SIUE Expands Graduate Opportunities with Fully Online Industrial Engineering Master's Degree

SIUE Expands Graduate Opportunities with Fully Online Industrial Engineering Master's Degree

Responding to growing interest from regional engineers and alumni seeking opportunities for career advancement, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's School of Engineering (SOE) has introduced a fully online option for its Master of Science in Industrial Engineering program. The expanded format, which welcomed its first online students this fall, allows professionals to pursue graduate education without stepping away from their careers or commuting to campus.

"Many engineers in our region, as well as our alumni, have repeatedly expressed interest in earning a master's degree but were unable to leave their jobs or commute to campus twice a week after work," said Sinan Onal, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Industrial Engineering. "We designed the online option to remove that barrier."

The program is designed primarily for working professionals with undergraduate degrees in engineering, science, technology, mathematics and related disciplines. Students may complete the degree entirely online or combine online and on-campus courses, allowing them to balance graduate study with professional and personal commitments.

Beyond convenience, the format creates opportunities for students to apply advanced engineering concepts directly to challenges in their workplaces.

"Students can continue working while immediately applying what they learn in the classroom to real-world challenges in their organizations," said Onal.

The curriculum emphasizes technical expertise and leadership skills in areas including engineering optimization, project management, quality engineering, continuous improvement, production planning, supply chain logistics and data-driven decision-making.

Students can tailor their education through four concentrations: Systems Optimization, Manufacturing Engineering Design, Enterprise and Production Control and Quality Engineering. Both thesis and non-thesis options are available, providing flexibility for students pursuing professional advancement or further academic study.

Graduates are prepared for technical and leadership positions across manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, consulting and service industries. Potential career paths include operations analyst, project manager, manufacturing engineer, quality systems engineer, supply chain analyst and technology manager. Alumni from the SOE Industrial Engineering path have pursued careers with organizations including Boeing, Emerson, Caterpillar, Ameren and Continental Tire.

According to Onal, the program's affordability, experienced faculty and connections to the region's industrial community distinguish it from comparable graduate offerings.

"Value is a big part of it. Our tuition is lower than most comparable programs, yet students learn from faculty who combine research with real industry experience. We sit in the St. Louis region, one of the strongest manufacturing and logistics hubs in the Midwest, so class projects connect easily to problems students face at their own companies."

Applicants should hold a bachelor's degree in engineering, science, mathematics, technology or a related field from an accredited institution. Depending on individual undergraduate preparation, students without an engineering degree may be required to complete prerequisite coursework.

Prospective students can explore admission requirements, application deadlines and curriculum options through the SIUE Master of Science in Industrial Engineering program website.

Photo by Howard Ash.