Program Overview

Master of Engineering Management & Leadership (MEML) Degree

The Master of Engineering Management & Leadership (MEML) degree provides skilled engineers with the leadership and management training needed to become effective engineering managers, VPs of Engineering, Chief Technology Officers (CTOs), and innovative leaders of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the emerging technology era known as Industry 4.0.

Benefits of the Online Master of Engineering Management Degree Program

• Top-ranked graduate school for engineering and management master's degrees, and #1 in Texas
• Prestige and recognition of joining the newest of only 12 ASEM Certified MEM programs in the U.S., and the first program in Texas
• Rice MEML graduates have a direct path to becoming a Certified Associate in Engineering Management® (CAEM®), without having to take the certifying exam, and will have an accelerated path to the Certified Professional in Engineering Management (CPEM®) credential
• Rice MEML graduates can immediately sit for the PMP® exam and earn their Project Management Professional® credential
• Training in the engineering leadership, management and communication skills needed to climb the technical side of the management ladder
• Convenience to complete 100% online at your own pace, blended with weekly live sessions
• Opportunity to establish themselves as innovators and Industry 4.0 engineering leaders

Career Paths and Salary Potential

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a engineering manager with a master's degree earns on average $135,592/year, which is a 48% increase. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that jobs for engineering managers will grow by 6% by 2026, with nearly 10,000 new roles added during that time.

Program Curriculum and Structure

The Master of Engineering Management & Leadership degree program requires 30 credit hours of graduate-level coursework. Students earning their master's in engineering management online part-time should be able to complete their coursework in 20 months (based on 2 courses per semester). The program is designed for those who will continue to work while earning their degree.

Core Coursework and Specializations

Core coursework focuses on topics related to engineering leadership, project management (with PMI® credit), engineering economics, applied statistics and data science, and Industry 4.0 technologies. In addition to core coursework, students will choose a specialization that consists of three courses (9 credits) in technical coursework through the School of Engineering.

Capstone Project and Real-World Learning

Master of Engineering Management & Leadership students must complete a capstone project. For it, students will be expected to devise Industry 4.0 solutions to solve real-world problems, while demonstrating their newly acquired engineering manager leader skills and advanced engineering and data-informed insights.

Online and Face-to-Face Learning Opportunities

Master of Engineering Management & Leadership (MEML) Online courses are taught by world-class Faculty from the George R. Brown School of Engineering and the nationally-renowned Rice Center for Engineering Leadership. If you live in the Greater Houston, Texas area or are willing to commute, you have the flexibility to take up to three courses on-campus ("online hybrid").

Faculty and Industry Expertise

Our award-winning Faculty combines real-world experience with academic excellence to provide a multi-faceted approach to engineering management. Our faculty members draw from both the School of Engineering and the Rice Center for Engineering Leadership, considered a national thought leader in engineering management and leadership.

Accreditation and Rankings

Rice University's Online Master of Engineering Management & Leadership degree program is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The George R. Brown School of Engineering at Rice University boasts one of the best engineering master's programs, ranking #29 out of 30 in the 2022 U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools.

Tuition and Financial Aid

The current costs for the program are $1,667 per credit hour, which comes to $50,000 for the entire program. Because the Master of Engineering Management & Leadership (MEML) is a non-thesis (non-research) degree, Rice University does not offer tuition waivers, stipends, fellowships, or assistantships for this program. Corporate and employer scholarships are sometimes available, and all accepted students are eligible to apply.

Application and Admission

For Summer 2026, applications (with all completed materials) are due by March 1st, 2026. To learn more about applying to our online Master of Engineering Management & Leadership program, please refer to the Admissions page.

FAQs

• Is Rice University's Online Master of Engineering Management & Leadership an accredited program? Yes, it is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
• What can I do with a MEML degree? An engineering management degree can provide you with the leadership, management, and communication skills needed to advance your career from engineering manager to VP of engineering to Chief Technical Officer (CTO).
• Which is better, a MEML or an MBA? It depends on your passion and career goals. While an MBA provides broad understanding of the core business disciplines, the MEML provides engineers with vital engineering management and leadership skills and cutting-edge data and tech skills.
• Is a Master of Engineering Management & Leadership a STEM degree? Yes, it is a STEM degree.
• Which additional engineering manager certifications can I earn while pursuing my Rice MEML degree? Diligent Rice MEML graduates can obtain two additional certifications, in addition to their engineering management master's degree, before they walk into their new jobs in industry.