Program Overview

Manufacturing Leadership Master of Science Degree

Overview

The manufacturing leadership MS provides skilled professionals the leadership skills to optimize business operations in a range of organizations and industries.

Why Pursue a Manufacturing Leadership MS at RIT?

• STEM-OPT Visa Eligible: The STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) program allows full-time, on-campus international students on an F-1 student visa to stay and work in the U.S. for up to three years after graduation.
• Career Readiness: Gain the skills necessary to secure a high-level position in operations, supply chain management, or process improvement.
• Flexibility: Starting any term you choose, complete online or on-campus courses at your own pace.
• Exciting Capstone Project: Receive the opportunity to solve a real-world problem for a sponsoring employer in operations or service management.

Program Details

The manufacturing leadership MS is for experienced engineers and other professionals who aspire to high-level positions in operations, supply chain management, and process improvement. The degree in manufacturing management integrates business and engineering management courses, delivering them online or on-campus, where you may continue to work while taking classes.

Capstone Project Sponsorship

For the capstone project, you will be sponsored by an employer who is committed to improving leadership capabilities in operational excellence. Sponsorship includes financial support and a commitment to work with you to provide clear expectations and a well-articulated career development plan that builds upon the program. As an alternative, you are welcome to sponsor yourself.

Related Programs

Visit the Engineering Leadership department for information on related offerings, including the master of science in product development, graduate certificate programs, and non-credit workshops and training programs.

Curriculum

Educational Objective

To prepare graduates to lead teams and organizations within a manufacturing or service enterprise for successful competition in a complex global economy, through the integration of business and technical skills.

Key Capabilities of Graduates

• Ability to make sound business decisions in a complex global economy: business planning with full understanding of outsourcing and offshoring; financial management and total/life-cycle cost; agile decision-making.
• Ability to manage the global supply chain: supply chain strategy development and execution; logistics management (quality and delivery assurance); systems needs for supply chain management; and supply chain optimization.
• Ability to manage global, multi-site production and operations: managing distributed teams; process technology transfer to domestic and international locations; service operations; enterprise and manufacturing strategies; lean operations; location strategy and facility design; state-of-the-art tools; regulatory issues and established norms.
• Comprehensive understanding of quality and continuous improvement principles, with application to the manufacturing and operations management.
• Strong leadership and management skills applied to global high technology manufacturing: systems thinking, planning, and management; applications (“hands-on”) orientation; project management expertise (planning, relationship management, control, risk management and decision-making); creative leadership to drive innovative solutions; enhanced ability to recognize barriers to success early, when corrective actions are least costly.

Course Requirements

• First Year:
  • ISEE-682: Lean Six Sigma Fundamentals
  • ISEE-723: Global Facilities Planning
  • ISEE-745: Manufacturing Systems
  • ISEE-771: Engineering of Systems I
  • Choose one of the following:
    • DECS-743: Operations and Supply Chain Management
    • ISEE-703: Supply Chain Management
  • Choose one of the following:
    • ISEE-750: Systems and Project Management
    • PROF-710: Project Management
    • PROF-714: Agile Project Management
• Second Year:
  • MGMT-740: Leading Teams in Organizations
  • Choose one of the following:
    • ACCT-603: Accounting for Decision Makers
    • ACCT-794: Cost Management in Technical Organizations
  • Choose one of the following:
    • ISEE-792: Engineering Capstone
    • ISEE-793: Manufacturing Leadership Capstone

Elective Courses

An elective course offers students the opportunity to better meet personal and organizational needs. Students may select from a long list of courses. Recommended electives include such offerings as Decision and Risk Benefit Analysis, Advanced or International Project Management, Breakthrough Thinking and Creativity, Customer Centricity, and others.

Capstone Project

Students complete a project during the final academic year of the program, based on a real problem often identified in the companies where they work. The corporate-oriented capstone project is directed at the solution of a manufacturing or services management problem or process improvement initiative. It enables students to broaden the educational experience and demonstrate the knowledge and skills essential to business leadership. The project provides immediate benefits to sponsoring organizations and is an excellent opportunity for students to gain visibility and recognition. Projects often result in substantial cost savings or improved efficiencies.

Admissions and Financial Aid

Application Details

To be considered for admission to the Manufacturing Leadership MS program, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:

• Complete an online graduate application.
• Submit copies of official transcript(s) (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work, including any transfer credit earned.
• Hold a baccalaureate degree (or US equivalent) from an accredited university or college. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent) is recommended.
• Satisfy prerequisite requirements and/or complete bridge courses prior to starting program coursework.
• Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
• Submit a personal statement of educational objectives.
• Submit one letter of recommendation.
• Entrance exam requirements: None
• Submit English language test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic), if required.

English Language Test Scores

International applicants whose native language is not English must submit one of the following official English language test scores. Some international applicants may be considered for an English test requirement waiver.

• TOEFL: 79
• IELTS: 6.5
• PTE Academic: 56

Cost and Financial Aid

An RIT graduate degree is an investment with lifelong returns. Graduate tuition varies by degree, the number of credits taken per semester, and delivery method. View the general cost of attendance or estimate the cost of your graduate degree.

A combination of sources can help fund your graduate degree. Learn how to fund your degree.

Faculty

• Marcos Esterman: Adjunct Faculty
• Vincenzo Buonomo: Senior Program Manager
• Leonie Fernandes: Senior Lecturer

Facilities

• Machine Shop

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Contact

• Admissions Contact: Lindsay Lewis, Senior Assistant Director, Office of Graduate and Part-Time Enrollment Services, Enrollment Management, 585-475-5532
• Program Contact: Katie McConky, Department Head, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Kate Gleason College of Engineering, 585-475-6062