G R A D UAT E S T UDY

NORTHWESTE RN
ENGINEERING
W E A R E W H O L E- B R A IN T H IN K E R S

S EEIN G S IMP L I C I T Y IN T HE C O MP L E X ,

T HE C O MP L E X I T Y O F T HE S IMP L E.

W E A R E W H O L E- B R A IN E N G IN E E R S ,

B I G-P I C T UR E T HINK ER S , R E A L-T IME

C O L L A B O R ATO R S , A L L- O U T INN O VATO R S .

WE ARE
TA K I N G T H E
WO R L D I N
A WHOLE NEW
DIRECTION.
Driving progress through innovation and leadership.
Turning research into patented processes and
life-changing inventions. Bringing products to market
with smart risk-taking and entrepreneurship.

FIND YOUR DIREC T ION HER E .

G R A D U AT E S T U DY
AT N O R T H W E S T E R N
ENGINEERING
WHOLE-BR AIN THINKING.
E M P O W E R I N G O U R S T U D E N T S W I T H A D V A N C E D A N A LY T I C A L
A N D P R O B L E M -S O LV I N G S K I L L S
Analysis. Logic. Synthesis. Math. All are elements of “left-brain”
thinking, all critical to engineering success. To lead today in a
world of change, engineers require more. They need “right-brain”
skills. Intuition. Metaphorical thinking. Creative problem solving.
At Northwestern Engineering, we celebrate whole-brain thinking
and empower our students to become whole-brain engineers.
Master’s and PhD program students at Northwestern Engineering
take the concept to new heights. They conduct interdisciplinary
research and collaborate with peers and faculty in other highly
ranked departments and beyond. They develop leadership
skills inside and outside the classroom and lab. And, they expand
their career opportunities through career-focused initiatives
and cross-school partnerships that expand their perspectives
and strengthen business management skills.
Whatever direction our graduate students take, all develop the
highly advanced analytical and problem-solving skills required
to change the world for the better in material ways and to lead
others to do the same.
WHOLE-BR AIN ENGINEERS.
P U R S U ING A DVA N C ED DEGR EE S
ACROSS A WIDE RANGE OF PROGRAMS
At every level in every program of study, Northwestern Engineering
P A R T-T I M E M S P R O G R A M S
students constantly advance in their development as whole-brain
engineers. Graduate students choose from an array of master’s Engineering management Executive management
and doctoral programs aligned with their career goals and personal for design and construction Information technology
passions. Master’s degree programs—full- and part-time—are Product design and development management
designed to meet ever-changing industry and research environ- Project management
ments. Doctoral candidates work side-by-side with world-class In addition to the programs listed above, part-time tracks are
faculty across disciplines researching advanced topics available for most full-time MS programs.
in engineering.

F U L L-T I M E M S P R O G R A M S
Analytics Artiicial intelligence Biomedical engineering
Biotechnology Chemical and biological engineering
Civil and environmental engineering Electrical engineering
and computer science Engineering design innovation
Engineering management Engineering sciences and
applied mathematics Information technology
MMM (dual degree) Materials science and engineering
Mechanical engineering Product design and
development management Project management
Robotics Theoretical and applied mechanics
PHD PROGRAMS
Applied physics Biomedical engineering Chemical and
biological engineering Civil and environmental engineering
Electrical engineering, computer engineering, and
computer science Engineering sciences and applied
mathematics Industrial engineering and management
sciences Materials science and engineering
Mechanical engineering Technology and social behavior
Theoretical and applied mechanics

W H AT E V E R D I R E C T I O N O U R G R A D U AT E
S T U D E N T S TA K E , A L L D E V E L O P T H E H I G H LY
A D VA N C E D A N A LY T I C A L A N D P R O B L E M -
S O LV I N G S K I L L S R E Q U I R E D T O C H A N G E T H E
W O R L D F O R T H E B E T T E R I N M AT E R I A L WAY S
AND TO LEAD OTHERS TO DO THE SAME.
R E S E A R C H E R S A N D C O L L A B O R AT O R S
B R E A K I N G B A R R I E R S A N D C R E AT I N G T H E F U T U R E
Northwestern Engineering’s more than 180 faculty systematically MAJOR CENTERS INCLUDE:
confront some of the world’s most pressing and complex challenges
in systems, materials, health and wellness, energy, and the environ- Northwestern-Argonne Institute for Science and Engineering
ment. Our interdisciplinary collaboration is exempliied by ongoing
research initiatives with more than 20 other departments in our Center for Quantum Devices
extended Northwestern family and dozens of other universities
Institute for Sustainability and Energy
and research centers worldwide.

While the majority of University research funding comes from International Institute for Nanotechnology
government sources, corporate-sponsored research represents
Materials Research Science and Engineering Center
a growing opportunity for professors.

Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems

Segal Design Institute

Transportation Center

CAREER-FOCUSED PROFE SSIONAL S

P R E P A R I N G F O R S U C C E S S I N B U S I N E S S , I N D U S T R Y,
AND ACADEMIA
Northwestern Engineering is committed to preparing students
for successful careers as leaders and researchers in business,
industry, and academia. The Engineering Career Development ofice
identiies and works with students to secure internship opportuni-
ties and provides other career advancement services. For doctoral
students, Management for Scientists and Engineers, an eight-week
summer course drawn from the Kellogg School of Management core
MBA curriculum, equips young researchers with the knowledge they
need to become better managers and leaders.

E N T R E P R E N E U R S A N D I N N O VAT O R S
C H A N G I N G T H E W O R L D F O R T H E B E T T E R E V E R Y D A Y.
NORTHWESTERN ENGINEERING’S
Northwestern Engineering students and faculty drive progress
ENTREPRENEURSHIP RESOURCES:
through innovation and leadership, turning research into patented
processes and life-changing inventions and bringing products
to market through smart risk-taking and entrepreneurship. They The Farley Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation provides
typically account for a lion’s share of the University’s inventions incubators, mentorships, and seminars and encourages the ongoing
and faculty startups. development of new, interdisciplinary curricula.

NU vention courses engage interdisciplinary teams from across

the University in the entire innovation and entrepreneurial life
cycle, including how to transform innovations into viable business.

The Innovation and New Ventures Ofice ( INVO ) advises faculty

and students on the development of research with commercial
potential and provides seminars and educational programs
on entrepreneurship and innovation.

The Garage provides an entrepreneurship space for Northwestern

students to experiment, collaborate, and get their ideas built.
A COMMUNIT Y OF LE ADERS
GAINING EXPERIENCE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE
THE CL ASSROOMS AND L AB
The Graduate Leadership Council helps solidify a graduate student Chicago Graduate Student Association ( CGSA )
community among the eight departments within Northwestern
Engineering by organizing social, academic, and professional Black Graduate Student Association ( BGSA )
activities, and facilitates communication with the administration.
Chinese Students and Scholars Association ( CSSA )
Students can also participate in the Graduate Student
Association, department-centered student groups, and other Graduate Student Association for Latino
and Spanish Activities (G-SALSA )
student associations that promote interactions among graduate
students, provide academic and social programs, and serve
Indian Graduate Student and Scholars Association (IGSSA)
as student advocates, including:

Queer Pride Graduate Student Association (QPGSA )

Turkish Intercultural Club

C OL L E AGUE S, F RIENDS, A ND FA MILIE S

LIVING AND LEARNING IN ONE OF THE WORLD’S
M O S T DY N A M I C M E T R O P O L I TA N A R E A S
Stretching along the north shore of spectacular Lake Michigan,
Northwestern’s Evanston campus provides an environment
conducive to serious scholarship and rich in rewarding opportu-
nities for every lifestyle. Evanston boasts the amenities of a big
city in a manageable suburban setting.
With downtown Chicago only 12 miles away and easily accessible
by public transportation or the intercampus shuttle, Northwestern
students have easy access to the wealth of professional sports,
music, art, and cultural diversity that the nation’s third-largest city
offers. Northwestern’s location also means unsurpassed access to
major corporations, research centers, and other organizations eager
to engage Northwestern Engineering students in experiential
learning, internships, and careers.
G R A D UAT E
A P P L I CAT I O N
INSTRUCTIONS
F O R 2 0 19
Northwestern Engineering has prepared this guide to help you
navigate the sometimes complex application process for MS or
PhD admission. You can also refer to each department’s website
for more information.
P H D A P P L I C AT I O N S
If your ultimate goal is a PhD degree, apply for admission to the
PhD program of your choice. Please note that PhD program admission
does not require an MS degree; very few of our new PhD students
hold an MS degree. Also note that if you are not admitted to a PhD
program, you may request admission for self-funded MS study in
most departments.
M S A P P L I C AT I O N S
See below for information on departmental MS programs.
If you are interested in one of the following programs, please refer
to the program’s website for application instructions and deadlines:
Master of Science in Artiicial Intelligence ( MSAI ) Master of
Science in Biotechnology Program ( MBP ) Master of
Engineering Management ( MEM ) Master of Project Management
(MPM ) Master of Science in Information Technology ( MSIT )
The MMM Program Master of Science in Analytics (MSIA )
Master of Product Design and Development Management ( MPD2 )
Master of Science in Robotics ( MSR ) Master of Science
in Engineering Design Innovation (EDI ) Master of Science
in Executive Management and Design Construction (EMDC )
A P P L I C AT I O N P R O C E S S TRANSCRIPTS
AND DEADLINES
Applicants upload unoficial transcripts with the online application.
The online application websites open in September each year.
See The Graduate School website for more details.

You can begin your application in early September. During the Oficial transcripts will be required only for new students
process you can save your work and then delay submission of the who enroll at Northwestern. Those will be collected in the summer
application and application fee until closer to the deadline. months.

The application deadline for most PhD programs will be December 15. R E C O M M E N D AT I O N S
The deadline for engineering sciences and applied mathematics is
December 31. The deadline for industrial engineering and
All recommendations should be submitted through the
management sciences is December 5.
online process. Two or three recommendations are required
depending on the program.
MS application deadlines vary by program. Please refer
to departmental and program websites for speciic MS
Please do not have your references send hard copies by mail.
application deadlines.

ONCE YOU H AV E A PPLIED

S U P P O R T I N G M AT E R I A L S
F O R A P P L I C AT I O N S During the application process, you will work with the departmental
TEST SCORES graduate program assistant to complete your application ile. You will
also be able to track your status online in the application system.

Applicants can use the E TS system to send GRE and TOEFL scores
(if TOEFL is required for you) to Northwestern University (E TS code
1565).

Northwestern will accept scanned copies of score reports with the

online application and verify those scores with E TS.

The minimum Internet-based TOEFL scores are 90 for PhD

applicants and 80 for MS applicants in most programs. Higher
TOEFL scores may be required for some MS programs. Please
see departmental websites for that information. A score of 7.0 may
also be used from the IELTS.

R E S U M E /C V A N D S TAT E M E N T O F P U R P O S E

Please include your resume/CV and statement of purpose

with the online application.
ONCE YOU H AV E BEEN A DMIT TED
A P P L I C AT I O N
PhD programs: Admitted PhD students have until April 15 to accept CHECKLIST
or decline the offer of admission. Those residing in the United States
are invited to campus in late winter. Northwestern Engineering will
help defray expenses for your travel to Evanston. Please check with your speciic program for speciic instructions.

Complete online application

MS programs: Admitted MS students will receive speciic
I N C L U D E W I T H O N L I N E A P P L I C AT I O N
acceptance deadline information from their department or program.
Recommenders’ contact information

Resume/CV
FUNDING
Statement of purpose

Unoficial transcripts
PhD programs: Northwestern Engineering fully funds PhD
students with paid tuition, paid health insurance, and a monthly GRE scores
stipend. After admission, PhD applicants will receive a TOEFL scores (if required; if English was the language of instruction
formal PhD funding offer letter. at the institution where you received your bachelor’s or master’s
degree, then the TOEFL requirement is waived.)
MS programs: Northwestern Engineering generally does not fund
IELTS scores (as an alternative to TOEFL scores)
MS students. To help make sure that all of our master’s degree
Do not send hard copies of materials that have been submitted
students can fund their educations regardless of personal inancial
electronically. It slows the processing of your application.
circumstances, Northwestern Engineering provides opportunities for
access to a variety of federal and private loan and funding options.
(See end of the brochure for more inancial aid information.)

N E E D A S S I S TA N C E ? H AV E A Q U E S T I O N?

Please feel free to contact the graduate program assistant

for your chosen program or Bruce A. Lindvall, assistant
dean for graduate studies:

Bruce A. Lindvall
2145 Sheridan Road, Suite L-261
Evanston, IL 60208–3103
Phone 847–491–4547
b-lindvall@northwestern.edu
M AST E R O F
E N G I N E E RI N G
M A N AG E M E N T
T H E M A S T E R O F E N G I N E E R I N G M A N A G E M E N T ( MEM ) program is designed
for engineering and science professionals who want to develop core management and
leadership skills while staying on the cutting edge of technology. The curriculum empowers
engineers to communicate in the language of business and to move from thinking tactically
to thinking strategically. Combining the core management principles of an MB A with
comprehensive quantitative and analytical tools, MEM prepares engineers and scientists for
top leadership roles in today’s technologically sophisticated companies.
THE MEM PROGRAM STUDENT PROFILE

P R O G R A M F E AT U R E S MEM students are scientists, engineers, project managers, and

technical professionals from diverse corporate backgrounds.
Students are those with a strong interest in technology, but want to
Degree earned in two to three years (part-time) or nine to
gain business and leadership skills to become engineering managers,
15 months (full-time)
entrepreneurs, or intrapreneurs.

Combined intensive training in engineering, technology, and business

Approximate number of students: 80 (15 full-time and 65 part-time)

Evening and Saturday morning classes to accommodate

Average class size: 20
working professionals

Average age: 31
Collaboration with other great Northwestern resources: Kellogg
School of Management, Farley Center for Entrepreneurship and
Innovation, and other engineering master’s programs. Northwestern Average years of employment: 6
University is a member of the Master of Engineering Management
Programs Consortium ( MEMPC ), a group of highly recognized Percentage with advanced degrees: 15
professional graduate engineering management programs that is
working to raise awareness of engineering maagement. Other
Chicago-area companies represented in the program: >50
members include Cornell, Dartmouth, Duke, Johns Hopkins, MIT,
Purdue, Tufts, and USC.

F O R M AT

International and full-time students must start the program at the

beginning of the academic year (fall quarter). These students can
earn the MEM degree in nine to 15 months.

Part-time students may take courses as their schedules allow,

and typically complete the program in two to three years.

The program must be completed within six years.

Classes are held on the Evanston campus, Mondays through

Thursdays from 6:30–9:30 p.m., plus one class on Saturday
mornings from 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Students earn a Master of Engineering Management degree by

completing 12 courses. Students must earn a GPA of 3.0 or better
to earn the MEM degree.

CURRICULUM

Coursework includes seven required MEM core courses, two

advanced engineering methods courses, and three electives. Two
of the three electives may be non-MEM courses. Additionally, stu-
dents may attain an optional concentration in Managerial Analytics,
Design and Innovation, or Project and Process Management.

Required Core Courses Engineering Management

(gateway course) Accounting for Engineers
Financial Issues for Engineers Marketing Issues for Engineers
Decision Tools for Managers
Leadership and Organizational Behavior
Strategic Management for Engineers (capstone course)

Advanced Engineering Methods (select two courses)

Computer Simulation for Risk & Operations Analysis
Product Development for Engineers Product Management
Project Management Supply Chain Management
Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) Managerial Analytics
Operations Excellence Systems Engineering and Architecture
Digital Marketing for Engineers and Entrepreneurs
Organizing for Innovation NU vention: Medical (counts as one
course) NU vention: Web (counts as one course)
NUvention: Energy

Electives (select three courses) Technical Entrepreneurship

Negotiations for Engineers Selected courses from the MSIA pro-
gram Selected courses from the MPM program Selected courses
from the MSIT program Selected Kellogg School of Management
courses Selected Learning and Organizational Change courses

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Students are chosen based on their undergraduate record, job

progression, management and leadership potential, strong letters
of recommendation, and their potential contribution to the overall
program experience. In order to be considered for the MEM
program, the following application requirements must be met:

A bachelor’s degree in engineering or STEM disciplines

GMAT or GRE scores (waived for those with three or more years of
technical work experience)

A GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from an undergraduate program

in engineering or a related scientiic or technical ield

Three letters of recommendation that attest to the candidate’s

academic or work performance as well as leadership potential

Part-time students may apply on a rolling basis. For full-time

and international students, the application deadline is in the
early winter quarter.
F A C U LT Y
The program features outstanding faculty from Northwestern
Engineering’s highly rated Department of Industrial Engineering
and Management Sciences ( IEMS ), ranked fourth in 2018 for
graduate education by U.S. News & World Report; and experts drawn
from local industries.
Faculty members are leading practitioners and scholars of
distinction, and are well known for their experience and research.
MEM faculty members regularly serve as consultants to industry
and government, and their familiarity with current trends and
challenges enables them to provide MEM students with cutting-edge
approaches to management problems and solutions.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
All MEM students have access to the Engineering Career
Development and Northwestern Career Advancement ofices, and
graduates are encouraged to join the Northwestern Alumni
Association for key career resources.
P A R T-T I M E S T U D E N T S
MEM graduates who maintain their current employment while
completing the program on a part-time basis are typically given
signiicant raises and promoted to positions where they manage
larger teams or take on more sophisticated project management
responsibilities.
F U L L-T I M E S T U D E N T S
One-hundred percent of MEM’s most recent graduating class of full-
time students who sought a summer internship or project acquired
one during the program. In recent years, nearly 90 percent of full-
time graduates found employment within six months of graduation.
S T U D E N T/A L U M N I A C T I V I T I E S
The MEM program, in collaboration with the Student Advisory
Board, sponsors activities to develop leadership opportunities for
current students and alumni, such as an annual simulation com-
petition and frequent career networking events. Each September,
alumni, students, and faculty celebrate together during an annual
Northwestern University football game and tailgate party. The MEM
program also encourages alumni to sponsor projects within their
companies for the undergraduate design program.
STUDENT SUPPORT
Because most MEM students work full-time, often in positions with
signiicant engineering and management responsibility, we seek to
make the logistics of the program as manageable as possible. The
program takes care of routine administrative issues, such as class
enrollment and liaison support with other Northwestern University
departments, including student accounts, inancial aid, and the
International Ofice.
C O N TA C T
Information sessions to discuss the program and answer
questions are held throughout the year. Sessions are held both in
person and online. Join a session for more information, or email
mem@northwestern.edu with speciic questions.
F A C U LT Y M E M B E R S A R E L E A D I N G
PRACTITIONERS AND SCHOL ARS
OF DISTINCTION, AND ARE WELL
KNOWN FOR THEIR EXPERIENCE
AND RESEARCH.
M AST E R O F P ROJ ECT
M A N AG E M E N T P RO G R A M
T H E M A S T E R O F P R O J E C T M A N A G E M E N T ( MPM ) program prepares technically
qualiied individuals for high-level management roles in the planning, design, construction,
operation, maintenance, and overall management of major civil and environmental engineering
projects and facilities. Graduates of the program earn a master of science in project
management degree with specializations in architecture, engineering, and construction
( A /E /C ) business management, construction management, transportation management, real
estate development, or sustainability.

Caption
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Students are required to complete 12 courses with a minimum
cumulative 3.0 grade point average and prepare and present a report.
CURRICULUM
The major components of the program are coursework, a seminar
series, and communications skills development. Faculty members
work individually with students to custom design selections
of courses most appropriate to their backgrounds and career
objectives. This one-on-one interaction and the lexibility of the
course requirements enable the accommodation of a broad range
of interests.
The 12-course program consists of (a) managerial courses (inance,
accounting, strategy, and law), (b) a series of specialization courses
in the areas of A /E/C business management, construction man-
agement, transportation management, real estate development,
or sustainability, and (c) a few elective courses chosen to address
the interests and backgrounds of individual students. The program
accommodates both full-time and part-time students.
Applicants to the MPM program typically have an undergraduate
degree in engineering or architecture, but serious consideration is
also given to individuals with quantitatively-based degrees and/or
appropriate work experience in inance, economics, or management.
Other admission criteria include evidence of professional maturity
and an ability to contribute to the program as well as beneit from it.
GRE scores are usually required, and international applicants whose
native language is not English and who have resided in the United
States for fewer than two years must furnish a certiication
of English proiciency.
The program welcomes about 50 to 60 new students each year from
a pool of more than ive times that size.

The MPM seminar series is presented by practicing professionals

and provides a broad perspective on lessons learned about various
project management issues.

Communication skills, a cornerstone of the MPM program since

its inception, are developed through a required communications
course, an optional negotiations course, and a capstone report.

Each student is required to prepare and present a capstone report on

a topic of personal interest. To aid in satisfying professional
standards in the preparation of this report, each student interacts
one-on-one with a communications professional and is carefully su-
pervised to ensure proper organization and content. Students make
their presentations to a committee that determines acceptability.

COURSE SCHEDULE

Except for one course on Saturday mornings during the fall quarter,
all courses are offered on weekdays in the late afternoon (4–6 p.m.)
or evening (6:30–9:30 p.m.). All classes are held in the Technological
Institute building on the Evanston campus.
STUDENTS

The student body is a diverse and balanced group of U.S. and

international students whose technical expertise, experience
levels, and cultural backgrounds are mutually complementary; this is
especially important in light of the holistic and multidisciplinary
global activities in which many employers of MPM program graduates
are involved.

STUDENT PLACEMENT

Northwestern operates a very active placement ofice to serve all

students. In addition, Engineering Career Development works
interactively with graduates who seek employment (typically about
one-half of the class), but the program does not offer a formal
placement service. Some job opportunities become available through
adjunct faculty and seminar speakers, and a few companies conduct
a one-day interview session on campus. Early in the winter quarter,
MPM staff prepare a booklet of student resumes and make it
available to prospective employers.

SUPPORT SERVICES FOR STUDENTS

The program has a workroom and a dedicated computer lab

networked to the University system.

C O N T I N U I N G E D U C AT I O N

Each full course is equivalent to 30 Professional Development

Hours ( PDHs) or three Continuing Education Units (CEUs), with
half courses weighted at one-half of these values.

FA C U LT Y

Most classes are taught by practicing professionals who bring

a wealth of knowledge and real-world experience to the course
offerings. Currently, the faculty of the MPM program consists of
two full-time faculty members and more than 40 part-time adjunct
faculty members.

VISA REQUIREMENT

To satisfy the “full-time student” visa requirement, international

students must register for at least three courses each quarter.

GOVERNANCE

The program is directed by Raymond J. Krizek, Stanley F. Pepper

Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering; the associate
director is Ahmad Hadavi, clinical professor of civil and environ-
mental engineering. Leona Lealaitafea is the full-time administrative
assistant. The primary guiding body for the program is an advisory
board of about 20 practicing professionals.

In addition, most MPM adjunct faculty are senior executives in major

companies and thereby serve an important ongoing advisory func-
tion. Workshops involving all adjunct faculty are held periodically to
assess the program, synthesize interactions among course offerings,
and recommend the future direction of the program.
OTHER ACTIVITIES

At the end of each academic year, most MPM graduates participate

in an exit interview by an external professional, who then prepares
a summary report. These results are used to assess the degree to
which MPM objectives have been satisied and to make any needed
adjustments for the next academic year.

Program personnel maintain contact with alumni via a quarterly

newsletter and periodically conduct a survey of graduates several
years after graduation.

To encourage collegiality among students and alumni, the

program supports activities organized by a student social commit-
tee appointed at the beginning of each year. At the end of each
academic year, a spring brunch attended by students, alumni, fac-
ulty, seminar speakers, advisers, and friends of the MPM program
provides an opportunity to congratulate the new graduates, renew
old acquaintances, meet new friends, and network.

A L U M N I A S S O C I AT I O N

The MPM Alumni Association endeavors to provide a mutually

beneicial networking relationship among the more than 500 MPM
graduates from more than 50 different countries on ive continents.

C O N TA C T

For more information about the MPM program or to schedule

an appointment, contact Professor Raymond J. Krizek, program
director, at 847–491–4040 or rjkrizek@northwestern.edu.

THE STUDENT BODY IS A DIVERSE

AND BAL ANCED GROUP OF U.S.
A N D I N T E R N AT I O N A L S T U D E N T S
WHOSE TECHNICAL EXPERTISE,
EXPERIENCE LEVELS, AND
C U LT U R A L B A C K G R O U N D S
COMPLEMENT ONE ANOTHER.
M AST E R O F P RO D U CT
D ES I G N & D E V E LO P M E N T
M A N AG E M E N T
T H E M A S T E R O F P R O D U C T D E S I G N A N D D E V E L O P M E N T M A N A G E M E N T (MPD 2 ) is a degree
program for professionals who are passionate about mastering the business of product design and development.
Students learn to use creativity, innovation, lean design, design strategy, product innovation, end-user research,
marketing, and project and product management, as well as business and inancial issues, to solve problems in the
face of ambiguity. The MPD² program includes the same basic core as MBAs from the perspective of the business
side of product design and development. The highly focused curriculum, taught by senior faculty from academia
and business, is designed to assure graduates a pathway to senior management, making this one of the top
programs in the world as endorsed by Business Week.
 Courses are open only to MPD² students, who all take the same
MASTER OF SCIENCE PROGRAM classes in sequence.

F O R M AT All courses are delivered within the context of product design

and development and are closely managed to optimize the quality
MPD² uses a cohort model, with students starting in the fall quarter
of material delivered. The program, whether full- or part-time,
of each year. Cohorts offer the ongoing fellowship of other students
is a rigorous academic master’s degree program with assignments,
with similar professional experiences. Teams are assigned and
exams, homework, student presentations, extended projects, and
balanced based on background and experience to mirror real-life
required reading. Students are required to complete both team
product development teams.
and individual assignments.
Students can complete the MPD 2 program in nine months on
a full-time basis or in two years on a part-time basis:
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Part-time Option The part-time program is ideal for students who
wish to earn a degree while continuing their current employment. The ideal MPD² student demonstrates outstanding initiative and
Classes are held on alternating Fridays and Saturdays in the fall, drive, a passion for design and development, and potential for
winter, and spring quarters for two years. leadership and management growth.

Full-time Option Students who wish to accelerate their studies

and are willing to leave their workplace in order to quickly move on to
their next professional step will prefer the full-time program. Classes
are held on both Fridays and Saturdays in the fall, winter, and spring
quarter for nine months.

Over the duration of their respective programs, both groups have

the same course curriculum.

CLASS SCHEDULE

Classes meet on Northwestern’s Evanston campus on Fridays

and Saturdays. Friday classes begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude
at 3:30 p.m. Saturday classes begin at 9:00 a.m. and conclude at
4:00 p.m. Each day consists of two classes, one in the morning
and one in the afternoon.

CURRICULUM

The curriculum consists of 24 required courses; 12 business and

management classes and 12 design classes, offering a well-rounded
education. Each course is ive weeks long. The courses range from
those typical of a professional design and development curriculum,
including material selection, understanding through design,
obtaining meaning from data, protecting intellectual property,
creativity and innovation, human factors, lean design, and project
management, as well as those typical of a business curriculum, such
as marketing, inance, accounting, organizational behavior,
leadership, negotiation, and decision making.
Students often have an undergraduate degree in engineering, design,
or business. Individuals with other degrees and suficient work
experience should also apply. Admission is competitive and is based
on an aggregate review of transcripts, work accomplishments, and
an interview with the program director that includes the submission
of a portfolio representing the applicant’s professional experience.

Proiciency in English is required due to the fast-paced curriculum,

extensive teamwork, and frequent presentations. International
applicants must include their TOEFL scores.

Since part-time students must be in class every other Friday, a letter

indicating the current employer’s understanding of this schedule
must be submitted when accepting an offer of admission.

STUDENTS

The MPD² program has a unique and diverse student body. Students
typically enter the program with three to 30 years of experience in
positions that range from engineer to designer to manager to CEO,
in industries from food to medical devices to military equipment
to consulting. They have come from companies including Abbott
Laboratories, Baxter International, Caterpillar, General Electric,
Harley-Davidson, Illinois Tool Works, Johnson Controls, Kohler, Kraft
Foods, Motorola Mobility, Northrop Grumman, Procter & Gamble,
S.C. Johnson, USG, Whirlpool, Wrigley, and Zebra Technologies, as
well as a variety of smaller and/or private companies.

The average age of MPD² students is 35. While most enter the
program with a bachelor’s degree, some students also have
master’s and doctorate degrees. Students frequently enroll from
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ohio, and some from
California, Florida, and Texas attend the part-time program.

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

The MPD² goal is to make the logistics of the program as seamless as

possible. The program staff helps students focus on their course-
work by providing a number of services, including the purchase of
books, classroom materials, and parking permits; class registration;
meals and refreshments on class days; assistance with class-day
needs, and more. The staff also acts as a liaison with other University
ofices, including inancial aid, student accounts, and the
International Ofice.

FA C U LT Y

MPD² faculty members are leading experts in the ield and are
carefully selected from across Northwestern University (McCormick
School of Engineering, Kellogg School of Management, School of
Law, School of Professional Studies, Weinberg College of Arts and
Sciences, and Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated
Marketing Communications), as well as leadership in private industry.
Our renowned faculty are known for their experience and research
in product design and development management and often serve as
consultants to industry and government. Their familiarity with
current trends enables them to instruct MPD² students about
cutting-edge methods to address the challenges of the discipline.
GOVERNANCE

The MPD² program is directed by Walter B. Herbst, PhD, FNAI,

distinguished clinical professor in the McCormick School of
Engineering and the Kellogg School of Management, founder of
Herbst LaZar Bell, and co-founder of Herbst Produkt. Stephen Carr,
PhD, professor of materials science and engineering, co-directs the
program. A corporate advisory board comprising leaders from a
broad array of industries meets biannually. The program is afiliated
with the Segal Design Institute at Northwestern.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Learning for MPD 2 alumni does not end with graduation. MPD 2
graduates are welcome to return at any time to audit our courses,
such as when a subject might have new relevance due to career
progression, when a new course is offered, or when they simply
wish to reinforce their knowledge.

The MPD 2 alumni group actively plans events, networks, and assists
the program in marketing efforts.

The MPD² program also offers Managing Product Design and

Development, a three-day executive education certiicate program
in the spring and fall of each year. It is taught by the same excellent
faculty who teach in the master’s program.

C O N TA C T

Learn more about MPD² by attending an Open House or Information

Session. Visit mpd.northwestern.edu for more information,
or contact our student coordinator, Diona Geci, at
diona@northwestern.edu or 847–467–3372.

THE IDEAL MPD² STUDENT

D E M O N S T R AT E S A PA S S I O N F O R
D E S I G N A N D D E V E L O P M E N T,
O U T S TA N D I N G I N I T I AT I V E A N D
DRIVE, AND BASIC LEADERSHIP
SKILLS FOR MANAGEMENT GROWTH.
E X EC U T I V E
M A N AG E M E N T FO R
D ES I G N A N D
C O N ST RU CT I O N
The online E X E C U T I V E M A N A G E M E N T F O R D E S I G N A N D C O N S T R U C T I O N
( EMDC ) program at Northwestern Engineering equips aspiring executives with
the enhanced skills needed to become successful, senior-level leaders in the design
and construction industries. Industry leaders apply their experience and use real-time
case studies to teach the custom-tailored program. Graduates typically advance into
senior leadership positions in an architectural, engineering, or construction irm.
PREPARING FU T URE LE ADERS
Successfully leading an architectural, engineering, or construction
irm, or the real estate or facilities management division of a
major corporation, requires far more than technical skills. Being
proitable in this challenging ield requires senior-level executives
with business insight. The Executive Management for Design and
Construction program provides a fast track, highly customized
learning opportunity for individuals eager to enhance their
professional credentials and move into senior management roles. No
other executive development program offers the same level of
customized curriculum and intense focus on the design and
construction industries.

Graduates of the program gain business and management

expertise that transcends the tactical skills needed to manage
projects (delivery systems, cost control, estimating, etc.) and
emphasizes the strategic competencies and insights required
to lead an organization.

INDUSTRY INSIGHT

This online program provides current and future executives with

advanced coursework supplemented by case studies. Students
beneit from the extensive expertise of faculty members with
a minimum of 20 years experience in the design and construction
industries, as well as from interactive networking among the
students themselves.

The executive program enhances leadership skills through

coursework in:

Finance and accounting for executives

Attracting and retaining talent Advanced business strategy
Risk management Negotiation and communication
Business development Succession planning Industry trends

CURRICULUM
This online program leads to an MS degree in two distinct phases:
six core courses and six elective courses chosen to complement
each individual’s background and career objectives.
G R A D U AT E S O F T H E P R O G R A M
GAIN BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT
E X P E R T I S E T H AT T R A N S C E N D S
T H E TA C T I C A L S K I L L S N E E D E D
TO MANAGE PROJECTS.
 STUDENT PROFILE

Typical EMDC students are about 30 to 40 years old, have eight

or more years of progressive experience in the design or
construction industries, and are ready to advance toward an
executive level position.

C O N T I N U I N G E D U C AT I O N

Each full course is equivalent to 30 Professional Development

Hours ( PDHs) or three Continuing Education Units (CEUs), with
half courses weighted at one-half of these values.

A D M I S S I O N S I N F O R M AT I O N

Applicants to the EMDC program should ideally have an undergradu-

ate degree in engineering or architecture, but applicants with quanti-
tatively-based degrees and/or appropriate work experience will also
be given serious consideration. For admission to the program, the
applicant must submit evidence that he or she is able to achieve
at least a B-level grade point average at Northwestern University.
The best evidence of this capability is a B-level or higher grade
point average at a comparable academic institution, but evidence
of professional maturity is also given considerable weight.

C O N TA C T U S

For more information about the online Executive Management for

Design and Construction ( EMDC) program, contact the program
director, Professor Raymond J. Krizek, at rjkrizek@northwestern.edu
or 847–491–4040.

“ The EMDC program attracts high-performance

individuals who are destined to become tomorrow’s
leaders in the design and construction industry.
It has one of the best faculties in the nation and
uses a wealth of case histories and personal
experiences to prepare future executives for their
companies. The real-world exposure is great, and
the program provides an excellent networking
opportunity for future interactions among its
graduates, faculty, and participating companies.”
J O H N K E N N Y, J R .

F O R M E R P R E S I D E N T, K E N N Y C O N S T R U C T I O N
FINANCIAL AID
FO R MASTE R’S
DEG RE E PROG R AM
STUDENTS
Faculty and staff of the McCormick School of Engineering and Also, note that if your ultimate goal is to pursue a PhD, you may
Applied Science understands that inancing a master’s degree enter PhD programs without having completed an MS degree.
can play an important role in deciding which school you will attend.
To help make sure that all of our master’s degree students can
LOANS
fund their educations regardless of personal inancial circum-
stances, Northwestern Engineering provides opportunities for Northwestern loan procedures, deadlines, and downloadable
access to a variety of federal and private loan and funding options. forms are available at:

The Ofice of Student Financial Services assists current and http://www.northwestern.edu/sfs/inancial_aid/

incoming students with these funding processes and also
provides sound debt management services. You may contact
the ofice by phone at 847–491–8950 or by e-mail at
gradinaid@northwestern.edu.
student-loans/index.html
Private student loan comparison for students not eligible
for federal loans is available at:
http://www.northwestern.edu/sfs/inancial_aid/
student-loans/private-alt/index.html
Financial literacy, federal loan programs, loan forgiveness
provisions, and repayment calculators are available at:

http://www.northwestern.edu/inancial-wellness/

Northwestern Financial Wellness has also partnered with the

non-proit organization American Student Assistance (ASA) to offer
SALT, a free online program designed to help students and alumni
manage their money and student loans. Learn more at:

http://www.northwestern.edu/inancial-wellness/money-101/salt.
html

TUITION

Tuition, fees, billing, and payment information is available at:

http://www.northwestern.edu/sfs/

SCHOLARSHIPS

Information about private outside scholarship assistance

may be found at:

http://petersons.com

Please feel free to follow up with the Ofice of Student Financial

Services or Bruce A. Lindvall, assistant dean for graduate studies
at McCormick, at b-lindvall@northwestern.edu or at 847–491–4547,
if you have questions about inancing your MS degree.