If you are currently working in the business field and you want to work in higher management positions, then an online master’s supply chain management program is best for you.
Supply chain managers play a very crucial role in the operations of a corporation. So, as a supply chain management specialist, you’ll build skills in communication, analysis, and problem-solving, all of which can serve you well throughout a business career. Generally, in every industry, professionals with a proven, concrete educational background are those receiving the most attention.
So, in this article, we discuss all you need to know about getting an online master’s degree in supply chain management. We also highlight best online supply chain masters program for you in 2023.
Table of contents
- What Is Supply Chain Management?
- Why An Online Masters In Supply Chain Management?
- What Can You Do With An Online Masters In Supply Chain?
- How Much Can You Earn With A Master’s Degree In Supply Chain Management? | Career Outlook
- What’s The Cost Of An Online Masters In Supply Chain Management?
- What Are The Admission Requirements For Online Master’s In Supply Chain Program?
- The 13 Best Accredited Online Masters In Supply Chain Programs
- #1 Lancaster University
- #2 Kingston University London
- #3 Charleston Southern University
- #4 Rutgers University
- #5 University Of St. Francis
- #6 The University of Wisconsin-Platteville
- #7 Wright State University
- #8 Portland State University
- #9 University of Washington
- #10 North Carolina State University
- #11 Georgia College & State University
- #12 University of Southern Mississippi
- #13 University OF Hull
- Conclusion
- References
- We Also Recommend
What Is Supply Chain Management?
In simple terms, supply chain management is all about the production, shipment, and distribution of products. It covers every process from inventory to sales and is crucial to any business that makes and sells products.
Supply chain management includes the products made in the factories, the way those products move from the factories to stores, and even what shops do with those products.
Professionals in this field must work closely with others to acquire everything they need. More importantly, they need to ensure it’s all completed on time and within budget. There are several actual job duties, and these will vary depending on the position.
As a matter of fact, the Institute for Supply Management has identified 14 crucial components in the supply chain management process. These areas include:
- Disposition/investment recovery
- Distribution
- Inventory control
- Logistics
- Manufacturing supervision
- Materials management
- Packaging
- Procurement/purchasing
- Product/service development
- Quality
- Receiving
- Strategic sourcing
- Transportation/traffic/shipping
- Warehousing/stores
Although most professionals in the field are focused on just one or a few of these components, it’s helpful to have a fundamental understanding of the entire supply chain system.
Why An Online Masters In Supply Chain Management?
Senior management roles in this industry handles the purchasing, transportation, and receiving of the raw materials and supplies needed to manufacture their goods and successfully run their business. Thus, the demand for highly qualified professionals with the knowledge and skills that an online master’s degree in supply chain management can provide is needed constantly.
As a result, supply chain management (SCM) graduate programs have increased by 67 percent in two years.
An online master’s in supply chain program covers the principles, practices, and concepts integral to such industries as shipping, warehousing, as well as manufacturing.
This graduate program commonly explores each step of the supply chain and familiarizes students with its importance through such courses as Introduction to Logistics, Shipping Information Systems, Managing Quality Control and Fleet, and Cargo Management.
These courses further prepare students for positions in the supply chain industry. This is highly beneficial to scholars seeking such work in senior management positions.
There may be special funding opportunities, such as assistantships or scholarships, available to students who enroll in this program. We discuss this later. Read on!
A bachelor’s degree is typically required to enter this occupation. But, if you want to advance, an online master’s in supply chain management is highly recommended.
What Can You Do With An Online Masters In Supply Chain?
An online master’s in supply chain program prepares students for leadership roles both in the supply chain sector and diverse industries. It’s really an exciting field with plenty of career opportunities, especially having a master’s degree.
Here are the top career opportunities in supply chain management for you:
#1 Manufacturing
Since supply chains begin with manufacturing and end with getting the product into the hands of the consumer, manufacturing jobs play a very vital role in this field. One of the most popular roles within manufacturing is being a production manager. This position oversees the manufacture of products in a plant.
Among other duties, production managers are also responsible for coordinating production schedules, determining how long the manufacturing process of a product will take, and keeping track of the inventory of finished products.
Besides more senior management positions like this one, manufacturing also has great entry-level opportunities such as a materials analyst or a materials scheduler.
#2 Data analysis
Data management is another key component in supply chains and being able to analyze and understand this data helps supply chains work efficiently.
In fact, data analysis and management are some of the most popular career options within supply chain management since all processes involved in the supply chain have to be data-driven to be effective.
#3 Procurement
Another supply chain career path is procurement. This primarily focuses on identifying and purchasing the raw materials needed to create products, procurement is a key part of what keeps supply chains going.
Among the entry-level opportunities in procurement are procurement analysts and procurement officers. These roles focus on one specific aspect of purchasing. At the more senior level, purchasing managers/specialists oversee the purchasing decisions for an entire organization. This position requires an online master’s in the supply chain to be effective.
#4 Transportation
This career in the supply chain is of utmost importance because getting products into the hands of consumers is the main goal of a supply chain. And meeting that goal would not be possible without transportation.
As a result, there are many exciting career opportunities related to transportation including entry-level roles like a transportation analyst or logistics analyst and more senior roles like being a transportation manager.
#5 Customer service
Customer service is another career that plays a crucial part in any interaction between a business and a consumer.
Customer service positions ensure customers are satisfied with the products they receive. Like with other supply chain fields, there are also many career opportunities within customer service including entry-level roles like being an account specialist at a logistics firm.
At the more senior level, customer service career opportunities include being a customer service manager and overseeing the satisfaction of a company’s entire client base.
Meanwhile, other careers in supply chain management include supply chain design and planning, supply management, freight transportation, warehouse design and management, distribution network design and planning, inventory management and control, etc.
How Much Can You Earn With A Master’s Degree In Supply Chain Management? | Career Outlook
The most obvious career path to pursue after earning an online graduate degree in supply chain management is one in the logistics, freight, manufacturing, or shipping fields. These are just some sectors where graduates can apply their knowledge and typically find work as supply chain professionals. Supply Chain Management careers usually entail working in large companies, smaller organizations, and start-ups.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), transportation, storage, and distribution managers earn a mean annual wage of $97,630. Careers like logisticians, industrial engineers, and operations research analysts are also growing at faster rates than the national average.
Not only can you earn a cool wage by working in supply chain management, but you can also gain exposure to many facets of business such as sourcing and sales.
However, the career outlook for this industry is fairly high, and some positions will increase at a faster than average rate.
Students working in logistics and certain areas of supply chain management will find that the need for these professionals will increase by over 10% in the coming years. Purchasing is also one of the few fields that will drop in the future. The need for professionals in this field will decrease by around 3% in the coming years.
Read Also 15 Best accredited Online Ph.D. Programs in Business | Cost, Admission Requirements
What’s The Cost Of An Online Masters In Supply Chain Management?
Online master’s in supply chain management students should really look at some costs associated with earning their degrees because this goes beyond simply the tuition that the school charges.
Tuition prices always vary depending on the school’s academic strength.
However, the cost of the top online masters in supply chain programs can range from $7,000 to $50,000. This is an average, so consult the school for the exact tuition fee.
Also, some online programs charge a technology fee for using the online resources available to these students and other fees, but the cost of tuition for online students is often lower than the amount that traditional students pay.
What Are The Admission Requirements For Online Master’s In Supply Chain Program?
To gain admission into most master’s in supply chain programs online, you basically must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college with a GPA of at least 2.75, as well as two years of work or military experience.
Other admission requirements include:
- Transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal Statement
- Current Resume/CV
- Submission of GRE or GMAT scores
The 13 Best Accredited Online Masters In Supply Chain Programs
Please note that we arranged these schools and programs at random and not from the best to least.
Here are our best 13 online masters in supply chain programs for you in 2021.
#1 Lancaster University
Lancaster University is among the top 10 universities in the UK. Founded in 1964, Lancaster is one of only six collegiate universities in the UK.
This university offers MSc Logistics and Supply Chain Management program. The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) accredits this one-year, full-time course and requires at least a 2:1 honors degree or equivalent for entry.
This online master’s program runs in two phases. The first phase (October to April) involves attending several compulsory and optional modules to develop your understanding and knowledge.
In addition, there is the development of core quantitative skills including statistics, analytics, spreadsheet modeling and problem-solving, and consultancy.
The second phase (May to September) involves a dissertation project, where students work as consultants on real-life assignments.
Tuition fees for UK and European Union (EU) students are £13,000. This increases to £20,000 for international students.
#2 Kingston University London
Kingston University London offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses for the UK and international students.
The Logistics and Supply Chain MSc at Kingston University London takes one year to study full time (two if you opt to do a professional placement as part of the course).
The course has full accreditation from the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) and requires a good honors degree (usually a 2:1) in any relevant discipline for entry.
In the first semester, you will study modules in the fundamentals of business management, logistics management, operations and supply chain management, and strategic operations and outsourcing.
The second stage of the course comprises independent research via the dissertation module.
Graduates of this online course also have worked for companies including Thames Tideway Tunnel, World Food Programme, University of the Arts London, Candy Kittens and GlaxoSmithKline, etc.
#3 Charleston Southern University
Charleston Southern University is an independent college affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention that enrolls 3,459 students on its 300-acre campus and online.
Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), CSU has a 14:1 student-faculty ratio.
It has a 56 percent first-time student retention rate, and it’s among the top online Christian colleges and universities according to greatvaluecolleges.net
Charleston Southern Online offers an affordable online Master of Science in supply chain and logistics. It includes courses like:
- Servant Leadership
- Supply Chain Information Technology
- Product and Service Delivery Management
This 36-hour program offers rolling admissions. Programs in the College of Business are accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE). Its curriculum includes your choice of five electives. The College of Adult and Professional Studies also offers a 15-hour Supply Chain Management Certificate.
Tuition fee: $17,858
The International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE accredits programs in the College of Business
#4 Rutgers University
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a leading national research university and the state of New Jersey’s preeminent, comprehensive public institution.
The online master’s in supply chain management degree program from Rutgers University is a 30-credit hour. You can accelerate this offering in just one year.
Students choose ten courses from a list of thirteen offered, such as Supply Chain Risk and Disruption Management, Lean Six Sigma, Operations Analysis, Supply Chain Law and Governance, and Supply Chain Management Strategies, for example.
You can take this program entirely online, and there is no residency requirement. Online master’s in supply chain management students may opt to pursue graduate certificates while working towards their degree.
In-state Tuition: $16,536
#5 University Of St. Francis
The University of St. Francis offers an online master’s in supply chain management through the school’s College of Business and Health Administration. The program is technically an MS in Management with a concentration in Logistics.
Students will take a 24-credit hour management core comprising classes such as Leading Continuous Improvement, Organization, and Team Leadership, and Developing Personal Leadership and a 12-credit hour Logistics concentration including courses like Business Logistics, Transportation Management & Economics, Project Management, and International Logistics Management.
You can complete this online masters in supply chain management degree program from St. Francis in as few as 15 months.
In-State Tuition: $13,302
#6 The University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Since 1866, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville has been a regional leader with challenging academics; renowned faculty; and notable alumni.
The University has an 821-acre campus located in a small city of about 11,000 residents. It’s less than 30 miles from the borders of Illinois and Iowa. With a total enrollment of 7,979, the average class size is 25 students, and the student-faculty ratio is 20:1.
UW-Platteville was the first public university in the state to deliver an entire degree online. Today, more master’s programs are available online than on-campus. The university’s freshman to sophomore retention rate is 77 percent. It is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Distance Education at UW-Platteville offers an affordable Online MS in Supply Chain Management Logistics, which is only available in the fully-online format. This 30- to 33-credit program’s curriculum includes core supply chain courses like International Supply Chain Management and Purchasing Management.
As many as 12 transfer credits may be accepted, and you can earn credit for life and work experiences. You can complete the program at your own pace (for up to seven years), or earn your degree in as little as two years.
Tuition: $14,363
#7 Wright State University
Wright State University offers a 33-credit hour online master’s in logistics and supply chain management through the school’s Raj Soin College of Business. The curriculum for this program is prescribed and features required courses such as Foundations of Supply Chain Management, Info Tech & Supply Chain, Strategic Sourcing, and Supply Chain Design and Integration. A capstone project is also required prior to graduation.
Graduates of this online master’s in supply chain management offering enjoy careers as logistics analysts, purchasing specialists, procurement managers, supply chain business analysts, and more.
It is very important to note that this program may require some on-campus residencies.
In-State Tuition: $13,474
#8 Portland State University
Portland State University offers an online master’s supply chain management degree that can be completed in just 21 months.
The curriculum for this unique program focuses on five distinct areas of supply chain management: Sourcing and Purchasing/Procurement, Global Trade and Logistics, Data Analysis and Visualization, Closed-Loop Supply Chain/ Sustainability/ Circular Economy, and Forecasting and Planning. Specific course titles include Principles of Strategic Global Sourcing, Data Analytics and IT, Global Contract Negotiation, and Global Leadership and Ethics in Supply Chain Management.
There is no residency requirement for this online master’s in supply chain management program, but students will take part in a two-week field study in Asia.
Tuition Fee: $13,248
#9 University of Washington
The University of Washington is comprised of three campuses. Its main campus is located north of downtown Seattle.
UW is one of the oldest public universities on the West Coast. It has a 634-acre urban campus with 296 specialized research centers and 54,000 students. The freshman retention rate is 94 percent, and the student-faculty ratio is 19:1.
The Northwest Commission accredits UW on Colleges and Universities (AACSB International accredits NWCCU), while its Michael G. Foster School of Business. The Foster School is the second oldest institution of management education on the West Coast. It enrolled 1,169 grad students in 2016 (most recent data).
UW offers both a Master of Supply Chain Management and an Online Master of Supply Chain Transportation & Logistics. The former is a one-year accelerated program with evening and weekend courses on-campus, allowing students to still work full-time. It requires 44 credits for completion.
The UW Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering in collaboration specifically offered this masters online program with UW Continuum College. The 43-credit online master of supply chain and logistics can be completed through part-time study within two years.
Tuition: $9,443
#10 North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University enrolls 35,479 students at its 2,010-acre main campus, Research Triangle Park, and its award-winning Centennial Campus in Raleigh, a leading urban center.
NC State has a 94 percent retention rate, a 13:1 student-faculty ratio, and 900+ student organizations.
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC accredits it).
The AACSB-accredited Poole College of Management offers Jenkins MBA programs in the full-time, evening, and online formats, all of which can include a concentration in supply chain management. In this concentration, you’ll work in multidisciplinary teams.
#11 Georgia College & State University
Georgia College & State University offers a 30-credit hour online master’s in logistics and supply chain management program delivered via an online cohort model.
Once you are accepted into the program, you must take a required foundational course in college-level statistics. They will then move on to required core courses such as Distribution and Inventory Control, Purchasing and Materials Management, Logistics Quantitative Methods, and Supply Chain/Logistics Leadership. Students can also choose from elective classes like Commercial Law, Regulation, and Corporate Social Responsibility; Integrated Accounting for Decision Makers; and Introduction to Enterprise Systems.
This online master’s in supply chain management program features two different start dates per year.
Tuition: $5,817
#12 University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi is a doctoral university with the Carnegie Foundation “higher research activity” designation.
It’s comprised of its main campus, the Gulf Park Campus in Long Beach, MS, and five teaching and research sites. USM enrolls 14,478 students from all 50 states and 72 countries. It has a 17:1 student-faculty ratio. It is also accreditated by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
USM offers an MS in Logistics, Trade, and Transportation, which is an approved “Certified in Transportation and Logistics Academic Program” by the American Society of Transportation & Logistics Board of Examiners.
This top online MS in supply chain and logistics is interdisciplinary. It also requires 30 customizable credit hours. It can actually be completed within a one-year fully online, in-person, or in a hybrid format.
Tuition Fee: $12,506
#13 University OF Hull
Hull University Business School has responded to this global demand by designing an online master’s degree in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, which deals with the challenges of today’s competitive business arena.
Analyzing real-world case studies, with the option of attending face-to-face events, you will master the complexity of global supply chains and the interconnected relationships among different stakeholders.
Tuition Fee: 9,400 EUR | International tuition 14,500 EUR
Conclusion
An online master’s degree in logistics and supply chain management helps graduates to advance their careers and secure promotion. However, to gain admission into most masters in supply chain programs online, you basically must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college.
Generally, most supply chain management positions require a bachelor’s degree. However, an online master’s degree combined with experience in the field can give you a competitive edge.
An online master’s degree is very most useful if you work in the procurement, sourcing, buying, and merchandising side of the supply chain.
In supply chain management, mathematical modeling is not specific to any particular level, but it is generally useful.
It may be one of the tougher business degrees, but it’s not as tough as an engineering degree.
