Industrial and systems engineering

The Master of Science in industrial and systems engineering is a 30-credit, thesis-based graduate degree designed for students seeking advanced research experience.  

A non-thesis M.Engr. option is available.

Learning outcomes

You’ll apply advanced systems engineering principles to investigate complex engineering challenges through original research. You will design and evaluate innovative solutions, analyze and interpret data, communicate research findings through technical writing and presentations and contribute new knowledge that advances industrial and systems engineering.

Class format

The program can be completed full time, part-time or online through Engineering Outreach.

Working closely with a faculty adviser, you will develop a personalized plan of study and conduct original research that culminates in a written thesis and oral defense. A thesis is required for the Master of Science in industrial and systems engineering degree. A non-thesis M.Engr. option is available.

This degree requires completion of 30 graduate credits, including five core courses and nine credits for industrial engineering or systems engineering specialization options with emphasis on research. Required courses also include Research Methods plus six additional credits for thesis credits, culminating in a written thesis and oral defense.

Program faculty

Faculty expertise includes:

• Engineering management
• Systems engineering
• Sustainability
• Smart manufacturing
• AI/ML automation

Find a faculty advisor 

International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) Associate Systems Engineering Professional Certification

You will be prepared to pursue worldwide recognition with INCOSE’s Systems Engineering Professional (SEP) certification, demonstrating validated expertise, experience and leadership in systems engineering.

Related clubs and organizations

The College of Engineering offers 20+ clubs and organizations tied to international and national engineering organizations, including national competition teams.

Learn about clubs related to your major:

• Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA)
• Humanitarian Engineering Corps (HEC)
• National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
• Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
• Society of Women Engineers (SWE) 

University of Idaho is committed to making graduate education accessible and helping students navigate the cost of earning an advanced degree. In addition to financial aid and scholarship opportunities, many graduate students receive funding through assistantships, research opportunities and other forms of academic support.

Here are a few key resources to help you understand graduate tuition, funding opportunities and available financial support:

• Submit your FAFSA: Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an important first step in accessing federal financial aid and certain institutional funding opportunities.  
• Estimate your cost of attendance: Visit U of I’s cost of attendance page to explore estimated tuition, fees and living expenses associated with your graduate program.  
• View a breakdown of tuition and fees: Visit the Student Accounts page to explore current tuition rates, fees and detailed cost information based on your program, residency status and enrollment level.
• Explore scholarships and graduate funding opportunities: Graduate students may qualify for scholarships, fellowships and other funding opportunities based on academic achievement, area of study and professional experience.  
• Learn about assistantships: Many graduate programs offer Research Assistantships (RAs), Teaching Assistantships (TAs) or Graduate Assistantships (GAs), which may provide tuition support, stipends and valuable professional experience. Assistantship availability and funding levels vary by program and department.
• Connect with your program: Funding for on campus students is competitive and faculty may provide graduate funding through a variety of external agencies and industry partners. Contact industrial and systems engineering faculty to learn more about these funding opportunities or explore graduate fellowship programs. This type of funding is not available for online students.

Tuition and fees through Engineering Outreach  

Operating for more than 50 years through the College of Engineering, Engineering Outreach (EO) offers one of the most extensive online graduate degree and course selections in the country. 

Students enrolled in EO-delivered courses pay a fee of $263 per credit in addition to University of Idaho full- or part-time online tuition and fees.

Non-resident fees do not apply to EO-delivered courses. The total amount billed for tuition and fees varies according to student level, course level and the total number of credits taken each semester.

Some EO-delivered courses carry an additional special lab or course fee. The cost of textbooks, computer software and testing center fees are not included in tuition and fees.

Email Student Accounts if you need an itemized quote for your employer or to discuss tuition and fee amounts.

If you have questions about financial aid, scholarships or graduate funding, U of I’s experienced financial aid counselors and graduate program staff can help you explore options and make informed financial decisions throughout the admissions process.  

View financial aid resources

Additional opportunities

Close ties to Idaho National Laboratory, a robust network of industry partners and state and federally funded research ensure your research addresses challenges that matter to real organizations. 

Have questions about the program, research opportunities or the graduate student experience? Connect with our program team for personalized guidance about curriculum, faculty mentorship, application requirements and graduate funding opportunities.

Program contact:  

Ean Ng
Clinical Associate Professor
eann@uidaho.edu
208-885-4098

For questions related to admissions, application materials, transcripts or enrollment steps, contact Graduate Admissions:

Graduate Admissions:  
graduateadmissions@uidaho.edu  
208-885-4001

Interested in research areas or finding a faculty mentor? Explore faculty expertise, research interests and advising opportunities on the department’s faculty page.

Find industrial and systems engineering program faculty advisors

Applicants for the Master of Science in industrial and systems engineering must meet the following admission requirements:

Program availability

• Concentration: Thesis
• Semester intake: Summer, Fall and Spring  
  • Eligible for expedited admission for U of I undergraduates
  • Deadlines: General application deadlines
• Start dates:  
  • View the academic calendar to see start and end dates

University requirements

• Education level: Bachelor's degree from an accredited or recognized institution (earned or expected before the start of the graduate program)
  • Transcripts for all post-secondary education will be required. Unofficial transcripts may be used for initial admission review. View more information on the Graduate Admissions page.
• GPA: 3.0 (Applicants with a lower undergraduate GPA who have relevant professional experience in the field, have already earned a graduate degree, or have completed graduate-level credits may still be considered for admission with approval from the academic program.)
• Letters of recommendation: Two
• Resume
• Statement of Purpose
• English proficiency (for applicants whose education was completed in countries where English is not an official language).  
  • Accepted tests: TOEFL: 4.5, IELTS: 6.5, Duolingo: 115, PTE-A: 58. Learn what qualifies as proof of English proficiency.  

Visit Graduate Admissions to learn more and start your application.