World-class Degree Answers

The Courses

MEPP's courses were developed to address the specific needs of mid-career engineering leaders, based on extensive surveys of engineers and their employers.

See a list of MEPP courses and descriptions.

You can tailor your learning in each course by selecting projects that use problems and challenges from your own workplace. You will immediately demonstrate to your employer the value of your degree and your ability to take on new responsibilities.

Through MEPP's curriculum, you will improve your ability to:

Lead engineering projects and teams
  • Effectively manage engineering projects
  • Improve products, services and workplace practices
  • Lead networked, global projects and teams

Communicate effectively as a leader with many audiences
  • Use better strategies to achieve results
  • Use better practices in all forms of communication
  • Overcome barriers to effectively work across cultures
Make better engineering and business decisions
  • Understand the big picture—how your decisions affect the business performance of your organization
  • Use the latest computer-based tools for better analysis and project management
  • Apply statistics to problems and identify opportunities for improvement
  • Conduct research that supports better decision-making

The Institution

A recent survey by the Online University Consortium revealed that 65% of employers prefer online degrees from traditional, nationally respected universities like UW-Madison rather than degrees from for-profit schools.

The MEPP program has the historic excellence of UW-Madison behind it:

  • UW-Madison's College of Engineering is rated among the top 15 graduate engineering schools by "U.S. News and World Report"
  • UW-Madison tied with Harvard for the most alumni serving as CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, according to a recent independent survey
  • UW-Madison ranks no. 2 in federal funding for science and engineering research and development
  • UW-Madison engineers are highly recruited by world-leading engineering employers

The Faculty

MEPP courses are taught by senior faculty, all of whom hold substantial, applied experience in the industry. A senior faculty member, not a teaching assistant, will always teach the course.

MEPP instructors stay connected to their students. They commit to responding to all questions within 24 hours, and typically respond within a few hours.

MEPP students consistently say that they have far more interaction with MEPP faculty than they did in on-campus programs.

The Value

A MEPP degree holds the same stature and is indistinguishable from an ME degree earned on-campus, and MEPP is a full-fledged program of the UW-Madison Graduate School.

The MEPP program gives you the most value and results for your money, compared to other programs:

  • MEPP's high graduation rate (92%) means students and their employers see an impressive return on their investment
  • 95% of MEPP alumni report that MEPP has had a considerable or extensive impact on their careers
  • 53% of MEPP students say that at graduation, they had already obtained a promotion or salary increase that they credit significantly to MEPP

The Program Format

The MEPP program is more student-focused and collaborative than typical online degree programs:

  • Instead of streaming recorded video of an on-campus course, you will attend live, interactive Webconferences once a week
  • You will have assignments due only once a week, allowing you to plan your studies around your schedule
  • You will interact with your instructors and fellow students daily via course Web sites and forums
  • You will collaborate with your classmates on small-group projects

See a typical week in the MEPP program.

MEPP courses are problem-based, focusing on real, immediate application of what you are learning. Research shows that this is the most effective and satisfying approach for adult professionals.

Your 29 classmates will all be experienced engineers. You will study with this same group in each course throughout the two-year program, building strong relationships.

The Student Support

The instructors and staff in the MEPP program are firmly committed to supporting your success. You'll benefit from advisors who are ready to act as your advocate in addressing any issues with campus administration.

The MEPP program begins with "Network Skills for Remote Learners," a class that specifically provides the tools and techniques to help you be successful at distance learning, including:

  • Setting up your learning environment
  • Managing information
  • Learning at a distance
  • Desktop skills and teamwork

Learn more:

Get answers to your questions from faculty and students in a free MEPP Webinar