RHIT Program

What is the RHIT program about?

Students will acquire a Master of Science in Engineering Management (MSEM) degree after completing the program. The department of Engineering Management explains its content as “management foundations of a MBA with an added technical focus”.

Even though a Master of Engineering Management (MEM) degree is possible at RHIT as well, it does not apply to OVGU students since RHIT does not offer scholarships and financial support (tuition waivers) for the MEM at all.

It is possible to finish the MSEM within 3 trimesters. Yet, it is very stressful and requires an extremely good time management and self-discipline. Many students take 4 trimesters; they finish the course work in the first three, and focus on the Master thesis (called integrated project “EMGT590”) in the fourth trimester

How does the curriculum look like?

Students are supposed to choose five technical and five managerial electives in the course of three trimesters. Additionally, students need to participate in a graduate seminar each trimester (total of three). Lastly, a project-based Master thesis must be elaborated for achieving the degree of M.Sc. in Engineering Management.

Graduate Courses for MSEM students
General program overview and CP requirements

Can I profit from the earned CP within the MSEM program for further studies at OVGU?

For your subsequent second Master’s degree at OVGU you will be able to transfer some of the CP earned at RHIT.
You may want to double check with the course offerings by RHIT and the examination office of OVGU beforehand. It is also always helpful to talk to the responsible OVGU lecturers/professors of the courses and ask them to sign a learning agreement before leaving for Terra Haute.

What costs will be covered?

Tuition fees in the amount of $15k are paid by the RHIT each trimester and not by the students, if enrolled students in MSEM program are able to keep a GPA of 3.5 or higher. This means that most of the grades are an A (usually >89%) and only few B+/B (>80%).
However, a technology fee of about $450/trimester and American health insurance of about $450/trimester needs to be paid by student. The living expenses depend on the chosen accommodation, car, and lifestyle, which may vary between $600-$1000/month.

How much savings do students need to provide personally?

Students are advised to show a financial report of a German owned bank account that covers about 8k Euro so that the financial independence of the student is ensured.

Realistically, a personal budget between 10k and 15k Euro should be considered during the completion of the entire program including buying a car, travelling, rent for apartment and the like. A part of this budget can be earned by working for the RHIT, see next question

Are there possibilities of working and earning money during the program?

In general, working as a student with an J1 or F1-visa is not allowed. Both OvGU and RHIT, in specific the office of student affairs, will provide all instructions and information for applying for the appropriate visa at one of the American embassies here.

However, there is a possibility of working as a graduate assistant at the RHIT in the second and third trimester. By working approx. 15h per week for the department, you can earn around $1000/month. It requires maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.5, though.

Is there any guidance and support for all administrative and Master program related concerns?

Once the student arrives, the Faculty of Graduate Studies provides information and to-do checklists. Furthermore, the department of Engineering Management holds a one day event of introducing the staff, content, and general framework right before the program starts. This is also a great chance of getting to know your fellow students.