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Faculty design industrial engineering (IE) programs to provide a foundation for aspiring industrial engineers through classes covering manufacturing practices, mathematics, physics, logistics, and quality control.

A degree in industrial engineering technology (IET) is similar but focuses more heavily on the technical components and specifications of manufacturing systems. Though the two programs qualify graduates for different jobs, both share some of the same curricula and each program may require an in-person internship. Engineering and engineering technology bachelor's degrees usually consist of 120-128 credit hours and take four years to complete at a full-time pace.

Some fully online programs feature eight-week courses, allowing students to take more credits per term in order to finish college more quickly. However, students who also work may find it difficult to complete the degree early. These students may want to consider a part-time degree program that may take longer but allows for greater flexibility. Most of these programs feature asynchronous online courses in which students log in to a learning management system at their convenience to watch lectures, submit assignments, and interact with classmates.

Curious to explore similar degrees? Check out the best online engineering degrees, online mathematics degrees, and online programs in physics. 

Accreditation signifies that a college offers high-quality education, and it allows students to receive federal financial aid. The attainment of this status means that an independent organization has verified a school's educational standards. Students can find institutional accreditation information on the .

Engineering students should also consider programmatic accreditation, which the (ABET) grants to individual degrees in the engineering field. Some employers may prefer candidates from ABET-accredited programs, and ABET accreditation is necessary for students who want to eventually earn a license. Accordingly, it’s important to understand that ABET does not currently accredit any 100% online programs in industrial engineering. However, ABET does accredit a few online industrial engineering technology programs, including some of the online schools above. Graduating from a program that's not ABET-accredited may negatively affect a student's career. Prospective students can search for ABET-accredited programs.

An IE or IET degree application is similar to any other online college application, as most candidates are required to submit the following:

• Official transcripts from high school or a GED showing a minimum GPA in the range of 2.5-3.0.
• ACT or SAT scores, dependent upon school admissions requirements, though an increasing number of colleges are dropping entrance test requirements.
• Letters of recommendation from teachers or guidance counselors
• A personal essay on a given topic

Applicants can improve their prospects by demonstrating a record of extracurricular activities. Colleges often favor well-rounded candidates with experience in math or science clubs or community service. Moreover, the ability to demonstrate leadership in clubs and organizations is something else that colleges and universities like to see.

An engineering department typically designs bachelor's degrees to last four years at a full-time pace. But in reality, only complete a bachelor's degree in four years. Some students work full time or have other obligations, which means that it may take longer to finish an engineering degree.

Both IE and IET curricula highlight systems design, materials science, and advanced mathematics to help students understand process improvement. In addition, IE degrees often contain team and project management classes, while IET students typically spend time learning to use technical tools in a lab. Some degree programs offer individual concentrations that students work toward while also fulfilling different elective requirements.

We've listed several common courses below to help prospective students learn what type of courses to expect in IE or IET programs: 

• Engineering Economics: This class introduces economic principles as they relate to industrial engineering. Enrollees aim to learn about the time value of money, cost-benefit analysis, the effects of taxes on manufacturing projects, and the rate of return.
• Human-Machine Systems Engineering: Future engineers and technologists take this course to understand how people interact with industrial technology. Lessons often cover human intellectual and motor performance, systems design, statistical analysis for decision-making, and ideal human work environments. Students typically design data collection processes to test in a lab. 
• Machine Automation: Students learn the history and current state of automation technology in industrial settings. Faculty may introduce the principles of robotics, process control, sensors and actuators, artificial intelligence, and programmable logic controllers. Students often need to apply lessons from other courses to analyze the cost of automation and its effect on workers.
• Quality Assurance: Professors often define "quality" in this course and offer a range of quality assessment and improvement methods in industrial contexts. They may also introduce students to statistical process control, quality cost, Pareto optimization, and sampling reliability.

You may also want to explore online bachelor's degrees in mechanical engineering, systems engineering degrees, and civil engineering degrees.

The most natural job choice for a graduate in this field may be an industrial engineer or industrial engineering technologist. Beyond this, you can pursue other types of engineering occupations or jobs in other sectors that require data analysis and project management expertise.

Industrial engineering students can gain skills and knowledge that prove useful in a variety of engineering and technical specializations. Skills include problem-solving, deductive and inductive reasoning, cost-benefit analysis, and project management. Alumni might find themselves working in fields as diverse as manufacturing, aerospace and defense, technology, or government.

Below, we've listed several career opportunities that bachelor's graduates in industrial engineering can pursue. Some of these occupations have more positive growth rates than others, which might be important to consider when applying for jobs.

• aim to improve efficiency while monitoring overall workflow in production settings, such as factories. They use their knowledge of human-machine interaction to design safe, effective systems, often working with an industrial engineering technologist who helps oversee their work. This discipline is sometimes called manufacturing engineering or industrial and systems engineering.
• partner with industrial engineers to implement solutions to problems with production systems. They oversee a facility's technological and human elements and collect data on workflow, process changes, supply chain pressures, and anything contributing to operations research.
• calculate expenses for complex projects using data about material prices, available labor, and historical timelines. Manufacturing and heavy industry employers use estimators to plan budgets and help submit bids on contracts. An engineering student may use their knowledge of industrial processes and engineering economics in this role.
• strive to create and maintain safe environments that encourage employees to thrive. They design industrial settings that account for human fallibility to keep everyone safe despite mistakes. These jobs sometimes carry titles, such as ergonomics engineer or human factors engineer.
• help employers improve efficiency, much like industrial engineers in a different context. As such, students of industrial engineering might be suited to help businesses, government agencies, or nonprofits cut costs, create sustainable budgets, and improve productivity. Some management analysts work for consulting firms that assign them to clients on a contract basis.

Earning a license is optional for many types of engineers. In general, engineers who work on public projects must earn a Professional Engineer (PE) license. While necessary for civil and environmental engineers, industrial or health and safety engineers may not need a PE designation. Licensure may also help engineers who want to become supervisors by adding a new credential to their resume.

To earn a PE license, an individual must earn a bachelor's degree from an ABET-accredited college, pass the exam, and work for four years under a licensed PE. After this period, they will need to pass the test. Because ABET accreditation is necessary at the beginning of this process, prospective students should carefully consider which programs they apply to.

In deciding whether or not an online industrial engineering degree program is right for you, it’s important to look beyond the degree program experience to ensure the profession is one you will be happy in over the course of your career. The pros and cons listed below may also be helpful in making your decision:

Potential Benefits

• Industrial engineers are trained to analyze complex systems, identify inefficiencies, and develop innovative solutions to enhance productivity and reduce costs. These problem-solving skills are highly valued in the workforce and can lead to fulfilling and impactful careers. Also, due to their expertise in optimizing processes and increasing efficiency, industrial engineers often command competitive salaries. 
• Industrial engineering is a potentially adaptable degree that imparts transferable skills. If you find that straight engineering work isn't what you hoped it would be, you may be able to pivot to cost estimation or management analysis roles in other industries. Industrial engineering students learn how to offer solutions based on data from multiple sources, which is a skill set many employers crave.
• Online learning may be more accommodating and provide greater personal flexibility than traditional in-person learning. Most online bachelor's programs let you watch lectures and complete coursework at convenient times as long as you adhere to due dates.

Potential Drawbacks

• No online industrial engineering programs are ABET-accredited, and only a few industrial engineering technology programs are ABET-accredited. Because a lack of ABET approval may negatively impact your future employment and licensure, you may decide that attending a traditional campus program is a better investment.
• Both industrial engineers and technologists report feeling unsatisfied with their jobs. According to CareerExplorer, employees in both roles report their of all careers. Industrial engineers often hold significant responsibility for optimizing processes and improving efficiency, which can lead to stress, especially when dealing with large-scale projects or tight deadlines. A healthy work-life balance can be challenging for some professionals in the field.
• More education may be required after graduation. Many bachelor's-level engineers also complete online certificate programs in industrial engineering-related fields such as Six Sigma or engineering management. Certificates can help professionals add specific skills or knowledge to their resumes, as well as benefit students who aren't interested in completing a full degree program.

Ultimately, there are strong pros and cons for obtaining an industrial engineering degree online. These programs can be challenging, requiring a strong foundation in mathematics, science, and engineering principles. Some students may find the coursework complex and demanding, leading to a potentially steep learning curve. That said, with experience and specialization, industrial engineering professionals can earn lucrative incomes, making it a financially rewarding career choice. 

Bachelor's degree alumni may qualify for a variety of positions in engineering and engineering technology, but they can also pursue graduate education to improve their marketability and earning potential. Several schools offer online master's programs in industrial engineering, and master's graduates can often advance to managerial roles. Engineers who want to teach at the college level and conduct their own research can pursue a doctorate. However, online doctoral programs in industrial engineering are rare.