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Dr. Robert Voigt is a professor of industrial engineering at Penn State University, a position he’s held for over 30 years. He earned his BS, MS, and PhD in metallurgical engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Prior to joining the faculty at Penn State, Dr. Voigt served as a professor at the University of Kansas.
Dr. Voigt’s research is largely focused on manufacturing, with particular areas of interest including metal casting, pollution prevention, welding, heat treatment, physical metallurgy, and dimensional control. Throughout his career at Penn State University, he has been awarded the Outstanding Teacher Award, the Outstanding Research Award, and the Outstanding Advisor Award. Dr. Voigt is a fellow of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers.
OnlineEngineeringPrograms: What is something you wish the public understood about industrial engineering?
Dr. Voigt: Industrial engineers solve interesting, complex problems on a daily basis using real data and powerful data analysis techniques that lead to improvements in processes, systems, and organizations and at the same time, eliminate waste and unnecessary costs.
OnlineEngineeringPrograms: What advice would you give to aspiring industrial engineering students?
Dr. Voigt: Remember that your education is not just passing through a series of hoops that will lead to a diploma. In school, you are developing personal and professional skills and habits that will propel you into a rewarding professional career along an exciting life-long journey.
OnlineEngineeringPrograms: What does the future of industrial engineering look like to you?
Dr. Voigt: The future of industrial engineering is very bright. Industrial engineers are well-equipped to embrace and improve the complex, interconnected systems that will sustain and improve our quality of life for future generations.
Industrial engineers work in every sector, and their work is in demand in every type of company. Students enrolled in industrial engineering programs learn business management subjects. The curriculum focuses on processes to improve production efficiency and reduce costs. Industrial engineering programs also provide students with the foundations for working with big data.
Students who have yet to take an online course must get acquainted with the delivery method and format of distance education. Most online programs offer a combination of web-based videos, assignments, and discussion forums. Some courses may also include synchronous online lectures. Online students generally learn from the same faculty as on-campus students. Students are encouraged to participate in online discussion forums to enhance their understanding and learning.
While an online program offers flexibility to learn at your own pace, students must also maintain some form of accountability to ensure they complete coursework in time and derive maximum benefits from an online program. Those who succeed in this environment are typically self-motivated and self-starting learners.
| School | City | State | Website | Undergrad | Graduate | Grads |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Clemson |
SC | www.clemson.edu | 407 | |||
College Station |
TX | www.tamu.edu | 373 | |||
West Lafayette |
IN | www.purdue.edu | 337 | |||
Arlington |
TX | www.uta.edu | 216 | |||
Auburn |
AL | www.auburn.edu | 186 | |||
Orlando |
FL | www.ucf.edu | 180 | |||
Ames |
IA | www.iastate.edu | 161 | |||
Buffalo |
NY | www.buffalo.edu | 155 | |||
Raleigh |
NC | www.ncsu.edu | 152 | |||
Bethlehem |
PA | www.lehigh.edu | 133 | |||
Los Angeles |
CA | www.usc.edu | 122 | |||
New York |
NY | www.columbia.edu | 117 | |||
Champaign |
IL | www.illinois.edu | 116 | |||
Stillwater |
OK | www.okstate.edu | 115 | |||
Lubbock |
TX | www.ttu.edu | 103 | |||
Las Cruces |
NM | www.nmsu.edu | 95 | |||
Knoxville |
TN | www.utk.edu | 87 | |||
Miami |
FL | www.fiu.edu | 84 | |||
Manhattan |
KS | www.k-state.edu | 83 | |||
Corvallis |
OR | oregonstate.edu | 83 | |||
Kingsville |
TX | www.tamuk.edu | 79 | |||
Dearborn |
MI | umdearborn.edu | 70 | |||
Newark |
NJ | www.njit.edu | 65 | |||
New York |
NY | www.nyu.edu | 61 | |||
Mississippi State |
MS | www.msstate.edu | 59 | |||
Tallahassee |
FL | www.fsu.edu | 53 | |||
Warrensburg |
MO | www.ucmo.edu | 45 | |||
Southfield |
MI | www.ltu.edu | 36 | |||
Fort Wayne |
IN | cps.indianatech.edu | 31 | |||
Tucson |
AZ | www.arizona.edu | 30 | |||
Beaumont |
TX | www.lamar.edu | 18 | |||
Hays |
KS | www.fhsu.edu | 9 | |||
Scottsdale |
AZ | www.asu.edu | 8 | |||
Washington |
DC | www.gwu.edu | 1 |
While admissions materials for online programs vary by university, they generally are similar to their on-campus counterparts. Here’s a short list of typical admissions requirements for online schools in industrial engineering:
Some programs have additional requirements, including candidate interviews or proof of publication.
Before applying to an online industrial engineering program, aspiring students are encouraged to verify their school’s or program’s accreditation status. In general, accreditation is a proxy for quality since this voluntary process weighs factors such as student outcomes, facilities, faculty, curricular standards, finance administration, and other relevant variables.
Many organizations offer accreditation, but they aren’t all created equal. The predominant approval entities for online industrial engineering programs include the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. (ABET); notably, the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers assists schools with upcoming ABET evaluations. Other entities of note include organizations recognized by the U.S. Department of Education’s Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), such as:
In undergraduate programs in industrial engineering, typical courses include calculus, chemistry, linear algebra, materials, engineering economics, economic analysis, design production, physics, engineering and communication, operations research, quality assurance, engineering statistics, work analysis, and facilities planning. To fulfill breadth requirements, undergraduate students may be required to take several other, non-engineering-related electives.
Graduate students, by contrast, take more advanced coursework in areas including systems engineering, project risk management, operations management, product development, the legal aspects of engineering management, strategic planning, lean manufacturing systems engineering, professional responsibility and ethics, simulation modeling & analysis, cost estimation, large-scale optimization, and other topics. They also may be required to write a thesis or dissertation.
Finally, students in graduate-level industrial engineering programs may also choose to pursue a specialty in human factors, operations research, manufacturing, financial engineering, healthcare engineering, or another area.
In partnership with the Penn State College of Engineering, Penn State World Campus offers a 30-credit online master of engineering program in industrial engineering, preparing students to optimize complex engineering processes and systems to improve quality, safety, and efficiency while reducing cost and waste. Graduates of this program will be provided with an understanding of human factors and ergonomics, operations research, supply chain, service engineering, and manufacturing.
Applicants to the program must hold a bachelor of science degree in a suitable engineering field from a regionally accredited U.S. institution, a minimum 3.0 GPA, official transcripts from each institution attended, three reference letters, a personal statement, and English language proficiency for international students. Official GRE or GMAT test scores will be considered if submitted but are NOT required.
The curriculum includes courses such as advanced engineering economy; retail services engineering; human-centered product design and innovation; linear programming; experimental design in engineering; applied stochastic processes; additive manufacturing processes; mechanics of the musculoskeletal system; and engineering of cognitive work, among others.
Arizona State University offers an online master of science (MS) in an industrial engineering program that prepares students to understand, analyze, and ultimately solve problems within large organizations. The program's faculty includes renowned professionals who consistently receive awards for research and teaching excellence. The U.S. News & World Report ranks this program among the top 50 programs in the nation.
This 30-credit program includes courses such as web-enabled decision support systems; information systems engineering; simulating stochastic systems; production systems; design engineering experiments; regression analysis; reliability engineering; applied deterministic operations research; and applied stochastic operations research models.
Applicants to the program must have a bachelor's or master's degree in software engineering, computer engineering, or a related field from an accredited institution and a minimum grade point average of 3.0. They must submit a completed graduate admission application, official transcripts, a statement of purpose, GRE scores (waivers available), letters of recommendation, and proof of English language proficiency (for applicants with English as a second language).
Graduates of the program have career opportunities in areas such as electronic and computer product manufacturing, engineering services, aerospace product manufacturing, machinery manufacturing, and motor vehicle parts manufacturing.
Purdue University offers an online master of industrial engineering (MSIE) program, ranked first by U.S. News & World Report among online industrial engineering master's programs. Students can earn an MS in industrial engineering or an interdisciplinary MS in engineering (MSE/MS) with a concentration in industrial engineering.
For admission to the program, students must hold an undergraduate degree, and submit a completed online application, a statement of purpose, official transcripts, three letters of recommendation, an official GRE, a current resume, and TOEFL scores for international students.
The program comprises 30 credits and includes courses such as an introduction to systems engineering; lean manufacturing; design of experiments; economic decisions in engineering; stochastic models in operations research; systems simulation; linear programming; safety engineering; and advanced facilities design.
At Oregon State University in Corvallis, professionals with a background in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics may pursue a distance-based master’s degree (MEng) in industrial engineering with a focus on engineering management. This master's degree program combines financial, management, and business knowledge with engineering-specific skills necessary to lead organizations effectively. This program is offered completely online and taught by renowned faculty members known for their expertise, innovation, and research.
The program includes 45 credits of instruction in areas such as project management in engineering; operations management; advanced engineering economic analysis; systems engineering; the legal aspects of engineering and engineering management; project risk management; management of information systems; and strategic planning, among others.
Admission requirements include a bachelor's degree in any of the STEM fields, GRE scores (only required if the bachelor's degree is not from an ABET-accredited institution), a statement of your professional objectives, letters of reference, and undergraduate transcripts.
Upon graduation, students in this online program receive the same degree as the on-campus students. Graduates of the program can move into management and leadership roles. They develop management skills focused on engineering, soft skills for successfully leading teams, and the credibility for influencing executive decision-makers.
At the North Carolina State University in Raleigh, students may pursue an online master’s degree in industrial engineering, which does not require any on-campus residency. This program is ideal for practitioner-oriented professionals seeking graduate-level knowledge in this field. This program also doesn't have any final oral examination or thesis requirements.
To be eligible for the program, students must have a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related discipline from an accredited university or college, a minimum grade point average of 3.0, GRE, three letters of recommendation, and TOEFL or IELTS scores (for international applicants only).
This 33-credit degree includes instruction in six broad-based areas: economic and decision analysis; human factors and ergonomics; manufacturing; production systems; systems analysis and optimization; and computer science, math, and statistics. The courses include applied engineering economy; human factors in systems design; manufacturing process engineering; automated systems engineering; quality engineering; linear programming; and computer networks.
Graduates of the program are prepared for a wide variety of positions, such as advanced manufacturing engineers, industrial engineers, industrial quality or plant engineers, manufacturing engineers, manufacturing process engineers, packaging designers, process industrial engineers, and many more.
Through the University of Southern California, students can pursue an online master of science degree in industrial and systems (MSISE) engineering. This program enhances the technical capabilities of industrial engineers. This MS program is ideal for students wanting to become technical leaders in the field of industrial and systems engineering.
Applicants to the program are expected to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in any engineering or engineering-related discipline, electronic transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, a current resume, personal statement, three letters of recommendation, TOEFL or IELTS scores for international students whose first language is not English.
Courses in the 30-credit ISE program include advanced production planning and scheduling; engineering project management; inventory systems; enterprise-wide information systems; linear programming and extensions; design of experiments; and performance analysis with simulation.
Graduates of the program have access to a vast array of career opportunities in areas such as aerospace, defense, healthcare, automotive, systems engineering, telecommunications, supply chain, manufacturing, and information technology.
Columbia University allows students to pursue an online master of science (MS) degree in industrial engineering or a certificate in the same field. This online master's degree focuses on how complex engineering projects should be managed, designed, and operated.
To get accepted into the program, applicants must have a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field from an accredited academic institution, GRE scores, three letters of recommendation, transcripts, a current resume, a personal-professional statement, and TOEFL/ or IELTS scores for students whose native language is not English.
Classes in this 30-credit distance-based MS program include applied systems engineering; optimization models and methods; probability and statistics; systems engineering: tools and methods; stochastic models, as well as electives in infrastructure and sustainability; mechanical, electrical, and computer systems; biological systems; and management.
New Mexico State University offers a 100 percent online master of science in an industrial engineering program, providing students with the techniques, tools, and skills to work in various organizational settings. The program is ideal for students inclined to problem-solve, work with multidisciplinary teams, and deal with the many aspects of industrial engineering.
For admission to the program, students must hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering from an accredited college or university, a statement of intent, and other requirements stated by the graduate school.
Consisting of 30 credits, the program includes courses such as stochastic processes modeling; queuing systems; systems synthesis & design; evaluation of engineering data; facilities planning and design; advanced engineering economy; and large-scale systems engineering.
Students develop a strong foundational understanding of industrial engineering methodologies and tools, as well as systems' design, installation, and improvement. They will also develop soft skills such as teamwork, writing, communication, problem-solving, and thinking laterally.
Graduates can take up roles such as quality control systems managers, geothermal production managers, wind energy engineers, nanosystems engineers, and biofuels production managers.
The University of Michigan offers an online master’s degree (MSE) in industrial and systems engineering designed for engineers and related professionals who design, install, improve, and evaluate complex integrated systems. The program offers concentrations such as human factors and ergonomics, operations research and management science, quality systems design, manufacturing & automation, information systems, and program management and product development.
The program comprises 30 credits, out of which nine credit credits are for required courses such as design and analysis of experiments; human factors and ergonomics; and production and operations engineering. Students can then complete 12 credits from their chosen concentration.
Admission requirements include a bachelor's degree in engineering, physical science, computer science, or applied mathematics, a course in probability and statistics, a course in operations research, two official transcripts, and two letters of recommendation. GRE scores are not required for admission.
Students will develop knowledge and skills to help them design, manage, and install large integrated engineering systems.
Georgia Institute of Technology’s H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering offers an online master of science in industrial engineering program providing a graduate-level introduction to the broad field of industrial engineering. Students in this program study under faculty members who actively engage in research, teaching students about the latest developments in industrial engineering.
The major admission requirements include an undergraduate bachelor of science degree or the equivalent, GRE scores, official transcripts, a document of lawful presence, personal statements, a professional resume, and three references. International applicants must take and submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
The program comprises 30 credits. The coursework explores topics such as manufacturing systems; regression analysis; transportation & supply chain systems; statistical methods; simulation; warehousing systems, probabilistic models and their applications; linear optimization; and computational statistics.
Louisiana State University offers an online master of science program in industrial engineering, preparing students to enter the workforce in multiple fields beyond manufacturing, such as IT, energy, healthcare, analytics, transportation, and banking. Students in this program will gain the required knowledge and skills in problem-solving and identification through data collection, data analysis, and experiment design, and gain a broad knowledge base in industrial engineering as a whole.
This program is specifically ideal for professionals who wish to take on leadership roles and help organizations manage innovation and implement cutting-edge change initiatives needed to cut costs and improve operations.
Admission requirements to the program include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with a GPA of 3.0, official transcripts, three letters of recommendation, a professional resume, and a personal statement. GRE scores are not required for admission.
The 36-credit program includes courses such as project management, advanced engineering statistics, applied occupational ergonomics, safety engineering, systems engineering in healthcare, human integration with computers, queueing models and applications, and supply chain and logistics systems.
The program graduates will be ready for positions such as industrial engineers, management analysts, industrial production managers, industrial engineering managers, human factors engineers, supply chain and logistics managers, and logisticians.
These numbers represent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from May 2023—the latest figures available as of July 2024.
Industrial Engineers
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Meet several top professors of systems engineering who teach at well-regarded universities, and who contribute both to the field of systems engineering and to the knowledge of students in their respective programs.
