Tag: manufacturing engineering online

MTU Online Graduate Program Webinars Continue in Fall 2025.

A woman attending a Michigan Tech Global Campus Third Thursday Info Session takes notes while at her computer.

Want to learn more about Michigan Tech’s online graduate programs. What sets them apart from the rest? Have the chance to speak to–and have the undivided attention of–program directors? Then drop by in Fall for a 45-minute Third Thursday virtual information sessions from Michigan Tech Global Campus.

These online webinars, which launched in March 2025, are continuing for the Fall 2025 semester. Previous sessions have featured other popular online graduate programs offered through Michigan Tech Global Campus. They were the Tech MBAⓇ, engineering management, civil engineering, manufacturing engineering, and geographic information science.

When you attend one of these sessions you will hear about

  • key reasons for earning this certificate and/or degree from Michigan Tech
  • exciting trends in the discipline and/or fields
  • opportunities and career trajectories that an advanced degree could open up
  • the online program’s content, structure, and course delivery
  • important deadlines and program start dates

Advisors will also answer questions about admissions requirements and the application process.

First For Fall 2025: MTU’s Online Graduate Programs in Cybersecurity

In Fall 2024, the College of Computing launched the Online Foundations of Cybersecurity certificate. And they recently followed up with the Online MS in Cybersecurity.

These online graduate programs meet a pervasive and urgent demand. That is, in the last decade or so, cyber attacks have grown in sophistication, frequency, and size. In fact, according to US News, “Data breaches and ID theft are still hitting records.” Also, vehicle electrification, robotic workplaces, and Industry 4.0 offer new targets for cybercriminals and new challenges for cybersecurity professionals. And as organizations move to cloud environments and the IoT (Internet of Things) continues to proliferate, cybersecurity professionals must work even harder to safeguard infrastructures and predict possible vulnerabilities.

What all these changes mean is that there is a strong demand for cybersecurity specialists. According to Cyberseek, “employers in the private and public sectors deployed 514,359 job listings over the past 12 months.” These job listings were for cybersecurity jobs and adjacent technical positions with a heavy cybersecurity skills requirement. This BIG number is definitely good news: it represents an increase of nearly 57,000 listings, or 12%, over the previous 12-month reporting period.

These programs add to the roster of MTU’s already respected cybersecurity research program. In fact, the US National Security Agency designated MTU as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Research (CAE-R). This CAE-R designation extends through the 2029 academic year. Also impressive: MTU is a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE–CD) as designated by the National Security Agency (NSA). MTU is the only university in Michigan that holds both of these designations.

You can get details about this program and speak to subject matter experts by dropping by on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, at 11:30 AM (ET).

On Deck for October: The Online MS in Applied Statistics

Alternatively–or maybe as well as–join us on Thursday, October 16, at 11:30 AM (ET) for an info session on MTU’s Online Master of Science (MS) in Applied Statistics.

If you haven’t heard of this discipline, applied statistics is the practical use of statistical theories, methods, and tools to solve real-world problems across a variety of fields. These fields include science, engineering, business, healthcare, social sciences, and beyond. Applied Statistics, in short, involves gathering, analyzing, and interpreting data to uncover patterns, guide decision-making, and provide evidence-based answers to complex questions.

Today’s applied statisticians don’t just rely on traditional techniques. That is, they often harness the power of advanced tools like machine learning, predictive modeling, and big data analytics. These professionals work in a wide range of environments: from public health departments and research labs to tech companies, financial institutions, sports organizations, and universities.

For instance, in 2024, applied statisticians played a key role in managing supply chains disrupted by global instability. Take the Red Sea shipping crisis, which required companies to adapt. And fast. Companies such as Maersk and Amazon used predictive analytics and statistical modeling to reroute logistics and minimize delivery delays. By analyzing large datasets in real time—including shipping patterns, port capacity, and geopolitical data—statisticians helped reduce economic impacts and improve operational resilience.

When you attend this session, you’ll dive into this discipline. You’ll also learn how Michigan Tech’s Online Master of Science in Applied Statistics gives you the skills to meet the growing demand for data-savvy professionals.

Closing Out the Semester: MTU’s Online Graduate Programs from Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Mechanical engineering is undergoing a profound transformation, which is driven by rapid advances in aerospace engineering, digital technology, materials science, and systems integration. No longer confined to traditional roles in manufacturing or product design, today’s mechanical engineers are working at the crossroads of aerospace, AI, autonomous systems, robotics, energy systems, and biomedical innovation.

Also, the rise of smart materials, autonomous vehicles, and cyber-physical systems is blurring the lines between mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering. For instance, many engineers are now expected to master tools like finite element analysis (FEA), machine learning, and embedded systems. They might also need, at some point, to collaborate with data scientists, biologists, and software developers. In other words, mechanical engineering is becoming more interdisciplinary, connected, and critical to solving the world’s most complex problems.

MTU’s online graduate engineering programs have evolved with these changes. On Thursday, Nov. 20, subject-matter experts will unpack the details of the Online MS in Mechanical Engineering. They’ll also highlight other online popular graduate certificates, such as the Safety and Security of Autonomous Cyber-Physical Systems.

You’ll learn more about how you can choose a certificate or a degree that leverages both your previous experience and academic education.

Drop by at 11:30 AM. Bring your enthusiasm and your questions.

While you’re waiting, reach out to our friendly, knowledgeable Graduate Admissions Manager, Amanda, if you have any questions about these programs. She has years of experience helping students evaluate programs and navigate the application process.

Contact her at globalcampus@mtu.edu.

Manufacturing Engineering Programs From MTU Go Online.

The Department of Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology (MMET) has recently announced two new online programs: the MS and the PhD in Manufacturing Engineering. Previously, these programs were available only on campus. 

Both Michigan Tech’s online master’s degree and PhD program, designed in partnership with industry, stress manufacturing competitiveness. This competitiveness is central to smart manufacturing, modeling, simulation, sustainability, additive manufacturing, and advanced materials. All of these areas are crucial to Industry 4.0.

The programs’ practical core curriculum, which covers both the breadth and depth of manufacturing engineering, is inspired by Society of Manufacturing Engineer’s Four Pillars of Manufacturing Knowledge:

  • Materials and manufacturing processes
  • Product, tooling, and assembly engineering
  • Manufacturing systems and operations
  • Manufacturing competitiveness

Flexible Manufacturing Engineering Degrees for Working Professionals

But according to John Irwin, Professor and Department Chair of MMET, these programs are not solely for manufacturing engineers.

That is, similar to Michigan Tech’s online manufacturing engineering certificate, these in-demand programs have been designed to attract people from a wide range of undergraduate backgrounds. Students might come from mechanical engineering, electrical or computer engineering, materials science and engineering, manufacturing engineering technology, biomedical engineering, and robotics.

In other words, many can enroll in and then benefit from these degrees, which provide the tools and knowledge to take the next step: earning SME certifications, which are available in Lean, Additive, and Robotics Manufacturing.

In addition, the master’s and the PhD programs are both flexible and customizable. You may choose from three pathways for the 30-credit master’s degree (thesis, report, or course-work only). Also, there are two options for the doctoral degree (60 credits or 30 credits). Options depend on whether you begin with an undergraduate or a master’s degree. Beyond the core courses, you can also choose electives from four fundamental manufacturing areas. Thus, you can customize a degree that matches your educational and professional goals.

These online programs allow students from Michigan and beyond to benefit from this rigorous curriculum while working part or full-time. In fact, both programs are designed so that those enrolled can collaborate with their employers to complete workplace-based projects or conduct thesis or dissertation research.

 Students in the GD&T course work virtually in teams taking a component of a system from their workplace to perform tolerance analysis and conversion of traditional dimensions to GD&T in order to improve part functionality and minimize manufacturing errors.

John Irwin, Professor and Department Chair of MMET

In-Demand Knowledge for Current and Future Manufacturing Engineering Challenges

In 2021, the waves of the pandemic started to quickly unravel supply chains across the world. Manufacturing plants slowed or even closed, ports experienced unprecedented back-ups, and transportation costs and inflation raised prices dramatically.

According to NAM’s (National Association of Manufacturer’s) Q3 2023 Manufacturer’s Outlook Survey, 72.1% of the respondents indicated that the biggest challenge facing manufacturers was attracting and retaining a quality workforce. 

And manufacturing engineers are obviously a crucial part of that quality workforce. The US BLS stated that the job growth for industrial engineers (one possible career path) between 2023-2033 is 12%. This growth is much faster than average. Currently, there are over 241,977 manufacturing engineers employed in the US, but there still is a need for more. 

Why? The drive to incorporate Lean manufacturing processes, advances in additive manufacturing, the digital transformation of the manufacturing industry, and the reshoring of manufacturing in the US have all magnified the demand for manufacturing engineers.

In particular, the manufacturing industry needs engineers with expertise in IOT (Internet of Things) technologies and smart factory solutions, which are essential to manufacturing competitiveness. Michigan Tech, in fact, has a long history in advanced these and other manufacturing solutions.

That is, both the MS and PhD in manufacturing support efforts highlighted by Automation Alley, Michigan’s Industry 4.0 knowledge center. This center has helped manufacturers of all sizes understand the rapid technological changes associated with digital technology in manufacturing, so that both Michigan and the nation remain globally competitive.

Quality means doing it right when no one is looking.

Henry Ford, American industrialist, founder of the Ford Motor Company

Get Started On Your Program Now.

Michigan Tech’s online manufacturing programs can help you accelerate your career while making a difference in Industry 4.0.

There is still time to begin a graduate program for Spring 2025. Alternatively, you can start with an online graduate certificate in manufacturing engineering, and then apply these credits towards an advanced degree.

For Spring 2025, MMET is offering Industry for 4.0 Concepts (MFGE 5200), Design for Additive Manufacturing (MFGE 5300), which are core courses for both the certificate and master’s degree. Industrial Safety (MFGE 5500), a core course for the master’s program, is also on deck.

For more information about these programs, please contact David Wanless, Associate Teaching Professor MET and Program Director; and visit the web page on Global Campus.