MSEM

MS in Engineering Management (MSEM)

Transform Your Engineering Expertise Into Leadership Impact

The MS in Engineering Management (MSEM) is for experienced engineers ready to become strategic leaders—those who want to shape strategy and drive execution. Built for technical professionals who see the bigger picture, we'll help you master both operational excellence and entrepreneurial thinking to lead at the highest levels.

Through hands-on projects with real organizations and mentorship from executives who've walked your path, you'll gain the business fluency and leadership frameworks that transform technical expertise into executive influence. Over half our part-time students are promoted before graduating—that's leadership development delivering immediate results.

  • Over 50% promoted before graduating
  • 95% recommend
  • Part-time + full-time options
  • Employer sponsorship available
  • 30 years proven success

Engineering Mastery Meets Executive Influence

You solve complex problems and build critical systems. Your technical expertise has brought you this far. But you sense there’s more.

This is where your engineering foundation becomes your leadership advantage. Where technical mastery transforms into strategic influence. Where you evolve from being the expert in the room to the leader setting the agenda.

And here’s what sets MSEM apart: Our students don’t wait for graduation to advance. They apply what they learn immediately. Over half our part-time students get promoted while still in the program. That’s applied business in action.

Three Pillars of Leadership That Scale Careers

The MSEM develops three essential capabilities that transform experienced engineers into strategic leaders:

1. Data-Driven Decision Making
Transform data into decisions that drive business outcomes. Master frameworks that turn complexity into clarity.

2. Business Insight
Engineering excellence got you here. Business fluency gets you heard. Master the language of finance, marketing, and strategy.

3. Emotional Intelligence
Lead people, not just projects. Build teams that deliver breakthrough results. Navigate organizational dynamics with confidence.

MSEM

Built for How Engineering Leaders Actually Work

Built for Your Reality

  • Project-aligned: 7-week courses match your development cycles.
  • Operations-ready: Designed for professionals managing critical systems.
  • Flexible formats: Online, in-person, or both. Your choice.
  • Working professional friendly: Evening classes, recorded sessions.
  • Employer sponsorship available.

Choose Your Path

Keep Working, Keep Leading (Part-Time)

Continue driving results at work while transforming your leadership trajectory. Take 2-3 years at your pace with recorded 60-minute evening classes from anywhere, or join us on campus when you can. Start in Fall, Spring, or Summer, and switch between part-time and full-time as your life demands. 70% choose this path, implementing Monday what they learned the previous week.

Full Immersion Fast Track (Full-Time)

Ready for accelerated transformation? Complete your degree in 1 – 1.5 years immersed in Boston’s innovation hub. Perfect for career pivots and international students (F-1 and J-1 visa eligible).

Inside the MSEM Program

Take a look inside the MS in Engineering Management at Tufts and discover how the educational philosophy, dedicated faculty, and flexible curriculum of the program prepare you for success at every stage of your career.

Curriculum: Your Strategic Leadership Roadmap

Core

Master the essential capabilities through accelerated 7-week courses.

Our core curriculum builds mastery in five essential skills: strategic thinking, leadership ability, business knowledge, data-driven decision making, and product-process development. Each skill directly addresses the challenges engineering leaders face when moving from technical to strategic roles. You'll apply everything through two transformative milestone projects—a team-based New Product Development Project and an individual Capstone Leadership Project that transforms an actual challenge in your organization.

Electives

Choose courses that deepen your expertise and expand your impact.

Select from TGI courses including Lean Six Sigma certification, supply chain management, innovation management, and more—all designed for engineering leaders by engineering leaders. Or earn elective credit through Immersive Experiences, intensive weekend deep-dives into leadership strategies, product management, or business analytics.

Extend

Enhance your degree with additional opportunities that fit your goals.

  • Co-Op: Apply classroom frameworks to engineering challenges through up to six months of full-time work experience. Transform theory into practice while exploring new industries or functions.
  • Extra Semester: International students can pace their studies and pursue Curricular Practical Training (CPT), building US professional networks while extending their learning beyond one year.
  • Dual Degree: Combine engineering depth with management breadth. Pursue MSEM plus a technical MS to become the rare leader who can go deep on technology while thinking strategically about business, and save 20% on both degrees.
  • Fifth Year Fast-Track: Tufts undergrads jumpstart their leadership journey, earning their MSEM in just one additional year. Enter the workforce with both a technical foundation and management capability.
View the MSEM Curriculum

The TGI Advantage: Your Engineering Leadership Ecosystem

As an MSEM student, you'll access an integrated ecosystem designed to transform technical expertise into executive leadership:

World-Class Practitioner Faculty

  • Learn from executives actively leading engineering transformations
  • Work with mentors who've scaled operations at your target companies
  • Benefit from professors who teach frameworks that succeed in boardrooms and beyond
  • Connect with advisors who understand both technical depth and business strategy

Innovation Resources & Support

  • Gordon Institute executive development and leadership frameworks
  • Derby Entrepreneurship Center for driving intrapreneurship at your company
  • Auster Center partnerships for cutting-edge research and innovation
  • Access to industry collaborations and transformation case studies

Career Transformation

  • Over 50% of part-time students promoted before graduating
  • Executive coaching and leadership development workshops
  • Employer sponsorship guidance and documentation support
  • Direct connections to engineering leaders across industries

Your Engineering Community

  • Join 15,000+ TGI alumni leading across every sector
  • Connect with peers from Fortune 500s, startups, defense, energy, and biotech
  • Build relationships with recent grads to seasoned professionals
  • Access a network that opens doors throughout your career

Applied Learning That Works

  • 7-week courses that match your development cycles
  • Projects that transform actual challenges in your organization
  • Flexible formats: online, in-person, or hybrid
  • Immediate application—implement Monday what you learned last week
Students working together

Is MSEM Right For You?

Perfect Fit:

  • Engineers ready to expand their influence beyond technical contributions
  • Recent grads with engineering degrees seeking accelerated leadership paths
  • Experienced professionals with 7-10+ years ready for executive roles
  • Technical minds who see the bigger picture and want to shape it

Your Future Cohort:

  • Engineers, operations managers, R&D leaders, and technical innovators
  • Mix of recent graduates and seasoned professionals
  • Representing industries from biotech to defense to sustainable energy
  • Shared trait: Ready to lead transformation and drive strategic change

Life After MSEM:

  • Over 50% promoted before graduating (part-time students)
  • 95% recommend to colleagues
  • Leading at companies across all sectors and sizes
  • Driving innovation from startups to Fortune 500s

Data collected from 2014-2019 MSEM graduates

MSEM vs MSTML: Quick Guide

Choose MSEM if you’re in:

  • Manufacturing
  • Engineering
  • Operations
  • Quality Systems
  • Product Management
  • R&D

Choose MSTML if you’re in:

  • Data Science
  • Software
  • Tech Consulting
  • Digital Transformation
  • Technical Marketing
  • Product Management
  • R&D
Explore MSTML

Application Deadlines

  • Fall (part-time or full-time)

    Priority Deadline: January 15
    Regular Deadline: March 15
    Rolling Admissions: March 16 - August 1

    Note: International applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by March 15 to allow for ample time to obtain an F-1 visa.

    Spring (part-time only)

    Priority Deadline: November 14
    Final Deadline: December 15

  • Fall

    Priority Deadline: January 15
    Regular Deadline: March 15
    Rolling Admissions: March 16 - August 1

    Note: International applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by March 15 to allow for ample time to obtain an F-1 visa.

  • Fall

    Seniors: January 15

    Tufts students who apply to the Fifth-Year Master’s Program will receive an expedited review of their application. Admissions decisions are typically released within one month from the date the application is completed.

Data collected from 2014-2019 MSEM graduates