Manufacturing Leadership Master of Science Degree
The manufacturing leadership MS provides skilled professionals the leadership skills to optimize business operations in a range of organizations and industries.
Overview for Manufacturing Leadership MS
Why Pursue a Manufacturing Leadership MS at RIT?
STEM-OPT Visa Eligible: The STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) program allows full-time, on-campus international students on an F-1 student visa to stay and work in the U.S. for up to three years after graduation.
Career Readiness: Gain the skills necessary to secure a high-level position in operations, supply chain management, or process improvement.
Flexibility: Starting any term you choose, complete online or on-campus courses at your own pace.
Exciting Capstone Project: Receive the opportunity to solve a real-world problem for a sponsoring employer in operations or service management.
The manufacturing leadership MS is for experienced engineers and other professionals who aspire to high-level positions in operations, supply chain management, and process improvement. The degree in manufacturing management integrates business and engineering management courses, delivering them online or on-campus, where you may continue to work while taking classes.
The manufacturing leadership master's is a focused program developed jointly by the Kate Gleason College of Engineering and Saunders College of Business. Particular emphasis is placed on supply chain management, global manufacturing and operations, lean systems thinking, leadership, and decision-making.
A capstone project, oriented to solving an operations or service management problem or process improvement initiative, enables you to apply new skills and capabilities to solve a pressing real-world problem with significant financial benefit to your sponsor.
The manufacturing leadership master's can also be taken on a full-time basis, with several courses available on campus. You may start any term (fall, spring, summer) and complete courses at your own pace.
Capstone Project Sponsorship
For the capstone project, you will be sponsored by an employer who is committed to improving leadership capabilities in operational excellence. Sponsorship includes financial support and a commitment to work with you to provide clear expectations and a well-articulated career development plan that builds upon the program. As an alternative, you are welcome to sponsor yourself. You may contact Financial Aid and Scholarship for more information.
Related Programs
Visit the Engineering Leadership department for information on related offerings, including the master of science in product development, graduate certificate programs, and non-credit workshops and training programs.
The manufacturing leadership MS program is available online, on-campus, or onsite at your location. Contact us for information about partnerships and customized programs for your organization.
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Don't Delay Your Ambitions Until the Fall
This program offers a spring start, which means you can jumpstart your graduate journey and begin your studies this January.
Featured Work and Profiles
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Manufacturing Veteran Finds New Energy in RIT’s Manufacturing Leadership Program
After years in manufacturing, Dag Lindquist discovered a fresh boost in his career through RIT’s manufacturing leadership program, praising its blend of expert faculty and diverse student backgrounds...
Read More about Manufacturing Veteran Finds New Energy in RIT’s Manufacturing Leadership Program -
Student’s Capstone Delivers Big Savings for Her Employer
Linda Marks credits her RIT capstone project with generating substantial savings for Corning, highlighting the program’s diverse expertise and cutting-edge curriculum as key to its success.
Read More about Student’s Capstone Delivers Big Savings for Her Employer -
Master's Program Helps Alumna Secure Major Deal with Toyota
Matthew Crump leveraged skills from RIT’s manufacturing leadership program to lead a successful global team at BorgWarner, culminating in a pivotal business partnership with Toyota.
Read More about Master's Program Helps Alumna Secure Major Deal with Toyota -
Parth Devang Shah
Keurig Green Mountain - Verification and Validation Engineer “The most valuable attribute of the MML program was its strong engineering content coupled with a management emphasis. The top three qualities of the program were faculty support, significant...
Read More about Parth Devang Shah -
James Tabbi
Exxelia RAF Tabtronics LLC - President & CEO “Since completing the MML program, I have led our company through acquisitions, improvement programs, and global expansion. The program gave me the tools and confidence to achieve impressive results....
Read More about James Tabbi
Curriculum for 2025-2026 for Manufacturing Leadership MS
Current Students: See Curriculum Requirements
Note for online students
The frequency of required and elective course offerings in the online program will vary, semester by semester, and will not always match the information presented here. Online students are advised to seek guidance from the listed program contact when developing their individual program course schedule.
Admissions and Financial Aid
This program is available on-campus or online.
On Campus
| Offered | Admit Term(s) | Application Deadline | STEM Designated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time | Fall or Spring | Rolling | Yes |
| Part-time | Fall or Spring | Rolling | No |
Online
| Offered | Admit Term(s) | Application Deadline | STEM Designated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time | Fall or Spring | Rolling | No |
| Part-time | Fall or Spring | Rolling | No |
Full-time study is 9+ semester credit hours. Part-time study is 1‑8 semester credit hours. International students requiring a visa to study at the RIT Rochester campus must study full‑time.
Application Details
To be considered for admission to the Manufacturing Leadership MS program, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:
- Complete an online graduate application.
- Submit copies of official transcript(s) (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work, including any transfer credit earned.
- Hold a baccalaureate degree (or US equivalent) from an accredited university or college. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent) is recommended.
- Satisfy prerequisite requirements and/or complete bridge courses prior to starting program coursework.
- Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
- Submit a personal statement of educational objectives.
- Submit one letter of recommendation.
- Entrance exam requirements: None
- Submit English language test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic, etc.), if required. Details are below.
English Language Test Scores
International applicants whose native language is not English must submit one of the following official English language test scores. Some international applicants may be considered for an English test requirement waiver.
Duolingo (DET): 120
IELTS: 6.5
LanguageCert Academic: 70
PTE Academic: 56
TOEFL: 79
International students below the minimum requirement may be considered for conditional admission. Deaf and hard-of-hearing test takers with significant hearing loss do not need to take the listening and speaking sections for the TOEFL and IELTS. Each program requires balanced sub-scores when determining an applicant’s need for additional English language courses.
How to Apply Start or Manage Your Application
Cost and Financial Aid
An RIT graduate degree is an investment with lifelong returns. Graduate tuition varies by degree, the number of credits taken per semester, and delivery method. View the general cost of attendance or estimate the cost of your graduate degree.
A combination of sources can help fund your graduate degree. Learn how to fund your degree
Additional Information
Prerequisites
Applicants must have at least two years of experience in a manufacturing-related organization or business environment.
Online Degree Information
The Manufacturing Leadership MS program is designed to be completed part-time (1 or 2 courses per term). Full-time options may be available with Graduate Program Director's approval. Time to completion will depend on the plan of study when courses are offered, selected electives, and if the student takes a summer course. Courses may be synchronous or asynchronous. Academic advisors work with students on a study plan after admission to ensure classes fit student availability. Typically students finish this degree in 24-36 months. For specific details about the delivery format and learning experience, contact the Program Contact listed on this page. RIT does not offer student visas for online study.
Online Tuition Eligibility
The online Manufacturing Leadership MS is considered a professional degree that is billed at the standard (on campus) RIT graduate tuition rate. It is not billed at the designated online tuition rate. Scholarship is available off the standard tuition rate for this online program. View the current Graduate tuition rate.
Online Study Restrictions for Some International Students
Certain countries are subject to comprehensive embargoes under US Export Controls, which prohibit virtually ALL exports, imports, and other transactions without a license or other US Government authorization. Learners from the Crimea region of the Ukraine, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Syria may not register for RIT online courses. Nor may individuals on the United States Treasury Department’s list of Specially Designated Nationals or the United States Commerce Department’s table of Deny Orders. By registering for RIT online courses, you represent and warrant that you are not located in, under the control of, or a national or resident of any such country or on any such list.
