As various industries strive to achieve faster, cheaper, and safer processes, the competencies honed by industrial engineers — such as supply chain management, systems optimisation, and organisational transformation — have become more valuable than ever.
If you’re looking to help fill this gap with a graduate degree, there’s no better place to pursue one than at Oklahoma State University (OSU).
Founded in 1890, OSU is a land-grant institution and a Carnegie-classified R1 research university dedicated to developing new technologies, processes, studies, and medicines. It has earned a spot among the top 50 public universities in the US, proving its capability to produce not only career-ready graduates but also independent thinkers committed to solving some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
Several solutions are discovered annually in OSU’s School of Industrial Engineering and Management (IEM), which is ranked #23 among US public universities. The school, which awarded its first degree in 1926, is one of the oldest IEM divisions in the world. Today, it continues to inspire and empower students to improve the quality of life for humankind and make societal systems more diverse, effective, efficient, and sustainable.
This vision intrigued Ainsley Kyle, who is now a PhD student in Industrial Engineering and Management at OSU. “I chose IEM because of the management aspect of the degree and the focus on working with people,” she says. “What makes IEM unique is our emphasis on data-driven engineering solutions.”
Ainsley Kyle PHD Student. Source: Oklahoma State University
Tailored programmes for future leaders
For those aiming to refine their manufacturing processes, the Master of Science in Industrial Engineering and Management (MSIEM) is the ultimate pathway. It can be completed through two plans. The first requires a minimum of 30 hours of coursework, including a thesis, while Plan II consists of 33 hours of coursework without a thesis and may include independent study, internships, or practicums. Both routes require students to select a track — options include General Industrial Engineering, Engineering Management, Operations Research, and Supply Chain & Logistics.
For engineers and scientists keen on stepping into management-level roles, the Master of Science in Engineering and Technology Management (MSETM) is a better fit. It directly addresses the global need for tech-savvy leaders by providing a 32-credit hour curriculum that includes core courses in decision analysis, a capstone series, and various elective courses.
Both graduate programmes combine coursework with hands-on research or practical experience. Throughout, students engage in live projects based on current scenarios, preparing them for real-world challenges. They even undergo internships during their studies — each translates into credit hours. Alternatively, MS students can pursue a co-op opportunity. International students can apply knowledge beyond campus too after completing a minimum of two semesters on campus.
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This practical experience is guided by a faculty of published experts and industry leaders who bring valuable insights from both technology-focused research and traditional operations. Their mentorship has empowered students to lead and excel in award-winning research initiatives.
For students who prefer online learning, OSU offers flexible, fully online programmes, perfect for balancing work or family commitments. International students can also study remotely from their home countries. Of course, for those who thrive in a classroom setting, OSU provides on-campus options, as well as hybrid formats that blend the best of both worlds.
All formats lead to outstanding outcomes. “Our graduates go into a variety of industries such as aerospace, defence, healthcare, transportation, technology, manufacturing — really any industry that has both people and technology and we take that data-driven approach to design these complex systems,” Kyle says.
Last summer, the PhD student interned with the Navy at the Pax River Naval Air Warfare Station in Maryland, where she witnessed firsthand the need for industrial engineering in the aerospace and defence sectors. “It was an amazing experience, and that experience showed me that need for these professionals, and specifically human factors, for the aerospace and defence industries,” she says.
To ensure students capitalise on these opportunities and always put their best foot forward, OSU’s career services provide extensive support, offering guidance on resume building, interview preparation, and job search strategies. Each semester, career fairs present networking opportunities with potential employers. This explains why around 80% of international students secure employment in the US after graduation.
Today, you can find them — along with the rest of their cohorts — serving as industrial, health and safety, manufacturing, and process engineers at leading companies like Amazon, Tesla, Walmart, Lucid, and Ample.
To follow in their footsteps, learn more about studying at Oklahoma State University.
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