100% Online
Complete your Penn State course work at your own pace and 100% online.
Application deadline
Credits and costs
Stackable Credentials
The program is embedded within the Master of Engineering Management credential.
Gain Technology Management and Leadership Skills
Organize and execute complex technical project plans from start to finish.
Manage technical teams on cross-functional projects and initiatives.
Understand and apply emerging technologies to effectively manage business processes.
Manage ethical and legal issues while serving in a leadership role.
Technical Management and Leadership Essentials Courses
Technical Management and Leadership Essentials Courses
As a student in this online engineering management certificate program, your course work will help you gain a deep understanding of:
- engineering project management
- process, quality, and risk management
- leadership principles and soft skills
- organizational management and behavior
- effective team leadership
- negotiation and influence
- problem-solving styles
- strategic management
- ethics and legal issues
- business contracts
Required Courses
- 3credits
Individual and group behavior in organizations; motivation, performance and rewards, job satisfaction, decision processes, conflict resolution; job and organizational design.
- 3credits
Study interrelationships of twentieth century technological change and human values with emphasis on social and ethical aspects of technological progress.
- 3credits
Study of project management as it relates to engineering and high-technology projects and personnel. Techniques and methodologies to eliminate, mitigate, and manage the risks that threaten project success are covered.
- 3credits
Foundations of individual problem solving including creativity, cognitive style and level, problem solving processes and techniques, the paradox of structure.
Using Certificate Credits toward a Stackable Credentials Degree Pathway
As part of the stackable pathway, the courses required for this 12-credit certificate can also be applied to a Master of Engineering Management if you apply and are accepted into the program. If you have been accepted into this certificate program, you will not be charged an additional fee to apply for the Master of Engineering Management program.
Courses may also apply to other degree programs. Students should contact their adviser to discuss transfer credit policies and application fees and details.
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.
Start or Advance Your Career
Start or Advance Your Career
You can use the knowledge gained from this online graduate certificate program and the support of Penn State career resources to succeed in engineering leadership roles in a wide variety of industries.
Career Services to Set You Up for Success
From the day you're accepted as a student, you can access resources and tools provided by Penn State World Campus Career Services to further your career. These resources are beneficial whether you're searching for a job or advancing in an established career.
- Opportunities to connect with employers
- Career counselor/coach support
- Occupation and salary information
- Internships
- Graduate school resources
Ready to Learn More?
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.
Ready to take the next step toward your Penn State graduate certificate?
Costs and Financial Aid
Costs and Financial Aid
Learn about this program's tuition, fees, scholarship opportunities, grants, payment options, and military benefits.
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.
2024–25 Academic Year Rates
How many credits do you plan to take per semester? | Cost |
---|---|
11 or fewer | $1,027 per credit |
12 or more | $12,325 per semester |
2025–26 Academic Year Rates
How many credits do you plan to take per semester? | Cost |
---|---|
11 or fewer | $1,037 per credit |
12 or more | $12,448 per semester |
Paying for Your Certificate
Students pursuing a certificate are considered "nondegree," a status that is not eligible for federal student aid, including the Federal Direct Stafford Loan program. A private alternative loan may be an option to consider.
Additionally, Penn State offers many ways to pay for your education, including an installment plan and third-party payments. Penn State World Campus also offers an Employer Reimbursement and Tuition Deferment Plan. Learn more about the options for paying for your education.
Students pursuing a degree and meeting all other eligibility requirements may qualify for financial aid.
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.
Additional Cost of Attendance Details
To view the detailed list of cost of attendance elements:
- visit the Tuition Information site
- click the plus sign to expand the table
- select a semester from the World Campus row
Technical Requirements
Review the technical requirements for this program.
Earn Stackable Credentials on the Way to a Master's Degree
Earn Stackable Credentials on the Way to a Master's Degree
This certificate can serve as a stand-alone credential and as a step on your journey toward a Master of Engineering Management. Stackable credentials recognize your new skills and knowledge while you work toward your master's degree — with no additional application fees.
Earning graduate certificates from Penn State World Campus is a great way to gain new skills and quickly add valuable credentials to your résumé.
This graduate certificate’s courses satisfy requirements toward the following degree(s):
Build your technical leadership skills in this cohort-based online master's degree program that encourages collaborative learning and peer teamwork as you explore engineering management with world-class Penn State faculty.
Learn more about the Master of Engineering ManagementShow Your Progress with a Digital Badge
Show Your Progress with a Digital Badge
Upon completion of this program, Penn State awards you a graduate certificate and a digital badge from Credly.
Certificate earners are awarded a digital badge for each certificate they complete as part of this stackable credentials group. Badges can be displayed digitally to recognize your accomplishment of attaining a new level of knowledge.
Who Should Apply?
This program is designed to help students with an undergraduate degree in engineering, physics, mathematics, computer science, or information science who wish to advance their career as an engineering manager.
Set Your Own Pace
Whether you are looking to finish your program as quickly as possible or balance your studies with your busy life, Penn State World Campus can help you achieve your education goals. Many students take one or two courses per semester.
Convenient Online Format
This program's convenient online format gives you the flexibility you need to study around your busy schedule. You can skip the lengthy commute without sacrificing the quality of your education and prepare yourself for more rewarding career opportunities without leaving your home.
A Trusted Leader in Online Education
Penn State has a history of more than 100 years of distance education, and World Campus has been a leader in online learning for more than two decades. Our online learning environment offers the same quality education that our students experience on campus.
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, and application instructions.
How to Apply to Penn State
How to Apply to Penn State
Apply by November 15 to start January 13
Application Instructions
Deadlines and Important Dates
Complete your application and submit all required materials by the appropriate deadline. Your deadline will depend on the semester you plan to start your courses.
Spring Deadline
Apply by November 15 to start January 13Summer Deadline
Apply by April 15 to start May 6Fall Deadline
Apply by July 15, 2025, to start August 25, 2025
Steps to Apply
For admission to the J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School, an applicant must hold either (1) a baccalaureate degree 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.
The program contains a number of courses requiring a solid background in engineering, mathematics, physics, or science so that participants are able to demonstrate the skills required for the management of complex engineering projects, products, and services within a typical engineering organization.
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. If you are a Penn State alum, you do not need to request transcripts for credits earned at Penn State but must list Penn State as part of your academic history.
Test Scores — GRE/GMAT scores are not required and will not be reviewed.
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 Fox Graduate School's "Requirements for Graduate Admission" page. Visit the TOEFL website for testing information. Penn State's institutional code is 2660.
To begin the online application, you will need a Penn State account.
Create a New Penn State Account
If you have any problems during this process, contact an admissions counselor at [email protected].
Please note: Former Penn State students may not need to complete the admissions application or create a new Penn State account. Please visit our Returning Students page for instructions.
Stackable Credentials Application Fee Waiver
If you have been previously accepted to a program with stackable credentials, you will not be charged an additional application fee for any associated programs.
Associated programs in the engineering management stack:
Certificates
- Graduate Certificate in Quality Management Across Product Lifecycle
- Graduate Certificate in Quantitative Decision-Making for Engineering Managers
- Graduate Certificate in Technical Management and Leadership Essentials
Degree
- Master of Engineering Management
If you begin with a certificate and are interested in pursuing the Master of Engineering Management, work with your adviser while completing your first certificate to determine which program to apply to next.
Up to 15 credits earned in any of these certificate programs may be transferred to the master's degree in engineering management, subject to restrictions outlined in GCAC-309 Transfer Credit.
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.
- Choose Enrollment Type: "Certificate 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.6. Complete the application.
Admissions Help
If you have questions about the admissions process, contact an admissions counselor at [email protected].
Current Penn State students should contact [email protected] with questions and for assistance.
Contact Us
Contact Us
Have questions or want more information? We're happy to talk.
For general questions about the program:
Dr. Amanda Neill
[email protected]
For general questions about Penn State World Campus:
World Campus Admissions Counselors
Phone: 814-863-5386
[email protected]
Learn from the Best
Learn from the Best
The Graduate Certificate in Technical Management and Leadership Essentials is offered in partnership with the Penn State Great Valley School of Graduate Professional Studies, and the Penn State Harrisburg School of Science, Engineering, and Technology, and School of Business Administration.
Faculty
Mohamad Darayi
- DegreePh.D., Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of Oklahoma
- DegreeM.S., Industrial Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University
- DegreeB.S., Industrial Engineering, University of Tabriz
Dr. Mohamad Darayi, assistant professor of systems engineering, focuses his principal research and key publications on infrastructure network resilience and simulation modeling applications in health care, manufacturing, and supply chain management. He teaches courses in system simulation, risk analysis, network modeling, and data analytics.
Joanna F. DeFranco
- DegreePh.D., Computer and Information Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology
- DegreeM.S., Computer Engineering, Villanova University
- DegreeB.S., Electrical Engineering and Math, Penn State
Dr. Joanna F. DeFranco is an assistant professor of software engineering. She has worked as an electronics engineer for the Navy and as a software engineer at Motorola. Her research interests include software engineering teams, effective teamwork, Internet of Things, and software-intensive critical systems.
Nil Ergin
- DegreePh.D., Systems Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology
- DegreeM.S., Engineering Management, Missouri University of Science and Technology
- DegreeB.S., Environmental Engineering, Istanbul Technical University
Dr. Nil Ergin, associate professor of systems engineering, researches system of systems engineering, complex adaptive systems, model-based systems engineering, and multi-agent systems. Dr. Ergin is also affiliated with the Systems Engineering Research Center (SERC), a DoD–funded University Affiliated Research Center, where she works on collaborative research efforts among multiple universities. She is a member of IEEE and INCOSE.
Kathryn Jablokow
- DegreePh.D., Electrical Engineering, Ohio State University
- DegreeM.S., Electrical Engineering, Ohio State University
- DegreeB.S., Electrical Engineering, Ohio State University
Dr. Kathryn Jablokow is a professor of engineering design and mechanical engineering. She is an experienced researcher, with special expertise in design cognition, engineering creativity, and high-performance design teams. She is also an award-winning educator who has developed multiple engineering courses related to problem solving, creativity, and invention, including a massive open online course that has attracted more than 250,000 learners since 2013. She investigates the human side of engineering and the effects that individual cognitive differences have on the processes and products of design.
Ashkan Negahban
- DegreePh.D., Industrial and Systems Engineering, Auburn University
- DegreeM.E., Industrial and Systems Engineering, Auburn University
- DegreeB.S., Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of Tehran
Dr. Ashkan Negahban is an associate professor of engineering management. Prior to joining Penn State, he was an instructor at Auburn University, where he taught courses in simulation, probability theory, and statistics. His research interests include the application of different types of simulation (discrete event, agent-based, and Monte Carlo) in design and operation of complex systems. He has developed several e-learning modules that have received worldwide publicity and are used by faculty from leading institutions around the world.
Colin Neill
- DegreePh.D., Software and Systems Engineering, University of Wales Swansea
- DegreeM.Sc., Communications Systems, University of Wales Swansea
- DegreeB.Eng., Electrical Engineering, University of Wales Swansea
Dr. Colin Neill is a professor of software engineering and systems engineering. He teaches many courses in software and systems engineering and project management. He is the author of more than 80 articles on the development and evolution of complex software and systems and their management and governance. Dr. Neill is a senior member of the IEEE and a member of INCOSE, and he serves as associate editor-in-chief of Innovations in Systems and Software Engineering.
Robin G. Qiu
- DegreePh.D., Industrial Engineering, Penn State
- DegreePh.D., (Minor), Computer Science, Penn State
- DegreeM.S., Numerical Control, Beijing Institute of Technology, China
- DegreeB.S., Mechanical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, China
Dr. Robin G. Qiu is a professor of information science at Penn State. He teaches courses on data analytics, information science, software engineering, and cyber security. Dr. Qiu's research includes smart service systems, IoT, big data, data/business analytics, information systems and integration, supply chain and industrial systems, and analytics. He served as the editor-in-chief of INFORMS Service Science. He is an associate editor of IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics and IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics, and has more than 160 publications.
Kailasam Satyamurthy
- DegreePh.D., Engineering Mechanics, Clemson University
- DegreeM.S., Civil Engineering, Clemson University
- DegreeMBA, Penn State
- DegreeB.S., Civil Engineering, University of Madras
Dr. Kailasam Satyamurthy, assistant professor of engineering, teaches decision and risk analysis, finance and economics for engineers, statistics, optimization, and continuous improvement courses. He held managerial positions at Vanguard and at GenCorp and conducted extensive research in the finite element modeling of nonlinear mechanical and thermal systems. He has vast experience in Six Sigma quality and continuous improvement, and has trained numerous professionals in manufacturing, transactional, and health care industries.
Doug Schumer
- DegreePh.D., Electrical Systems and Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- DegreeM.S., Measurement and Control, Carnegie Mellon University
- DegreeB.S., Physics, Carnegie Mellon University
Dr. Doug Schumer is assistant professor of engineering design and faculty director of the REV-UP Center for Entrepreneurship. Following 20 years in industry leading medical device R&D, Dr. Schumer held the position of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's professor of practice in biomedical engineering and served as Georgia Tech's first director of design innovation and education. He is a member of the New York Academy of Sciences and the American Physical Society.