About Us
A vital economy requires healthy and competitive industry. In addition, there are world-wide concerns of increased use of resources. Industrial leaders are looking for people who are trained and can help problem-solve these issues of modern manufacturing.
The Manufacturing Engineering Technology program at MSU is designed to graduate students that are college-educated problem solvers who can support the engineering process and management. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates fill the void between a two-year technical or vocational school graduates and engineering graduates.
History of Manufacturing Engineering Technology
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 -Accredited by Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org (TAC-ABET). The MET accreditation was awarded by TAC-ABET effective in 1989. The accreditation was renewed in 1996, 2002, 2008 and 2014.
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.
Program Outcomes
MET Students at the time of graduation are prepared to:
- apply knowledge, problem solving techniques, and hands-on skills in the assessment, design, application, and continuous improvement of manufacturing systems, including automated manufacturing, processes, process controls, manufacturing operations, management, and systems integration.
- specify and implement hard and soft technologies to solve manufacturing system problems.
- demonstrate the application of their knowledge of mathematics, statistics, science, engineering and technology.
- conduct, analyze and interpret experiments and apply experimental results to improve processes and systems.
- recognize the need and develop the skills for life long learning.
- communicate effectively with others.
- function effectively in a team and or leadership environment.
- implement accepted professional standards of integrity and ethical conduct.
Program Objectives
MET Graduates two to three years into their careers should have the foundation to:
- deliver products, services, and support to both internal and external organizations by applying technical knowledge, problem solving techniques and hands-on skills in traditional and emerging areas of manufacturing.
- actively participate in ongoing professional development, professional growth and increasing professional responsibility.
- effectively communicate ideas to technical and non-technical people.
- perform, lead, and manage in cross functional teams.
- work within the accepted standards of professional integrity and conduct.
- design, analyze, build, and test virtual or real models in product development and continuous improvement environments.
- implement, and continuously improve cost, quality, time, and flexibility goals using world class management methodologies.
Student Enrollment Facts
| 2013-2014 | 2014-2015 | 2015-2016 | 2016-2017 | 2017-2018 | 2018-2019 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newly Declared Undergraduate First-Time Students1 | 22 | 27 | 18 | 12 | 11 | 15 | |
| Newly Declared Undergraduate Transfer Students1 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 15 | |
| Graduating Seniors1 | 12 | 15 | 23 | 25 | 29 | 19 | |
| Total Student Enrollment1 | 48 | 82 | 77 | 53 | 89 | 71 | |
| Employment or Continuing Education Within 1 Year of Graduation2 | 94% | 90% | 100% | 100% | 96% | _ |
¹ Data from Institutional Research, Planning and Assessment
² Based on Institutional Research, Planning and Assessment survey respondents with full-time employment or continuing education.
