SDM builds on the strengths of traditional business and engineering programs to address the needs of experienced engineering professionals ready to transition into management roles. Our master’s in engineering and management trains students to address complex organizational challenges head-on with a holistic, innovative approach. While a typical MBA provides broad exposure to business and management concepts, the interdisciplinary SDM program seeks to provide a depth of knowledge that gives our students the foundation to be technically-grounded leaders.
Comparison Chart
| Typical MBA | SDM | |
|---|---|---|
| Time to completion | 2 years | 12-21 months, depending on degree options |
| Average years of work experience | 2-5 | 8-10 |
| Undergraduate degrees | Any field – engineering, economics, humanities, business | – Engineering – Science – Other technical field |
| Cohort size | Ranges, but typically around 400 students | 55-60 master’s students 35-40 certificate students |
| Core class | Varies by school | Two semesters and a January term |
| Focus of coursework | Management, finance, leadership | – Intersection of business and engineering: systems architecture, systems engineering, and project management with depth and elective courses in engineering subjects of interest – Foundation and elective courses in management, finance, and leadership |
| Thesis | None | Required, completed under supervision of MIT faculty |
| Range of base salary after graduation | Varies by school | Median $127,000 (2018 data) |
| Typical fields post-graduation | Marketing Banking Economics Finance Consulting | Technology Agriculture Aerospace Automotive Health care Heavy industry Energy Sustainability Consulting Finance Military and government …and many more |
| Location in the school | Business school | Jointly offered by MIT’s School of Engineering and the Sloan School of Management |