Interview with Dr. Patrick Reed, Director of Cornell’s Master’s in Engineering Management Program [Show summary]

Dr. Patrick Reed is Director of Cornell’s Master’s in Engineering Management Program, and in today’s episode he shares information about the on-campus and distance programs, and the kind of applicant who is right for this  program versus a traditional Master of Engineering program or MBA.

Learn about a versatile degree option that combines engineering with management- and offers a distance learning option! [Show notes]

Our guest today, Dr. Patrick Reed, got his bachelor's in engineering at the University of Missouri and his MS and PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Illinois. Dr. Reed joined Cornell University as a Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering in 2013. He has joined me on AST, however, in his capacity as Director of Cornell’s Master’s in Engineering Management (MEM) Program. 

What is the Engineering Management Program at Cornell? Can you provide an overview of the on-campus program? [2:03]

It is a Master’s of Engineering degree that is typically one academic year but can be 1.5 years. It is a blend of engineering and management. We provide students with training in the combination of management-oriented courses, some of which come from the business school, and then specialization in various engineering disciplines. We typically get students from all around the world. Students learn about project management, product management, leadership, state of the art data analytics, decision analysis, and get lots of training in entrepreneurial opportunities and transitioning technologies to market.

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Cornell recently announced a distance learning version of the Master’s in Engineering Management program. How is that structured? [3:35]

It follows much the same motivation. We want to train individuals to have depth and breadth in terms of engineering background and skill as well as the breadth to transition those skills to an organizational or institutional context. It utilizes the eCornell format which is a professionally produced format - we have a professional studio. The curriculum is a bit more limited than the on-campus, with a mix of product management, leadership, and analytics. The core differences are that there is less diversity from a curriculum perspective since the program is not on campus, it is a part-time program that is two years versus one year, and most students in the distance program are working, further along in their careers, and doing this as part of professional development. 

What are the most significant differences between the MEM and an MBA? [6:58]

MEM is first of all an engineering degree, and what we are intending it for are individuals who have a deep understanding of the fundamentals of engineering an...