The Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering Technology (MET) grew out of the previous program in Industrial Technology. A strong commitment to the engineering technology level of instruction acted as the foundation of the program development. In 1986, the Industrial Technology Program merged with other engineering programs to form MSU's School of Physics, Engineering and Technology. Immediately, faculty members redefined the goals and philosophy of the Industrial Technology Program to reflect the new Manufacturing Engineering Technology Program. The MET Program shifted from a management-and business-oriented program to an engineering-oriented program based on engineering fundamentals, science and mathematics. The major in Manufacturing Engineering Technology first appeared in the 1987-88 Undergraduate Bulletin.
In pursuit of excellence, the MET Program studied curriculum at other institutions, attended state and national Society of Manufacturing Engineers meetings on curriculum development, made curriculum revisions, and invited outside review. MET hired new faculty members with the education and experience needed to complement and strengthen the program offerings.
In addition to curriculum and course content revision, laboratories were revised to offer students the types of experience required by the manufacturing engineering technology industry. This included the development of a computer oriented CAD laboratory, an engineering projects lab staffed by full-time technical support staff, and a partnership with the Electronic Engineering Technology Program to offer an electrical engineering technology component.
The first students of MSU's Manufacturing Engineering Technology Program graduated in 1988. Since the inception of the MET Program, continual revision of the curriculum fine-tunes the course offerings to reflect the ever-changing technological needs of industry.
The MET Program grew rapidly. In order to better compete with other manufacturing engineering programs across the country, it applied for accreditation from the Technology Accreditation Commission -Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (TAC-ABET). The MET accreditation was awarded by TAC-ABET effective in 1989. The accreditation was renewed in 1996.
The Manufacturing Engineering Technology Program at Minnesota State University, Mankato has a strong reputation of excellence. The program attracts students from all parts of the United States and the world. Faculty and staff are dedicated to effective and innovative teaching and individual study to maintain their professional currency. Customized partnerships with business and government create a variety of opportunities for student design projects and internships. This combination of the University's commitment, MET's dedicated faculty, and its innovative business partnerships insure its ability to offer the best education for MET students now and in the future.
