Industrial engineering, in its broad nature, focuses on the design and improvement of systems, products and processes. A total systems approach is used to optimize the various aspects of operations in both manufacturing and service industries. The Master of Science in Industrial Engineering program at UCF supports the emergence of Central Florida as a national center of high technology, as well as assists the diverse service industries in the region and throughout the nation.
The Master of Science in Industrial Engineering program coursework focuses on the systems approach, including complexity, system-of-systems perspective, human-systems integration, as well as the critical issues of economic and social globalization, environmental and business sustainability, innovation and leadership. And with two ways to take courses — on campus or through the UCF Online industrial engineering program — you’ll gain the knowledge and skills necessary to lead a successful career at top companies, including Lockheed Martin, L3Harris, Siemens, Mitsubishi, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, IBM and NASA.
As an industrial engineering graduate student at UCF, you’ll also have the opportunity to craft your program of study. This allows you to develop a specialized expertise in various areas of industrial and systems engineering, and engineering management that match your personal interests.
Select courses to focus on one or more of the following research areas:
Human Systems Engineering/Ergonomics
Assist in ensuring that as technology advances, the abilities, limitations and needs of humans are considered in the system design.
Operations Research
Use mathematics and computer-based systems to model operational processes and decisions in order to develop and evaluate alternatives that will lead to gains in efficiency and effectiveness.
Quality Systems Engineering
Explore the various ways to improve product and process quality in manufacturing and service industries.
Simulation Modeling and Analysis
Dive deeper into the functional and technical design requirements for simulation in manufacturing and service industries.
Systems Engineering
Design and implement computer systems, software and networks, including defining complex system requirements and determining system specifications, processes and working parameters.
Interactive Simulation and Training Systems
Gain a fundamental understanding of significant topics relative to simulation systems and the requirements, design, development and use of such systems for knowledge transfer in the technical environment.
The industrial engineering program at UCF ranked 41st in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report .
A group of industrial engineering students helped revolutionize move-in day at UCF for Fall 2020, giving them first-hand experience in helping make operations smoother.
There are nearly 900,000 industrial engineering jobs across the U.S. — a number that's expected to continue increasing each year over the next decade.
Learn about discrete and continuous probability distributions, hypothesis testing, regression, nonparametric stats and ANOVA.
Explore the role of engineers in project management with emphasis on project life cycle, quantitative and qualitative methods of cost, schedule and performance control.
Get an introduction to heuristics approach to the process of systems architecting in business, economics, social, urban, military and government domains emphasizing the conceptual representation and acceptance phases.
Industrial engineering graduate applicants are encouraged to request a free pre-screening of their qualifications prior to submitting an application. While it’s not required, the pre-screening helps prospective students learn more about the program and discusses if any prerequisites will be needed. Applications are accepted for the fall and spring terms only, and faculty members may choose to conduct face-to-face or telephone interviews before accepting an applicant into their research program.
Request InformationIn addition to the general UCF graduate application requirements, applicants to this program must provide:
UCF’s Center for Research in Computer Vision, led by Professor Mubarak Shah, has the nation’s longest-running REU program, continuously operating for 37 years.
Associate Professor Ben Sawyer ’14MS ’15PhD‘s research examines how digital enhancements to text can help improve reading comprehension and speed.
The 10 students who attended the experience were able to learn from and network with professional in federal organizations, such as the U.S. Secret Service…
The rankings highlight the university’s efforts in supporting student success, advancing research and upholding a commitment to service.
Enter your information below to receive more information about the Industrial Engineering (MS) program offered at UCF.
The Master of Science programs in Industrial Engineering are designed to produce highly skilled graduates who are prepared to be industrial engineers, engineering managers or technical professionals, or leaders for the global economy, as well as preparing them for further graduate work or independent research.
Industrial Engineering, in its broad nature, focuses on the design and improvement of systems, products, and processes. A total systems approach is used to optimize the various aspects of operations in both manufacturing and service industries. Industrial engineers use many analytical approaches to improve productivity, safety, and quality of working life while reducing operating costs.
The Industrial Engineering programs are structured to support the emergence of Central Florida as a national center of high technology as well as supporting the diverse service industries in the region and throughout the nation.
In the Industrial Engineering MS programs, students are able to individually craft their programs of study and select their courses to focus on one or more of the following research areas.
Human Systems Engineering/Ergonomics
As technology has become more sophisticated, the need to design for the human user has become more difficult, yet even more important. Human engineering and ergonomics assist in ensuring that as technology advances, the abilities, limitations, and needs of humans are considered in the system design. This not only supports the needs of the user, it also optimizes the efficiency and usability of the system designed. Traditionally, ergonomics has been associated with biomechanical issues and work measurement and performance issues in physical system design, as well as occupational and industrial safety. The broader focus of human engineering encompasses those issues as well as incorporating the reaction and effectiveness of human interaction with systems, both physical systems and virtual systems such as computer-based models.
Research in the Human Systems Engineering and Ergonomics area provides students with the necessary knowledge in human engineering and ergonomics to effectively design tasks, industrial systems, and work environments that maximize human performance, safety, and overall productivity.
Operations Research
The Operations Research courses in the Industrial Engineering MS program uses mathematics and computer-based systems to model operational processes and decisions in order to develop and evaluate alternatives that will lead to gains in efficiency and effectiveness. Drawing on probability, statistics, simulation, optimization, and stochastic processes, Operations Research provides many of the analytic tools used by industrial engineers as well as by other analysts to improve processes, decision-making, and management by individuals and organizations. Research in this area is ideal for students who have an undergraduate degree in engineering, mathematics, or science. The knowledge in these courses builds on an undergraduate Engineering, Mathematics, or Science degree to develop a strong modeling and analytical capability to improve processes and decision-making.
Management Systems
The Management Systems/Engineering Management research focuses on providing the knowledge for improving organizational systems. Engineering Management focuses on effective decision-making and successful project delivery in engineering and technological organizations. With technological advancements comes a new level of organizational complexity. As a result, new knowledge is needed to help the technical organization understand how to improve. The Management Systems/Engineering Management studies and research in the Industrial Engineering program are intended for individuals of all engineering disciplines. Research and coursework focus on a systems view of engineering problems related to the management of complex industrial, military, government, and social systems.
Quality Systems Engineering
The Quality Systems Engineering research in the Industrial Engineering MS program focuses on providing the knowledge for improving product and process quality in manufacturing and service industries. Quality Systems Engineering provides both the quantitative tools for measuring quality and the managerial focus and organizational insight required to implement effective continuous improvement programs and incorporate the voice of the customer. The Quality Systems Engineering courses build on an undergraduate degree in industrial engineering or a closely related discipline to provide the necessary knowledge to plan, control, and improve the product assurance function in government, military, service, or manufacturing organizations.
Simulation Modeling and Analysis
The Simulation Modeling and Analysis research and studies in the Industrial Engineering MS program focus on providing a fundamental understanding of the functional and technical design requirements for simulation in manufacturing and service industries. Research in this area is based on a systems modeling paradigm and provides coding and development capability in the context of a broader systems framework. Significant exposure to design and analysis aspects is a core element of the track. The Simulation Modeling and Analysis research and coursework prepare individuals with an undergraduate degree in Engineering, Science, Mathematics, or a closely related discipline for careers in simulation, focusing particularly on using simulation as an analysis and design tool for the manufacturing and service industries.
Intelligence is being infused into everyday systems, processes and infrastructure that enable physical goods to be developed, manufactured, bought and sold. These same systems also facilitate the movement and delivery of global products and services that support worldwide markets such as finance, energy resources, and healthcare systems.
With these technological advancements, comes a new level of complexity as organizations struggle to integrate systems, processes, and data feeds. As a result, the demand for systems engineering and related skills is expected to grow significantly.
Systems engineers design and implement computer systems, software, and networks, including defining complex system requirements, and determining system specifications, processes and working parameters.
The Systems Engineering studies and research in the Industrial Engineering MS program are intended for individuals of all engineering disciplines. Research and coursework focus on a systems view of engineering problems related to the management of complex industrial, military, government, and social systems.
This program can be taken entirely through the Center for Online and Virtual Education (COVE), which provides video-streamed versions of classes over the Internet. More information about this program can be found at here or (407) 823-3814.
The MS program offers both thesis and nonthesis options with each requiring 30 credit hours of courses. At least half of the regular coursework (including thesis hours) must be at the 6000 level. A cumulative grade-point average of B (3.0) must be maintained in the entire program of study.
A program of study must be developed and approved by the graduate program director during the first semester of enrollment.
Thesis Option: The thesis option requires 30 credit hours: 12 credit hours of required courses, 12 credit hours of electives, and 6 thesis credit hours. Students must also write and successfully defend a thesis.
Nonthesis Option: The nonthesis option requires 30 credit hours: 12 credit hours of required courses, 15 credit hours of electives, and a 3 credit Capstone course (EIN6950).
Research studies are required in one or more courses. The research study and report will focus on reviewing and analyzing contemporary research in the profession in order to help students acquire knowledge and skills pertaining to research-based best practices. In addition, students may engage in directed independent studies, directed research or a research report during their studies.
Students on assistantships must take 9 credit hours per semester (Fall, Spring) to satisfy the university's requirement for full-time status. Most students working full time take 6 credit hours per semester. At that rate, the program can be completed in 6 semesters or less. However, students with more time available and with an early start on a thesis, if applicable, can finish the program in 3 semesters.
Total Credit Hours Required: 30 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor's Degree
Please note: Industrial Engineering (MS) may be completed fully online, although not all elective options or program prerequisites may be offered online. Newly admitted students choosing to complete this program exclusively via UCF online classes may enroll with a reduction in campus-based fees.
International students (F or J visa) are required to enroll in a full-time course load of 9 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters. Only 3 of the 9 credit hours may be taken in a completely online format. For a detailed listing of enrollment requirements for international students, please visit UCF Global. If you have questions, please consult UCF Global at (407) 823-2337.
UCF is not authorized to provide online courses or instruction to students in some states. Refer to State Restrictions for current information.
The Industrial Engineering MS program requires an undergraduate degree in engineering, mathematics, computer science, statistics, physics, quantitative management or similar field.
Outstanding students with degrees in other disciplines such as business, economics or computer/information sciences may also be considered on a case-by-case basis, provided they have significant work experience and/or very high academic standing.
Regardless of the undergraduate degree, all applicants must have completed the following prerequisites:
Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.
Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student's graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.
Equipment Fee
Full-time students in the Industrial Engineering MSIE program pay a $58 equipment fee each semester that they are enrolled. Part-time students pay $29 each semester that they are enrolled.
Independent Learning
The Independent Learning requirement is met by successful completion of a thesis or the capstone course.
