Last Updated: 02/26/2026 | All information is accurate and still up-to-date

MIE Degree

You do not need to complete a minor for the MIE degree. However, we encourage you to focus your coursework outside the department. As a result, you can tailor your Plan of Work to match your goals and interests.

Because the MIE is a non thesis Option B program, you cannot declare minor coursework. Therefore, any courses outside ISE must count toward your major or another approved area, not a minor.

You must take all 500 and 700 level courses on your Plan of Work for a letter grade. In other words, you may not take these courses as Credit Only. However, your Plan of Work may include 600 and 800 level courses that use S U grading, which stands for Satisfactory Unsatisfactory.

MSIE Degree

For the MSIE degree, your major and minor coursework on the Plan of Work should follow a general ratio. Typically, your major courses make up about two thirds of your total coursework hours. In addition, your minor courses usually make up about one third.

Your minor typically includes nine credit hours, which equals three courses. In some cases, other departments establish specific minor coursework and examination requirements. Therefore, you should confirm expectations with the minor department early.

Your thesis and project work, such as ISE 677 or ISE 695, help you meet department requirements unless they are part of your minor. However, you should avoid listing ISE courses in your minor. Some exceptions may apply for cross listed courses such as ISE OR 505, ISE PSY 745 or ISE CSC 556.

Your minor should follow a clear and coherent theme that complements your major area of study. In addition, you may include 400 level courses as part of your minor.

You must take all 500 and 700 level courses on your Plan of Work for a letter grade. However, you may include 600 and 800 level courses that use S U grading.

ISE PRO TIP: If you plan to pursue a Ph.D., do not list your MS Plan of Work courses on your Ph.D. Plan of Work. Doing so may obscure your Ph.D. requirements. In addition, the Graduate School may question why you did not submit your Ph.D. Plan of Work earlier.

Ph.D. Degree

For the Ph.D. degree, your major and minor coursework on the Plan of Work should follow a general balance. Typically, your major courses make up about two thirds of your total coursework hours. In addition, your minor courses usually make up about one third.

Your minor should include 15 to 18 credit hours, which equals five to six courses. In some cases, other departments establish specific minor coursework and examination requirements. Therefore, confirm expectations with the minor department before finalizing your plan.

Your thesis and project work, such as ISE 677 or ISE 695, help you meet department requirements unless they count toward your minor. However, you should avoid listing ISE courses in your minor. Some exceptions may apply for cross listed courses such as ISE OR 505, ISE PSY 745 or ISE CSC 556.

Dual minors are acceptable and may include six to nine hours in each area. In that case, clearly identify each minor by its theme, such as Economics or Operations Research.

You may not include 400-level courses on your Plan of Work. In addition, you must take all 500 and 700-level courses on your Plan of Work for a letter grade. However, you may include 600- and 800-level courses that use S/U grading.

ISE PRO TIP: Attach a copy of your master’s Plan of Work or transcript to your Ph.D. Plan of Work for Graduate School review.

For additional information on the Graduate Plan of Work see the Graduate School Plan of Work page and review the ABM Plan of Work Forms (PDF 40KB).

Plan of Work Guidelines

MIE Degree Requirements

MSIE Degree Requirements

MSIE Degree Requirements

Minimum 30 credits

One course from three (3) of the five (5) Breadth Requirement Course Listing (9 credit hours) A.   Economic Analysis and Decision Making B.   Human Factors and Ergonomics C.   Manufacturing Systems D.   Production Systems E.   Systems Analysis and Optimization F. Computer Science, Mathematics and Statistics in the Breadth Requirement Course Listing * Advanced courses may be substituted with approval ** Another graduate level CSC, Math or Statistics courses may be substituted with approval

9 credits from minor (okay if cross listed with ISE)

One committee member must represent the minor discipline. This can be a faculty member in the minor discipline or an ISE faculty member with an affiliation with the minor discipline

At least one (1) course from 700 or 800 level ISE course

ISE 695 = 3 credits or <= 6 credits

ISE 601 or 699 can NOT count on the plan of work

12 credits (graduate school courses) can be transferred from PBS or other universities

ABM student (12 credits from undergrad + 6 credit hours from graduate courses not counted in the undergrad degree)

12 credits (graduate school courses) can be transferred from PBS or other universities

ABM student (12 credits from undergrad + 6 credit hours from graduate courses not counted in the undergrad degree)

400 level course <= 6 credits (not ISE courses) 400 level courses can only count for the minor

PBS courses can transfer to a Master’s degree <=12 credits (see handbook 3.1 transfer PBS)

18 Credits hours must be letter-graded courses

ISE 601 is required

Ph.D. Degree Requirements

Ph.D. Degree Requirements

Minimum 72 credits

One course each from B, C, E and one from A or D of the following groups in the Breadth Requirement Course Listing (12 credit hours): A.   Economic Analysis and Decision Making B.   Human Factors and Ergonomics C.   Manufacturing Systems D.   Production Systems E.   Systems Analysis and Optimization F. Computer Science, Mathematics and Statistics in the Breadth Requirement Course Listing (This will depend on your committee) * Advanced courses may be substituted with approval ** Another graduate level CSC, Math, or Statistics courses may be substituted with approval

15 credits from minor

One committee member must represent the minor discipline. This can be a faculty member in the minor discipline or an ISE faculty member with an affiliation with the minor discipline

At least 2 courses from 700 level ISE courses

ISE 893 or ISE 895 => 6 credits

ISE 801 or 899 can NOT count on the plan of work

18 credits (graduate school courses) can be transferred from other universities

36 credits can be transferred from NC State MS degree (if no break)

No 400 level courses in the Ph.D. degree

ISE 601 is required

Breadth Requirement Courses
A*: ISE 510, ISE 519, ISE 535, ISE 711, MA 547
B*: ISE/PSY 540, ISE 541, ISE 544, ISE 741, ISE 744
C*: ISE 515, ISE 545, ISE 714, ISE 716, ISE 718
D*: ISE 552, ISE 553, ISE 748, ISE 754
E*: ISE/OR 501, OR 504, ISE/OR 505, ISE 560, ISE/OR 562
F**: CSC 513, CSC 520, CSC 570, CSC 742, MA 520, MA 580, ST 515, ST 516, ST 711

* You may substitute advanced courses with approval.

** You may also substitute other graduate level CSC, Math or Statistics courses with approval.

ISE PRO TIP: Be sure not to put more than 36 credits on your NC State ISE master plan of work. If there is no break during your academic year, the maximum number of credits you can transfer to a Ph.D. degree is 36 credits.