Wright State’s Industrial and Human Factors Engineering program named one of best online graduate programs by U.S. News

U.S. News & World Report has named Wright State University’s online graduate programs in engineering and business as among the best in the nation for 2024.

The Master of Science in Industrial and Human Factors Engineering, offered by Wright State’s College of Engineering and Computer Science, was ranked 37th out of 108 programs nationally, up from 42nd last year. It was also the second-highest-ranked online graduate engineering program in Ohio.

U.S. News & World Report based its rankings on instructor engagement with students, student excellence, student services and technology, peer assessments, and faculty credentials and training. Scores were calculated using data that the programs reported to U.S. News in a statistical survey and from data collected in a separate peer reputation survey.

Wright State’s Master of Science in Industrial and Human Factors Engineering program was ranked No. 2 overall in the student engagement category, a recognition that faculty members provide students with worthwhile opportunities to interact with their instructors and classmates and create a rewarding educational experience for students.

The program was also ranked No. 6 in student excellence, recognizing that graduates have received the skills and training to excel when they enter the workforce.

“We are excited to be among the top 50 ranks consistently for the past eight years,” said Subhashini Ganapathy, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Biomedical, Industrial and Human Factors Engineering. “The opportunities and flexibility we provide to our students makes it a sought-after option to both in-state and out-of-state students. We have excellent faculty and staff who strive to support our students and provide a high-quality program. Our ranking of No. 2 in engagement and No. 6 in student excellence captures that sentiment.”

Wright State’s Master of Sciences in Industrial and Human Factors Engineering is a highly customizable degree that can be completed entirely or partially online through distance-learning courses.

Students work with a faculty advisor to plan a custom course of study in one of several areas, including:

• Logistics and supply chain, which provides students with a background in systems-based modeling, manufacturing design, and continuous improvement, while emphasizing inventory theory, forecasting, warehousing and network design
• Human factors and ergonomics, which provides students with a foundational understanding of usability, interface design, systems modeling and human performance
• Data science, which provides students with a foundation in the design of artificial intelligence systems and visualization of data while emphasizing artificial intelligence and machine learning applications, health care and retail analytics

Research opportunities are also available to students in supply chain and logistics; data science; human factors, ergonomics and user experience; and neuroengineering.

The program prepares working professionals with skills to effectively design and operate a variety of systems in such fields as health care, manufacturing, aerospace, distribution and retail.

Industrial engineers utilize the tools of simulation, optimization, computing and statistics to design and improve modern technology-laden systems. Human factors engineers design systems that effectively integrate human abilities and limitations with machines and tools.

Many of the program’s graduates work as process, manufacturing and quality engineers; usability and user-experience professionals; and operations, management, data and business analysts.

Graduates are employed by Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Kroger, Google, Honda, Aptima, Cardinal Health, Siemens, LexisNexis, General Electric, Boeing and others.

Three Raj Soin College of Business graduate programs ranked

U.S. News also ranked several online graduate programs offered by Wright State’s Raj Soin College of Business.

The Master of Information Systems and the Master of Science in Logistics and Supply Chain Management were ranked 77th out of 213 programs nationally and tied for the second-highest-ranked program in Ohio in U.S. News’ Best Online Master’s in Business Programs rankings.

Both degree programs offer a blended education approach featuring on-campus residencies and proprietary e-learning modules prepared by experts in their fields.

The programs focus on a problem-solving approach to information management, logistics and supply chain management, using real-life experiences, case materials and simulations.

Wright State’s Master of Business Administration was ranked 137th overall and 95th in the Best MBA Online Programs for Veterans category.

“The Raj Soin College of Business is excited with these MBA rankings because they show our dedication to the students that we serve and, in particular, for those who have served our country by providing a flexible academic environment and ensuring they get their full financial benefits from the Veterans Administration,” said Donald Hopkins, interim dean of the Raj Soin College of Business.

The MBA program offers students to take classes full- or part-time and online, in-person or a combination of both. Students can complete the program regardless of their geographic location and at their own pace, from one year for those who attend full-time to a maximum of five years.

All core courses are offered online every semester. Online courses are taught by the same award-winning faculty members who teach classes on campus.

Wright State’s MBA program was also recognized for offering veterans and active-duty service members distance learning opportunities that are affordable, accessible and reputable.

Wright State University, located next to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, is recognized for providing a welcoming campus for veterans and other military-connected students and its support of military initiatives in the Dayton region.