Program Overview

Master of Engineering in Industrial Engineering

The Master of Engineering in Industrial Engineering is a 30-credit online master's degree program that prepares students to evaluate and optimize complex engineering systems and processes to improve efficiency, quality, and safety while reducing cost and waste.

Program Summary

• The program is designed for working professionals who hold bachelor's degrees in engineering and want to enhance their knowledge and skills to advance their careers.
• The course work is based in math and science, with opportunities to study business and psychology.
• Students must successfully complete 30 course credits at the 400-, 500-, or 800-level, of which 21 course credits must be earned at Penn State.
• The program has limited formal course requirements, allowing students to tailor the program to their needs and educational goals.

Application Deadline

• Apply by December 1 to start January 12.
• The application deadline may vary depending on the semester.

Credits and Costs

• The program requires 30 credits.
• The cost is $1,037 per credit.

Nationally Recognized

• The graduate industrial engineering program is highly ranked by U.S. News & World Report.

Gain Skills for an In-Demand Field

• Build, refine, and integrate efficient systems in manufacturing, information technology, consumer products, equipment, and workplace dynamics.
• Lead groups in fields like electronic and aerospace manufacturing, shipping logistics, supply chain management, and health care and human services.
• Combine math, science, business, and psychology to improve efficiency, performance, quality, and safety, while simultaneously reducing cost and waste.
• Apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.

Immerse Yourself in Online Industrial Engineering Courses

• The 30-credit industrial engineering program is offered online through Penn State World Campus in partnership with the Penn State College of Engineering.
• View the course list to see the available courses.

Courses

• IE 402: Advanced Engineering Economy
• IE 478: Retail Services Engineering
• IE 479: Human Centered Product Design and Innovation
• IE 505: Linear Programming
• IE 511: Experimental Design in Engineering
• IE 516: Applied Stochastic Processes
• IE 527: Additive Manufacturing Processes
• IE 552: Mechanics of the Musculoskeletal System
• IE 553: Engineering of Human Work
• IE 557: Human-in-the-Loop Simulation
• IE 558: Engineering of Cognitive Work
• IE 560: Manufacturing Processes and Materials
• IE 575: Foundations of Predictive Analytics

Electives

• Students may select from a list of elective courses maintained by the program.
• The list may change over time in response to market demand.
• Students may also use the graduate certificate courses in Additive Manufacturing and Design, Supply Chain Management, and Engineering Leadership and Innovation Management.

Culminating Project and Research

• IE 894: Capstone Design (3 credits)
• Students will apply the analytical and design skills learned in previous courses to solve an industrial problem based on their workplace or industrial partner.

Course Availability

• If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit the public LionPATH course search to start planning ahead.

Advance Your Career

• The knowledge gained from this program can be used to pursue careers in a variety of fields, depending on your goals.
• View the career information to see the job titles related to this degree and the employment outlook for occupational fields related to this degree.

Job Titles Related to This Degree

• Process Engineering Manager
• Human Factors Engineer
• Lean Manufacturing Engineer
• Process Improvement Engineer
• Quality Control Systems Manager

Employment Outlook for Occupational Fields Related to This Degree

• Industrial Engineers: 12.2% employment growth (10 years), 350,230 total employment
• Architectural and Engineering Managers: 5.5% employment growth (10 years), 210,340 total employment
• Industrial Production Managers: 2.8% employment growth (10 years), 234,380 total employment

Career Services

• From the day you're accepted as a student, you can access resources and tools provided by Penn State World Campus Career Services to further your career.
• These resources are beneficial whether you're searching for a job or advancing in an established career.

Costs and Financial Aid

• Learn about the program's tuition, fees, scholarship opportunities, grants, payment options, and military benefits.
• Graduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register.
• Tuition is due shortly after each semester begins and rates are assessed every semester of enrollment.

Graduate Tuition

• 2025-26 Academic Year Rates:
  • 11 or fewer credits: $1,037 per credit
  • 12 or more credits: $12,448 per semester
• 2026-27 Academic Year Rates:
  • 11 or fewer credits: $1,048 per credit
  • 12 or more credits: $12,572 per semester

Financial Aid and Military Benefits

• Some students may qualify for financial aid.
• Take the time to research financial aid, scholarships, and payment options as you prepare to apply.
• Federal financial aid may only be used to pay for credits used to satisfy program requirements.
• Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents should explore these potential military education benefits and financial aid opportunities.

Additional Cost of Attendance Details

• Visit the Tuition Information site to view the detailed list of cost of attendance elements.

Who Should Apply

• This program is designed for working professionals who hold bachelor's degrees in engineering and want to enhance their knowledge and skills to advance their careers.

Set Your Own Pace

• Whether you are looking to finish your program as quickly as possible or balance your studies with your busy life, Penn State World Campus can help you achieve your education goals.
• Many students take one or two courses per semester.

How Quickly Can I Earn This Degree

• Our online courses typically follow a 12- to 15-week semester cycle, and there are three semesters per year (spring, summer, and fall).
• If you plan to take a heavy course load, you should expect your course work to be your primary focus and discuss your schedule with your academic adviser.

To Finish Your Degree in One to Two Years

• Take 3-4 courses each semester

To Finish Your Degree in Two to Three Years

• Take 2-3 courses each semester

To Finish Your Degree in Three to Four Years

• Take 1 course each semester

Convenient Online Format

• This program's convenient online format gives you the flexibility you need to study around your busy schedule.
• You can skip the lengthy commute without sacrificing the quality of your education and prepare yourself for more rewarding career opportunities without leaving your home.

A Trusted Leader in Online Education

• Penn State has a history of more than 100 years of distance education, and World Campus has been a leader in online learning for more than two decades.
• Our online learning environment offers the same quality education that our students experience on campus.

Information for Military and Veterans

• Are you a member of the military, a veteran, or a military spouse?
• Please visit our military website for additional information regarding financial aid, transfer credits, and application instructions.

How to Apply to Penn State

• Apply by December 1 to start January 12.
• Application Instructions:
  • Review the admission requirements.
  • Gather your required materials.
  • Create a Penn State login account.
  • Read the application instructions.
  • Complete the application.

Application Instructions

• Deadlines and Important Dates:
  • Spring Deadline: Apply by December 1 to start January 12
  • Summer Deadline: Apply by March 15 to start May 18
  • Fall Deadline: Apply by July 15 to start August 24
• Steps to Apply:
  1. Review the admission requirements.
  2. Gather your required materials.
  3. Create a Penn State login account.
  4. Read the application instructions.
  5. Complete the application.

Admissions Help

• If you have questions about the admissions process, contact an admissions counselor.

Learn from the Best

• The Penn State World Campus Master of Engineering in Industrial Engineering is offered in partnership with the Penn State College of Engineering.
• Meet the Faculty:
  • Ling Rothrock
  • Sanjay Joshi
  • Vittaldas Prabhu
  • Jose Ventura
  • Robert Voigt
  • Hui Yang

Faculty

• Ling Rothrock: Professor, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
• Sanjay Joshi: Professor, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
• Vittaldas Prabhu: Professor, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
• Jose Ventura: Professor, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
• Robert Voigt: Professor, Industrial Engineering
• Hui Yang: Harold and Inge Marcus Career Associate Professor, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

News

• Penn State featured in U.S. News’ 2025 ‘Best Online Programs’ rankings
• Empathy in design: Learning human factors for biomedical devices

We Are Penn State

• This is the real Penn State.
• You will take courses with curriculum developed by the same professors who teach on campus.
• You can expect the same caliber of academic quality that you associate with Penn State.