Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I have to miss a class weekend?
If you have a valid excuse, your instructors will work with you so that you are not penalized. It’s important to inform them as early as possible. Classmates will also be a valuable resource. Please keep in mind that each class weekend constitutes about 1/4 of the semester’s instruction, so missing a weekend should be avoided if at all possible.

How much out-of-class time is required?
On average, our students tell us that they spend about 10-15 hours per week studying and completing assignments outside of the monthly meetings. However, this amount does vary by semester, and depends on the strengths and weaknesses of each student. The first two semesters in particular tend to be more demanding.

How old is the program?
The Engineering Management program was established on campus in fall 1991, and the outreach version (OEM) began in 1996. The first OEM class graduated in May 1998. There are now more than 900 alumni of the OEM Program.

When will this program be offered?
A new program will begin each fall. We do not have any options to begin the program in the spring or summer semesters.

What are the class meeting times for the program?
Classes meet on Saturdays and Sundays one weekend per month. Classes typically begin at 8:00am and last until around 5:00pm each day, with a one-hour break for lunch (noon-1pm) and periodic short breaks throughout the day. Students take two courses each semester, and each course will typically be delivered in a 4-hour session twice each weekend (e.g., Course A may meet from 8am-noon both Saturday and Sunday, with Course B meeting from 1pm-5pm both Saturday and Sunday).

Can the OEM program help with lodging needs?
Yes, we have made arrangements for special pricing with 3 hotels that are each less than one mile from our classroom facility. We share this rate information with incoming students so they can take advantage of the discounted pricing.

What degree will I earn upon completion of this program?
You will receive an engineering master’s degree–more specifically, a Master of Science degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering with a concentration in Engineering Management.

Can I transfer graduate credits to be counted for completion of this degree?
No. There will be no transfer credits allowed for completion of this program. Due to the unique and lockstep/cohort nature of this program, it is essential that all coursework be taken sequentially and in conjunction with the entire enrollment population.

How does this program differ from the on-campus program?
The part-time program is equivalent academically to our traditional full-time program, and our admissions standards are also the same. Your diploma and transcript will not reflect a distinction. However, OEM is presented in a lockstep, cohort-style format, and you will be taking classes with other working professionals, so networking and collaborative opportunities are outstanding.

I am an international student.  May I enroll using an F1 student visa?
No.  This is a part-time program and does not satisfy the full-time enrollment requirements of an F1 student visa.

Does the UF ISE Department offer an engineering management concentration for full-time traditional students or online students?
No. The engineering management concentration is only available via our weekend-based OEM Program.  We do have a general course of study, as well as several other concentrations, that you can pursue as a full-time or online student in the UF ISE Department.

Are other UF engineering graduate degree programs available for working professionals?
Yes. Various graduate engineering courses, certificate and degree options are available online through UF EDGE (Electronic Delivery of Graduate Engineering) Program.

How does this program differ from an MBA?
The OEM Program includes engineering coursework as well as business coursework (an MBA only includes business coursework), and most students in the OEM Program are engineers or have some other STEM degree.  Although you will earn an engineering degree, the program provides you with the MBA core curriculum and qualifies you to apply for one of UF’s shortened MBA programs, available in both weekend and online format. Our innovative concurrent degree program provides the opportunity to get an MBA (in additional to the MS in ISE) with only twelve more months of classes.

Are there networking opportunities available through the program?
Yes. The program has a cohort structure, so students get to know each other well during the 20 months of classes. The program also provides various opportunities for interacting beyond the classroom setting, including receptions at the end of each semester and occasional regional events which are designed to foster relationships among the OEM network, which includes nearly 1,000 OEM alumni and current students.

What types of opportunities are available for graduates of the program?
There are excellent career opportunities for graduates of this program. Graduates of our traditional engineering master’s program have consistently enjoyed outstanding career opportunities, including placement with companies such as Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, L3Harris Technologies, Motorola, Intel, IBM, Accenture, and Ernst & Young. OEM students have full access to the University’s Career Resource Center, which maintains close connections with nearly all corporate employers of technical graduates. Due to the high caliber of applicants that the program attracts, students will often take classes with and have exposure to hiring managers to the strongest technical employers in the state and beyond.  Networking and collaborative opportunities are excellent.

Should I wait until my application is complete before I submit it?
You are welcome to submit portions of your application as you finish them. Since transcripts and recommendations arrive separately, it is good to have part of your application on file so that the review process can begin earlier.

What about transcripts?
Please send an official transcript from each college, university or professional school you have attended, even if you were not a degree candidate. If you graduated from UF, you do not need to have your UF transcript sent to us. When you indicate on your application that you are a UF graduate, we will know to access your UF record directly. If, however, you have attended other universities since your graduation date, even if you were not a degree candidate, you will need to have a transcript from those institutions forwarded to us. More information about transcript requirements is available on our How to Apply page.

Can I go through the regular University of Florida commencement ceremony?
Yes, we encourage OEM students to do so. You will have the same status as any University of Florida student.

Does the program require that students have a computer?
Yes. A personal computer is an integral part of the educational experience at the University of Florida. Computers will be used for communicating with faculty, staff and other students, as well as completing assignments, statistical analysis and research. Each student is required to have unrestricted access to a computer that meets or exceeds the most updated specifications. You may sometimes need to have a laptop for use during class sessions.

Can my coursework in this program be used to satisfy the continuing education requirement for licensed Professional Engineers in Florida?
Yes. The OEM Program is an approved continuing education provider. Our provider number is EXP 00109. Each hour of classroom instruction is equal to one professional development hour (PDH). More information about the Florida Board of Professional Engineers continuing education requirement is available at fbpe.org/continuing-education/www.fbpe.org/education/.

How is the price of the program determined?
The program is self-supporting, so all costs for offering the program are recovered from student fees. Fees are prorated by credit hour and are due at the beginning of each semester.

When are fees due?
There is a $500 partial pre-payment of the first semester fees due after admission and prior to enrollment in this program. Each semester’s fees are due at the beginning of the semester.  More information is available at the Fees page in our site.

How can I get help to pay for the program?
Many corporations will reimburse for part or all of the program fees. Check with your Human Resources office. This program also qualifies for higher education loans (see below). The Lifetime Learning tax credit may also offer federal income tax relief.  The UF Industrial & Systems Engineering (UF ISE) Department does offer a limited number of scholarships for enrolled UF ISE students.  For more information about other external scholarships and private scholarships, including a link for a scholarship search engine, click here.

Where can I get information about various loan options?
* U.S. Dept. of Education (studentaid.ed.gov/ or www.ed.gov/ 1-800-433-3243)
* FinAid (www.finaid.org/loans/privategrad.phtml)
* UF Student Financial Affairs (www.sfa.ufl.edu/)