Earn Your Technical Management Degree
- $320/credit (120 total credits)
- Transfer up to 90 credits
- No application fee or SAT/ACT scores required
- Program accredited by ACBSP
- Learn Six Sigma methodology
- Over $105,000 median annual salary1
Technical Management Degree Online Program Overview
Are you a problem solver with a gift for technical work? Do you want to learn more about the business end of your field? Or even run your own business someday? From automotive technology to welding, small businesses to large, the field of industrial technology holds huge potential for students like you.
SNHU’s online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Technical Management is designed to prepare associate degree holders (AAS or AS) in industrial technology fields to become managers. This is your degree if you enjoy working in fields like:
- Audio production
- Automotive technology
- Construction engineering
- Electronics technology
- HVAC or plumbing
- Manufacturing
- Small engine repair
- Wind power technology
- Welding
Aspiring managers in these fields need your technical expertise, but they also need the qualifications businesses look for in a manager. In this technical management degree program, you’ll gain the expertise required to manage the technical aspects of business, including:
- Business communications
- Business systems analysis
- Financial management
- Human resource management
- Marketing fundamentals
- Project management
Whether you want to help grow a large business or launch your own, technical online degrees like SNHU’s prepare you to take the next step.
Learn how to:
- Launch, plan, complete, monitor, control and close a technical project
- Develop project plans for scope, cost, schedule, materials and more
- Apply Six Sigma methods to improve process quality
- Maximize resource usage, reduce cost and solve problems in a technical environment
Career Outlook
As the next decade unfolds, the business world faces unique new realities. Skill gaps, automation and rising competition affect nearly every industry, technical fields included.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects faster-than-average growth for many technical management jobs through 2028. BLS data forecasts higher-than-average financial rewards, too. Construction managers, for example, earn median annual salaries over $95,000 – the same position in manufacturing exceeds $105,000.1
SNHU’s technical management degree prepares you for the challenges – and the jobs – of the future. If you work in manufacturing, where there’s constant pressure to update technology and operate leaner, you’ll know how to handle it. If you’re in construction, where demand for green buildings means staffing up for solar installations, you’ll know how to do it. If you’re in an emerging industry like wind energy, you’ll know how to help grow a business from the ground up.
Technical managers who can think big picture and understand how to navigate the changing business landscape should have a strong competitive advantage. A degree in technology management only sharpens your edge in the job market.
"With this degree, I was able to pivot my career and steadily increase my managerial experience moving from project to product to managing global teams," said Yvette Jorgensen '17.
Jorgensen wants to stay on a leadership path.
"In the future, I would like to continue building on the knowledge and skills learned at SNHU and reach director level in the next few years," she said.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), construction, engineering, manufacturing and transportation offer some of the best job prospects.1 Management roles include:
- Architectural and engineering managers: Drawing on their specialized industry expertise, architectural and engineering managers oversee a wide variety of activities. They might direct and coordinate building activities at construction sites. Or they might oversee production, operations, quality assurance, testing or maintenance activities at manufacturing sites. If technical problems arise, they’re responsible for solving them. Architectural and engineering managers set technical goals and lay out detailed plans to prevent technical problems from happening. The BLS projects 3% growth for architectural and engineering managers through 2028 and reported a median annual salary of $144,830 in 2019.1
- Construction managers: Otherwise known as general contractors, construction managers coordinate and supervise building projects. The scope of the project varies with its type – from residential, commercial and industrial structures to roads, memorials and bridges. In addition to overseeing the construction phase, construction managers often consult with clients during the design phase to help refine plans and control costs. Green building is fueling growth in construction, with solar energy showing unusually high growth. Some jobs in green construction, like solar photovoltaic installers, are seeing a 63% spike in demand.1 The BLS projects 10% growth for construction managers through 2028 and reported a median annual salary of $95,260 in 2019.1
- Industrial production managers: Also called plant managers or quality control systems managers, industrial production managers oversee the daily operations of manufacturing plants. They coordinate, plan and direct activities involved in creating consumer goods like cars, computer equipment and paper products. They might also oversee production of commercial goods like lumber, steel and heavy equipment. Industrial production managers are responsible for carrying out quality control programs to ensure finished products meet a specified level of quality. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $105,480 in 2019.1
- Transportation, storage and distribution managers: Sometimes called logistics managers, roles in this category plan, direct or coordinate transportation, storage or distribution activities. Industries include warehousing and storage, as well as truck, freight and water transportation. Telecommunications and oil and gas extraction may also fall into this group. The manager’s job often involves compliance with organizational policies and applicable government laws or regulations. The BLS showed a median annual salary of $103,320 in 2019.1
Fields in industrial technology are ripe with opportunities for technical managers with a business degree. Whether you want to step up from your current role or find a new opportunity, you’ll be well positioned for leadership.
Start Your Journey Toward an Online Technical Management Degree
Why SNHU For Your Online Technical Management Degree
Flexible
With no set class meeting times, you can learn on your schedule and access online course materials 24/7.
Affordable
Take advantage of some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation, plus financial aid for those who qualify. We also make it easy to transfer to SNHU by accepting up to 90 credits for a bachelor's degree.
Respected
Founded in 1932, Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution with over 100,000 graduates across the country. SNHU is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), which advocates for institutional improvement and public assurance of quality.
Recently, SNHU has been nationally recognized for leading the way toward more innovative, affordable and achievable education:
- “Most Innovative” regional university honors from U.S. News & World Report each year since 2015
- A $1 million grant from Google.org to explore soft skills assessments for high-need youth
- Recognition as a 2017 Digital Learning Innovator by the Online Learning Consortium
Network
At Southern New Hampshire University, you'll have access to a powerful network of more than 200,000 students, alumni and staff that can help support you long after graduation. Our instructors offer relevant, real-world expertise to help you understand and navigate the field. Plus, with our growing, nationwide alumni network, you'll have the potential to tap into a number of internship and career opportunities.
Opportunities
As an SNHU student, you’ll join a community committed to supporting underrepresented students in technology programs. In 2020, SNHU joined the Building, Recruiting and Inclusion for Diversity (BRAID) initiative. As a BRAID affiliate, we’re collaborating with other institutions to better represent racial/ethnic minorities and women in our undergraduate technology degree programs.
Supporting women and underrepresented men in STEM has always been part of our mission. In 2019, INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine recognized our online information technologies program as one of the year’s most “Inspiring Programs in STEM.” Along with the growing diversity in our STEM student body, this ranks among our proudest accomplishments in STEM.
96.5% of students would recommend SNHU.2 Discover why SNHU may be right for you.
Admission Requirements
Students who've completed an associate degree (60 credits) in a technical field from an accredited institution are eligible to apply. Applicable technical fields include:
- Automotive technology
- Construction engineering
- Culinary arts
- Electronics technology
- Graphic arts
- Manufacturing engineering
- Small engine repair
Part of our mission to expand access to quality higher education means removing the barriers that may stand between you and your degree. That’s why you can apply at any time and get a decision within days of submitting all required materials.
Acceptance decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year for our 6 (8-week) undergraduate terms.
How to Apply
Simply work with an admission counselor, who can help you explore financial options, answer all your questions and walk you through the application process. Start by:
- Completing a free undergraduate application
- Providing previous institutions attended – so we can retrieve transcripts for you at no cost
Test scores are not required as part of your application.
Courses & Curriculum
To take on leadership roles in technical management, you need management skills. SNHU’s online technology management degree can help you build the skill set you need to succeed as a technical manager. You'll learn about key business principles and management styles and how they apply to a number of different industries.
And since you'll build on your previously earned associate degree in a technical field, you have a head-start on moving into a leadership position.
"I loved that with this program I had the ability to transfer in my previous AAS in Instrumentation," said Yvette Jorgensen '17. "The technical aspect of financial reporting and analysis that this program provided – coupled with the technical training and experience I had – was a good fit for my career goals."
With each course you take, you’ll get to apply what you learn to real-world situations. Through class discussions, writing assignments and other exercises, you’ll learn about the many variables that contribute to organizational effectiveness.
As you progress through the technical management degree program, you’ll learn how to organize a business, maximize resources and staff a workforce. You’ll study project management principles, including how to cost out and schedule a major project and see it through to completion. You'll learn Six Sigma methodology, which is in demand at businesses of all sizes.
Among the topic areas covered in our technical management degree are:
- Accounting and finance. Accurate financial records are the foundation of good business. You’ll learn their role in documentation and internal processes.
- Human resources. Managers need to build effective teams, motivate workers and keep employees engaged, productive and happy. You’ll learn what you need to know to succeed.
- Project management. Getting an idea off the ground is step one. You’ll learn all the other steps involved in completing a project and keeping it on time and on budget.
- Marketing and service operations. Market research, competitive pricing and front-office efficiency keep service levels high and business growing. You’ll dig in to all of it.
- Information technology. Managers need basic fluency in spreadsheets, database management, linear programming and more. You'll get the grounding you need.
- Six Sigma quality management. This proven practice for maximizing efficiency and raising quality has become indispensable to business. You'll learn how and why it works.
SNHU’s degree in technology management consists of 5 major courses, including these 3 required courses:
- Introduction to Information Technology: Develop the fundamental computer fluency you’ll need to achieve your academic and professional goals. Coursework covers network technologies, web publishing, digital media, file and database management, information security, social impact and more. Students gain fluency in word processing, spreadsheets, presentation and database software.
- Project Management: As modern organizations have grown more complex, they’ve also become more project-driven. You’ll learn the basic project management framework for organizing, planning, monitoring and controlling the project lifecycle. Coursework covers the methodologies and tools used to manage projects effectively in terms of time, cost, quality, risk and resources.
- Six Sigma Quality Management: Learn the Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control (DMAIC) method of Six Sigma quality management, a data-driven, disciplined and proven approach to solving business problems. Coursework covers statistical process control, design and analysis of statistical experiments, process mapping, cause-and-effect diagrams, lean techniques and more.
In addition, you’ll get to focus your technology management degree further by choosing 2 of these 5 major courses:
- Principles of Management. Examine the fundamentals of management to gain an understanding of its role in any organization. Coursework covers planning, decision-making and international management.
- Management of Service Operations. Learn the concepts, principles and practices that lend to successful service operations while achieving operational excellence. Coursework covers the role of services in the economy, strategic positioning, managing service expectations and more.
- Management Science through Spreadsheets. Effective data analysis leads to business decisions that align with strategic objectives and achieve goals. Learn how to apply industry-standard management science techniques to analyze data.
- Supply Chain Management. Examine the role of effective supply chain strategies in global operations. Learn how to plan and integrate supply chain components into a coordinated system. Coursework covers key tactics such as risk pooling, integrated planning and information sharing.
- Topics in Project Management. Explore advanced topics in project management, such as project risk, project integration, project quality and project procurement. Learn the knowledge and skills of an experienced project manager by creating a detailed plan for a real-world project.
Core courses in our online technical management degree are taught by highly regarded, accomplished instructors. SNHU’s online faculty reflect the advanced academic qualifications and practical experience of an accredited university ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the most innovative university in the north every year since 2015. The expertise our faculty bring to the classroom helps to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
Some courses within the technical management degree program will require certain software applications and other technologies. SNHU provides cloud-based virtual environments to give you access to the technology you need for your degree – and your career. Learn more about our virtual environments.
Curriculum Requirements & Resources
- Business core: Business programs require learners to complete the business core program, which includes a variety of business-specific courses. This program focuses on 10 core competencies to prepare you for success wherever you go.
- General education courses: All online bachelor's degree students are required to take general education classes, if not obtained in prior coursework. Through these foundation, exploration and integration courses, students learn to think critically, creatively and collaboratively, giving you the edge employers are looking for.
- Save time and tuition: Depending on your scores, you could earn up to 12 math credits – the equivalent of 4 courses – toward your degree for less than $50 per assessment with our Pathways to Math Success assessments.
View Full Curriculum in the Catalog |
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BS in Technical Management II |
Courses May Include | ||
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BS in Technical Management II Online | ||
QSO 340 | Project Management | As modern organizations have become more complex, they have also become more project-driven. This course uses a basic project management framework in which the project life-cycle is broken into organizing, planning, monitoring and controlling the project. You will learn the methodologies and tools necessary at each stage for managing the projects effectively in terms of time, cost, quality, risk and resources. |
QSO 360 | Six Sigma Quality Management | This course teaches the fundamental tools and techniques used to improve service and manufacturing processes through the Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control (DMAIC) methodology of Six Sigma quality management. Statistical process control, design and analysis of statistical experiments, process mapping, cause-and-effect diagram, 5S methodology, and process waste identification via lean techniques, are the major topics of this course. |
Total Credits: 120 |
Tuition & Fees
Tuition rates for SNHU's online degree programs are among the lowest in the nation. We offer financial aid packages to those who qualify, plus a 30% tuition discount for U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty.
Online Undergraduate Programs | Per Course | Per Credit Hour | Annual Cost for 30 credits |
---|---|---|---|
Degree/Certificates | $960 | $320 | $9,600 |
Degree/Certificates (U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty) |
$675 | $225 | $6,750 |
Tuition Rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually.
Additional Costs
No Application Fee, $150 Graduation Fee, Course Materials ($ varies by course)
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I do with a technical management degree?
A technical management degree prepares you for management positions in technical fields, such as:
- Alternative energy
- Automotive or electronics technology
- Construction engineering
- Freight transportation
- Manufacturing
- Oil and gas extraction
- Truck transportation
- Warehousing and storage
- Water transportation
Do you have an associate degree in a technical field and the desire to become a manager? SNHU’s online technology management degree provides the credentials aspiring managers need and employers look for, including project management and supply chain management.
Technical management jobs are in high demand, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Many positions are well-compensated, too. Construction managers may experience the greatest demand, with 10% job growth through 2028 and median annual salaries just over $95,000 in 2019.1
Much of the job growth in construction comes from green building, especially in the solar energy industry. Some jobs in green construction, like solar photovoltaic installers, are seeing a 63% spike in demand.1 Construction managers in high-growth industries like alternative energy should likely have the best job prospects.
What is a technical management degree?
Also called a degree in industrial technology, this is a specialized degree for talented professionals in technical fields. If you have an affinity for technical work and more than a passing interest in becoming a manager, this is your degree.
If you work in a technical capacity in construction, manufacturing, transportation or a similar industry, you’re already a step ahead. If you have an associate degree in a technical field (AAS or AS), you’re in an even better position. A bachelor’s in technical management is the next step on your career path – and it’s a critical one.
"This program was the best fit that combined technology and business, thus allowing me to be a viable option for a wide range of industries," said Yvette Jorgensen '17, who had earned an AAS in Instrumentation prior to enrolling at SNHU.
SNHU’s technical management degree is tailor made for associate degree holders in technical fields who want to become managers. You’ll learn the business skills to move your career forward, including:
- Business communications
- Business systems analysis
- Financial management
- Human resource management
- Marketing fundamentals
- Project management
- Strategic management
Southern New Hampshire University offers a 120-credit technical management degree that provides an in-depth education in project management, supply chain management and core business essentials. Adding this skill set to your toolbox gives you the business and management skills you need to move your career forward.
Because SNHU’s program is an online technology management degree, it offers you the flexibility to fit in coursework around your schedule. You can continue to work while pursuing your degree and demonstrate what you’re learning on the job.
"I also enjoyed the flexibility in schedule and classes so that I could maintain my heavy travel schedule as well as spend time with my family," Jorgensen said.
Is technology management a good degree?
Definitely! If you work in a technical field, technical online degrees are a practical investment in your future.
A technical management degree expands your business skills in the technical realm and opens up opportunities to become a company leader.
You’ll gain a strong foundation in business, including communications, financial management, project management and strategic management. You’ll learn how to coordinate, plan and direct activities at construction sites, on the factory floor, in warehouses or on trucks, planes or ships.
The foundation that Yvette Jorgensen '17 developed has helped her get noticed by employers.
"Since starting and completing the program, I have been awarded Employee of the Year at two separate global companies, thanks to the knowledge acquired through my education at SNHU," she said.
The strong grasp of management skills you’ll gain from a degree in technology management also opens the door to salary bumps. Technical managers can command high salaries. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), median annual salaries ranged from $95,260 for construction managers to $144,830 for engineering managers in 2019.1
Beyond the financial rewards, a technical management degree can make you more influential at work. By learning how to manage an organization, you’ll open up your chances to make an impact on its growth. When you can help streamline operations and increase profit margins, you play a key role in fueling a company’s success.
What does technical management mean?
Technical management is equal parts technical aptitude and business acumen. It’s any role that involves planning, coordinating and overseeing technical operations. As such, a technical management degree is the bridge from hyper-focused technician to big-picture decision-maker.
A technical manager might work in automotive manufacturing, construction, distribution, storage or transportation. There’s constant pressure in traditional fields like these to adopt new technologies, gain efficiencies and improve profit margins. Technical managers bring the business knowledge to tackle those challenges.
Emerging industries like solar and wind energy are bringing fresh opportunities to the field of technical management. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the demand for solar photovoltaic installers will increase 63% from 2018 to 2028 – likewise, wind turbine technicians can anticipate 57% growth.1
Both solar and wind energy are expected to grow rapidly over the coming decade, according to the BLS. The trend bodes well for technicians and technical managers alike.
Both solar and wind energy are expected to grow rapidly over the coming decade, according to the BLS. The trend bodes well for technicians and technical managers alike.
University Accreditation
Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) as well as several other accrediting bodies.
This program and its concentrations are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Student achievement data can be found on College Navigator.
Related Articles
References
Sources & Citations (1, 2)
1Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet, at:
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/home.htm (viewed June 30, 2020)
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/architectural-and-engineering-managers.htm (viewed June 30, 2020)
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/construction-managers.htm (viewed June 30, 2020)
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/industrial-production-managers (viewed June 30, 2020)
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/solar-photovoltaic-installers.htm (viewed June 30, 2020)
- https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes113071.htm#ind (viewed June 30, 2020)
- https://www.bls.gov/OOH/installation-maintenance-and-repair/wind-turbine-technicians.htm (viewed June 30, 2020)
Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.
2According to a survey responses from over 9,200 SNHU online students conducted in the fall of 2019.