There are four steps required to obtain an industrial engineering degree: qualify for admission, select a school, pay the tuition, and complete the coursework. An industrial engineering degree is for people who are good with all types of systems. This discipline of engineering is focused on management of people, places, and things. The skills learned in this degree can be applied across almost any industry, and is not specifically limited to manufacturing.
An industrial engineering degree requires courses in management, finance, systems and processes, and operations and design. This program prepares students for management positions in both the manufacturing and services sectors. The main focus of the program is to evaluate existing systems and find improvements. Students are responsible for understanding the core requirements, evaluating the current method, and refining it to be more efficient and effective.
In order to qualify for admission to an industrial engineering degree program, you must have completed high school courses in calculus, algebra, English, and technology. Many candidates have also completed courses in computer science and design. Although this is not required, an interest in system design is important when selecting this field of engineering.
The criterion for entry into this program varies by school. An industrial engineering degree is offered through the faculty of engineering. Look at the different schools available and explore the course offerings. It is important to have a broad range of courses available for this type of degree, as the career options can cover a wide range of industries. The broader your background, the more competitive you will be when looking for a job.
When selecting the university you plan to attend, make sure that it is an accredited institution. Accredited schools have been inspected to meet a minimum academic and administrative standard. Degrees offered by an accredited school are accepted for professional licensing requirements and graduate degree programs and only accredited schools can offer government student aid programs.
Invest the time to research the different schools and programs before making your final selection. Look at the courses available, student services, frequency of job fairs, ties to local industry and the overall reputation of the program. Keep in mind that a university offers a wide range of programs. Check the reputation of both the school and the industrial engineering program.
Tuition for engineering degrees is sometimes higher than for a Bachelor of Arts degree. This is because an engineering degree is a professional program, offering access to positions with greater responsibility and salary upon graduation. Investigate the student aid packages, including scholarships, bursaries, and grants. All these tools can help reduce the overall student debt you may incur.
The coursework for an industrial engineering degree is quite varied, with courses in human resources, finance, organizational management, systems, and structure. The workload is heavy and requires significant time and effort to complete. Invest the time to learn study skills and speed reading techniques in advance to improve your performance.