Supply Chain Management Educational Options in Florida

Products and services generally go through a process before they are ready to be sold. This process is known as the chain of supply, or supply chain. In order to maximize the profit of a company and minimize their loss, the chain of supply must be carefully managed. Those who oversee managing the supply chain are known as supply chain managers (SCM) and logisticians. Supply chain managers oversee the process of the supply chain from product design to distribution of the finished product. Logisticians work with both the suppliers and the client.

Logisticians are often required to have at least a bachelor’s degree. Some may get hired with just an associate’s degree, if they have relevant work experience or are working toward a higher degree. A master’s degree is not mandatory to work in this field, but it may give you a leg up over the competition and help you to earn more. Keep reading to explore the many supply chain management educational options available to you in Florida.

Bachelor’s Degree Programs for Florida Logisticians

The minimal educational requirement to work as a logistician in any state is a bachelor’s degree. Here are some of the options you can choose from in Florida:

Eastern Florida State College. At Eastern Florida State in Cocoa, you can get a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Organizational Management, and then choose from one of 12 specializations including General Business Management, Accounting, Event Planning and Management and Sales and Marketing Management. Eight of the 12 specializations can be taken completely online. To be admitted into the bachelor’s degree program, you must first get an Associate in Science (AS) or Associate in Arts (AA) from EFSC or another accredited college.
Florida Institute of Technology (FIT). On the Lake Nona campus of FIT, you can get a bachelor’s degree in Logistics Management. A minimum of 61 transferrable credit hours (an associate’s degree) is required for this program. These can be taken at FIT or transferred from another regionally accredited institution.
Miami Dade College. At Miami Dade, students can earn a Bachelor of Applied Science in Supply Chain Management. This 120-credit degree takes four years to complete. If you have previously taken general education or elective courses at Miami Dade or another regionally accredited college, they may be eligible for transfer.
University of North Florida (UNF). At UNF, located in Jacksonville, you can get a Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Management. Required for this degree are 21 prerequisite credit hours, 18 core credit hours, 30 major credit hours, 6 credit hours of business electives, public speaking and a cultural diversity course.

Master’s Degree Programs for Logisticians

A Master’s degree with an emphasis in business or management can help you to advance in your career. You may also earn more with a master’s degree. Here are some graduate programs to consider in Florida:

Florida Institute of Technology. At the Orlando campus of FIT, and online, you can earn a master’s degree in Supply Chain Management. Also, on the Orlando campus you can earn a master’s degree in Logistics Management. Master’s degrees can usually be earned in 1-2 years, depending on how many credits you need and the pace you take classes.
University of North Florida. At UNF, you can choose between two business-based master’s degrees: Master of Business Administration (MBA) or a Master of Science in Management (MSM). The MBA consists of 36 credit hours, which are both core classes and electives. The Career Management Center staff on campus will help with career coaching, and graduate assistantship programs are also available. The MSM consists of 30 credit hours, both core and elective classes. You can take the classes part-time, so you are able to work or have an internship. Career coaching is also provided for this degree.

Other Educational Options in Florida

It may be possible to get entry-level work in supply chain management if you have business or management experience, as well as an associate’s degree in a business-related field. An associate’s degree can also be a stepping stone to a bachelor’s degree in the future. Below are some of the other educational options in the state that you may be interested in.

Eastern Florida Tech. Eastern Florida Tech has two associate degree programs and a college credit certificate in business management that logisticians may find helpful. They offer an Associate in Science degree in Business Administration that consists of 60 credit hours of major, general education and special courses. This degree can be completed in two years. They also offer an Associate in Science degree in Transportation and Logistics that can also be completed in two years and consists of 64 credit hours. The College credit certificate in Business Management consists of 24 credit hours. If you choose to continue with AS in Business Administration, the credits from this certificate will count toward that.

You can also earn various certifications in supply chain management through the APICS certification program provided by the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM). These certifications include: Logistics, Transportation, and Distribution (CLTD), Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) and Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP).

Career and Salary Outlook

Logistician jobs in the state of Florida are expected to increase by 19.3 percent between 2016 and 2026, as reported by the Projections Managing Partnership (PMP). This is more than twice the national growth rate, which is seven percent.

In 2017, the average hourly rate for logisticians was $32.75, or $68,130 annually. The highest earners in the state, or those with more education or credentials, can make up to $106,520 annually.

Working as a Logistician in Florida

Since the supply chain is present in a variety of industries, logisticians work in several industries. You may work in manufacturing, wholesale trade or even for the government. To work as a logistician, you need good critical thinking and communication skills. In Florida, you may find the most employment in supply chain management in Orlando, Panama City Beach and Tampa. The highest paying areas in the state include Panama, Panama City Beach and Tampa.