<p>I have a BS in Marketing with a Minor in International Business from Illinois State University. I graduated in 2010 but after being in the field for a few years I realize that I have a strong interest in analysis, streamlining processes, and optimizing resources. I really am interested in returning to school for an Industrial Engineering BS. From the research I've done I can't seem to find anything that would allow for me to obtain a Masters in IE without having some sort of Engineering Background. However, that being said, 3-4 additional years of schooling does sound daunting. While I have taken the entry level Math and Sciences for business, I will probably re-take them, as it was approximately 7 years ago now and I wouldn't want to get into classes that are over my head right off the bat. </p>
<p>Meanwhile, I have also looked into MBA programs with a focus in Supply Chain Management. I'm not sure that I will have the same results with this degree as I would with an IE degree. I feel that carrying the IE title gives me more credibility depending on the industry I chose to go into in the future, ie Healthcare Systems Management, Lean Coordination, etc. </p>
<p>At this point, I just want to make sure I'm not overlooking anything. I wouldn't want to go back to school for another 3-4 years to find out I could have been doing the jobs I wanted without the IE degree. I have read a few other forums on here regarding the same issue as well. It seems that while these two paths do cross, that IE still seems to come out as the better option for most fields. It looks like SCM only focuses on SCM and not so much the optimization of resources, cost reduction, streamlining processes and workplace organization. </p>
<p>Is there something that I'm overlooking here?</p>
<p>An IE degree will more than likely take 3 years, or more if you do a coop. I started this same path in Fall of 2011. I had a BA in Psych and decided to come back for a BSIE, halfway through I realized I could, since I had all of the core engineering courses already, finish the MSIE in the same amount of time (skipping the BSIE). I am now finishing my first semester of the MSIE and will grad Dec '14. If you are wanting to go into SCM then that is fine, but you are right that IE opens you up to a LOT more fields of opportunity. I have to run, but if you have any questions just post them on here and I will try to throw out some do’s and don’ts that I have learned over the past couple years. Also, about the math, don’t waste time going over all the remedial stuff. Just self study till classes start and then jump in what you are comfortable with (google pauls online notes). I took calc1 5 years before, then started back with calc2 after self studying for a few months to get familiar with it again. It’s going to take long enough, don’t make it longer.</p>
<p>Thanks for the help! Do you mind if I ask what school you are attending? I’m just wondering how you were able to jump into the MSIE. Is that a more worth while path to go? Is it only going to take you 3 years total to complete the MSIE? </p>
<p>Thanks for the advice about not going back for Calc 1. How long did it take for you to get through all your pre-engineering classes before you were able to get into your core classes? Did you end up doing the pre-engineering classes at a community college and then transferring in to finish the degree?</p>
<p>I go to NC State. It didn’t really get to jump into it, there were a lot of pre-reqs to do it. Basically it went like this, I took:
Fall '11
Intro to Engineering
Calc2
Phys1
C++</p>
<p>Spring
Calc3
Phys2
DiffEq
C++
Some intro IE course</p>
<p>Summer
Statics
SolidsWorks</p>
<p>Fall '12
Solid Mechanics
Probability Theory
Manufacturing Engineering
Materials Engineering</p>
<p>Summer '13
Engineering Economics
Linear regression analysis</p>
<p>I got a 4.0 on all of that. Before I took the last two classes I was on an internship decided to apply since the only requirement is that you have a Bachelors and have a good foundation in engineering. I spoke with one of my previous professors and he thought it was a good idea and agreed to write a recommendation for me. Within a month I was accepted.</p>
<p>It would have taken me till Dec '14 to graduate either way, so I thought ending up with a Masters was a lot more worth while, and it was cheaper too, which was nice. Even if you just get the BSIE, you will still be very employable. </p>
<p>I did all of these at the university, but you could do them at a CC and be fine. Just make sure it is not a complete cake walk at the CC and you come in completely unprepared when you get to the harder stuff. I probably could have done those first two semesters at the CC and everything would have worked out the same.</p>
<p>Sorry, maybe I’ve been out of school too long but what is C++ suppose to mean? Just that it’s necessary to get a C or higher in order for the class to be credible?</p>
<p>Also, were you not required to take any chemistry? Most schools I have looked at require two to three semesters of it as well as physics and calculus.</p>
<p>Every school I have looked at require 1. I had already taken chem 1&2, Bio, Anatomy, physiology etc when I got my bachelors in 2007.</p>
<p>But on that note, chemistry is a requirement for the BSIE, which I didn’t do, so it didnt apply to me anyway. What mattered was that I had the core engineering and math courses so they could tell that I could handle (grades) the MS material and that I had the background for the material to begin with.</p>