EMGT.PHD - PhD in Engineering Management

DOCTORAL PROGRAM IN ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT

General Information

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) focuses on developing skills needed to conduct rigorous research in areas related to the improvement, design, and management of projects and programs within complex human-technological systems. These systems include engineering systems, healthcare systems, service systems, and logistical/transportation systems. Through a combination of coursework and directed research, the Department of Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management will provide a solid foundation and depth of engineering management theory and practice, provide breadth and depth across multiple types of human technological systems, and contribute to the body and knowledge in engineering management.

Program Goals and Objectives

The goal of this program is to prepare graduates with appropriate technical depth and breadth of knowledge so that they may be successful educators, researchers, and practitioners in the management of engineering and technology. Graduates of this program will demonstrate:

A solid foundation and depth in engineering and management theory and practice;

A breadth across multiple types of human technological systems; and

An ability to contribute to the body of knowledge in engineering management.

These objectives will be assessed via coursework in related areas, class projects, dissertation completion, and publication of research work.

Program Structure

The following outlines the degree and curricular requirements for the program. In addition to the required coursework each student must complete a preliminary examination, a comprehensive examination, a proposal defense, and finally a dissertation defense in order to obtain the degree. Students must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Students may also have no more than two course grades of 'C' or lower.

Credit Hour Requirements

Graduate Coursework : at least 57 credit hours beyond BS; at least 30 credit hours beyond MS; 60% of the PhD courses (incl. dissertation) must be at 700 or higher level and 70% of all graduate courses (incl. dissertation) must be at 600 or higher level.

Dissertation : at least 27 credit hours.

Preliminary Examination

Before completing five terms at Western New England University, a student (full-time) must pass the preliminary examination administered by the department. A student may attempt the examination no more than twice. The examination will be based on the subject material from EMGT 643, EMGT 635, EMGT 648, EMGT 701, and EMGT 704/EMGT 604.

Advisor, Advisory Committee, and Plan of study

Before completing six terms at Western New England University, a student (full-time) must select a major advisor and an advisory committee: With the assistance of the advisor, the student must prepare a plan of study that must be approved by the advisory committee and department chair before the comprehensive examination is attempted. Advisory committees will consist of at least three departmental members (one of which must be the major advisor) and at least one member from outside the department.

Dissertation Approval Examination (proposal defense)

Students must prepare a written dissertation research proposal and present it orally. A student must be continuously enrolled in EMGT 770-799 (Dissertation) after the dissertation approval examination.

Dissertation Defense

Students must successfully defend their dissertation through written and oral presentation. Students must complete this milestone within eight years of initial enrollment into the program.

Degree Requirements

CORE COURSES (15-21 HOURS)

A student who enters the program and does not have a Master of Science Degree in Engineering Management or a closely related field also needs to complete the following:

Subtotal: 21 cr.

ELECTIVE COURSES (9-15 HOURS)

Subtotal: 9-15 cr.

Students may also enroll in no more than two MBA courses to satisfy any remaining course requirements. These courses require the approval of the student's advisory committee.

DISSERTATION RESEARCH (27 cr. minimum)

Subtotal: 27 cr.

Total Credit Hours: 57