Utah Valley University’s new Master of Science (MS) degree in Engineering and Technology Management was officially approved by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). This new degree will become available in fall semester 2021 and will be offered by the College of Engineering and Technology. It is the only degree of its kind in Utah and will provide the link between engineering, science, and management. The goal is to prepare engineers and technologists for management positions within their industries.
The new Master of Science in Engineering and Technology Management (MS-ETM) is designed to teach business and management skills, including product and project management, engineering management, quality and safety management, and statistical analysis. With these skills, technical knowledge, strong communication skills, and years of related work experience, we expect that our graduates will likely be in the best position to become managers in technical fields.
Kyle Merrill, a professional in residence in the Department of Technology Management, will be the program coordinator for the MS-ETM. "Kyle has served as an engineering manager for 10 years for different divisions of Hewlett-Packard (HP) in the U.S. and abroad, leading project and program managers with a combined staff of more than 80 engineers and contractors. Kyle, who is also the recipient of two U.S. Patents, is an ideal person to lead the new MS degree in Engineering and Technology Management," Dean Moaveni said.
“I am thrilled by the approval of the Master of Science in Engineering and Technology Management at Utah Valley University,” Kyle said. “This new degree is perfectly suited for working professionals with an undergraduate degree and experience in engineering, computing, or other technology. The MS-ETM teaches management skills for technical professionals to become senior leaders in their fields.”
The MS-ETM will meet industry needs and demand. According to the Utah Department of Workforce Services, the architectural and engineering manager occupation is expected to experience above-average employment growth with a high volume of annual job openings. The need for replacements, rather than business expansion, is projected to make up most job openings in the coming decade.
“This degree is an excellent addition to the engineering and technical offerings at UVU and supports career growth of the skilled employee base on which Utah’s high-tech businesses depend,” Kyle explained.
Along with meeting industry demand, alumni and students will benefit from this new degree. Many of our alumni who have worked in the industry for many years report that they would have valued learning more about people management and business skills, particularly as they pursue rank advancement within engineering and technology companies. This new degree will bridge the gap between technical and managerial skills that are both needed for industry professionals to advance and take the next step in their careers. The program will cater specifically to working professionals in the fields of engineering and technology.
The degree has been in the works for about two years, with the support of current department chair Anne Arendt and Dean Saeed Moaveni of the College of Engineering and Technology. Next steps include raising awareness and recruiting industry professionals to enroll in the program. Applications for the program are now open. More information about the curriculum, admission requirements, and mode of delivery are available on UVU’s website.