Transforming a Technology Management Master's Degree Curriculum into a Successful Inter-Disciplinary Program for the 21st Century Needs of Global Organizations

As organizations develop their hiring plans in the areas of business, engineering technology and management, they are seeking a greater number of individuals with multi-disciplinary skills, competencies and backgrounds to provide them with maximum flexibility for employer assignments, greater diversity in the work force and more effective employees with business, people and technology backgrounds.Most Schools of Engineering today have not yet come to terms with these inter-disciplinary requirements and have not developed programs focused on providing these types of programs that prepare graduates for these kinds of challenges and opportunities.Based on extensive industry research and confirmed by the "Center for Inter-disciplinary Business, Engineering and Technology Leadership," consisting of senior executives from over 20 small , medium and large companies and organizations such as GE, UBS, Sikorsky Aircraft, Unilever, Deutsche Bank, Bayer, Gartner and others, the University of Bridgeport has transformed its MS in Technology Management into the largest program of its kind in the Northeast with a remarkable two & half year enrollment growth of over 540%.This paper describes the transformation of the MS in Technology Management Degree Program from a traditionally oriented, narrowly focused engineering management program to a dynamic, flexible and innovative Technology Management program relevant for preparing students for the 21 st century workforce.It outlines the program components, how it is synergized and leveraged with programs in business, engineering and other disciplines and how it prepares students to learn the skills, competencies and technologies required by organizations on a global basis.The challenges, growth and results are discussed. The Challenge and ResultsIn the Fall 2005, 32 graduate students were enrolled in the MS in Technology Management degree program, out of a total of 360 graduates in the entire School of Engineering at the University of Bridgeport.The Technology Management program was the smallest program in the School of Engineering, which also awarded graduate degrees in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science and Engineering.At that time, we conducted a review of the TM program and made recommendations to transform the degree into a modern, relevant and growth oriented program with the following goals: Attract new career oriented graduate students and develop future industry and technology leaders adept at managing technology dependent organizations, technological change, and skilled in establishing and maintaining superior competitive advantages for their respective enterprises. Provide students with a variety of career enhancement options responsive to growing employer and employee needs for multiple competencies and skills in today's and tomorrow's demanding global work place.