M.S. in Management of Information and Technology
The M.S. in Management of Information and Technology at OU is designed for individuals ...
M.S. in Industrial and Systems Engineering
Norman, Oklahoma
INTAKE: Jan, May & Aug
Program Overview
The M.S. in Industrial and Systems Engineering at OU typically requires 30 credit hours and can be completed in 1.5 to 2 years. The program offers flexibility with both a thesis option, ideal for students interested in research or pursuing a Ph.D., and a non-thesis option, which is more coursework-focused and designed for those seeking direct advancement in professional careers. OU's ISE program aims to produce graduates who can integrate analytics and systems thinking to solve real-world engineering problems in diverse sectors such as aerospace, healthcare, manufacturing, and finance. The program is available both on-campus and fully online, catering to both traditional students and working professionals.
STEM Designated: Yes, the Master of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering at the University of Oklahoma is a STEM-designated program. This designation is highly beneficial for international students, as it allows them to apply for a 24-month Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension beyond the initial 12 months, totaling up to 36 months of work authorization in the U.S. post-graduation. This reflects the program's strong quantitative, analytical, and technical foundation, emphasizing skills in high-demand STEM fields.
Curriculum: The curriculum for the M.S. in Industrial and Systems Engineering is comprehensive, focusing on advanced industrial and systems engineering techniques and engineering management practices. Core areas typically include operations research, statistics, simulation, human factors, and systems engineering methodologies. While specific courses may vary depending on the chosen track (thesis vs. non-thesis, or online focus), common topics include "Fundamentals of Engineering Statistical Analysis," "Decision Analysis," "Systems Requirements and Architecting," "Analytics and Metaheuristics," "Quality and Reliability Engineering," "Simulation Modeling and Analysis," and "Models Based System Engineering." The online option often emphasizes courses like "Cost Engineering" and "Project Management Methods." Students learn to use modern software and tools to analyze and optimize complex systems.
Research Focus: Research is a core strength of the School of Industrial and Systems Engineering at OU, providing significant opportunities for graduate students, especially those pursuing the thesis option. Faculty members are actively engaged in impactful research that makes processes and systems better in various industries. Key applied research priorities include: Aerospace and Defense Systems, Health and Medical Systems, and Cyber-Physical-Social Systems. These applied areas are built upon strong theoretical and methodological foundations in fields such as: Systems Engineering, Operations Research and Analytics, Manufacturing, Human Factors, Machine learning/Deep Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Vision, and Digital Twins. This research focus ensures that the curriculum is current and that students are exposed to cutting-edge advancements in the field.
Industry Engagement: The University of Oklahoma's School of Industrial and Systems Engineering boasts strong industry engagement, which is integral to its mission of producing highly capable graduates. The school has connections with industries across various sectors, including aerospace, healthcare, manufacturing, oil and gas, finance, and consulting. Graduates are highly sought after by a wide range of enterprises. The program emphasizes career-driven learning, providing hands-on experience and employer partnerships. Many faculty members have industry experience, and students benefit from opportunities such as internships and collaborative research projects that directly address real-world industrial challenges. This strong engagement leads to a high job placement rate for graduates.
Global Perspective: The M.S. in Industrial and Systems Engineering at the University of Oklahoma inherently incorporates a strong global perspective, as the principles of optimizing systems and processes are universally applicable across international industries and organizations. The program aims to prepare graduates who can provide global, national, and regional leadership in the design, analysis, and improvement of integrated systems. Students learn to address complex engineering problems with consideration for global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts. OU's diverse faculty and student body, including many international students, contribute to a multicultural learning environment that enriches discussions and prepares graduates to work effectively in a globally connected workforce and contribute to solutions with international impact.
Location
Norman, Oklahoma
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 22582
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Application Fee: $100
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 79 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 60 or higher.
The University of Oklahoma offers a variety of scholarships specifically designed to support international students in achieving their academic goals. These scholarships aim to recognize outstanding academic achievements, leadership qualities, and contributions to the campus community while helping to make education more affordable for students from around the world.
Merit-Based Scholarships: OU awards several merit-based scholarships to incoming international undergraduate students based on academic excellence, standardized test scores, and extracurricular accomplishments. These scholarships can significantly reduce tuition costs and are automatically considered during the admissions process or require a separate application.
International Ambassador Scholarship: This prestigious scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate strong leadership skills, a commitment to cultural exchange, and active participation in university life. Recipients often serve as ambassadors for OU’s international community, promoting diversity and inclusion.
Graduate Fellowships and Assistantships: For international graduate students, OU offers numerous fellowships, research assistantships, and teaching assistantships. These positions provide financial support in the form of tuition waivers and stipends while offering valuable professional experience in academic and research settings.
Country-Specific Scholarships: OU periodically partners with governments, foundations, and organizations to offer scholarships targeting students from specific countries or regions. These scholarships foster international collaboration and cultural exchange.
External Scholarships and Financial Aid Resources: In addition to university-funded awards, OU provides guidance and resources to help international students find external scholarships, grants, and financial aid opportunities available through private organizations, embassies, and international agencies.
A Master of Science (M.S.) in Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE) from the University of Oklahoma (OU) provides graduates with a highly sought-after skill set for optimizing complex systems and processes across virtually every industry. Housed within the Gallogly College of Engineering, OU's ISE program trains individuals to enhance efficiency, productivity, quality, and decision-making by integrating analytics, human factors, and systems thinking. This versatility makes OU ISE graduates extremely competitive in the job market, with a high employment rate at graduation.
Operations Research Analyst: Applying advanced analytical methods, mathematical modeling, and optimization techniques to solve complex problems in areas like resource allocation, scheduling, logistics, and supply chain management for businesses, government, or defense.
Management Consultant: Advising diverse organizations on improving efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing productivity. They use their ISE expertise to analyze existing processes, identify bottlenecks, and recommend data-driven solutions for operational and strategic challenges.
Process Improvement Engineer/Manager: Focused on identifying, analyzing, and improving existing business and industrial processes to optimize performance, reduce waste (often using Lean Six Sigma methodologies), and enhance quality across manufacturing, healthcare, or service industries.
Supply Chain and Logistics Engineer: Designing, optimizing, and managing complex supply chains, including procurement, manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution. They use analytical tools to improve inventory management, transportation efficiency, and overall supply chain resilience.
Systems Engineer: Designing, integrating, and managing complex systems throughout their lifecycle. This role is common in aerospace, defense, and technology sectors, focusing on ensuring that various components (hardware, software, human elements) work together effectively to achieve system objectives.
Data Scientist/Analyst: Leveraging their strong foundation in statistics, modeling, and analytical tools, ISE graduates often transition into data science roles. They extract insights from large datasets, build predictive models, and use data visualization to inform strategic business decisions.
Quality Engineer/Manager: Implementing and managing quality control systems to ensure products and processes meet required standards. They use statistical process control, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement methodologies to enhance product quality and operational reliability.
Human Factors Engineer/Ergonomist: Designing systems, products, and environments to optimize human performance, safety, and comfort. This involves applying principles of psychology, physiology, and engineering to improve the interaction between people and technology, common in aerospace, healthcare, and product design.
Healthcare Systems Engineer/Analyst: Applying industrial and systems engineering principles to improve efficiency, patient flow, resource utilization, and quality of care within hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare organizations. They optimize everything from appointment scheduling to operating room efficiency.
Manufacturing Engineer: Optimizing manufacturing processes, plant layouts, and production systems to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance product quality. They work with automation, robotics, and lean manufacturing principles to streamline production.
