply Chain Management, and Engineering Leadership and Innovation Management. If you would like to add one of these credentials to your transcript and have questions about the application process, please contact the program at [email protected] for assistance to discuss your options and view the most up-to-date list.
Culminating Project and Research (3 credits)
Course Availability
If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.
Costs and Financial Aid
Graduate Tuition
Graduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register. Tuition is due shortly after each semester begins and rates are assessed every semester of enrollment.
| How many credits do you plan to take per semester? | Cost |
|---|---|
| 11 or fewer | $1,007 per credit |
| 12 or more | $12,082 per semester |
Financial Aid and Military Benefits
Some students may qualify for financial aid. Take the time to research financial aid, scholarships, and payment options as you prepare to apply. Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents should explore these potential military education benefits and financial aid opportunities, as well.
How to Apply
Deadlines and Important Dates
Your degree application, including receipt of all transcripts, must be received by the following deadlines to be considered complete.
Admissions Help
If you have questions about the admissions process, contact our admissions counselors.
Admission Requirements
For admission to the Graduate School, an applicant must hold either (1) a bachelor of science degree in a suitable engineering field from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or (2) a tertiary (postsecondary) degree that is deemed comparable to a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. This degree must be from an officially recognized degree-granting institution in the country in which it operates.
For admission to the program, a 3.0 GPA (or equivalent) is needed. Exceptions to the minimum 3.0 grade-point average may be made for students with special backgrounds, abilities, and interest. A minimum of 2–3 years relevant work experience is recommended.
What You Need
Applications are submitted electronically and include a nonrefundable application fee. You will need to upload the following items as part of your application:
Official transcripts from each institution attended, regardless of the number of credits or semesters completed. Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. Penn State alumni do not need to request transcripts for credits earned at Penn State, but must list Penn State as part of your academic history. If you are admitted, you will be asked to send an additional official transcript. You will receive instructions at that time.
GPA and Test Scores — postsecondary (undergraduate), junior/senior (last two years) GPA is required. Official GRE or GMAT test scores will be considered if submitted, but are NOT required.
English Proficiency — The language of instruction at Penn State is English. With some exceptions, international applicants must take and submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Minimum test scores and exceptions are found in the English Proficiency section on the Graduate School's "Requirements for Graduate Admission" page. Visit the TOEFL website for testing information. Penn State's institutional code is 2660.
References (3) — you will need to initiate the process through the online application by entering names, email addresses, and mailing addresses of three references. Upon submission of your application, an email will be sent to each reference requesting they complete a brief online recommendation regarding your commitment for success in an online program. Please inform all recommenders they must submit the form in order for your application to be complete.
Program-Specific Questions/Materials
Personal Statement — A one- to two-page statement of purpose outlining personal career goals and reasons for wanting to enroll in the program. This statement should be specific and include information about your short- and long-term goals and how enrolling in the program may help to achieve them. The statement of purpose also offers you the opportunity to demonstrate your writing and communication skills, specify examples of leadership, and provide pertinent information that will assist the committee in selecting candidates who can benefit from and contribute to the industrial engineering program.
Start Your Application
You can begin your online application at any time. Your progress within the online application system will be saved as you go, allowing you to return at any point as you gather additional information and required materials.
Begin the graduate school application
- Choose Enrollment Type: "Degree Admission"
- Choose "WORLD CAMPUS" as the campus
Checking Your Status
You can check the status of your application by using the same login information established for the online application form.
Technical Requirements
Review the technical requirements for this degree program.
Get the resources you need to make informed decisions about your education. Request information on this program and other programs of interest by completing this form.
Start or Advance Your Career
Start or Advance Your Career
You can use the knowledge gained from this program and the support of Penn State career resources to pursue careers in a variety of fields, depending on your goals.
Contact Us
To learn more about the Penn State World Campus Master of Engineering in Industrial Engineering offered in partnership with the Penn State College of Engineering, please contact:
Andris Freivalds
College of Engineering
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 814-863-2361
Faculty
-
Andris Freivalds
-
DegreePh.D., Bioengineering, University of Michigan
-
DegreeM.S., Computer, Information, Control Engineering, University of Michigan
-
DegreeM.S., Bioengineering, University of Michigan
-
DegreeB.S., Science Engineering, University of Michigan
Dr. Andris Freivalds is director of the HFEE certificate and teaches IE 479 and IE 553 for the program. His research and teaching interests are in biomechanics and ergonomics, which led to the founding of the Center for Cumulative Trauma Disorders. This center served as the source of ergonomic services for more than 90 small- and medium-sized Pennsylvania companies in controlling their workplace hazards over the last 35 years. He is the author of Biomechanics of the Upper Limbs: Mechanics, Modeling, and Musculoskeletal Injuries.
-
-
Sanjay Joshi
-
DegreePh.D., Industrial Engineering, Purdue University
-
DegreeM.S., Industrial Engineering, SUNY Buffalo
-
DegreeB.E., Production Engineering, University of Bombay
Dr. Sanjay Joshi is a professor of industrial and manufacturing engineering. His research and teaching interests are in the areas of computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM), with specific focus on computer-aided process planning, additive manufacturing, control of automated flexible manufacturing systems, and topics in advanced manufacturing.
-
-
Vittaldas Prabhu
-
DegreePh.D., Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin – Madison
-
DegreeM.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin – Madison
-
DegreeM.S., Manufacturing Systems Engineering, University of Wisconsin – Madison
-
DegreeB.E., Instrumentation Technology, (Electrical Engineering), Bangalore University
Dr. Vittaldas Prabhu is a professor of industrial and manufacturing engineering. His research and teaching interests are in the areas of manufacturing and service enterprises with focus on distributed control, computing and information systems, and modeling their dynamics.
-
-
Ling Rothrock
-
DegreePh.D., Industrial Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology
-
DegreeM.S., Industrial Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology
-
DegreeB.S., Applied Mathematics, Florida Institute of Technology
Dr. Ling Rothrock is a professor in the industrial and manufacturing engineering department. He leads the Human Performance and Assessment Lab. Dr. Rothrock's research interests include human-in-the-loop discrete event simulations, display visualization, and human-machine performance evaluation.
-
-
Jose Ventura
-
DegreePh.D., Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of Florida
-
DegreeM. Eng., Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of Florida
-
DegreeB.S., Industrial Engineering, Polytechnic University of Catalunya (Spain)
Dr. Jose Ventura is professor, Dean’s Fellow, and chair of the Interdisciplinary Operations Research Graduate Program in the Harold and Inge Marcus Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering. Dr. Ventura, an IISE Fellow, focuses his research interests on logistics and supply chain management, applied operations research, revenue management, and design and analysis of energy and environmental systems.
-
-
Robert Voigt
-
DegreePh.D., Metallurgical Engineering, University of Wisconsin – Madison
-
DegreeM.S., Metallurgical Engineering, University of Wisconsin – Madison
-
DegreeB.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin – Madison
Dr. Robert Voigt is a professor of industrial engineering, with research interests in the area of improved processing and properties of engineering alloys. He works collaboratively with industry/government/university research consortia focused in the areas of metal casting, welding, heat treatment, machining, and improving the environmental and economic sustainability of manufacturing operations.
-
-
Hui Yang
-
DegreePh.D., Industrial Engineering and Management, Oklahoma State University
-
DegreeM.S., Electrical and Computer Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing)
-
DegreeB.S., Electrical and Computer Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing)
Dr. Hui Yang is the Harold and Inge Marcus Career Associate Professor in the Harold and Inge Marcus Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering. He heads the Complex Systems Monitoring, Modeling, and Control lab at Penn State, and he is PI and site director of Penn State's National Science Foundation Center for Health Organization Transformation. Dr. Yang's research interests focus on sensor-based modeling and analysis of complex systems for process monitoring, process control, system diagnostics, condition prognostics, quality improvement, and performance optimization.
-
