How to Get a PhD in Industrial Engineering

Industrial engineers are economic problem solvers, employing science and math principles to streamline business processes. A cross between management and engineering, industrial engineering focuses on the integration of people, machines, and materials for optimal productivity and efficiency. Few engineering specialties have such a direct impact on a company's competitive advantage or a public agency's successful operation.

A PhD in industrial engineering leads you to the pinnacle of this influential field. The doctorate prepares you to advance the understanding of process engineering and to solve practical problems through the application of engineering fundamentals. Whether you stay in academia or forge a career path in industry, your work contributes to the efficient operation of businesses, government agencies, and other organizations that rely on complex production logistics.

This guide to the PhD in industrial engineering leads you through the process of preparing for doctoral study. You'll develop a vision of your career goals, find a PhD program that supports them, and set out on your academic journey.

A Guide to the PhD in Industrial Engineering

Industrial engineering emerged in the early twentieth century to answer "a need for technically trained people who could plan, organize, and direct the operations of large complex systems, as well as the need to increase efficiency and effectiveness of operations." The first PhD degree was awarded in the 1930s. In the field's early days, the "complex systems" in question were typically manufacturing processes and equipment. Since then, industrial engineering has expanded its scope to include any production or service logistics, from queues in amusement park rides to transportation routes to administrative workflows. The professional association IEEE's definition of industrial engineering suggests the breadth of the discipline: "Industrial engineering is concerned with the design, improvement and installation of integrated systems of people, materials, information, equipment and energy."

Specializations

The breadth of the industrial engineering doctorate ensures vast possibilities for specialized research. The field engages disciplines such as operations management and business administration, statistics, systems analysis, manufacturing and mechanical engineering, industrial design, and various social sciences.

Some of the specializations within this rich landscape of interrelated disciplines are:

• Ergonomics
• Plant Layout
• Robotics
• Supply Chain Engineering
• Statistics
• Economic Decision Analysis (EDA)
• Human-Integrated Systems
• System Informatics and Control

Each doctoral program emphasizes different areas of research depending on school facilities, resources, and faculty expertise. Knowing which specialization engages your interest can help you find the right campus or online PhD program.

Doctoral Degrees in Industrial Engineering

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is the most common doctorate, but not the only terminal degree available in the field. The Doctor of Engineering (DEng) offers an alternative for professional engineers. This doctorate allows mid-career professionals to deepen their knowledge of the discipline without pursuing an academic career track. Unlike the PhD, which emphasizes original scholarship and undergraduate teaching, the DEng degree focuses on applied research into a real-world problem in operations management.

Your career goals help you determine which degree is right for you: the PhD is more versatile, leading to an academic or industry career; the DEng is more applied, leading to advancement in a particular type of industry practice.

Career Track

A doctorate in industrial engineering opens doors to careers in academia, business, or government.

• Academic careers focus on undergraduate teaching and cutting-edge research in industrial engineering fundamentals. University professors train the next generation of industrial engineers while advancing new knowledge in the field.

• Corporate and government careers focus on research and development positions in fields such as manufacturing, logistics, transportation, communications, finance, and strategic planning. Sample job titles include management engineer, operations analyst, quality control engineer, ergonomic consultant, program manager, senior research engineer, and more. Check out WorldWideLearn.com's career planning and assessment tools for more information.

Plan for a PhD in Industrial Engineering

A PhD in industrial engineering takes four to six years to complete. Planning your educational path now can help you keep your focus throughout the program and achieve what you came for. The following steps take you through the logistics of applying to a campus or online PhD program in industrial engineering, from finding the right program to taking part in the academic community.

Step One: Find the Right Graduate Industrial Engineering Program

The following four steps guide you through the program research process. You can find links to useful online resources for each step.

1. List Accredited PhD Programs

First, assemble a comprehensive list of your options. Be sure to include only accredited institutions. Accreditation indicates that the PhD program has been vetted by an independent accrediting agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education. This validation ensures the quality of your education, the value of the doctoral degree, and your eligibility for some financial aid programs and other resources.

The U.S. Department of Education maintains a database of approved national and regional accreditation agencies. The major national accrediting agency for engineering graduate programs is the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

Resources

Online directories and accrediting agency member lists offer good starting points for your research.

• WorldWideLearn.com sponsors a database of accredited doctoral programs in engineering. Search Degrees by Subject to find an online or campus PhD program in industrial engineering or browse a list of university partners.
• The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) features a searchable database of accredited engineering programs. Search schools by discipline and location, or look up a specific institution to verify ABET accreditation.
• U.S. News & World Report posts an A-Z Directory of Engineering Schools, many of which have campus or online PhD programs in industrial engineering.

2. Choose Program Format: Campus or Online?

Advances in digital communications technology are making online education a reality--even at the doctoral level. Online PhD programs in industrial engineering remain relatively rare, but offer some distinct advantages over the traditional campus format.

• The online degree offers flexibility and convenience to mid-career engineers balancing work and family responsibilities. These programs make sense for working adults with independent access to research facilities. Many online PhD programs in industrial engineering encourage students to create an applied research project in the context of professional practice. Temporary campus residency requirements are a feature of most online doctorates in engineering.

• The campus format is a great choice for students pursuing an academic career. Aspiring academics have the opportunity to build close working relationships with faculty mentors and their peers in the academic community. Campus teaching and research assistantships serve as apprenticeship opportunities for university professor jobs. And students have access to dedicated academic research facilities.

The right format for you depends on your learning style, life circumstances, and career goals. Independent learners expanding a professional career are well served with an online PhD. Academics and professionals who benefit from close collaborative research can take advantage of a campus program.

3. Explore Academic Programs

Industrial engineering's breadth as a discipline gives rise to vast differences among academic programs. To find programs that reflect your academic interests and career goals, take into account the following factors:

• Curriculum and course requirements
• Specializations
• Faculty research topics
• Research facilities
• Special programs: foundations, conferences, publications, and research centers
• Relationships with industry leaders or government agencies

These features can give you a sense of a program's particular focus areas and the availability of resources to support research in your field.

Resources

College and University Web sites offer access to key information about program resources, with links to faculty bios and research, course materials, and degree requirements. You can also find information about campus research facilities and special programs.

WorldWideLearn.com helps you kick off this stage of the research process by connecting you to PhD programs that match your requirements. Simply fill out an online form to receive more information. The automated system offers a direct route to advisors who can answer your questions about program requirements and resources, saving you time.

Academic Journals help you identify researchers who share your interests and the academic programs that support cutting edge research in your field. Major publications in industrial engineering include:

• Engineering Management Journal
• IEEE Transactions on Management, Computers and Industrial Engineering
• Journal of Industrial and Systems Engineering (JISE)
• International Journal of Industrial Engineering
• Journal of Industrial Engineering and Management

4. Evaluate Program Quality

Finally, narrow your list of schools by evaluating the quality of the degree program. The challenge is to weigh reputation against selectivity, finding the best schools within your reach as an applicant.

Evaluate program quality based on these variables:

• Reputation
• Selectivity
• Graduation Rate
• Job Placement Statistics
• Career Support Resources
• Student Body Profile

Admissions committees evaluate your application based on your academic record, faculty and professional recommendations, and standardized test scores.

Resources

Rankings offer an instant glance at the relative quality and reputation of PhD programs in industrial engineering. Major ranking sources include:

• U.S. News & World Report, Best Engineering Graduate Schools
• The National Research Council, Assessment of Research Doctorate Programs
• The Center for Measuring University Performance, The Top American Research Universities, 2008 Annual Report

Admissions Data Sheets fill in the picture with information about admissions selectivity, student demographics, and job placement data.

Campus Visits are strongly encouraged as a means of assessing research facilities and program resources firsthand. Visit with potential faculty mentors and talk to graduate students about their graduate school experience.

Step Two: Apply to PhD Programs in Industrial Engineering

Boost your admissions prospects by planning your application well in advance of the deadline. In addition to producing a polished application, you could gain an admissions advantage if you submit your application early.

Plan to complete the following steps as you prepare your applications:

1. Satisfy Prerequisites

Most programs require that you complete the following before applying to a doctoral program in industrial engineering:

• A bachelor's or master's degree in engineering or a related quantitative field. If your degree is in another area, you may need to supplement your background with basic courses in math or statistics.
• Standardized tests such as the GRE and TOEFL (for international students)

Consult the Education Resources Guide for guidance in completing prerequisite courses and preparing for standardized tests.

2. Prepare Application Materials

Leave yourself ample time to collect all the necessary application materials:

• Academic transcripts
• Faculty or professional letters of recommendation
• Test scores
• Personal statement of research interests
• Resume or CV indicating research and work experience, if applicable

Send these materials by mail or submit them online.

3. Secure Financial Aid

It's never too early to look for graduate education funding. Your graduate school application may already require a financial aid statement to qualify you for a university funding package. Schools often award partial or full funding from the following sources:

• Scholarships and grants
• Teaching and research assistantships
• Tuition waivers

In most cases, you have to supplement this package with additional funding from government and private sources. Options include:

• Private scholarships
• Corporate tuition support or sponsorships
• Federal or private loans.

Step Three: Join the Academic Community

With your applications in the hands of admissions committees, you're just one step away from becoming an academic. Prepare for graduate school by forging relationships within the industrial engineering community.

Become an insider in the academic community by following these steps:

1. Join professional and academic associations

Industrial engineering associations offer opportunities to network with peers and resources for expanding your understanding of the field. Leading organizations in industrial engineering include:

• Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME)
• Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT)
• Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
• National Association of Industrial Technology (NAIT)
• Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME)
• Institute of Industrial Engineers

2. Attend conferences

Industrial engineering associations and academic departments sponsor conferences that represent cutting edge research in the field. These events offer the perfect venue to meet experts in your field and build ideas for your own research.

3. Subscribe to publications

The industrial engineering journals listed earlier provide a glimpse into research trends, and serve as a "who's who" of research leaders in your field.

Graduate school offers a unique opportunity to connect with other engineers who share your passion for industrial problem solving. To make the most of the doctoral program in industrial engineering, it's important to arrive with a clear vision of where you're headed and what you want to accomplish. Planning the research and application process lays a foundation for a successful journey to the top of your profession.

Sources

• Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
• American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE)
• Assessment of Research Doctorate Programs, National Research Council
• Best Engineering Schools, U.S. News & World Report (2009)
• Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs, U.S. Department of Education
• "Engineers," Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-2009. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Education
• H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial & Systems Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology
• Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences Graduate Studies Program, Northwestern University
• Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE)
• The Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE)
• The Center for Measuring University Performance
• Turner, Wayne C., Joe H. Mize, and Kenneth E. Case. Introduction to Industrial Engineering and Systems Engineering. John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1987
• "What is Industrial Engineering?" University of Dayton