Supply Chain Management Educational Options in Mississippi

If you are interested in a career in a job field that is high in demand, as well as well paid, then you may want to consider working in supply chain management. The supply chain is the process that goods and services go through from production to distribution. Supply chain managers, also referred to as logisticians, are responsible for overseeing the supply chain process. Companies that make, deliver or sell products or services will most likely work with or employ a logistician. While managing the supply chain, logisticians work with and maintain relationships with clients and merchants, and enforce the best time and cost-efficient policies to benefit everyone involved. They also handle any problems that may arise in the supply chain.

There are no federal or statewide requirements for the education or certification of logisticians. Some employers may hire logisticians who hold an associate’s degree and have some experience in management. However, most employers prefer to hire logisticians who hold a four-year degree, because the field of logistics is becoming more complex and they want to be sure their employees are educated and skilled enough to perform the job.

Bachelor’s Degree Programs for Logisticians in Mississippi

If you are looking for a four-year program in supply chain management or business management in Mississippi, you have several options to choose from. They include:

University of Southern Mississippi. The University of Southern Mississippi has a management program that prepares students in the areas of controlling, leading, organizing and planning. Classes focus on human resource management, organizational behavior and organizational theory. Business students at USM can participate in the study abroad programs and take classes in Japan or South Korea or participate in the British Studies Program. Students can earn a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) with this program. The BSBA degree program is offered at the Gulf Park and Hattiesburg campuses.
Mississippi State University. At Mississippi State, students can earn a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) Marketing degree with a concentration on supply chain management. This special program is the only one of its kind in its region. The degree program consists of 124 credit-hours of pre-business courses, upper business courses and electives.
Delta State University. Delta State offers a Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Management degree. There are five tracks you can take with this degree, and one of them is supply chain management. The courses in this track focus on analytics, inventory and demand, logistics, project management and quality management. The classes can be taken online or on campus. The management track prepares students to enter organizations as leaders, supervisors, and decision makers. It provides students with many career possibilities including healthcare management, manufacturing, small business management, service industry management, retail management, quality management and human resource management, among many others. Some elements of the program include:

The services management track is designated to provide students with the managerial skills needed to be successful in services management. The curriculum offers courses that address areas of importance in the services management field. This curriculum focuses on the unique issues of managing intangible, inseparable, perishable, and variable business offerings.

The human resources management track is designed to provide students with the managerial skills needed to be successful in human resources. The curriculum offers courses that address areas of importance for organizations to be able to maximize employee performance to meet their strategic objectives. Specific areas of focus include workforce development, recruitment and selection, training, performance appraisal, and industrial relations.

Master’s Degree Programs in Mississippi

A master’s degree is not required to work as a logistician in the state, but you may find more job opportunities and potentially earn more when you do have one. The following program can give you an idea of what type of business graduate degree programs are offered in Mississippi.

Delta State University. At Delta State, you can also get a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. Students entering this program must have a bachelor’s degree from DSU or another accredited university. While in the graduate program, students will take at least 30 credit-hours of classes, including 18 business hours and 12 hours of electives. They must also take an additional 24 credit-hours of courses at the 600 level and must have an overall 3.0 GPA.

Certifications for Logisticians in Mississippi

Certification as a logistician is not a requirement, but it is a way to improve your knowledge of supply chain management and further your education. Other benefits of certification include a higher salary, better chances of getting hired and increased customer satisfaction. Certification can be earned through the American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS). The APICS provides the following certifications: Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSPC), Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution (CLTD) and Certified in Production Inventory Management (CPIM).

The International Society of Logistics (SOLE) also offers certification for logisticians. SOLE offers a certification process for different stages of a logistician’s career starting with Demonstrated Logistician, then moving on to Demonstrated Senior Logistician and Demonstrated Master Logistician. Finally, you can earn certification as a Certified Master Logistician (CML) and a Certified Professional Logistician (CPL).

Salary and Career Outlook for Logisticians in Mississippi

The growth rate for logisticians in Mississippi is currently seven percent, which is also the overall national growth rate for this profession. Between the years of 2016 and 2026, the number of logisticians working in the state is expected to increase from 710 to 760.

Mississippi logisticians were making an average of $37.79 hourly, or $78,610 annually, in 2017, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The top earners in the state, those with more education and certifications, make an average of $121,940 annually.

Where to Work in Mississippi as a Logistician

Logisticians work for manufacturing companies, wholesale retailers, the government and technical companies. They may also work for companies whose concentration is providing supply chain management services.

Logisticians usually work 40-hour weeks, and many of them work more than that. To work as a logistician, you must be able to analyze problems, think on your feet and communicate effectively.

Jobs are available throughout the state, but some of the cities with high employment in this field include Byhalia, Corinth, Hattiesburg, Jackson, Madison, Olive Branch, Southaven and Tupelo. Some of the higher paying areas in the state include Byhalia, Jackson, Olive Branch, Oxford, Pascagoula and Tupelo.