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The MS in Engineering Management at Milwaukee School of Engineering An Update

Bruce R. Thompson Rader School of Business, Milwaukee School of Engineering

Abstract: At the 1990 ASEE annual conference a paper titled “Evolution and Projections for the MS in Engineering Management” described the experience of the Master of Science in Engineering Management at Milwaukee School of Engineering, one of the oldest graduate engineering management programs in the United States. Since then, the program has faced a number of challenges, including the introduction of the MSEM at Milwaukee’s two largest universities, transition in the local economy including the outsourcing of many manufacturing operations, and perhaps most importantly the clash of diverse viewpoints regarding the focus of the program. This paper analyzes events since 1990 and suggests ways to keep the vision relevant to a changing environment.

I. Introduction

A paper presented at the 1990 ASEE annual conference1 described the experience of the Master of Science in Engineering Management (MSEM) at Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE). The program was one of the first graduate engineering management programs in the United States, and even at that time had gone through periods of both growth and decline. The present paper picks up the story since that time.

The 1990 paper listed four issues then facing the program: (1) the use of technology, particularly the videotaping of classes for later viewing creating a possible conflict between high-tech and high-touch, (2) the teaching of management fundamentals versus current ideas, (3) assuring that growth did not hurt quality, and (4) tensions between the program and the institution. Since then, a major concern has been reversing an enrollment decline and this issue has dominated the other issues.

II. A brief description of the MSEM

Traditionally the MSEM was targeted at engineers and other technically-oriented professionals working in southeast Wisconsin and the Fox Valley (see Figure 1, in which student locations are marked by pins and class locations by circles). Average age of the students is mid- thirties, although ages range from the early twenties to the sixties.

Most students work full time and attend classes in the evenings or on weekends. Reflecting a desire to build on students’ work experience, applicants are required to either have

Proceedings of the 2005 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright © 2005, American Society for Engineering Education

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Thompson, B. (2005, June), The Ms In Engineering Management At Milwaukee School Of Engineering: An Update Paper presented at 2005 Annual Conference, Portland, Oregon. 10.18260/1-2--15110