Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Major: What It Includes, Classes and Careers

An Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering major improves how people, machines, materials and information work together. Industrial engineering majors study operations research, statistics, quality control, ergonomics, supply chains and manufacturing processes.

An Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering major includes coursework in operations research, engineering statistics, quality engineering, ergonomics and safety, and manufacturing processes and more. You build skills such as process improvement, data analysis, quality methods, and simulation. Typical degrees: bachelor's and master's degrees.

Typical courses include operations research, engineering statistics, quality engineering, ergonomics and safety, manufacturing processes, and facilities and supply chain design. Exact course names and requirements vary by college, and most degrees also include general education courses.

It depends on the level. Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering is offered as certificate, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral awards at U.S. colleges; certificates take from a few months to about two years, an associate degree usually takes about two years of full-time study, a bachelor’s degree usually takes about four years of full-time study, a master’s degree usually takes one to two years after a bachelor’s, and a doctoral or professional degree takes several more years beyond that. Part-time study takes longer.

Bachelor's and master's degrees. In the latest federal data, 32 colleges reported certificate awards, 6 colleges reported associate awards, 136 colleges reported bachelor’s awards, 114 colleges reported master’s awards, and 54 colleges reported doctoral awards.

Career paths connected to industrial and manufacturing engineering include industrial engineer, industrial engineering technician, industrial production manager, quality control inspector, production planner, operations research analyst, and safety engineer. Some roles need additional training, experience, certification or a license.

Examples include industrial engineer (typical training: 4-year engineering degree), industrial engineering technician (typical training: 2-year degree), industrial production manager (typical training: 5+ years of manufacturing experience), quality control inspector (typical training: 3–12 months on the job), production planner (typical training: Several months on the job), and operations research analyst (typical training: Entry-level with a quantitative degree).

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering majors build skills such as process improvement, data analysis, quality methods, simulation, and project management.

Good pairings include Business (connects efficiency work to costs and strategy), Supply Chain Management (applies your skills to logistics and distribution), and Occupational Safety (adds ergonomics and workplace safety expertise).

It can be a good fit if you are interested in the work it leads to, such as industrial engineer, industrial engineering technician, and industrial production manager, and enjoy subjects like operations research and engineering statistics. No major guarantees a job, so compare the coursework, the careers and the education each career requires before deciding.

How hard it feels depends on your strengths. Core coursework includes operations research, engineering statistics, and quality engineering; if those subjects interest you, the major is likely to feel more manageable. Reviewing a college’s course list and talking to current students helps you judge.

171 U.S. colleges reported awarding degrees or certificates in this field in the latest federal (IPEDS) data. Programs can have different names at different schools.

Texas (17), California (11), Michigan (11), New York (10), and Ohio (10), based on the colleges that reported awards in this field.

166 of the colleges that offer industrial and manufacturing engineering also report offering at least one program entirely online, though not necessarily this one. Use the college search with this major and “Offers fully online programs”, then confirm with the school.

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering improves how people, machines, materials and information work together. Mechanical Engineering designs machines, engines, tools and mechanical systems. Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering leads to careers such as industrial engineer and industrial engineering technician, while Mechanical Engineering leads to careers such as mechanical engineer and mechanical engineering technician.

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering improves how people, machines, materials and information work together. Electrical Engineering designs electrical systems, electronics, power and communications equipment. Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering leads to careers such as industrial engineer and industrial engineering technician, while Electrical Engineering leads to careers such as electrical engineer and electronics engineer.

Yes. Short online career training can help you understand a specific job and build practical knowledge alongside your classes. It does not replace your degree or any required license.

No. Career Education Institute is not a college and does not award degrees. It offers short, non-credit online trainings about jobs connected to industrial and manufacturing engineering, such as Industrial Engineer Training.