Many students working in technical settings have seen the advantage of getting both an advanced technical degree and an MBA degree. An option is available to allow graduates of UF’s MBA program to complete the Outreach Engineering Management (OEM) Program in a shortened amount of time and coursework. OEM awards a Master of Science degree in industrial and systems engineering with a concentration in engineering management.
UF MBA graduates may transfer in nine (9) credit hours from their MBA career, with only 21 credit hours of additional coursework required. Students must take the 17-credit OEM engineering sequence (via one-weekend-per-month class meetings — see below), and then choose at least four (4) credit hours of electives. To meet the elective coursework requirement, students may select from a variety of graduate level engineering courses offered through UF’s EDGE Program. The shortened degree program can be completed in as few as 5 semesters.
OEM Program Overview:
The OEM Program is a lock-step program in which a cohort of technically trained students takes the same courses over a period of twenty months (five semesters) via one-weekend-per-month class sessions. This setting provides excellent networking opportunities, and students get to know each other well throughout the program, completing much of the required coursework through team-based assignments. UF MBA graduates who opt for the shortened degree option will join the cohort, but will only be required to take the engineering sequence, since they have already completed equivalent business coursework.
The standard OEM curriculum (see www.ise.ufl.edu/oemp/curr) is delivered live by University of Florida faculty, with two courses each term, one from the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering and one from the Warrington College of Business (but as mentioned above, UF MBA grads do not have to retake the business sequence). The core of the engineering portion of the curriculum is optimization and statistics. Complex business systems can be modeled mathematically, and the resulting models optimized as aids to informed decision making. By developing probability and statistics models, managers can manage risk, and monitor and control business processes for maximum effectiveness. By managing complex logistics functions, manufacturing and service processes can be designed and operated to gain competitive advantage. The curriculum offers an excellent preparation for a management career in the technical realm, since it combines important technical skills with a solid preparation in business fundamentals.
The outreach version of the engineering management Master’s degree option began in 1996. The flexible one-weekend-per-month format allows working professionals from other geographical areas to commute to classes, which meet in Orlando. The program has nearly 1,000 alumni.
Curriculum
| Course | Course Name | Instructor | Credits | Cost* | |
| 1. Fall | ESI 6314 | Deterministic Methods in Operations Research | Guan | 4 | $3,740 |
| 2. Spring | ESI 6346 | Decision Making Under Uncertainty | Semenov | 3 | $2,805 |
| 3. Summer | ESI 6323 | Models for Supply Chain Management | Li | 3 | $2,805 |
| 4. Fall | EIN 6176 | Advanced Quality Management and Engineering for Business Processes | Reisi | 3 | $2,805 |
| 5. Spring | EIN 6905 | Master’s Project | varies | 4 | $3,740 |
| Transferred MBA coursework | 9 | ||||
| (flexible) | (varies) | Elective coursework | varies | >4 | (varies) |
| Total Credits Required | 30 |
Admissions Requirements for Shortened Degree Option:
Technical bachelor’s degree
Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university.
MBA degree from University of Florida
Eligible candidates must have successfully completed the MBA degree at the University of Florida. Students with an MBA from another institution are not eligible to take advantage of this shortened degree opportunity, but may still be admitted to the standard OEM Program.
Work experience
Two years of full-time, professional work experience (or equivalent) is preferred. Exceptions can sometimes be made when the rest of the application is strong.
Acceptable grades
A GPA of 3.0 or higher in the upper division of undergraduate study (including all coursework completed after the first 60 semester hours or the first 90 quarter hours) is also preferred. Grades in the prerequisite coursework shown below are particularly important. Acceptable grades during the MBA are also required and will be emphasized for admissions purposes.
Prerequisite coursework
Knowledge of calculus, matrix methods, computer programming, probability and statistics.
Application Procedure:
Students who wish to enroll in the shortened degree option must apply and be admitted. Please notify the OEM Program Office (oemprogram@ise.ufl.edu) of your plans to apply as soon as possible.
IMPORTANT: The shortened degree option is only offered on a space-available basis. Priority in admissions decisions will be given to applicants who will be pursuing the standard 10-course OEM curriculum. If you have questions or would like to discuss this shortened degree option, please contact Patsy Messinger (352-392-0982 or messinger@ise.ufl.edu).