Product Development— Joint MS/MBA

The Mechanical Engineering Department and the Marriott School of Management offer a joint program in product development (PD) leading to a master of science (MS) degree in mechanical engineering and a master of business administration (MBA) degree. The degrees are approved and conferred separately by the two departments. Students must apply to both the mechanical engineering MS program and the MBA program, meeting the requirements of each department and mentioning their intention to participate in the PD program in each statement of intent.

This information sheet provides basic information about the MS degree in relation to the joint program. More details on the MS degree can be found in the Graduate Handbooks. For more information about the MBA portion of the program, please visit: MBA Majors: Product Development.

Flowchart

Some students prefer a four-year program (2 years for each degree) to provide adequate time for the M.S. thesis research and increase possibilities of research funding. For students that prefer a three-year program, a suggested flowchart is shown below. Note that program requirements and course offerings are subject to change.

Coursework

• The joint program allows 12 credit hours to be counted toward both degrees. These credits are associated with the following PD courses: MBA 639, ME 576, ME 684, and Stat 532.
• Of the 30 hours required for the MS, 6 hours are for the thesis, and 24 hours are for approved coursework. 12 hours are taken during Year 1, and the remaining 12 hours are taken during Years 2 and 3.
• Some MS courses must be taken concurrently with the MBA program or the university may not consider it a joint program and the 12 credits will not count toward both degrees.
• Although coursework is shown in Fall and Winter, it is possible to take classes during Spring or Summer, as offered.
• Students must register for at least 2 hours their first term or semester.
• ME 684 is only offered every other year (in even years), so particular care is required in scheduling this course.

Thesis

• It is recommended that the thesis advisor be selected as early as possible (usually before admission). Most financial assistance is related to the thesis work and is administered by individual professors.
• It is strongly recommended that the thesis be completed and defended before beginning the MBA Core classes. It is difficult to stop the research and start it again later.

Other

• Starting during Spring or Summer Term allows time to begin the thesis research. To begin Spring or Summer term, students should apply for Fall Semester and work with the Graduate Advisor to attend Spring and Summer.
• A 39 credit hour coursework (non thesis) option is also available. Approval is required prior to applying to the graduate program and financial assistance is generally not available. Students would take 27 credit hours of approved MS coursework the first year, and the second and third years would be the same as for the thesis option.