Frequently Asked Questions
EMP - Master of Business Administration & Master of Science in Engineering
- What is the Cal Poly EMP (Engineering Management Program)?
- Why should I enroll in the EMP?
- What's the difference between the EMP and other dual degree programs?
- Do I need prerequisite business courses to be successful in the program?
- What makes this program unique?
- Will the MBA portion of the EMP Program, with its optional/elective summer short special session courses, hinder my ability to do a summer internship?
- Under the EMP Program would I take my MBA courses one year and engineering courses the next, or, would I take a mix of both each year?
- Are there unique application processes to apply to the EMP program?
1. What is the Cal Poly EMP (Engineering Management Program)?
The EMP program is a cutting edge interdisciplinary dual degree program linking the Cal Poly MBA and MS in Engineering degree programs. It is a cooperative effort and program between the Orfalea College of Business (OCOB) and the Cal Poly College of Engineering (Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Department). Successful participants will be awarded both an MBA and MS, both with an emphasis in Engineering Management. The OCOB is accredited by AACSB and the College of Engineering is accredited by ABET.
2. Why should I enroll in the EMP?
It's simple. As recently highlighted by a former CEO of Raytheon, "Technology requires management for successful production. We need technologists who [possess business skills and] can actually manage. That fusion is what's so important. Do not think that engineers and management stay in their own little worlds and then the magic happens: It's the exact opposite." The key is integration between business and engineering that adds value to your professional portfolio (a sum greater than the parts). Completing a dual degree will move you forward in this regard.
3. What's the difference between the EMP and other dual degree programs?
The EMP program is designed to develop graduates who can effectively integrate broad technical/engineering issues with business management issues. The other informal dual degree options related to engineering are designed to deepen your technical/engineering knowledge and add career enhancing business skills. Stated differently, the EMP focuses on integration (breadth) while the informal dual degree options tend to focus more on depth in the technical area.
4. Do I need prerequisite business courses to be successful in the program?
No. The Cal Poly Engineering Management Program (EMP) is specifically designed to provide students from a technical background with the necessary business skills to develop their ability to make data-supported, ethical decisions. A full array of core courses and elective courses, along with a focus on our philosophy of "learn-by-doing", provide the essential business knowledge including a mix of valuable and challenging courses and experiences. Students are admitted with the required academic background for success. Some students, possessing a related technical degree such as physics would be qualified for admission but may be required to take, as a part of their program, additional engineering related prerequisite courses to support success. These decisions are on a case-by-case basis and will require a review of each student's academic and professional accomplishments.
5. What makes this program unique?
Designed as a joint program, it combines the strengths of the Cal Poly Orfalea College of Business with those of the Cal Poly College of Engineering to provide a unique interdisciplinary experience that integrates business and engineering disciplines allowing participants to gain two graduate level degrees in two years.
6. Will the MBA portion of the EMP Program, with its optional/elective summer short special session courses, hinder my ability to do a summer internship?
Not at all! These two elective/optional summer short special sessions in the MBA program will run the first few weeks before the beginning of the regular Fall quarter, and, roughly 2 ½ weeks after the June graduation. Thus, there will still be more than ample time for you to pursue an internship during the summer. Moreover, each of the elective four unit courses offered during these sessions (Commercial Development of Innovative Technologies; Effective Communication Skills for Managers; and the International Business Study tour are intended to offer tremendous value to engineers in particular . For example, the tech commercialization course provides students with the conceptual frameworks and experiences necessary to understand the capabilities of a technological innovation and determine if a sustainable market opportunity exists for that innovation. The communication course builds upon the writing and speaking skills common to most undergraduate curricula, by providing additional concept and skill development specifically tailored to a managerial business environment. The China business study tour is designed to be a transformational personal and business experience for students integrating and applying what they studied and learned earlier in the program.
7. Under the EMP Program would I take my MBA courses one year and engineering courses the next, or, would I take a mix of both each year?
It depends on what you want, your schedule, and, the schedule of course offerings. Both the OCOB and College of Engineering recommend that you mix your business and engineering courses, and as a practical matter course offerings and availability require most students to do so. Upon admission we strongly recommend that you come in, meet with us, and plan your schedule.
8. Are there unique application processes to apply to the EMP program?
Yes. For the EMP program, the application process is similar to applying to a single degree program. Selection of the EMP program, when completing an application on the CSUMENTOR system is done as follows:
Program Objective: Engineering Management (MBS)
Degree Objective: Other - MBS
Applications for admission into the EMP program are evaluated by both the Orfalea College of Business and the College of Engineering with a positive decision required by both colleges for admission into the EMP program. In addition, students may, in certain circumstances, be considered for admission during a quarter other than Fall quarter (contact the OCOB Graduate Programs office for additional details and approval).