The UHCL Master’s in Engineering Management program will be offered at the Pearland campus beginning this spring. UHCL students can now enroll in engineering management courses to obtain their master’s at the Pearland campus without ever stepping foot on the Clear Lake campus. This will be the seventh master’s program offered at UHCL-Pearland. The program will continue to be offered at the Clear Lake campus as well.
Survey results conducted a few years ago by Ruffalo Noel Levitz (RNL), indicate the program will be well received because the population of Pearland is growing, as well as an interest in the field of engineering management.
“Based on my experience, this is one of the most popular programs among domestic students,” said Ki-Young Jeong, associate professor of engineering management.
The RNL survey not only revealed that an engineering management program is of great interest in the Pearland area, but also the preferred method of instruction is hybrid courses.
“They want to take classes online, but still have a feel for who their instructor is,” said Ju Hyo Kim, interim dean of the College of Science and Engineering.
Staff and faculty are meeting this need by offering hybrid courses that will meet sometimes face-to-face and sometimes online. There will be two, eight-week, sessions each semester, offering working professionals a fast-paced schedule. Additionally, the courses will not overlap, which will allow students to take one or both courses at the same time and will focus on the skills employers are seeking in managers to move them into higher positions.
“This degree plan is for working professionals who want to advance their careers in the current technical fields,” Jeong said. “There is a wide spectrum of jobs awaiting graduates who possess these skills.”
The master’s program also allows students to earn a joint certificate through their graduate courses.
“Other universities make students pursue these certificates separately, which costs significantly more money,” Jeong said. “All students have to do is choose the electives pertinent to the certificate as they complete their coursework, and when they finish, they will get their master’s degree and the joint certificate.”
The hope is to also enhance the Pearland campus with a wider variety of courses and fields of study, as well as better serve the working professional demographic in Pearland.
Kim stated that they are receiving some positive responses to the program. As of right now, the current UHCL faculty will also be teaching the master’s program courses at the Pearland campus.
“When we have a certain level of student enrollment, we will hire faculty to support our Pearland operation,” Kim said.
For more information about the Master of Science Degree in Engineering Management program, visit the M.E. webpage.