COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Science in Manufacturing Leadership at Rochester Institute of Technology is a 30-credit graduate program designed to prepare engineers and professionals for advanced roles in manufacturing, operations, supply chain management, and industrial leadership. The curriculum blends engineering systems thinking with business and management principles, focusing on improving efficiency, productivity, and strategic decision-making in modern manufacturing environments.In the first year, students build a foundation in global manufacturing systems and industrial engineering concepts. The fall semester includes Global Facilities Planning and Engineering of Systems I, which introduce students to large-scale production systems and systems-level thinking. In the spring, students study Manufacturing Systems along with an elective in either Supply Chain Management or Operations and Supply Chain Management, developing an understanding of production flow, logistics, and operational coordination.During the summer term, students focus on process improvement and management methodologies. Lean Six Sigma Fundamentals provides training in quality improvement and waste reduction, while students also select a course in project management, such as Systems and Project Management, Project Management, or Agile Project Management. These courses help develop leadership skills for managing technical projects and operational initiatives.In the second year, students choose from electives that strengthen either technical or business expertise, such as engineering electives or courses like Accounting for Decision Makers or Cost Management in Technical Organizations. The program then concludes with leadership development and a culminating experience. Students take a course in leadership or management, such as Leading Teams in Organizations or Seminar in Management, and complete either a capstone or manufacturing leadership capstone project that applies their learning to a real-world industry problem.Overall, the program prepares graduates for leadership roles in manufacturing engineering, operations management, supply chain strategy, and industrial consulting by combining technical depth with strong managerial and organizational skills.