IS AN MEM DEGREE RIGHT FOR ME?
The MEM degree may be right for you if...
- you are a science or engineering major interested in developing skills in business, technology management, or entrepreneurship
- you are interested in technology leadership or a career in industrial management, high technology management, R&D management or even technology entrepreneurship in a start-up company
- you would like to combine a core management curriculum with a master's level technical education
- you are seeking an alternative to a traditional masters in engineering or an MBA
Do I qualify for an MEM degree?
Applicants often ask for an assessment of their candidacy for the MEM Program. To better respond to those inquiries, we've developed a brief survey that allows students to submit information on their educational background and test scores and receive feedback from the program. Submit your preliminary information now.
How does the MEM compare to an MBA or traditional engineering MS?
There are several key differences between Duke's MEM Program and other graduate programs, including MBA and traditional engineering programs.
| Program Options |
Duke's MEM program |
MBA Programs | Traditional Engineering MS/PhD Programs |
| Curriculum | Tech-based core courses in marketing, management, finance, and law, with a wide range of technical electives in engineering, management, or business, plus unique seminar/workshop series and an internship component | A broad range of core subjects including economics, marketing, accounting, finance, and others, with specialized courses in corporate strategy, management, human resources, international business, and organizational behavior | Research-based curriculum focused on developing advanced technical comprehension in a specific technical discipline |
| Undergraduate Education |
Requires an undergraduate degree in any engineering or science discipline | Attracts students from a wide variety of undergraduate disciplines | Requires an undergraduate degree in a specific engineering or science discipline |
| Duration |
Can be completed in as little as one year |
Traditional programs are two years long |
Two to eight or more years, depending on the discipline and degree sought |
| Work Experience |
Recommended for students with less than five years of work experience, and tailored for students in the earliest stages of their careers | Highly-ranked programs require years of work experience | Varies, depending on the discipline and degree sought |
| Student Career Goals |
Interest in management in a technology-based organization | Interest in executive level management. |
Interest in research or academic positions |
