Degree Overview: Master of Operations and Supply Chain Management Degree Program
Majors Overview May 28, 2015Get information about Master of Operations and Supply Chain Management degree programs and their education requirements, coursework, career choices, job and wage outlook, and continuing education choices.
Master of Operations and Supply Chain Management Programs
Students with an interest in applying management principles and concepts to the efficient delivery of goods and services should look into a master’s degree program in supply chain management, or operations and supply chain management. Students may seek a stand-alone Master of Science (M.S.) in Supply Chain Management degree program, or choose to pursue a degree as a concentration within a broader Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree program. Multifaceted program coursework could combine research projects, internships, hands-on training, and conventional classroom instruction. Some schools may offer flexible programs allowing both part-time and full-time enrollment, as well as on-campus and online formats.
Education Requirements
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school. In some schools, students are expected to have a certain minimum work experience, apart from a basic grasp in areas such as mathematics, computing, statistics, accounting, and economics. Students without such training may have to complete foundational coursework before they can begin core courses.
Coursework
Coursework is devised to impart professional skills in logistical areas, such as transport, warehousing, packaging, and distribution, apart from operational areas such as product planning, analysis, development, design, and manufacturing. Advanced training and knowledge may also be acquired by students in numerous key supply chain and operations processes, including demand planning, customer service coordination, product launching, and life cycle reinforcement. Core coursework may cover topic areas such as:
•Strategic sourcing
•Global supply chain management
•Logistics systems
•Applied data analysis
•Conflict management
•Strategic quality management
Career Choices
Program graduates can seek occupations in various professional settings, such as compensation analysis, labor relations, and human resources. They may seek possible job titles such as:
•Operations analyst
•Supply chain executive
•Project engineer
•Production manager
Job and Wage Outlook
Over the 2012 – 2022 decade, a job growth of 27% has been predicted for operations research analysts (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). In 2012, these professionals brought in an average annual wage of $72,100 (BLS). In January 2014, production managers and project engineers earned $63,547 and $65,743 per annum on average.
Continuing Education Choices
Program graduates may seek continued education by pursuing a Ph.D. in Operations and Supply Chain Management. The primary focus of these doctoral programs is on specific aspects of the field such as quality management, technology management, and product development. Before they can graduate, students have to complete a dissertation and the degree can lead to careers in research and academia.
