Purdue’s online Dual Engineering + MBA and Management and Leadership master’s degree program proves to be a career booster

About This Series: This story is part of an ongoing Purdue Today series highlighting programs ranked in the Top 10 or Top 10th percentile among our peers nationally, demonstrating the university’s persistent pursuit of excellence, innovation and transformative learning. 

Two years after completing his bachelor’s degree, Januario Mendes wanted to upgrade his engineering skills while gaining business expertise that could position him to move into leadership as his career advances.

After some research, he decided that only one master’s program fit what he was looking for — Purdue University’s online Dual Master of Science in Engineering (MS/MSE) + Master of Business Administration (MBA). The Purdue program combines technical training in engineering with valuable management training, giving students the skills they need to confidently step into leadership positions at the intersection of engineering and business.

“Since graduating, I have transitioned into a more senior engineering role in which I gained managerial responsibilities,” says Mendes, who graduated in the fall of 2022 and is now a senior industrial engineer with Cummins Inc. in Columbus, Indiana. “My master’s degree has prepared and equipped me with the skills and knowledge required to help my peers and coach other fellow junior engineers.” 

The dual master’s program is one reason Purdue has been ranked No. 1 in Best Online Master’s in Engineering Management programs by U.S. News and World Report for two years running, the latest for 2023 announced in January. Purdue’s overall online graduate engineering program also has consistently been among the top three programs by U.S. News and ranked No. 2 in 2023.

In addition to the dual degree program, Purdue offers an online interdisciplinary master’s degree (MSE/MS) with a concentration in engineering management and leadership, designed for professionals who want to move into team lead- or project management-type positions but don’t feel the need for a full MBA.

“There’s a common need for technical engineers as they move into management and supervisory positions to expand out beyond their engineering courses,” says John Fassnacht, principal managing director of online programs for Purdue’s College of Engineering.

According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, the engineering management job market is projected to grow 2% through 2031 with a median salary exceeding $150,000. Earning an advanced degree provides a competitive edge for engineers looking to advance to management and supervisory roles.

Employers also are looking for engineers with interdisciplinary skill sets. Communication and business acumen, both emphasized in Purdue’s programs, are two particularly important skills often overlooked by traditional engineering programs. 

Austin Nagy originally enrolled in Purdue’s online engineering management and leadership master’s program because his employer at the time, General Motors, sponsored it. But Nagy, who graduated in spring 2022, stayed with it even after he changed employers because he felt Purdue had established a high-quality online program. That persistence has paid off for Nagy, who is now an advanced manufacturing engineering manager at Lear Corp. in Phoenix.

“As I was finishing my degree, I was able to negotiate a promotion at my current company from quality engineer to quality manager,” Nagy says. “From a networking perspective, I do find many more recruiters reach out to me for job opportunities.” 

Besides such material benefits, completing Purdue’s program has been a win from a professional development perspective for Nagy.

“Furthering my education has given me a seat at every table in the company,” Nagy says. “My perspectives on management and corporate strategy have changed significantly, and I find more and more employees reaching out for consultation. From a purely technical standpoint, I find myself able to not only participate but lead in almost all technical operations decisions we make.”

The bottom line, Nagy says: “The Purdue program was fun and a good investment in myself.”