Master of Science in Technology Management

Advance your career and learn to manage evolving systems with ECU’s Master of Science in Technology Management (MSTM) degree.  Designed for professionals ready to advance in their technology careers, the program combines essential management principles with creative problem solving and strategic thinking skills. You can structure your curriculum with interest areas in quality, manufacturing or industrial distribution. You can also earn a Lean Six-Sigma Black Belt (LSSBB) graduate certificate as part of your curriculum.

Through a forward-looking curriculum that integrates advanced technology, leadership, and management concepts, ECU’s MSTM program prepares you to navigate and shape a rapidly evolving global economy. You’ll learn to bridge the gap between technical expertise and effective leadership, positioning yourself as a critical decision-maker in modern organizations. With the added qualification of LSSBB graduate certificate, you can lead improvement projects in your organization as a specialist in the principles of operational excellence.

ECU’s MSTM degree and the LSSBB graduate certificate are highly prized education qualifications that will allow you to pursue upper-level roles in quality management, manufacturing, automation, distribution and logistics, and production planning—and lead with confidence in high-impact, technology-driven environments.

Why earn a Master of Science in Technology Management degree at East Carolina University?

Our MSTM degree is a longstanding program that has been continually upgraded over the past several decades to meet the needs of busy working professionals, helping them gain a competitive edge in the job market. In affordable courses, you’ll examine complex business situations and conduct applied research in professional settings through statistical analytical concepts.

Immerse yourself in applied industry projects with a heavy focus on service-based learning. Learn from tenured faculty with extensive industry experience and active research agendas. Choose among two tracks—thesis, or practicum. These are used as means to evaluate the comprehensive knowledge and experience of students gained through the program.

Thesis Option: The thesis option emphasizes rigorous scholarly inquiry and independent research in technology management. Under faculty supervision, students apply appropriate research methodologies to investigate a focused problem, demonstrating advanced analytical skills and mastery of theoretical and applied concepts. This option is well suited for students considering doctoral study or research-oriented professional roles.

Practicum Option: The practicum option focuses on applied learning through the analysis and resolution of real-world technology management problems. Students integrate theory and practice by completing a supervised project within an organizational setting, strengthening professional competencies in leadership, decision-making, and applied problem solving. This option is designed for students pursuing advanced professional practice. Students can choose a practicum topic in their place of work, or a topic can be assigned by faculty.

Courses in the Master of Science in Technology Management program

In this dynamic MSTM program, you’ll gain the skills to tackle real-world challenges and make high-impact technical decisions. Designed for today’s technology-driven organizations, the program strengthens your leadership, data-driven decision-making, and collaboration abilities through career-focused coursework.

The program requires the completion of 30 s.h. of which 15 s.h. are core courses that include:

• ITEC 6000 – Statistical Applications in Technology Management
• ITEC 6011 – Technological Ethics and Leadership
• ITEC 6060 – Research Methods in Technology
• ITEC 6200 – Technology Project Management
• ITEC 6406 – Capital Project and Cost Analysis for Technology

Approved electives totaling 15 s.h. can be chosen from the ones shown below:

• ICTN 6250 – Information Technology Compliance and Security Management
• ICTN 6890 – Critical Infrastructure Security and Resiliency
• IDIS 6515 – Logistical Security and Safety Management
• IDIS 6525 – Transportation Logistics Management
• IDIS 6535 – Supply Chain Logistics Management
• IDIS 6545 – Global Logistics Management
• ITEC 6003 – Production Planning and Inventory Management
• ITEC 6005 – Lean Enterprise
• ITEC 6110 – Quality Planning and Analysis
• ITEC 6112 – Design of Experiments for Products and Processes
• ITEC 6407 – Smart Manufacturing
• ITEC 6501 – Enterprise Process Improvement Project

Recommended courses for areas of interest are:

Quality interest area: ITEC 6005, ITEC 6110, and ITEC 6112

Manufacturing interest area: ITEC 6003, ITEC 6005, and ITEC 6407

Industrial distribution interest area: IDIS 6515, IDIS 6525, ITEC 6535, and/or IDIS 6545

Degree programs and certificates related to the MSTM degree

Students pursuing to complete the Lean Six-Sigma Black Belt (LSSBB) graduate certificate program along with the MSTM program should take the following course as part of their core and elective courses: ITEC 6000, ITEC 6005, ITEC 6110, ITEC 6112 and ITEC 6501.

Testimonials from alumnus of MSTM

“The ECU MSTM graduate program and faculty have provided me with direction and education that has made me more successful in my career, putting me on a path of continuous improvement on a personal and professional level.” – Patrick Godbey

“(The program) has assisted my units in improving processes, advancing in rank, and solving logistical hurdles from organic transportation, to mobilizing small teams to island fight. Obtaining a black belt has been very desirable by the department of war and civilian industries. The program offers a competitive advantage when graduating as it provides working knowledge of how to identify problems and provide realistic solutions.” – Taylor Johnson

“The (MSTM and) LSSBB program …. provide students with advanced, industry-relevant process improvement skills that are in high demand across multiple sectors. The program not only strengthens analytical and problem-solving abilities, but also helps create professionals who can lead efficiency, quality, and cost-reduction initiatives. I expect it will give me a significant advantage early in my career. As someone pursuing roles in operations, logistics, and quality management, the LSSBB provides immediately applicable skills in waste reduction, process mapping, and data-driven decision-making. These tools are essential for stepping into leadership roles and driving measurable improvements within organizations. The program strengthens my credibility when applying for competitive positions in industries like energy, aerospace, and manufacturing. Rather than focusing solely on theory, it emphasizes real-world applications, project-based learning, and the use of tools like DMAIC, root-cause analysis, value-stream mapping, and statistical evaluation. It equips students not just to understand improvement concepts, but to implement and lead them effectively. The program adds clear value to ECU students and the companies they will eventually work for.” – Tanner Raines

“I expect (the MSTM and the) LSSBB program to benefit my career as it is my endeavor to become a consultant for companies that wish to increase productivity as well as save expenses and improve quality in their business. A unique advantage (is that) it offers greater earnings, professional growth, and improvement in problem solving abilities.” – Karen Knight

“This program gives you the knowledge of understanding complicated process improvement. It gives graduate students a high-value credential that directly increases our earning potential and makes us far more competitive in the job market. I expect it to significantly boost my career opportunities by qualifying me for higher-paying roles in operations, engineering, and process improvement that specifically seek candidates with advanced Lean Six Sigma expertise. The program stands out because it provides an industry-recognized Black Belt credential something many universities do not offer which can immediately translate into higher salaries, faster promotions, and stronger bargaining power when entering the workforce. I would like to add that my decision to pursue the MSTM degree was because ECU offered the LSSBB graduate certificate as an add-on within the program.” – Mitchell Hurley

“The MSTM and the LSSBB graduate certificate has been key on getting promoted at work now that I am working on it. Projects are saving my company a lot of money.” – Chris Richardson

“The (combined) MSTM and LSSBB program offers a rare combination of academic training and industry-applicable skills. Unlike many general leadership or management courses, LSSBB provides a recognized credential that employers actively look for. For myself personally my employers look at the program and course load to see if it aligns with the business need in my role and it does! It teaches structured problem-solving, data-driven decision-making, and process optimization, all of which are critical in biotech operations.” – Essence Anderson

What can you do with your MSTM online degree?

Most of the students in the MSTM program are working professionals who are pursuing the degree for career advancement. These are ideal qualifications to move up in your career in technology and open doors to challenging and rewarding upper-level leadership positions.

Where are technology management master’s degree graduates working?

Graduates with the MSTM degree are successful in many fields and careers, including:

• Application engineer/manager
• Distribution center/branch manager
• Fleet manager
• Industrial engineer/manager
• Industrial sales manager
• Project engineer/manager
• Quality assurance manager
• Scheduling and planning manager
• Technology manager
• Transportation broker
• Warehouse manager

Graduates of ECU’s MSTM program are well positioned for strong career and salary growth. In North Carolina, professionals who combine advanced technology management education with high‑value credentials such as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt commonly earn $110,000 to $135,000 annually, with senior leadership and specialized roles exceeding $140,000. Demand is especially strong in advanced manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, and life sciences across the Research Triangle, Charlotte metro, and Triad regions.

ECU’s program prepares graduates to compete for these high‑impact, high‑earning roles by integrating technical expertise, data‑driven decision‑making, and operational leadership.

About the Program

The MSTM degree focuses on learning creative problem solving and management principles for technology-driven industries and businesses. The program provides instruction in advanced technology, management and leadership concepts geared toward the needs of our rapidly changing technological global economy. Students learn advanced problem-solving skills and develop technological decision-making capabilities through analytical thinking, applied research, technology development, and productivity improvement. East Carolina University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees. The MSTM program is additionally accredited by the Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering (ATMAE).

Mission Statement

The mission of the MSTM program is to prepare students for leadership positions in technological enterprises and conduct research in technology management. This is achieved through instruction in statistical tools, project management, engineering economics, research methods, and technological ethics and leadership. Elective courses in quality systems, manufacturing systems or distribution and logistics are pursued based on students’ professional goals. Students interested in research may undertake a practicum or a thesis.

Program Objectives

• Graduates solve problems and make technical decisions related to smart manufacturing, production planning and inventory control in technology companies and entities.
• Graduates lead and manage enterprises involved in transportation, supply chain, and global logistics.
• Graduates lead associates and teams in technology driven enterprises and promote ethical business behavior, through the understanding of professional issues.
• Graduates analyze complex business situations and conduct applied research in professional settings through statistical analytical concepts.
• Graduates promote operational excellence and continuous improvement in technology enterprises.

Program Outcomes

Upon graduating, students will:

• Be able to conduct creative problem-solving and technological decision-making through mastery in cost management and project management. (ITEC6406, ITEC6200)
• Possess the necessary skills to conduct applied research in professional settings through statistical analytical concepts.  (ITEC6000, ITEC6060, ITEC6903 and ITEC7000)
• Be prepared for leadership and team member roles in technology driven enterprises through the understanding of ethics and leadership concepts. (ITEC6011).

They will also be knowledgeable and skilled in one or more of the following according to their professional goals:

• An ability to achieve operational excellence with lean enterprise, six-sigma principles and design of experiments.  (ITEC6005, ITEC6110, ITEC6112)
• The ability to facilitate production planning and inventory control functions, and smart manufacturing.  (ITEC6003, ITEC6407)
• The ability to lead and manage enterprises involved in transportation, supply chain, and global logistics.  (IDIS6515, IDIS6525, IDIS6535, and IDIS6545)

Admissions

Complete your degree entirely online

Earn your master of technology management degree online without sacrificing your personal life or career. For more than 30 years, we’ve offered our technology management degree in a remote format—proving a long track record of providing students quality and convenient curriculum. In East Carolina University’s Master of Science in Technology Management online program, you’ll network with peers and become an expert in the evolving field of technology management.

The Master of Science in Technology Management (MSTM) degree is designed to serve the needs of students who possess a baccalaureate degree in industrial technology, technology management, applied engineering, engineering technology, and other similar technology oriented disciplines.

Admission into the Master of Science in Technology Management (MSTM) is accepted for the fall semester, spring semester, and the 11-week summer session.

Application Materials needed for the application includes:

• Completed application with fee
• Official transcripts (guidelines and information)
• Current resume
• List of References from persons who can attest to the applicant’s potential to complete the degree
• Written statement of purpose

Admission information for International students:

Interested applicants should forward a resume and unofficial transcripts, if available, to mstechsystems@ecu.edu for consideration prior to submitting an application.

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