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MEM or MBA
Curious about whether to earn your MBA or MEM? Learn which academic path is the best fit for you based on your goals and strengths.
The MEM or the MBA: Which Degree is Right for Me?
Two of the most popular options at Washington University in St. Louis for career-advancing graduate education are our Master of Business Administration (MBA) and our master’s of engineering management (MEM) degrees.
Both programs cater to different career aspirations and provide unique skill sets. To help you make an educated decision about which is right for you, let’s compare and contrast the MBA and MEM degrees, highlighting each one’s key features and benefits.
Get to Know WashU’s Master’s of Engineering Management (MEM) Degree
The Sever Institute at WashU designed the MEM degree for engineering professionals seeking to enhance their leadership and managerial abilities while building on their engineering expertise. With a focus on combining technical expertise with business acumen, our MEM degree equips you to tackle complex engineering challenges while effectively leading teams.
Our MEM degree is offered on campus as a full-time program or in the evenings part-time, either on campus or online. You’ll complete 10 courses for a total of 30 units.
Engineering leadership—the core of MEM
At the heart of WashU’s MEM degree lies the concept of engineering management, where you’ll delve into topics such as project management, organizational behavior and technology integration. As you develop these skills and graduate with your MEM, you can bridge the gap between technical and business operations, making them valuable assets to engineering-driven enterprises.
A path to engineering leadership
If you’re an engineer looking to ascend the corporate ladder within technical organizations, our MEM degree is an ideal steppingstone. The program focuses on cultivating leadership and communication skills, empowering you to lead engineering teams and oversee engineering projects with confidence, ensuring efficient execution and successful outcomes.
Engineering management in practice
Throughout the MEM program, you’ll engage in real-world case studies and collaborative projects, simulating authentic engineering management scenarios. This hands-on experience fosters problem-solving capabilities, preparing you to tackle complex challenges throughout your career.
Specialize your MEM degree
In addition to your core master’s in engineering management classes, you’ll also complete classes in your chosen emphasis:
- Applied Data Analytics
- Computer Science & Security
- Managing, Leading & Innovating
- Project Management & Operational Excellence
In addition to aligning your MEM degree with your specific interests, these emphases allow you to deepen your expertise and better stand out to employers.
Career outcomes for MEM graduates
WashU master’s of engineering management graduates are highly sought-after in engineering-centric companies, particularly in leadership and management roles. Their unique blend of technical knowledge and managerial skills allows them to excel in engineering-driven industries.
WashU’s MBA programs are tailored for individuals aspiring to build a strong foundation in general business management. Here, you’ll prepare to take on diverse leadership roles across various industries, equipped for Values-Based, Data-DrivenTM decision-making.
A significant differentiator for WashU’s MBA is the wide variety of learning formats and modalities:
- Full-time MBA: Two years, on-campus, 67 units
- Online MBA: 18 months, 100 percent online, 54 units
- Professional MBA: Three years or fewer, part-time (evenings or weekends), 54 units
- Executive MBA: 20 months, monthly on-campus sessions, 60 units
The versatility of a WashU MBA
While our MEM degree hones in on engineering-specific management skills, WashU’s MBA programs offers a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of areas like finance, marketing and strategy. As an MBA graduate, you’ll possess a versatile skill set you can apply across different sectors, making you an attractive candidate for top-level managerial roles
While we hope these details have helped shed new light on WashU’s master’s of engineering management and MBA degrees, we know there’s no substitute for a conversation focused on your specific goals and needs.
Visit our website to start the discussion by requesting more information from our expert admissions staff. Need help deciding whether or not a master’s of engineering management will help you meet your goals? Contact us today for more information.
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Already know that the MEM degree is right for you? Visit our website to start your WashU application.