University of Arkansas
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University of Arkansas: Top-rated industrial engineering degree to boost your career

The world needs more industrial engineers who can devise more sophisticated systems that integrate workers, machines, materials, information, and energy to make things work better, faster, and smarter. These skills are particularly useful in areas like chain management, organisational transformation, and systems optimisation, making industrial engineers highly sought after throughout a wide range of sectors.

That is where the University of Arkansas comes in; a top public research university ranked among the best 200 in the US. As the university adopts a students-first philosophy, you will receive valuable knowledge and skills that you can apply in a professional setting later in your chosen career.

Classes have a low student-to-faculty ratio. You’ll be part of tight-knit groups with dynamic discussions among your peers and mentors. As the faculty are experts in analytics, logistics, and optimisation, you’ll get the latest and most relevant insights into applied and theoretical skillsets from their respective fields.

“The faculty members were dedicated to nurturing my research interests and guiding me through the process of conducting rigorous and impactful research,” says graduate Ridvan Gedik, who is now a Senior Applied Scientist at Amazon Ads. “They provided constructive feedback, challenged me to think critically, and encouraged me to explore new avenues of inquiry.”

University of Arkansas

The industrial engineering programme is designated as one of the best engineering programmes according to the 2024 US News Ranking. Source: University of Arkansas

Embedded within the university’s College of Engineering, the Industrial Engineering programme is designated as one of the best engineering programmes according to US News & World Report.

Here, you will develop skills in computing, statistics, economics, and project management – all of which are often applied within interdisciplinary engineering teams. The areas you will cover in this programme include Big Data and Data Analytics; Reliability, Maintainability, and Quality Engineering; Transportation, Logistics and Distribution; Healthcare Systems Engineering; and Engineering Management.

These areas are found in its graduate programmes: Master of Science in Industrial Engineering (MSIE) and Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering (PhD) – both of which have a quantitative and operations research/analytics focus. The master’s degree provides the foundations of industrial and systems engineering that can either lead you to advance your studies to the PhD level or prepare you to take on high-ranking managerial positions in the public or private sectors. The PhD programme, on the other hand, will have you investigate and conduct your own research, which will result in an original scholarly work of the highest quality. Nearly all PhD students here are funded by federal, military, industry, and endowment opportunities.

Other graduate programmes include the Master of Science in Operations Management, Master of Science in Engineering Management, Master of Science in Engineering, and Master of Science in Operations Analytics. All these programmes are flexible as some are done fully online or hybrid.

With a record of 93% graduate employment placement rate, this programme has the track record to make sure the education you receive is relevant and fulfilling and can set you up for success in an engineering career. Just look at the list of companies that hired graduates from here, namely Amazon, Google, American Airlines, Disney, FedEx, Boeing, and more.

University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, Arkansas is a wonderful place to live as a domestic or international graduate student. Source: University of Arkansas

Located in Fayetteville, in the hilly northwest corner of Arkansas, the university is home to some of the best outdoor amenities and activities, all happening within the main campus building. You can find the most spectacular hiking trails that lead to picturesque views of the Ozark Mountains just within a short drive from campus. If you need help with any recreational activities or want to join a group doing fun outdoor activities, the University Recreation community is always available to make that happen for you.

You can even take the time to learn about the rich history and culture the university has to offer. More than 200 years after it was first established, sites and monuments like the Senior Walk, Old Main, Spoofer’s Stone, Fulbright Peace Fountain, and many others around the campus have loads of stories – some even dating from the 18th century – for you to discover.

What’s happening on campus is just as exciting. The Distinguished Lecture Series invites important public figures to give guest lectures and share their thoughts about anything and everything. The Dalai Lama, English primatologist and anthropologist Jane Goodall, news anchor Anderson Cooper, and former President George HW Bush were recent guest speakers. The Headliner Concerts Committee is also active in organising events. From the most popular stars in music to trendsetters fresh on the scene, the committee holds some of the best concerts in the area, with names like Foo Fighters, Kid Cudi, Blake Shelton, and Spoon rocking out the stage.

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