FAQs - Online Learning

• An undergraduate degree in Engineering or related field, such as Computer Science, Physics, or Math

• At least two years of professional work experience
• Academic Statement of Purpose
• Personal Statement
• Technical writing sample

• Resume
• Transcripts
• A combination of three letters of recommendation, professional and academic
• GRE scores (optional)
• TOEFL/IELTS for international students

We are currently only accepting applicants with at least two years of professional work experience. Our on-campus program does not require work experience.

Admitted students have taken a mathematics sequence that includes Calc I, Calc II, Calc III, Differential Equations and a Calculus-based Engineering Physics and Statistics.

Required courses

• Project Management and Leadership (4 credits)
• Data Analytics for Engineering Managers (4 credits)
• Economics and Finance for Engineering Managers (4 credits) 
• Managing a Culture of Innovation (3 credits)
• Decision Framing and Analytics (3 credits)
• Engineering Management Project
• Python Refresher (1 credit)
• Two, On-campus intensives (1 credit each)

Electives (6 credits)

• Risk Analysis and Management
• Design Thinking for Complex Systems
• Managing Operations
• Product Management
• Negotiations and Contracts for Engineering Management Managing Operations

More information is available on the Courses page.

Yes, distance learning courses are offered through the College of Engineering and the SC Johnson College of Business.

Yes. Students who wish to transfer from the distance learning program to the on-campus program must complete at least two semesters as a part-time distance learning student before switching. The on-campus program is a full-time, residential degree program and students are required to enroll in at least 12 credits each semester. It is best to discuss this option with your advisor as soon as possible and final approval will be granted by the Director.

Absolutely! Distance learning students are welcome on campus and all Cornell resources will be available to you including career fairs and special events.
 

In your academic statement of purpose, explain to the review committee who you are, your academic and professional interests, and how you could add value to the program. 

The Personal Statement is an opportunity to provide us with more information about you.  Please highlight any lived experiences or interactions – including successes, failures, conflicts, injustices, or journeys of self-discovery – that have significantly shaped or serve to demonstrate your problem solving, communication, collaboration and teamwork, leadership, maturity and self-awareness, endurance, and/or resilience.

The technical writing sample should be no more than 5,000 words and can include figures. Acceptable documents include but are not limited to a technical analysis, project report, written review of technical material, an internal company report, white paper, published article, and projects/reports from a previous Engineering course. The technical writing sample should have been written in the past 3 years. 

The GRE is not required and the absence of a GRE score does not affect our decision. A strong GRE score can boost an application for those who are weak in other areas.

For the application review, unofficial transcripts are all that are required. However, the M.Eng. Programs do require official copies of transcripts once students are admitted/matriculated.

At this time, we have one enrollment cycle per year and each new cohort will begin their program in the summer. Students take the online Python Refresher course and attend the residential session in June, then begin their sequence of online courses in the Fall.

Tuition is charged on a per-credit hour basis for distance learning students. Information on tuition and fees can be found under "Other Tuition Fees" on the Office of the Bursar's website.

Please visit the tuition and financial aid page for more information.

Yes. Cornell offers benefits through the GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon Program. More information is available here.

The application fee is $105 and the Engineering Management Admissions Team does not offer application fee waivers.

2 years

Yes, once you matriculate, you need to finish your M.Eng. degree within 6 years. Please be aware that some required courses are only offered once per year. You must also take at least one course per semester or formally request a leave of absence.

Students may transfer up to nine credit hours of Master’s-level coursework if they have not been used toward a conferred degree and upon program approval. Once accepted into the program, students can submit a formal transfer petition, transcript, a course description, and a syllabus for any credit hours to be considered. The Director approves all transfer requests.

Students enrolled in Lockheed Martin’s ELDP can transfer up to 9 TDC credits toward the degree with approval by the Director.

No, only Master’s-level coursework can be transferred in.

The program requires a project only, no thesis is required.

Yes, all students must attend both summer sessions in Ithaca, NY.

Courses are online and asynchronous to allow students to continue working full time. In some classes, synchronous lectures are recorded so that students can view them on their own time. Students engage with the curriculum using innovative technology, real-world case studies, projects, and active learning techniques. In addition to course videos, instruction may include practice activities, cohort discussions, expert opinion videos, and group projects.

Students are expected in an average week to have 2-3 hours of work outside of class per credit hour of letter-graded coursework per Cornell University guidelines as well as the New York State Education Department (e.g., 8 credits = approximately 16-24 hours of per work week not including class time).

All students need 30 credits to graduate with an M.Eng. (Master of Engineering) degree. Content is exactly the same for both groups (except for the two on-campus summer sessions) -- only the delivery is different. 

No, the degree is a Master of Engineering Degree from the Cornell College of Engineering.

Between 20 and 40 students enroll each year.

Decisions are rolling and typically made within 6 weeks once all application materials (including test scores and letters of recommendation) are received. We may interview candidates who meet minimum requirements over the web-conferencing platform, Zoom. If you are selected for an interview, more details will follow.

Email the change or attachment to engmanagement_grad@cornell.edu with the subject line “Change to Application for YOUR NAME.”

Yes, and it’s the best way to learn more about our program, receive invitations to information sessions, and get important updates. You can sign up for our mailing list here.