Online master's degree programs in industrial design and manufacturing

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• Industrial Engineering
• Manufacturing Engineering
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As the national economy begins its ascension, online master's degree programs in industrial design are seeing robust enrollment. Our fast-moving culture requires diligent analysts and designers to produce data and products, and members of the upcoming workforce are recognizing that industrial design master's degrees can set them on a course toward this exciting field.

Graduate degrees in manufacturing and industrial design: What to expect

Industrial design master's degrees exact particular demands from their candidates. It's important to note that, in this age of high-tech communication, all designed products must make a certain connection with their users. Much of the curriculum for most online master's degree programs in industrial design will focus on design communication, as well as materials and manufacturing, basic drawing skills and 2D, 3D and 4D design elements.

Students seeking graduate degrees in manufacturing and industrial design can expect a fair amount of hands-on work and instruction. The artistic side of industrial design master's degrees--design methods and research, drafting and drawing--represents the largest portion of degree-specific coursework. General education core classes in the humanities, sciences and arts also meld in to most online master's degree programs in industrial design.

Career prospects for alumnae of online master's degree programs in industrial design

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), professionals with industrial design master's degrees can look forward to better-than-average wages after graduation. The mean annual wage for commercial and industrial designers was a healthy $61,400 nationwide in 2009, with the top 10% of the field earning nearly $100,000 per year.

Jobs for people who hold graduate degrees in manufacturing and industrial design are expected to grow about nine percent between 2008 and 2018, similar to the expected growth of all occupations. The following list depicts states with the highest concentration of workers in occupations related to industrial design master's degrees.

• Michigan
• Rhode Island
• Vermont
• Wisconsin
• Maine

The BLS also reports on earnings for jobs related to graduate degrees in manufacturing and industrial design. Here are the top five states, with mean annual salaries as of May 2009, for relevant positions:

• Louisiana: $73,100
• Massachusetts: $72,880
• Kansas: $72,100
• Michigan: $71,660
• North Carolina: $69,540

The prominence of Michigan on both of the lists above can be attributed in part to the fact that motor vehicle manufacturing is the highest paying industry for occupations that encourage industrial design master's degrees. More auto plants lead to more options for manufacturing and industrial design jobs.

The bottom line on graduate degrees in manufacturing and industrial design

Careers that incorporate industrial design master's degrees are well-paying, creatively oriented occupations that serve a wide range of consumers. If you're seeking a rewarding career that produces commodities you can be proud of, consider campus-based or online master's degree programs in industrial design. Visit WorldWideLearn.com's Guide to Majors for more details.

You can create a wide range of products with industrial design master's degrees while enjoying a high level of creative freedom. Explore graduate-level programs in our Guide to Master's Degrees. Specializations in industrial engineering and manufacturing engineering can help you create useful products for consumers around the world.

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