Online MS in Industrial and Systems Engineering

Learn to optimize processes in technical and business systems.

YOUR FUTURE STARTS HERE

Complete the form below to learn more about our online programs and how to get started.

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At a Glance

The online Master of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering from OU Online equips students with the tools to drive innovation, streamline operations, and lead strategic improvements across industries. This dynamic program blends advanced methodologies with real-world applications, empowering students to optimize systems, processes, investments, and organizations.

Students build technical expertise alongside leadership, collaboration, and communication skills that translate across sectors. They learn from faculty with deep experience in aerospace and defense, health and medical systems, and critical infrastructure, gaining insights that prepare them to lead in high-impact environments.

100% Online

Time to Complete:

21+ Months

Credit Hours:

Time Commitment:

10 to 20 Hours Weekly

start dates

Fall, Spring

cost

The Industrial and Systems Engineering master’s degree delivers a strong return on investment, equipping students with the expertise and credentials to advance into top leadership roles and command higher salaries in a competitive field.

Tuition and fees total $30,450, based on $1,015 per credit hour. This cost does not include books or additional course materials.

YOUR FUTURE STARTS HERE

Complete the form below to learn more about our online programs and how to get started.

By submitting this form, l consent to the University of Oklahoma (OU) and its agents contacting me about educational opportunities via automated calls, text messages, and/or email at the number and email provided. Message and data rates may apply. Consent is not required to attend the OU or to receive information by other means. For details on how OU collects and protects your information, review the Privacy Policy.

About the Online Master’s in Industrial and Systems Engineering

While most engineers focus on products or processes, Industrial and Systems Engineers solve complex problems by integrating people, technology, and data to improve the performance of technical and business systems.

The online master’s degree in industrial and systems engineering is a 30-credit program developed by the OU Gallogly College of Engineering. It prepares students to tackle real-world challenges in manufacturing, business, and operations by designing and evaluating systems that enhance productivity, efficiency, and quality. Students learn to optimize every element of production or service delivery—including people, equipment, materials, logistics, quality control, and processes—to deliver high-impact results.

Students graduate ready to make work safer, faster, easier, and more rewarding by:

Increasing the ability to do more with less
Designing safer, more effective products
Reducing costs tied to new technologies
Helping companies scale production efficiently
Creating more profitable and agile business practices
Improving operational efficiency
Enhancing customer service and product quality

The program concludes with a practicum project that challenges students to apply concepts from across the curriculum to a real-world problem.

MS in Industrial and Systems Engineering: Where This Degree Can Take You

Earning an online master's degree in industrial and systems engineering from the University of Oklahoma positions you for career advancement in industries that demand strategic thinking, technical expertise, and leadership. This degree empowers professionals to step into high-impact roles and accelerate their careers in areas such as:

CEO or CTO
Director of Engineering
Quality Engineer
Project Manager
Performance Analyst
Systems Engineer

Director of Testing
Engineering Manager
Operations Analyst
Senior Industrial Engineer
Supply Chain Analyst
Product Engineer

Industry Insights

Median Pay: $101,140
Job Outlook: Employment for industrial engineers is projected to grow 12 percent by 2033
Job Openings: An average of 25,200 openings for industrial engineers are expected each year

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Program Outcomes: Your Competitive Edge Starts Here

OU’s online MS in Industrial and Systems Engineering meets the rising demand for professionals who can optimize complex systems and processes across high-impact industries. Graduates gain specialized knowledge and practical skills that apply to aerospace and defense, healthcare, finance, cybersecurity, supply chain, transportation, and more.

Through this program, students will:

Apply tools and techniques to implement the systems engineering process successfully
Deliver high-quality decisions that drive value in systems design trade-offs
Evaluate system performance across the entire lifecycle using operations research, cost analysis, and predictive analytics
Lead and collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet project management goals

Course Details

The Industrial and Systems Engineering master’s degree offers a comprehensive foundation in critical areas such as statistical analysis, simulation modeling, systems architecture, cost engineering, and project leadership. This flexible curriculum allows students to tailor their learning to align with their career goals and industry interests. Students select one course each from curated options in statistics, modeling, and systems engineering. They also choose 21 credit hours of electives from approved course lists, allowing for deeper exploration in specialized areas. The courses below represent a sample of what students may take as part of the program.

Course Structure

Earn 30 credit hours across 10 fully asynchronous courses. Most courses run for the full semester (16 weeks in Spring and Fall, 14 weeks in Summer), while some courses run for 8 weeks.

Fundamentals of Engineering Statistical Analysis

Credit Hours: 3
Introduction to probability, expectation, discrete and continuous distributions, sampling and descriptive statistics, parameter estimation, and statistical tests to aid decision making. The student will learn analysis techniques for verification of systems parameters.

Decision Analysis

Credit Hours: 3
This course provides the fundamentals of decision analysis and explores how analyzing risk can be incorporated into good decision making. Normative approaches to making decisions when uncertainty exists are central to this course. Topics covered include structuring decision problems, developing alternatives, single and multiple objectives, utility theory, risk tolerance, data-driven and subjective probability, and psychological pitfalls.

Advanced Analytics and Metaheuristics

Credit Hours: 3
Explores advanced techniques for addressing complex optimization problems. Focus is on formulating mathematical models and developing problem solving strategies using methods in the context of Data Science and Analytics. Topics include continuous and combinatorial optimization with an emphasis on both traditional and modern heuristic techniques.

Simulation Modeling and Analysis

Credit Hours: 3
This course is an advanced study of simulation methodology. Emphasis will be given to modeling of discrete event systems. Provides theoretical and practical experience in building and running computer simulation models of industrial systems. Teaches statistical methods for analyzing the output from a simulation.

Project Management Methods

Credit Hours: 3
This course provides the fundamentals of project management. Projects are temporary, unique endeavors that produce a product, service, or result. Organizations in both the public and private sectors use projects to achieve strategic objectives. Projects have distinct start and end dates, and so have a life cycle. We will examine life cycle through project selection, team organization, execution, and closure.

Project Management Leadership

<strong>Credit Hours: 3</strong>

This course is designed to help individuals improve their ability to lead, whether in formal leadership roles or in roles where influence is necessary to achieve high-performing teams. This course prepares students to exercise leadership as influencers, both in and out of formal leadership roles, and to excel as leaders.

Systems Optimization

Credit Hours: 3
Introduction to basic systems models and their solutions with modern computer packages. Emphasis on modeling, computer solutions, and sensitivity analysis with limited reference to model theory and development of algorithmic methods.

Systems Engineering Requirements and Architecting

Credit Hours: 3
This course provides the fundamentals of systems engineering by offering an overview of the discipline and then focusing on the management of system requirements and developing how a system will meet them. We will discuss the definition of systems, the system development life cycle, and the systems engineering method. Topics include Detail design, requirement analysis and decomposition, and system architecting.

Quality & Reliability Engineering

Credit Hours: 3
The use of statistical methods for quality control and improvement in product and process environments, as well as introductory applied probability for component and system reliability. Topics include philosophies of quality management, control chart theory and application, process capability, and performance metrics of reliability. Focus is given to decision making in engineering systems.

Cost Engineering

Credit Hours: 3
This course will discuss the application of scientific principles and techniques to problems of cost estimating, cost control, business planning, profitability analysis, project management, and planning and scheduling. It will provide an understanding of both the tools and models that can be used throughout the design, development, and support phases, and examine the trade-offs between system performance and life-cycle cost.

Model-Based Systems Engineering

Credit Hours: 3
Models Based System Engineering (MBSE) is concerned with the application of modeling and simulation techniques to the design, analysis, verification, and validation of complex systems throughout their lifecycle. Students will be exposed to principles, processes and tools necessary to develop and manage model-based representations of complex systems, enabling a holistic and integrated approach to systems engineering.

Why Choose OU Online for an MS in Industrial and Systems Engineering: Innovation Meets Opportunity

OU Online delivers high-quality, affordable undergraduate and graduate programs in a flexible, fully online format—backed by the reputation of a top-tier public research institution. The master’s degree in industrial and systems engineering gives you the tools to thrive in a fast-paced, innovation-driven field, all while balancing your education with your career and life.

Faculty Expertise

The MS in Industrial and Systems Engineering is powered by world-class University of Oklahoma faculty and seasoned professors of practice who bring real-world experience into every course. By connecting industry leaders with academic excellence, OU Online delivers an advanced, career-focused curriculum that prepares students to lead, innovate, and succeed in today’s evolving engineering landscape.

Robust Student Support

OU Online offers robust student support services, including academic support, online tutoring, mental health counseling, and an online career development center. The program accommodates the needs of working professionals, allowing you to expand your technical skills while maintaining full-time employment.

Global Alumni Network

With more than 250,000 alumni across the world, becoming a Sooner means you’ll have access to a strong network of industrial engineering professionals to accelerate your career. As a Sooner, you’ll be part of a powerful network of leaders working in organizations across the world, helping you expand your career as an industrial engineer.

Flexible Format

The Industrial and Systems Engineering master’s degree is delivered 100 percent online in a flexible format designed for working professionals around the world. Earn your degree in as few as 24 months while maintaining full-time employment and managing personal commitments. Study from anywhere and gain specialized knowledge that positions you for leadership in industrial and systems engineering.

Tailored Experience

Move through the program with a small, focused cohort of professionals who share your passion for industrial and systems engineering. Build meaningful connections as you engage in interactive online discussions with faculty and peers. This collaborative learning environment helps you grow your network, sharpen your skills, and thrive in the engineering industry.

Cost & Financial Aid

Earning your MS in Industrial and Systems Engineering is a strategic investment in your future—and OU Online is committed to making that investment accessible and transparent.

Tuition is $1,015 per credit hour, totaling $30,450 for the full program. This cost does not include books or additional course materials.

Financial aid, scholarships, and employer tuition assistance may be available to help reduce your out-of-pocket expenses. Our dedicated financial services team is here to support you every step of the way—so you can stay focused on your education and career goals.

For questions about financial aid for your online program, contact the Online Aid office at onlineaid@ou.edu or call 405-325-2929.

A nonrefundable deposit of $350 is required upon admission to secure your place in the program. This deposit guarantees your spot in your first semester of courses and will be applied toward your first semester’s tuition.

* Please be aware that tuition and fees may change, as determined by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

Transfer Credit

You can transfer up to 12 credit hours of graduate-level coursework, as per Graduate College policy, with the approval of the department. Credits cannot have been used toward a previously completed degree and cannot be older than 5 years. You must provide a syllabus for each course you want to transfer.

Take the Next Step

To apply to the online Master of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering, you must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university (or the international equivalent) with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA. While applicants from all academic backgrounds are welcome, a degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) field is strongly encouraged. If you're GPA is below 3.0, you will need one Letter of Recommendation. Students are encouraged to have an undergraduate degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) discipline. Applicants should have completed Engineering Calculus I and II before enrollment. A course in linear algebra is recommended but not required. Prerequisites for the program include:

Engineering Calculus I
Calculus II and Linear Algebra are recommended, but not required

Application Process

Complete the online application at https://gograd.ou.edu/apply/
Submit a current resume
Provide official college transcripts from all institutions
Submit a personal statement

Application Timeline

The admissions committee reviews applications on a rolling basis, allowing you to apply when the time is right for you. While admissions may remain open until two weeks before classes begin, some programs may set earlier deadlines. Once your application is complete, the committee typically provides a decision within two weeks—so you can plan your next steps with confidence. A nonrefundable deposit of $350 is required upon admission to secure your place in the program. This deposit guarantees your spot in your first semester of courses and will be applied toward your first semester's tuition.

Step 1

Contact an Enrollment Coach to discuss your qualifications and interest in the program.

Step 2

Complete the online application.

Step 3

Provide supplemental materials, including a resume, personal statement, and undergraduate transcripts.