In today’s job market, skilled technical roles in engineering fields — such as software, electrical, industrial, and mechanical — are among the highest-paying. And if you’re looking to advance your career in any of these sectors, you may be up against some stiff competition. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that higher-level managerial positions will experience 6% growth by 2033 — a rate that’s faster than the national average. With rising demand for skilled professionals, what are the ways you can increase your value as a candidate and stand out from the crowd?
One of the most effective ways is through continuing education. Earning an engineering management certification not only expands your knowledge but also shows potential employers that you’re committed to career development. But with so many to choose from, how do you know which programs are worthwhile or which one is right for you? Keep reading to find out.
What Are Engineering Management Certifications?
These programs are designed to provide engineers and other technical professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage and lead engineering teams.
Most reputable certificate courses are issued by recognized licensing organizations, such as the American Society of Engineering Management (ASEM). This ensures that programs are based on industry best practices and focus on the most relevant aspects of tech leadership. It also offers proof that the holder has the necessary skills for managing complex engineering projects.
Reasons to Take Engineering Management Certifications
Engineering management certification programs are ideal for those who want to take the next step professionally but have little or no previous management or leadership experience.
Some of the ways certification can help you progress include:
- By building and strengthening leadership skills such as developing goals, leading projects, delegating tasks, motivating and inspiring teams, and so on
- By providing the specialized know-how needed to achieve your career and professional development goals
- By demonstrating your commitment to taking on leadership roles, which is a huge plus for potential employers
- By keeping you up to date on current trends in the engineering industry — a must for managerial roles
Additionally, if you’re planning to apply for senior engineering manager or director-level positions, some prospective employers may require you to hold certain certifications (or commit to earning them as a condition of employment).
Certificate courses can also be a good source of supplementary knowledge for those who are more established in their careers but looking to refresh their skills.
[Downloadable PDF] How to Transition Your Engineering Career from the Technical Track to Management Path.
Careers That Benefit From an Engineering Management Certification
The question remains: Is earning a certificate worthwhile for you and your circumstances? In addition to keeping your career objectives in mind and weighing the benefits and costs, one way to help determine whether or not certification makes sense is by asking yourself what job you want.
The return on investment (ROI) that comes with certification is greater for some roles than it is for others. Positions that benefit from engineering management certificates include:
- Senior Project Analyst
- Cost Systems Analyst
- Senior Management
- Production Engineer
- Engineering Project Manager
- Process Engineer
How to Get an Engineering Management Certification
Typically, certificate programs require a combination of degrees and professional experience to apply or enroll. However, exact requirements will vary based on the course, with some asking for additional prerequisites and others fewer.
Steps that you’ll need to take on your path to certification could include:
- Completing a four-year degree program
- Getting professional experience
- Earning licensure, if needed
- Paying a fee and passing an exam
Though not always a requirement for certification, earning an advanced degree, such as the University of San Diego’s Master of Science in Engineering Management and Leadership, comes with its own benefits.
11 Top Engineering Management Certifications
Not sure where to start when it comes to researching potential programs? These 10 programs offer benefits for anyone considering a career in engineering, management or a combination of the two:
- Engineer In Training Certification (EIT)
This certification is designated by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). It’s issued by individual states’ engineering boards and granted to individuals who have completed a minimum of three years of post-secondary school in an approved engineering program and have passed the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (FE).
Pricing: $225 exam fee payable directly to NCEES
Length of time to completion: Six-hour exam
Prerequisites:
- Be a college senior or a graduate of a four-year ABET-accredited engineering program
- Meet your state’s requirements to apply for your certification
- Certified Professional in Engineering Management (CPEM)
Offered by the American Society for Engineering Management (ASEM), the CPEM is designed for experienced engineers who are preparing to move into — or are already in — leadership and management roles. This certification bridges the gap between engineering and management by validating both technical knowledge and managerial competence.
Pricing: Up to $275 for ASEM members; up to $325 for non-members
Length of time to completion: Three-hour exam
Prerequisites:
- Four years of professional experience
- At least a bachelor’s degree in a related technology or engineering field
- Applicants with a Master’s in EM from an ASEM-certified program or a PhD in Technology, Industrial & Systems or Engineering Management do not need to take the exam
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
Offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI), this program is one of the most highly esteemed project management certifications on the market. It shows that you’re skilled at managing people, processes and business priorities no matter the industry or geographic location.
Pricing: $425 for PMI members; $675 for non-members
Length of time to completion: Three-hour-and-50-minute exam
Prerequisites:
- A high school diploma or associate’s degree, 60 months of experience leading projects within the past eight years and 35 hours of project management education or training, or
- A four-year degree, 36 months of experience leading projects within the past eight years and 35 hours of project management education or training, or
- A four-year degree or higher from a GAC-accredited program, 24 months of experience leading projects within the past eight years and 35 hours of project management education or training
- Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
This certificate validates that you understand the practices and values of the Scrum project management framework and can create an efficient and productive work environment and help team members incorporate agile practices in their day-to-day. This program provides training on the Scrum and Agile frameworks and is ideal for those whose work includes solving complex problems. There are no prerequisites for this course, and professionals from all industries are welcome to enroll.
Pricing: $250 to $2,495 with prices varying by region, format and other market factors
Length of time to completion: 16-hour training course + one-hour CSM exam
Prerequisites: None, though the training course is highly recommended
- Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
Also offered by the PMI, this credential is intended for those technical professionals who want to build on their existing project management skills or those who are just starting out in the field. The CAPM is especially valuable for engineers, IT professionals and other technical roles seeking to transition into project leadership positions or collaborate more effectively with project managers.
Pricing: $225 for PMI members; $300 for non-members
Length of time to completion: Three-hour exam
Prerequisites:
- A secondary degree, such as a high school diploma, GED (general educational development) or global equivalent
- At least 23 contact hours of project management education completed before the exam
- Certified Planning Engineer (CPE)
If you have a degree, at least six years of professional experience and have handled at least two projects in a related field, the CPE could be the certification for you. Offered by several different organizations, the CPE from the American Academy of Project Management (AAPM) provides a training environment for professionals with a technical background by correlating the principles of engineering with management.
Pricing: $300 certification fee
Length of time to completion: After successful registration you should receive your certification within four to six weeks
Prerequisites:
- A recognized degree in fields such as engineering, construction management, business or related disciplines
- A minimum of six years of professional experience, with up to four years substitutable by the degree
- Experience in handling at least two projects related to planning, scheduling or control processes
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (LSSBB)
Six Sigma uses a specific set of tools and concepts to help improve processes in a professional setting. LSSBB training and certification is a fully accredited program that is intended for those who want to become proficient in this methodology. Anyone can enroll, and to earn certification, participants must pass a series of exams with minimum scores of 70%.
Pricing: $229 to $4,975 with prices varying between chosen providers
Length of time to completion: A few weeks to several months, based on the chosen learning path
Prerequisites: None, though applying for higher-level certificates may require Green Belt certification.
- ITIL 4 Foundation Certification
This widely recognized certification course provides enrollees with the know-how and unique skill set needed to oversee IT services. Course content draws from the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) — an established set of IT service management best practices — to introduce an end-to-end operating model for the creation, delivery and continual improvement of technology-enabled products and services.
Pricing: $150 to $500 for an exam voucher, depending on provider and region
Length of time to completion:
- 16 hours of self-paced study, or two to three days of instructor-led training
- + One hour exam
Prerequisites: None, though it’s recommended to utilize the training materials and practice exams
- Certified Agile Leadership (CAL)
With this program, participants gain the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage Agile teams. Like the CSM certification, the Certified Agile Leader 1 is offered by the Scrum Alliance and there is no prerequisite to enroll.
Pricing: $825 to $1,450 with prices varying on the training provider and location
Length of time to completion: 16 hours of live instruction, typically delivered over 2 to 3 days
Prerequisites: None for Certified Agile Leader 1; professionals interested in earning the Certified Agile Leader 2 certification must have their CAL 1 certification
- The Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD)
Formerly known as the Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPLP), the CPTD certification is backed by the Association for Talent Development (ATD) and recognizes professionals who demonstrate the abilities necessary to design, develop, manage and measure learning and performance initiatives. The professional with a CPTD understands the value and impact talent development brings to the success of an organization.
Pricing: $999 for members and $1,500 for non-members
Length of time to completion: Three-hour exam
Prerequisites:
- At least five years of experience
- 60 hours of qualifying professional development
- Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)
Offered by the American Society for Quality (ASQ), this accredited certification is for professionals who want to “understand the principles of product and service quality evaluation and control.” Certified by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB), the CQE recognizes a professional who is capable of improving processes and systems to ensure quality and efficiency within an organization.
Pricing: $433 for ASQ members and $533 for non-members
Length of time to completion: Five-hour-and-30-minute exam
Prerequisites:
- Eight years of relevant experience
- Three years in a decision-making role
How to Choose the Right Certification
Once you’ve determined that certification is the right path for you, the next step is figuring out which program is the best fit. With so many options to choose from, finding the right one can seem like an overwhelming task — but it doesn’t have to be. Try using the following techniques to help narrow the field.
Do Your Research
If you’re targeting a specific job, find out which certifications are applicable to the position you hope to pursue. Check out job listings for roles that interest you — any required certifications should be included in the write-up.
Ask Questions
Each program is different, so it’s important to get answers to the questions that will help you rule out courses that aren’t the best fit and identify the ones that are. Some questions to ask include:
- Does the course align with your career goals?
- How much does the program cost?
- How much time will it take to complete?
- How flexible is the program schedule? (i.e., is it self-paced? Are there set class or exam times?)
- Is the course online or in person?
If you can’t find this information or have questions that the FAQs don’t cover, try getting in touch with the certification program directly, chances are they’ll be happy to help.
Get First-hand Recommendations
Nothing beats getting feedback about potential certificate programs directly from someone you know and trust. Chat with colleagues and ask about their experiences with earning certifications or their thoughts about the different programs you’re considering. If they don’t have direct experience with a particular course, it’s possible that they might know someone who does.
Interested in transitioning from a technical engineering position to a leadership role? Download this free eBook to learn how.
Engineering Management Certificate FAQs
Want to see which master’s degree program could be the right fit for you? Download our free Choosing an Online Master’s Degree eBook.
