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Master of Industrial Engineering (MIE)

The Master of Industrial Engineering (MIE) is a professional degree that prepares you to excel in industry, government or consulting.

Last Updated: 02/25/2026 | All information is accurate and still up-to-date

The Master of Industrial Engineering (MIE) is a professional degree that prepares you for careers in industry, government or consulting. As a result, you can build practical skills that employers value.

This terminal degree works well if you are self-supported, serving in the military part-time, or participating in a co-op program. Therefore, you can design a path that fits your schedule and goals. ISE PRO TIP: MIE students usually do not receive assistantship awards.

You do not need to complete a thesis or final oral exam to earn the MIE degree. Instead, you can focus on coursework to complete the program. In addition, you may choose to complete project work for up to three credit hours. However, project work is optional, which allows you to earn the degree through coursework only.

Degree Requirements

General Requirements

To earn the MIE degree:

  • You must complete at least 31 credit hours. In addition, at least 21 of those hours must be in Industrial and Systems Engineering ISE.
  • You must complete 24 or more credit hours at the 500-level or above. However, any course below 500 must be outside ISE and requires approval from the Director of Graduate Programs.
  • Your Plan of Graduate Work must include one 700- or 800-level ISE course. In addition, you may apply up to three credit hours of project work from ISE 637, ISE 639 or ISE 677.
  • For the breadth requirement groups, choose one course from four of the five Groups A through E. Then, choose one course from Group F in Computer Science, Mathematics or Statistics for a total of 15 credit hours.
  • Any course you take outside ISE should be technical in nature. Therefore, you should ask your advisor for approval before enrolling.
  • You may include no more than six credit hours of 400-level coursework on the Plan of Graduate Work from outside the ISE Department. Additionally, these courses must be technical and you should seek advisor approval before taking them.
  • You do not need to complete a minor. However, you may add a concentration from another department if it supports your goals.
  • Finally, you must complete at least one semester of the ISE 601 seminar.

Breath Requirement (15 hours)

To meet this requirement:

  • You must choose one course from four of these Breadth Requirement groups (12 credit hours):
    • Economic Analytics and Decision Making
    • Human Factors and Ergonomics
    • Manufacturing Systems
    • Supply Chain
    • Systems Analytics and Optimization
  • You must also complete one course from Group F (Computer Science, Mathematics or Statistics) in the Breadth Requirement Course Listing.

ISE PRO TIP: If you hold an undergraduate degree in Industrial Engineering, discuss these breadth requirements with the Director of Graduate Programs.

What are the Graduate School’s Admission Requirements

Project Work

As noted, project work is optional for the MIE degree. However, if you choose to complete project work, you must submit a proposal using the ISE Graduate Student Project or Study Contract. In addition, your degree advisor must review and approve all project work before you begin.

We recommend that you document your project in a formal report. For example, include an abstract and properly formatted references. In this way, you can clearly present your work. Your project should demonstrate scholarship beyond regular coursework such as term papers.

To receive degree credit for project work, register for ISE 637, ISE 639, or ISE 677. By enrolling in one of these courses, you can apply the approved credits toward your MIE degree.

MIE Degree Checklist

Follow this checklist to prepare for graduation. First, review all requirements to make sure you are on track. By planning ahead, you can avoid last-minute issues.

In your final semester, apply to graduate at least four weeks before the last day of classes. Therefore, mark this deadline on your calendar early. To receive your diploma, submit your graduation application through MyPack Portal. By completing this step on time, you can ensure a smooth path to graduation.

I Want to Download the MIE Degree Checklist

Got Questions? Please contact our Graduate Services Coordinator | ise-gradoffice@ncsu.edu  |  919.515.6410.