What Online Supply Chain Management Degrees are Available?

Getting your bachelor’s or master’s degree in supply chain management means making a large commitment in terms of both finances and time. For many, a traditional, on-campus degree program might ask for too much of these resources. If you find yourself limited by location, time or money, consider pursuing your degree online. While the experience will be slightly different, you’ll still get a high-quality education at a fraction of the cost. Here’s what you need to know about online supply chain management degrees.

What to Expect from an Online Course

The exact structure and requirements of your online classes will vary depending on the institution. Generally, courses consist of videos, readings, essays and discussion boards for students. You may be expected to log in at a certain time each week for live lectures and discussions, though some classes can be completed entirely without a live component. If your class requires you to take a proctored exam, you may be asked to visit a testing center in person to take the exam.

Most online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs follow the same curriculum as that of on-campus programs, and you will take similar classes as you would on campus. To acclimate students to the online learning environment, some programs add a mandatory introduction to online education course as well. This teaches students how to use the classroom interface and get the most out of their online program.

Top Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs

The following schools offer online bachelor’s degree programs in supply chain management. According to the Guide to Online Schools, these schools offer a combination of affordable programs with high alumni salaries.

1. University of Massachusetts. The University of Massachusetts’ Dartmouth and Amherst campuses sponsor online degrees in Operations and Information Management. The program can be completed entirely online, and students have access to academic advising and professional organizations for support.
   
2. California State University – East Bay. Cal State East Bay offers an online Business Administration degree with a concentration in Operations and Supply Chain Management. The program covers purchasing and management of inventory, distribution networks, production and operations management, project management and service operations. Its online degree students use chat rooms, audio and video clips and simulations to learn.
   
3. Arizona State University. Students participating in Arizona State’s online degree in Supply Chain Management learn about purchasing, logistics, operations and more. Each class lasts for 7.5 weeks, and students must complete 40 classes in order to graduate. U.S. News and World Report recently ranked ASU the #4 school in the U.S. for online undergraduate degree programs.

Master’s Degrees Online

Master’s degrees are not necessary for entry-level logisticians, but they can be valuable for those who are established in their careers and planning to take on more senior positions. Because going to school on campus can interfere with your work schedule, an online master’s degree or MBA may be an excellent solution. The following schools are three of the most affordable available and have been.

1. Georgia College & State University. This school’s master’s program in Logistics and Supply Chain Management can be completed in two years, with students taking two classes per semester. The program combines general business and supply chain management courses with nine semester hours of electives, which students can select based on their interests and career goals for additional specialization within their educational program.
   
   
2. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. In addition to obtaining their master’s degrees in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, students at Embry-Riddle will also qualify for the Certified Supply Chain Professional and Certified Professional in Supply Chain Management designations. The program is available entirely online and teaches students global logistics, integrated logistics management and purchasing for logistics, among other topics.
   
   
3. University of Maryland University College. Students at the University of Maryland can take classes for their Acquisition and Supply Chain Management master’s degree entirely online or in combination with some on-campus courses. They may choose to specialize in a particular area of supply chain management, such as contemporary logistics, contract pricing and negotiation and integrative supply chain management. The 36-credit course can be completed in two years.

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