College of Engineering
Frequently Asked Questions
The Master of Science in Engineering Management is designed for working engineers, so students can continue their professional lives while completing graduate school. Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions we receive. We hope to see you in the MSEM program soon!
- How much of this program is online?
All courses are online and asynchronous, meaning students are not required to attend class sessions at prescribed, scheduled dates and times, but rather as their schedules permit. However, the course deliverables are indeed scheduled for submission throughout the semester.
- How much time will this program take?
Though not strictly required, a student is generally expected to complete two courses per semester, three semesters per year, in order to graduate within two years. However, many MSEM students enroll in fewer courses per semester, resulting in a graduation beyond the two-year expectation.
While students can start the program at the beginning of any semester, the MSEM program is structured into cohorts that begin in Fall. Anyone enrolling in the program in Spring or Summer may or may not complete the program in six semesters. However, many students have entered in semesters other than Fall, and completed their studies in reasonable timeframes.
- Will I need to write a thesis?
No. The MSEM graduate degree is not thesis-based, but a final project report is required from the EMGT 6900 capstone course at the end. The MSEM Program emphasis is project management, with four courses delivered by Tennessee Tech’s MBA program, so the program’s final deliverable is focused on building and demonstrating project-based skills rather than the kind of research-intensive scholarship found in a thesis.
- How much will it cost?
Exact tuition and fees can be found at the Tennessee Tech University Bursar website. Graduate tuition is the same for any engineering program, but online and miscellaneous fees are dependent upon whether a student’s registered courses are from the College of Engineering or the College of Business (the MSEM program has both types of courses required). You should examine the latest-available academic-year graduate program fee and tuition schedules for equivalent costs for 3 or 6 credit hours per semester.
A rough estimate (from academic year 2021-2022 tuition and fees schedule) of MSEM student costs when following the curriculum model are:
In-state (TN resident) student: between $4,300 (two engineering classes) to $4,500 (two business classes).
Out-of-state (non-TN resident) student: between $5,100 (two engineering classes) to $5,400 (two business classes).
Please consult the Bursar’s office for the most up-to-date information.
- What are the admission and application requirements?
All graduate students at Tennessee Tech begin with an application through the College of Graduate Studies. Graduate program requirements can be found online in the University Catalog.
Though a GRE exam score is typically required for the application, there are exceptions that may be considered. Applicants who earned a Tennessee Tech bachelor’s degree in a related field, or an applicant with significant industrial-related work experience, may have that GRE requirement waived. Those details and others are in the Admission Requirements information.
If you are an international student living outside of the U.S., please note you will not be eligible for a student visa to enter the country due to federal regulations regarding 100% online programs.
Applications can be submitted at the start of any semester, and the deadlines can be found at the application portal below. A reminder: While students can be admitted starting any semester, the MSEM program is structured into cohorts that begin in Fall. Anyone enrolling in the program in Spring or Summer may or may not complete the program in six semesters.
The application process can be started by visiting their website at How to Apply.
