Is Engineering Management Right for Me?

The MEM degree may be right for you if...

  • you are a science or engineering major interested in developing skills in business, technology management, or entrepreneurship
  • you are interested in technology leadership or a career in industrial management, high technology management, R&D management or technology entrepreneurship in a start-up company
  • you would like to combine a core management curriculum with a master's level technical education
  • you are seeking an alternative to a traditional masters in engineering or an MBA

Read more about our campus and distance options to determine which will fit your needs, or view the class profile for each option below.

How does the MEM compare to an MBA or traditional engineering MS?

There are several key differences between Duke's MEM Program and other graduate programs, including MBA and traditional engineering programs.

Program Options

Duke's MEM program

MBA Programs

Traditional Engineering MS/PhD Programs

Curriculum

Tech-based core courses in marketing, management, finance, and law, with a wide range of technical electives in engineering, management, or business, plus unique seminar/workshop series and an internship component

A broad range of core subjects including economics, marketing, accounting, finance, and others, with specialized courses in corporate strategy, management, human resources, international business, and organizational behavior

Research-based curriculum focused on developing advanced technical comprehension in a specific technical discipline

Undergraduate Education

Requires an undergraduate degree in any engineering or science discipline

Attracts students from a wide variety of undergraduate disciplines

Requires an undergraduate degree in a specific engineering or science discipline

Duration 

Campus Program can be completed in as little as one year;
Distance Program can be completed in as little as two years

Traditional programs are two years long

Two to eight or more years, depending on the discipline and degree sought

Work Experience 

Recommended for students with fewer than five years of work experience, and tailored for students in the earliest stages of their careers

Highly-ranked programs in the United States require years of work experience

Varies, depending on the discipline and degree sought

Student Career Goals

Interest in management in a technology-based organization

Interest in executive level management.

Interest in research or academic positions

The Master of Engineering Management Programs Consortium (MEMPC) also offers a helpful chart that compares the MEM degree to an MBA.  

Do I qualify for Duke's MEM Program?

Applicants often ask for an assessment of their candidacy for the MEM Program. Submit your preliminary information now.

Is The Campus Option Right for Me?

The MEM's campus option is best for students who

  • seek a full-or-part-time masters degree in a vibrant campus environment in beautiful Durham, North Carolina
  • seek maximum flexibility in technical electives and a wide variety of student activities
  • want to start the program in fall or spring

Is The Distance Option Right for Me?

The MEM's distance option is best for students who 

  • want the same high-quality curriculum offered through our campus option but cannot interrupt their career for a full-time residential graduate program
  • are highly organized and self-motivated
  • have a supportive work environment which allows flexibility in meeting graduate requirements
  • are able to commit to three one-week on-campus residencies
  • can maintain excellence in work and educational demands simultaneously

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