For working professionals in lower-level engineering and technology jobs, an accelerated engineering management degree program online can make an important difference. There are many advantages and reasons to enroll in an accelerated engineering management degree program. Not only do graduates of an accelerated engineering management degree program typically earn promotions or upward movement in the company, but they also earn more. Some promotions and management advancement positions also come with an upgrade in benefits and or perks.
Engineering management and technology management programs offer numerous ways to make the process faster, including credits for work experience, generous tuition transfer options, and multiple, short terms. When you want to get your credentials and see a boost in your career quickly, an accelerated online engineering management degree program is a good bet.
Methodology: Ranking the Best Accelerated Engineering Management Degree Programs
Bachelor’s Degree Center editors know working adults and other nontraditional students want to see a return on their investment, so we feature only accredited, reputable schools. We rank programs using current IPEDS and Niche data, including tuition cost, student reviews, and salary potential.
1. Excelsior College
Excelsior College offers a BPS in Technology Management. This accelerated engineering management degree program has a highly generous credit transfer policy. It accepts an average of 74 credits per student, and it counts professional and military experience toward school credit. The program is fully online and flexible, making it a good choice for adult students. It covers the skills that learners will need to become a part of today’s engineering workforce. Students can choose from several concentrations to customize their degree program.
Excelsior College is focused specifically on distance education for adult learners, especially for underrepresented adults. It has accelerated options and other resources to make these degree programs work for its students, no matter how busy those students may be outside of their courses. Excelsior College meets students where they are instead of asking students to jump through hoops for their education. The school combines academic excellence with specialized career training.
What We Like: In addition to credit for military and professional experience, Excelsior offers credit for professional licensure and exams.
Program: BPS in Technology Management
Excelsior College BPS in Technology Management
2. Tarleton State University
At Tarleton State University, the Manufacturing and Industrial Management program is designed for working and professional adults. With this accelerated engineering management program, students add to their current technical and manufacturing skills. They also learn about leadership and management, and how they can get the best outcomes from team members in the workplace. This engineering management program imparts deep knowledge of today’s manufacturing business, and it shows students how they can succeed in it.
Tarleton State University is part of the Texas A&M University system, so its students become part of a dynamic learning community as soon as they enroll. Tarleton thrives in many areas, especially business, technology, and healthcare. It’s a top choice for STEM students. Although Tarleton provides big-school resources, it has a small enough student-to-faculty ratio to make learning feel personal. The school blends academics and research to make a difference. It’s known for its affordability.
What We Like: Tarleton University is ranked in the top 100 regional universities in the West.
Program: BAAS in Manufacturing and Industrial Management
Tarleton State University BAAS in Manufacturing and Industrial Management
3. Grantham University
With Grantham University’s BS in Engineering Management Technology, students can transfer up to 75% of their credits. This accelerated engineering management degree program teaches the skills students need to get started in the workforce and rise through the ranks. Classes cover how to manage high levels of responsibility and how to manage business issues. At the same time, they teach core engineering skills to increase students’ technical expertise.
Grantham University is intentionally flexible and affordable so it can remove barriers and make education accessible. This 100% online university is built for adult learners. The school has 70 years of distance learning experience. It helps students tap into their talents and make the most of their skills. It draws students who want to realize their own potential while making the world a better place.
What We Like: Grantham University has been named a Military-Friendly school for 12 years in a row, as of 2021.
Program: BS in Engineering Management Technology
Grantham University BS in Engineering Management Technology
4. American Military University
American Military University’s BAS in Technical Management helps students take on management roles in technical settings. It’s an accelerated engineering management degree program that lets students transfer up to 90 credits. The program combines technical skills with management and organizational skills. It covers topics like market supply and quality control. It also covers business topics like project management and budgeting. Courses start monthly, so the program provides a lot of flexibility.
American Military University is a member of the American Public University system. It was founded to meet the needs of active-duty military members and veterans. That’s why it provides a lot of flexibility and plenty of distance learning opportunities. American Military University helps current military students as well as those who are transitioning into civilian life. It provides military-quality excellence across several fields.
What We Like: American Military University is the #1 education provider for US military members and veterans.
Program: BAS in Technical Management
American Military University BAS in Technical Management
5. American Public University
American Public University offers a BS in Technical Management. With this accelerated engineering management degree, students can enhance their technical skills while learning how to manage projects and keep team members engaged. Students also learn about effective research, analysis, and communication. They prepare to succeed in any number of technical environments. This fully online degree program has courses that last from 8 to 16 weeks long.
American Public University has merged with American Military University to create the American Public University System. American Public University takes AMU’s military-quality commitment and provides it to all kinds of working adults who need a flexible and affordable education. This school makes education goals accessible and achievable. For example, it requires no entrance exams. APU doesn’t compromise on academic and career training excellence.
What We Like: APU provides textbooks and eBooks at no cost to undergraduate students.
Program: BS in Technical Management
American Public University BS in Technical Management
6. Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green State University’s BS in Management and Technology is one of the top online programs at the school. For this accelerated engineering management program, students have the flexibility of choosing from several start dates. The program teaches important skills and knowledge for both management and technology. Students can use these skills to move up in the workforce and potentially gain a higher salary.
At Bowling Green State, the two biggest parts of its mission are advancing the public good and helping students move forward. This means creating some of the latest research and technology. It also means providing academic excellence and relevant career training. BGSU strives to help students become as successful as possible. It does so by providing the most relevant and meaningful academic experience possible.
What We Like: BGSU has been ranked #5 in the United States for veterans and active military members.
Program: BS in Management and Technology
Bowling Green State University BS in Management and Technology
7. California University of Pennsylvania
California University of Pennsylvania’s BS in Industrial Technology Management lets students transfer at least 30 credits. For those who want to become leaders in a high-demand field, this accelerated engineering management degree program can help them achieve their goals. The program covers how to excel in skills like quality control, safety oversight, team management, and more. Students prepare for job growth and career success, as this program surpasses education standards for technology management.
California University of Pennsylvania helps students meet challenges head-on and find unique solutions to those challenges. This way, students reach beyond their perceived limits and realize their full potential. This school has won several awards and high rankings for academics. Its online programs are just as important as its campus programs, and the added flexibility makes the degree process more accessible to busy students.
What We Like: At the California University of Pennsylvania, the Industrial Technology Management degree has a 100% job placement rate.
Program: BS in Industrial Technology Management
California University of Pennsylvania BS in Industrial Technology Management
8. Regent University
Regent University offers a BA in Leadership Studies with a focus on Information Technology. It’s similar to an accelerated engineering management degree program. The program emphasizes team management skills and teaches students how to apply these skills to IT situations. It’s a good choice for those who want to focus specifically on computers and data. Courses teach students how to sharpen their troubleshooting skills and other technology skills. Many of the teachers in this program hold the highest degrees in their field.
Regent University is a Christian University with a global focus. It aims to change the world and help its students do the same. Both its online and on-campus programs have a reputation for excellence. Regent provides quality learning platforms and environments, both online and in the classroom. Regent takes a student-centered learning approach that helps learners achieve their goals.
What We Like: US News and World Report has ranked Regent University as the #1 best online bachelor’s program for nine years in a row.
Program: BA in Leadership Studies — Information Technology
Regent University BA in Leadership Studies
9. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s BS in Technical Management is designed both for those who have already started management careers and those who haven’t stepped into the field yet. This accelerated engineering management degree program helps students build and leverage their skills for promotions and salary increases. Students also learn how to make evidence-based decisions in the tech field. This specialized degree program helps students set themselves apart.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University focuses on technology, aviation, science, and business. It draws a lot of students who want to change the world through STEM. Because it focuses exclusively on these fields, STEM students at Embry-Riddle make the most of their education and enjoy some of the best learning resources available. This school helps students turn their goals into professions. It also helps them get the most out of these professions when they enter the workforce.
What We Like: Embry-Riddle had the first College of Security and Intelligence in the United States.
Program: BS in Technical Management
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University BS in Technical Management
10. Southern New Hampshire University
Southern New Hampshire University’s BS in Technical Management helps students maximize their problem-solving and leadership skills. Students elevate their technical knowledge while learning how the business side of technology works. In this accelerated engineering management degree program, learners can excel in everything from audio production to welding. Meanwhile, they learn how to handle business responsibilities and maintain team respect.
Southern New Hampshire University does have a physical campus, but most of its students are online learners. As a result, this school is a leader in online learning, and it excels at providing online resources. This fast-growing university has a mission to transform students’ lives. Students here are challenged every day. Southern New Hampshire University focuses on problem-solving and making an impact through education.
What We Like: SNHU has not raised its tuition rates in ten years.
Program: BS in Technical Management
Southern New Hampshire University BS in Technical Management
What If I Want to Add to My Existing Bachelor’s?
In most cases, students already enrolled in engineering or management programs will ask the question, what if I want to add to my existing bachelor’s. As it will be discussed later, this is one of the most difficult aspects, and one reason why earning an engineering management bachelor’s is such a special accomplishment.
Along with requiring a bachelor’s degree, many in pursuit of engineering management and project management roles look into earning an engineering management certificate or an engineering project management certificate. A certificate in engineering management or an online engineering management certificate is also a common part of the process and steps towards becoming an engineering manager.
These engineering management certificate programs do more than verify and validate the education, skills, and expertise of program graduates, it also plays a vital role in earning a position as an engineering or engineering project manager. Those who are seeking a career as an engineering manager will need to do more than get a degree, they will also be advised to earn a certificate in engineering management.
It will also become evident to those seeking these lofty goals, how an online engineering management certificate can provide some invaluable benefits. Namely, those will be time and convenience, and as we will see next, those are very valuable commodities in pursuit of an engineering management bachelor’s degree.
How Do I Become an Engineering Manager?
There are several requirements to becoming an engineering manager. A couple of those requirements have already been discussed, but there is more work to do for anyone who wants to know how to become an engineering manager. It doesn’t matter if you want to know how to become an engineering manager, how to become an engineer project manager, or another advanced engineering role, demands must be met.
The first and most important step in how to become an engineering project manager is to earn that engineering bachelor’s degree. It has also been mentioned, and it is advised by most engineering managers, that an engineering certificate should be earned in addition to your degree.
The next step to the process involves finally pursuing the master’s in engineering degree, but there are still more steps for those who want to know, how do you become an engineering manager? After earning a bachelor’s, and a master’s in engineering degree, and following the completion of an engineering certificate program, one final step remains.
As the final step to becoming an engineering manager, most engineering management positions (as in almost all of them) will require work experience too. This is where it becomes quite evident of just how difficult it can be to earn the title of engineering or engineering project manager.
This is also about the time many ask, just how long does it take to become an engineering manager? Fortunately, the process isn’t as difficult as it sounds, but it is by no means easy, or else everyone would become an engineering manager.
During the process of earning a bachelor’s degree, or while earning their master’s degree, many students work through an internship or take online classes while working full time. This allows them to earn work experience while meeting the other educational requirements. This might also lead a few to ask the very important question, should I become an engineering manager?
The answer to that question is a personal one, but it is probably more difficult and easier than you think. Remember, nothing good comes easy, and nothing easy is always all that good. There is hard work, time, effort, and investment required to earn an engineering bachelor’s degree. The good news is there is also a world of excellent compensation, leadership, and privilege, along with personal and career satisfaction at the end of the journey.
That is a pretty good investment, and it might also be the answer to the question, is earning an accelerated engineering management degree worth it too.
Related Rankings:
25 Best Bachelor’s in Engineering Management
15 Best Online Bachelor’s in Engineering Management
10 Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Engineering Management
