Title: Postgraduate management study options for engineers

Authors: Stuart Palmer

Addresses: School of Engineering and Technology, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria 3216, Australia

Abstract: Most professional engineers will spend a significant proportion of their careers as managers of technology, and large numbers of engineers seek formal education in management at the postgraduate level. Study options include the Master of Business Administration, Master of Engineering Management, and management of technology programs. This paper reviews the literature on postgraduate engineering management education to examine the documented claims for and against particular options. The diversity of engineers and engineering practice will ensure a diversity of postgraduate management education needs, which will be best served by a diversity of options for study. Diversity of options is a strength not a weakness; there is not a single ||best|| option for management education for engineering graduates. As long as they offer relevance, convenience, interest and value, the various postgraduate management study options with their particular distinctions and emphasis on technology or management will find a ready audience.

Keywords: engineering management; Master of Business Administration; Master of Engineering Management; management of technology; engineering education; postgraduate education; lifelong learning.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCEELL.2003.004009

International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning, 2003 Vol.13 No.5/6, pp.546 - 555

Published online: 10 May 2004 *

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