University Overview

Vision Statement

MSOE will always be at the forefront of professional education with emphasis on both theory and technology, coupled with intensive laboratories and career practice.

Mission Statement

MSOE provides a sustained interactive educational climate for students to become well-rounded, technologically experienced graduates and highly productive professionals and leaders.

Institutional Principles

The fundamental beliefs of Milwaukee School of Engineering are the following:

• The focus is on the individual student.
• Lifelong learning is essential for success.
• Dedicated faculty with relevant, up-to-date experience are the heart of our teaching process.
• Scientific and mathematical reasoning and processes are essential.
• Applied research and evolving and interdisciplinary technologies are vital in exploiting opportunities.
• The development of communication skills is needed to function effectively.
• The student experience is strengthened by interaction with the business, industry and health care fields.
• The development of leadership and entrepreneurial characteristics is essential.
• Students, faculty, staff and volunteers all share the responsibility of learning.
• Strong personal values are necessary for success.
• The alumni strengthen the institution through their counsel, encouragement and support.
• Freedom with responsibility is the foundation of free enterprise.
• There is strength in diversity.
• Global awareness must be reflected in all activities.
• Initiation and acceptance of change is required to anticipate and capitalize on opportunities.

MSOE’s Constituents

As an institution of higher learning, it is important that we recognize our role in serving our stakeholders, both internal and external to the university. Milwaukee School of Engineering has identified its internal and external constituencies to be:

• Students
• Faculty
• Staff
• Administrators
• Alumni
• Families of current and prospective students
• Employers of MSOE graduates
• Local and regional communities, including but not limited to, the business, educational and professional segments of those communities.

We are committed to serving these constituencies. We seek to engage and to gain insights from them, and to provide them services of value.

History

At the turn of the 20th century, American industry began a period of rapid expansion. This accelerated the use of electrical and mechanical power. As a result, new occupations emerged in technical fields. Engineers and technicians with knowledge and skill were badly needed, but few people were available who had a combination of technical training and formal education. Industry’s need spurred the development of progressive programs of technical education.

In this context, Oscar Werwath organized the School of Engineering of Milwaukee in 1903. Werwath was a practicing engineer who was a graduate of European technical universities. He was the first to plan an American engineering educational institution based on an applications-oriented curriculum. Milwaukee industries were vitally interested in this kind of training and called on Werwath to provide education and training for their employees. From the beginning, leaders of business and industry cooperated in the university’s development, and a close relationship was established that has continued throughout MSOE’s history. These early supporters realized that their future depended on educational institutions that could prepare men and women to fill the newly created engineering and managerial positions.

For more than a century, MSOE has had many memorable moments, creating a rich tradition of educational excellence that has positioned MSOE as a leader among today’s universities.

Location

MSOE has a small university atmosphere within a vibrant city neighborhood. The 20-acre, user-friendly campus is located in a historic downtown district, just blocks from beautiful Lake Michigan. Milwaukee boasts 60 miles of lakeshore, 15,000 acres of parkland and hundreds of miles of bike trails, a vibrant fine arts and cultural community, major and minor league sports, a brisk live music scene, and is famous for its more than 50 annual festivals. The city is also a business, technological and industrial center offering internships and part- and full-time employment opportunities.

MSOE also offers select undergraduate and graduate course work at other sites within the state.

Graduate Degree Programs

MSOE offers the following master’s degree programs:

• Civil Engineering (MSCVE)
• Construction and Business Management (MSCBM)
• Engineering (MSE)
• Engineering Management (MSEM)
• Marketing and Export Management (MSXM)
• MBA
• MBA in Education Leadership (MBAEL)
• MBA in STEM Leadership (MBAST)
• Medical Informatics (MSMI) Offered jointly with The Medical College of Wisconsin.
• New Product Management (MSNP)
• Nursing (MSN)
• Perfusion (MSP)
• Structural Engineering (MSST)

Class sizes tend to be small, averaging 10 students per class.

Questions about any of the graduate programs offered by MSOE may be directed to the individual program directors (see the particular graduate program description within this catalog for name and phone number of program director), or to Graduate & Professional Education at (800) 321-6763 or gpe@msoe.edu.

All of these programs are explained in detail in the Degree Programs and Certificates  sections of this catalog.

Undergraduate Degree Programs

MSOE’s undergraduate degree programs are described in a separate publication, the Undergraduate Academic Catalog. To view the Undergraduate Academic Catalog go to www.msoe.edu/admiss/catalog.shtml or contact the Enrollment Management Department at (414) 277-6763 or (800) 332-6763.

Accreditation

MSOE is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The Master of Science in Perfusion program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Committee on Perfusion Education (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, 1361 Park Street, Clearwater, FL 33756, (727) 210-2350).

The Academic Year

The official academic calendar of MSOE is published in the Academic Calendar   section of this catalog. The academic year is divided into three 11-week quarters, September through May. Courses are also offered during the summer.

Affiliations

MSOE is an institutional member in the following organizations:

• The American Association of Colleges of Nursing
• The American Medical Informatics Association
• The American Society for Engineering Education
• Associated Schools of Construction
• The College Board
• The College Entrance Examination Board
• The College Scholarship Service Assembly
• The Council for the Advancement and Support of Education
• The National Academic Advising Association
• The National Collegiate Athletic Association - Division III
• The National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance
• Southeast Wisconsin Educational Consortium
• The US Green Building Council
• Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
• Wisconsin Health Information Exchange

MSOE is also a member of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, Milwaukee World Trade Association, the Greater Milwaukee Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Milwaukee) and the East Town Association.

Location Options

Milwaukee Campus

All graduate programs are offered on MSOE’s main campus, located on Milwaukee’s east side. The MSMI program is offered jointly by MSOE and the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW). Access to MCW resources is made available to MSMI students. Occasionally, classes meet at the MCW campus.

On-Site

On-site offerings are feasible for companies with 10 or more employees who share a common educational need. In some cases, students not necessarily employed by a particular company are permitted to enroll in courses on-site at the company. For more information regarding on-site offerings, contact Graduate & Professional Education at (800) 321-6763 or gpe@msoe.edu.

Blended Internet courses

Blended Internet delivery combines the rich faculty/student interaction that is the hallmark of an MSOE education with the flexibility of online learning. The amount of time students spend in class is reduced, while time spent on project-focused learning is enhanced.

MSOE’s blended classes meet face-to-face during alternating weeks. Meetings occur during the evening on “even” or “odd” numbered weeks each academic term. Students may choose any single course or combination of courses. Students may also select classes that meet in traditional format, one evening per week for 11 weeks.

Some blended delivery modes vary by course. See the quarterly course schedules for specific information on face-to-face and distance learning.

Online learning activities are scheduled during non-meeting weeks and are facilitated via MSOE’s Blackboard instructional platform. Digital lectures, interactive discussions, investigative case studies, computerized simulations and synchronous chats are examples of online learning experiences used by MSOE faculty.

Online programs

Some of the MSOE graduate management programs can be completed fully online, which provides the student flexibility to study and learn. Courses provide a combination of faculty created content with additional resources found through learning activities utilizing Internet resources, and the MSOE Library. Courses are led by MSOE faculty via Blackboard. Students interact with their professors and other students through discussions, case studies, chat and interactive whiteboards.

Business Excellence Consortium

The Business Excellence Consortium (BEC) assists businesses and organizations on the journey to world-class performance through business performance consulting, executive coaching, benchmarking, assessment, strategic planning and deployment. The BEC also gives individuals the opportunity to gain new skills or stay competitive through specialized training programs:

• Lean
• Six Sigma
• Project Management
• Leadership
• New Product Development and Innovation
• Change Management