Today, many of those enrolling in online MBA programs with a focus in industrial management are those with more technical backgrounds, such as engineering.  The role of the engineer is changing and within an industrial company the engineer is likely to be the manager who has to implement new practices and technologies. Often he/she will be the primary instigator of change within the organization and this requires specific skills and knowledge. It is important that the engineer widens his knowledge and skills in management areas if he wishes to become a senior manager in a manufacturing industry. 

Many online MBA courses in industrial management are aimed at mid-career professionals wishing to make the move to senior management within industrial and manufacturing organizations. These programs are designed to provide the business expertise essential for all senior managers by combining specific engineering subjects with the management of technology and manufacturing systems. They examine the latest business thinking and supplies expert knowledge on engineering and technology issues and theories.

Topics such as finance, marketing, management strategy are combined with modern industrial issues such as project and quality management, manufacturing effectiveness, advanced manufacturing technology and supply chain management. While this mix of subjects is specifically related to the challenges faced by traditional manufacturing organizations, an industrial management MBA program will also provide the basic knowledge taught in any MBA program, including: International Economics; Legal, Social & Ethical Environment ; Leadership in Organizations; Managerial Economics; Managerial Finance; Managerial Accounting; Strategic Marketing Planning and Decision Making; and Business Policy and Strategy, among others. 

            Armed with an online MBA, a graduate is now on the fast track towards becoming a high level manager.  Best of all, in stepping on this fast track, the student never had to leave their career track and go back to school full-time.  The online degree gave him the flexibility to move ahead without putting his career on hold.