Movement toward a virtual Engineering Management program

The Engineering Management program at Washington State University is a state wide program currently serving Tri-Cities, Vancouver, Spokane, Wenatchee, and Boeing-Seattle. There is a constant demand to expand the program to other locations with the major limitation being resources (faculty, class room, communications). The program is delivered via closed circuit, live, two-way interactive television. With the advent of virtual technologies the WSU Engineering Management program is moving toward a virtual education program. In addition, WSU's five-year plan wants to establish itself as a virtual university. The paper explores the design, ramifications and educational effectiveness of such an industrial based Engineering Management program.