A minor in business administration provides industrial engineering students with a strong foundation in finance, accounting, management, marketing, and organizational behavior. These are skills that complement the analytical and systems-oriented training central to the ISE curriculum. This combination equips students to make informed business decisions, manage complex projects, and lead multidisciplinary teams.

Industrial engineering students can complete the business administration minor (approximately 35–36 s.h.) efficiently, as several required courses overlap with existing degree requirements or electives. For example, ISE:2500 Engineering Economy satisfies FIN:3000 Introductory Financial Management, while ECON:1100 Principles of Microeconomics and ECON:1200 Principles of Macroeconomics can be taken as part of the General Education Component (GEC). The minor is most easily obtained as part of ISE’s Management Focus Area.

The minor introduces key business concepts that support leadership and management roles across sectors including manufacturing, consulting, healthcare, logistics, finance, and technology. Courses such as ACCT:2100 Introduction to Financial Accounting, MGMT:2100 Introduction to Management, and MKTG:3000 Introduction to Marketing Strategy prepare students to understand both the technical and financial dimensions of organizational performance.

Industrial engineers with a background in business are highly valued for their ability to bridge engineering analysis and executive decision-making. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, management-related occupations for engineers, such as industrial production managers and operations managers, are projected to grow 7–10% from 2023 to 2033, offering above-average salaries and advancement opportunities.

Graduates who pair industrial engineering with a business administration minor are well positioned for roles such as project manager, operations analyst, management consultant, or process improvement leader, and many advance quickly into supervisory, leadership, or executive positions.