Can I Earn an MSEM While Working Full-Time?

The simple answer: yes! Read on to learn what makes the part-time MSEM program flexible enough to fit into your busy schedule.

In short, yes - it is possible, and rather common, for working professionals to earn a Master of Science in Engineering Management (MSEM) while continuing to work full-time. In fact, at Tufts Gordon Institute, part-time students make up the majority of the MSEM program, with many working in industry while completing the program. The reason is simple: this program is specifically designed for engineers and technical professionals who want to advance their careers without stepping away from the workforce.

Flexible programs like the MS in Engineering Management at Tufts Gordon Institute offer opportunities for students to customize the roadmap they follow throughout the program so that they can choose the best way to balance graduate education with professional responsibilities. Evening courses, online options, accelerated or extended curriculums, and opportunities for weekend on-campus Immersive Experiences make it possible to build leadership and business skills while continuing to gain industry experience.

Why Professionals Pursue an MSEM While Working

Many engineers and tech professionals reach a point in their careers where they realize they want to move into more of a leadership position and continue moving into higher management positions, rather than continue to focus on purely technical roles for the duration of their career. To move into these positions, technical expertise alone is often not enough. Employers increasingly look for professionals who can manage projects, lead teams, communicate across departments, and make strategic business decisions.

There is also an increase in pay that makes these high-level management roles enticing to professional engineers; the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that engineering managers earned a median salary of $167,740 in 2024, with the field projected to continue growing through 2034. The Bureau also notes that many engineering managers earn graduate degrees such as an MSEM in order to further their education and move their professional careers forward.

For working professionals, earning an MSEM part-time offers several advantages:

Continuing to earn a full-time salary while pursuing a graduate degree
The ability to apply classroom learning directly to real workplace challenges, in real time
The opportunity to build leadership and management skills without leaving a technical field
Expanding professional networks through peers, faculty, and alumni
Positioning themselves for advancement into engineering leadership, operations, product management, or strategy roles

What Makes Part-Time MSEM Programs Flexible?

Modern engineering management programs are designed around the schedules of working professionals because of the popularity of students wanting to balance their careers with furthering their education. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, approximately 45% of graduate students in the United States complete their master's degrees in a part-time capacity (as of 2023).

Tufts Gordon Institute's (TGI) MS in Engineering Management part-time program was developed more than 30 years ago to support this growing population of professionals wanting to continue their education and careers simultaneously. This program has taken different forms at Tufts over the years as the curriculum and format was adjusted to best fit what students were looking for; currently, Tufts offers a flexible approach to part-time students so that they can complete the program in a way that best fits their schedule.

The Tufts MSEM stands out as particularly flexible for working professionals because:

Students are able to complete the program in as little as two years, or as much as four years
No two semesters have to look the same; students can adjust their course load each semester based on their current workload
Synchronous sessions of online courses are offered in the evening to accommodate full-time working schedules
Part-time students can take both online courses and in-person courses

Is It Difficult to Balance Working Full-Time and Going to Graduate School?

Balancing work and graduate school requires time management and organization, but many working professionals find that a few years of hard work is worthwhile because of the immediate career value. With flexibility offered in the curriculum, part-time students often take one or two courses per term while maintaining their full-time jobs. In Tufts' MS in Engineering Management program, the core courses are 7 weeks long to mimic the fast pace of a working environment and to allow further flexibility for working student schedules. Some employers also provide tuition assistance or flexible scheduling support for employees pursuing advanced degrees — it's worth checking with your employer to see if this is an option for you.

In a 2026 alumni survey, many Tufts MSEM alumni noted how the program was well situated for working professionals;

"Choosing the Tufts MSEM really was all about the flexibility. I'm busy, I'm a mom, I work full time, and I don't have a lot of time. So, being able to do things at my own pace and build a curriculum around my schedule was very helpful. This has made the MSEM a very positive impact for me".
Andrea Webb, MSEM'24

Additional alumni mentioned that the program was immediately applicable to their work; they expanded leadership opportunities, increased confidence, and career advancement, with 95% of survey 2026 respondents reporting that they were promoted while enrolled in the MSEM. The key to this advancement is choosing a program designed for working professionals rather than one built exclusively around traditional full-time students.

Who Should Consider a Part-Time MSEM?

A part-time Master's of Science in Engineering Management is a strong fit for:

Engineers preparing for management or leadership roles
Technical professionals seeking business and communication skills
Project leads managing cross-functional teams
Engineers who want leadership growth without pursuing a traditional MBA

Unlike a general MBA, an MSEM focuses specifically on leadership within technical and engineering environments. Students learn how to bridge the gap between engineering expertise and business strategy while remaining closely connected to technology and innovation.

The Long-Term Career Value of an MSEM

For many professionals, earning an MSEM while working full-time accelerates both technical and leadership growth at the same time. Instead of pausing a career to return to school, students continue building professional experience while developing advanced management and business capabilities in their courses.

As industries increasingly rely on leaders who understand both technology and business strategy, engineering management degrees continue to grow in relevance across sectors including healthcare, manufacturing, robotics, AI, software, sustainability, and consulting.

For engineers who want to lead teams, drive innovation, and expand their impact without leaving the workforce, a part-time MSEM can provide a practical and flexible path forward.