If you’re interested in enhancing your business career options, you may consider earning an online MBA in Supply Chain Management.
Professionals with a Master of Business Administration in Supply Chain Management work in a wide array of jobs for businesses and industries as well as for the government and the military.
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With this online supply chain management degree, you may qualify for higher pay, and you may have a better chance at landing a management position.
Online MBA in Supply Chain Management Programs
An MBA in Supply Chain Management and an MBA in Logistics are degree programs designed to train professionals who direct, plan, and coordinate the procurement, storage, transportation, and distribution of goods and products.
You may work for businesses, industries, government, and military organizations. In an MBA in Logistics and Supply Chain Management degree program, you may learn to incorporate new technologies and implement the latest strategies for effective supply chain management.
The focus of the degree program is for you to acquire business knowledge and technological skills to solve problems and improve operations. You’ll focus on methods, techniques, and technologies for every point in the supply chain, from procurement to customer.
You may gain an understanding of business finance, logistics, information technology, and leadership strategies for a successful career in a supervisory position. In your MBA program, you may take core courses that cover business finance, financial management, and foundations of business statistics.
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Then, you’ll move on to more advanced topics, such as quantitative analysis for decision making, operations management, and supply chain management.
You may also have the opportunity to develop leadership and supervisory skills in management courses. Earning your degree online means that you can attend graduate school from anywhere. You don’t need to move from your current home or quit your job to get your MBA.
Distance-learning platforms have become incredibly sophisticated in our current educational environment. Learners in the best MBA online programs often receive the same quality instruction and opportunities as on-campus students.
Supply Chain Management Careers & Salaries
With an MBA in Supply Chain Management, you may qualify for well-paying careers in a variety of businesses, industries, government departments, and military departments. Some of the best MBA careers for supply chain managers include manufacturing, retail, ecommerce, shipping, aviation, service industries, and consulting.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the following salaries for occupations that you may pursue if you have a bachelors degree in supply chain management. The average annual salary is often higher for those holding a higher level degree such as a masters in supply chain management or a PhD in supply chain management online.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Purchasing Manager | $125,940 |
| Medical and Health Services Manager | $104,280 |
| General and Operations Manager | $103,650 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $98,890 |
| Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Manager | $96,390 |
| Management Analyst | $87,660 |
| Operations Research Analyst | $86,200 |
| Logistician | $76,270 |
| Emergency Management Director | $76,250 |
| Buyer or Purchasing Agent | $66,690 |
With an MBA in Supply Chain Management, you may step into the position of a purchasing manager, overseeing the duties of purchasing agents and buyers who buy products and services for an organization.
You may also become a management analyst who gathers and analyzes information to solve problems and improve efficiency for a business or industry. As a logistician, you would analyze and coordinate the supply chain for a company or organization.
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If you become a general and operations manager, you may plan the use of materials and the daily operations in an organization in the public or private sector.
A related career is the manager in a business or industry who plans, directs, and coordinates the transportation, storage, and distribution of goods in accordance with policies and public laws.
MBA in Supply Chain Management Curriculum
Before you make a decision about graduate school, you may want to explore the types of courses you would need to complete. Here are descriptions of a few courses you might find in a typical online supply chain MBA program:
- Business Finance: This course is a survey of organizational financial management, concepts, and application of the time value of money, securities valuation, and discounted cash flow.
- Financial Management: This course helps you develop a systematic approach to analyzing financial data, including techniques for planning and managing organizational finances.
- Managing Organizational Behavior: You may develop team leadership skills through an understanding of individual, group, and organizational behavior.
- Foundations of Business Statistics: You may learn how to gather, analyze, interpret, and present data for the purpose of making business decisions.
- Quantitative Analysis for Decision Making: This course covers how to use mathematical, probabilistic, and statistical tools and methods to assist in managing an industrial organization.
- Operations Management: This course is an overview of the methods and techniques used to manage production and operations in business and industry.
- Supply Chain Management: You may analyze the role of the supply chain decision maker, including a survey of information systems, inventory control, and warehouse management.
- Project Management: This course helps you develop knowledge and skills to effectively plan, execute, control, monitor, and close out projects.
- Managing International Transportation and Logistics: You may explore strategies for managing production, distribution, transportation, and trade in global markets.
- Supply Chain Information Systems: You may learn to utilize technology for information sharing, planning, improved productivity, and distribution for industrial organizations.
Required courses and elective course options often vary depending on the school and the program.
Admissions Requirements
Once you’ve decided on your top choice or choices for an online degree program, whether it’s an online MBA in Finance, Marketing, or Supply Chain Management, your next step will be to apply for admission.
- Bachelor’s degree: Many institutions do not require a BA or BS in business administration for admission to an MBA program, but you do need an accredited bachelor’s degree.
- Minimum GPA: Many schools require at least a 3.0 GPA in bachelor’s level courses.
- GRE or GMAT scores: Some schools will want you to take a GRE or GMAT test, but this is not always required.
Requirements may vary depending on the institution, so you may want to read each application carefully.
Accreditation
Because you want your MBA to serve as proof of your knowledge, skills, and expertise, you may want to ensure that you earn it from an accredited college or university.
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When you’re searching for a graduate degree program, you may want to check to see that the institution holds regional accreditation from one of these organizations:
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
A school’s accreditation status shows whether or not they’ve met academic standards for excellence.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
You may want to check into financial aid and scholarship opportunities to help pay for your grad school expenses. You may want to fill out and submit your FAFSA form on the Federal Student Aid website to get the ball rolling.
For those who qualify, financial aid may be available in the form of loans, grants, need-based and merit-based scholarships, and work-study programs. If you’re a veteran, active military personnel, or a military family member, you may be eligible for special financial assistance.
If you’re currently working for a business, industry, or government entity, you may want to look into any potential financial aid opportunities offered by your employer.
What Can You Do with an MBA in Supply Chain Management?
With an online MBA in Supply Chain Management, you may qualify for a promotion or for a fresh, new career change. Your developed business knowledge and leadership skills may allow you to step into supervisory or executive positions.
You may become a professional who analyzes logistics, solves problems, and improves efficiency for an organization in the public or private sector. You may also become a manager who oversees transportation, warehousing, and distribution of goods for a business or industry.
Supply chain management is a fast-growing field, so job growth projections and income-earning potential are above average.
How Long Does It Take to Get an MBA in Supply Chain Management Online?
How long it takes you to complete your MBA program depends on how much time you can dedicate to completing the courses in your curriculum. You may choose to be a full-time student or a part-time student. It’s common for a full-time student to complete a masters program in 1 to 2 years.
Some schools allow you to move through the degree program at your own, individual pace. Other schools adopt a cohort model, in which students who enter the program at the same time form a cohort of peers and move through the program together.
The semester model employed by your institution may affect your completion time as well. For instance, some institutions have 16 week semesters while others offer 8 week semesters.
Is an MBA in Supply Chain Management Worth It?
Yes, an MBA in Supply Chain Management is worth it for many students. In the management field, jobs are projected to grow at a rate of 5% in the next 10 years (Bureau of Labor Statistics), faster than the average of all occupations.
Common supply chain management careers in this field include purchasing manager, general and operations manager, administrative services manager, transportation and distribution manager, and operations research analyst.
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Earning an MBA in Supply Chain Management may help you receive a salary increase at your current job or help you transfer to a better position elsewhere.
Universities Offering Online MBA in Supply Chain Management Degree Programs
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
Students in Arizona State University’s Master of Business Administration program can choose from four distinct concentrations: Marketing, International Business, Finance, or Supply Chain Management.
Those students in the SCM concentration learn to plan, source, produce, and distribute goods more effectively every step of the way, including design, delivery, and disposal.
Arizona State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges.
Logistics and Supply Chain Management is one of ten concentrations Ball State University offers with its Master of Business Administration program. The program includes courses in project management, supply chain management, and quality management. Students learn how to become effective logisticians and oversee entire life cycles of projects.
Ball State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Graduates of Bellevue University’s Master of Business Administration program should have received a comprehensive education on all aspects of business.
There are also multiple courses in supply chain management for those interested in pursuing that specific field. The program curriculum is flexible and incorporates research, theory, and hands-on experience for a well-rounded education.
Bellevue University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Champlain College offers a quick, affordable option for students interested in supply chain management with its 12 credit graduate certificate in supply chain management.
There are only four required courses—supply chain introduction, strategic procurement, supply chain strategy, and inventory, distribution, and logistics—and they’re offered in 8 week sessions. The SCM graduate certificate can be embedded in Champlain College’s MBA program.
Champlain College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
The Master of Business Administration in Supply Chain Management program at DeSales University allows students to gain expertise in both business management and SCM. The program has full ACBSP accreditation and can be completed in hybrid format or totally online. The school also has an open admissions policy for this program.
DeSales University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Friends University offers both Global Master of Business Administration and Professional Master of Business Administration degrees with optional Supply Chain Management concentrations online.
Many of the core courses for both programs are the same, and both programs seek to teach students to expertly manage the flow of products and services.
Friends University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.
Governors State University’s Master of Business Administration program is a good program for students seeking careers in mid- to upper-level leadership fields.
The core curriculum includes in-depth and advanced courses in business operations and management as well as plenty of specialized courses for students interested in supply chain management specifically.
Governors State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The Master of Business Administration degree program at Indiana University allows students to customize 50% of their courses. For students in the Supply Chain Management concentration, this means they can ensure that half of their courses relate to their chosen specializations. In total, the degree requires 54 credits to earn.
Indiana University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.
Johnson and Wales University’s Master of Business Administration in Operations and Supply Chain Management degree takes about 2 years to earn and is delivered via 8 week courses.
Students gain specific knowledge and skills in fields like systems analysis, operations management, and logistics strategy. There are also ample opportunities for networking.
JWU is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Students in Liberty University’s Master of Business Administration in Supply Chain Management and Logistics program will take 8 week sessions in ACBSP accredited courses that are delivered entirely online. They can transfer up to 50% of the required credits from a previously attended university. The degree usually takes 2 years to earn.
Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The curriculum for Missouri University of Science and Technology’s Master of Business Administration program includes 21 credits of core business courses and 15 credits of electives. Students select electives based on their interests or in the pursuit of graduate certificates in many fields, including one in digital supply chain management.
Missouri S and T is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Students enrolled in Northeastern University’s Master of Business Administration program can select from eight concentrations.
Students who choose the Supply Chain Management concentration should learn to incorporate the most up-to-date, innovative technologies into the shipping and distribution process. The curriculum includes courses concerning both domestic and global supply chain management.
Northeastern University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Norwich University’s Master of Business Administration in Supply Chain Management program usually takes 18 months to complete.
No class in the curriculum has more than 15 students in it. Most of them are delivered online, but there is a required one-week residency. The program has ACBSP accreditation, and scholarships are available to qualifying students.
Norwich University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Oregon State University’s Master of Business Administration program is uniquely flexible and can be customized to fit students’ needs. Because of the flexibility and customization options, the program can include anywhere from 45 to 60 required credits. There’s an optional concentration in Supply Chain and Logistics Management for interested students.
Oregon State University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
There are over 20 available concentrations in Pennsylvania State University – World Campus’s Master of Business Administration program, including one in Supply Chain Management. The courses are flexible and collaborative, and students get a lot of hands-on experience. The school offers a Master of Supply Chain Management program as well.
Pennsylvania State University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Robert Morris University’s Master of Business Administration program requires only ten courses for completion. The courses are delivered via 8 week sessions, and students usually finish in less than 2 years. Students can enroll in four extra courses and earn a graduate certificate in supply chain and logistics management as well.
Robert Morris University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Southern New Hampshire University’s Master of Business Administration in Operations and Supply Chain Management program can potentially be completed in as few as 15 months.
Students should learn to create intrapreneurial and entrepreneurial opportunities, explore the functions, strategies, and practices of management design, and integrate, synthesize, and apply business practices.
Southern New Hampshire University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Students in Syracuse University’s Master of Business Administration in Supply Chain Management program learn about global supply chains, operational strategies, and logistics.
Courses include principles of management science, analytics, project management, and supply chain and logistics management. The degree can be earned in about 2 years.
Syracuse University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
University of Arkansas offers what it calls the Walton Executive Master of Business Administration program.
It’s designed specifically for professionals already working as executives or managers in pertinent fields. The courses cover topics like innovation and entrepreneurship, business analytics, retail, and finance. On-campus instruction is required one weekend a month.
The U of A is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
University of Dallas’s Master of Business Administration in Supply Chain Management program was recently ranked #17 in the nation, according to US News and World Report. It has AACSB accreditation, and all classes are taught by faculty who are nationally recognized in their fields. Financial aid is available for eligible students.
The University of Dallas is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
University of Maryland’s Master of Business Administration program includes six concentrations, including one in Supply Chain Management. Graduates of the program should be excellent at data-driven decision making.
They should also possess top-of-the-line leadership, communication, analysis, and critical thinking skills and be able to identify, evaluate, and mitigate business risk.
The University of Maryland is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
The Master of Business Administration program at University of Nebraska – Lincoln includes 30 core credits and 18 elective credits.
Students in the Supply Chain Management concentration will take relevant electives, including project management and implementation, data mining and warehousing, topics in lean supply chain management, and global supply chain management.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
At the University of Saint Francis, students can enroll in the Master of Business Administration program with a concentration in Supply Chain Management and finish in as few as 12 to 18 months. Courses for students in the SCM concentration include supply chain management, operations management, business logistics, and project management.
The University of Saint Francis is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Students in University of Texas – Dallas’s Master of Business Administration program can select the Supply Chain Management concentration or can choose to select two concentrations and earn dual degrees.
Students should gain analytical understanding of improving business processes to increase profits and using incentives and technology to achieve business success.
The University of Texas at Dallas is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
University of Wisconsin – Whitewater’s Master of Business Administration in Supply Chain Management program teaches students to manage supply chain activities for a competitive advantage and to strategically plan for each stage of the supply chain process.
Course topics include product development, operations strategy, operations management, logistics, sourcing, and quality management.
UW-Whitewater is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Getting Your Supply Chain Management MBA Online
You may experience intellectual, professional, and personal growth through earning your MBA in Supply Chain Management online.
Enrolling in an online graduate degree program allows you to work at your current job and uphold your responsibilities to your family and community while you further your education.
Online learning has become highly developed in most colleges and universities. Online students often receive the same faculty guidance and instruction as on-campus students. If you’re interested in advancing your education and career, then you may want to consider an accredited MBA program in supply chain management as your next step.
