The Best Online Master’s in Supply Chain Management Programs
| TBS Staff
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Supply chain management remains an integral component of business operations, organizational success, and customer satisfaction.
Earning a master's in supply chain management prepares graduates to decrease purchasing, production, and total supply chain costs, which allows businesses to run efficiently.
This field provides international travel opportunities, multiple specialization areas, and transferable skills. A supply chain management online MBA leads to multiple career opportunities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 5% increase in job outlook through 2028 for logisticians. These professionals earn a median annual salary of $74,750.
While supply chain management jobs require a bachelor's degree at minimum, candidates with an advanced degree gain a competitive advantage in the job market and may qualify for higher salaries. Professionals may also want to examine earning potential by geographic location and industry, as some offer higher salaries than others.
The following ranking provides a list of schools that offer an online master's in supply chain management.
| #1 | Arizona State University-Tempe Tempe, AZ |
| #2 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide Daytona Beach, FL |
| #3 | University of Mary Bismarck, ND |
| #4 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NY |
| #5 | Kettering University Flint, MI |
| #6 | Cedarville University Cedarville, OH |
| #7 | University of Alabama in Huntsville Huntsville, AL |
| #8 | Oakland City University Oakland City, IN |
| #9 | Florida Institute of Technology Melbourne, FL |
| #10 | Charleston Southern University Charleston, SC |
Featured Online Schools
The Best Online Master's in Supply Chain Management Programs
Founded in 1885, ASU confers more than 27,000 degrees every year.
ASU offers an online master of science in supply chain management degree program. Sample courses include supplier management and negotiation, advanced supply chain planning and control, strategic procurement, and decision models for supply chain.
Students must complete 30 credits to graduate.
Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree and complete the MITx MicroMasters program in supply chain management with a score of at least 80%. The application requires transcripts showing a minimum GPA of 3.0 on the last 60 hours of undergraduate studies, a resume, one letter of recommendation, and the MITx learner transcript.
Founded in 1925, ERAU offers science and business degrees for both aviation and non-aviation industries.
ERAU offers an online master of science in logistics and supply chain management degree program. Courses include information analytics and visualization in decision making, management science, and production and procurement in the aviation and aerospace industry. The program culminates in a comprehensive exam administered during the capstone course.
Students must complete 30 credits to graduate.
Applicants must complete prerequisites in areas such as economics, marketing, quantitative methods, and management. The application requires transcripts.
Founded on Benedictine values, Mary offers 15 master's degree programs.
Mary offers an online master of project management degree program with a business operations specialization. Courses include operations management, statistics, and executive economic analysis. Students can finish the program in just 18 months.
Students must complete 45 credits to graduate.
Applicants must submit transcripts showing completion of a bachelor's degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75.
Founded in 1870, Syracuse offers more than 200 advanced degree programs.
Syracuse offers an online master of business administration with a supply chain management specialization. The program involves live online classes and three in-person residencies in major cities around the world. Students can finish in about 24 months.
Students must complete 45 credits to graduate.
Applicants must obtain a bachelor's degree in one of nine possible subjects, a GPA of at least 3.0, and at least one year of professional work experience. This specialization also requires GMAT/GRE scores, but applicants may apply for a waiver.
Founded in 1919 as the School of Automobile Trades and later called the General Motors Institute and the GMI Engineering and Management Institute, Kettering adopted its current name in 1998.
Kettering offers a 100% online master of science in supply chain management degree program. Sample courses include financial management, procurement and risk management, and customer relationship management. Students can also earn 3-course graduate certificates in operations management, supply chain management level 1 or 2, and more.
Students must complete 40 credits to graduate.
Applicants must submit transcripts.
Founded in 1887, Cedarville teaches from a Christian perspective.
Cedarville offers a fully online master of business administration in operations management degree program that students can complete in just one year. Courses cover topics like supply chain management, project management, operations research, and lean process management.
Students must complete 36-39 credits to graduate.
Applicants must follow a Christian faith and earn a bachelor's degree with a GPA of 2.75 or better. The application requires transcripts, a Christian leader recommendation and a professional recommendation.
Offering more than 100 areas of study across 9 colleges, UAH boasts an average graduate class size of just 13 in its graduate programs.
UAH offers a 100% online master of science in supply chain and logistics management degree program. Sample courses include transportation and logistics, operations management, decision modeling, and contract management. This program includes a thesis option.
Students must complete 30 credits to graduate.
Applicants must obtain a bachelor's degree and show competency in statistics. The application requires transcripts and GRE/GMAT test scores. Students with suitable academic and professional history can apply for a GRE/GMAT waiver.
Founded on General Baptist principles, OCU teaches from a Christian perspective.
OCU offers an online master of science in strategic management: logistics and product distribution degree program. Courses include leadership and organizational behavior, quality systems, management information systems, and international business management.
Students must complete 30 credits to graduate.
Applicants must initially fill out an application and may need to provide transcripts upon request.
Established in 1958 and originally known as the Brevard Engineering College, FIT teaches students from more than 100 countries.
FIT offers an online master of science in supply chain management. Sample courses include corporate finance, managerial accounting, cost and economic analysis, and global supply chain management and international logistics.
Students must complete 30 credits to graduate.
Applicants must submit transcripts showing completion of a bachelor's degree and a resume.
Offering a Christian-based education, Charleston Southern currently teaches more than 3,400 students.
Charleston Southern offers a fully online master of science in supply chain management degree program that students complete within one to two years. Courses explore topics like ethical management, strategic procurement, supply chain information technology, and managerial innovation strategies.
Students must complete 30 credits to graduate.
Applicants must submit transcripts and a resume.
Named after the Wright brothers, Wright State offers more than 276 degree programs to its 12,000+ students.
Wright State offers a master of science in logistics and supply chain management degree program that students can complete in one year. The program includes four weekend residencies, but the rest of the coursework remains online. Courses include global logistics and trade, info tech and supply chain, performance management and supply chain transformation, and strategic sourcing.
Students must complete 33 credits to graduate.
Applicants must submit transcripts and three letters of recommendation.
Founded in 1895, UMass Dartmouth offers 34 master's degree programs and enrolls 800 students online each year.
UMass Dartmouth offers an online master of business administration in supply chain management and information systems, which students can complete in 24 months. Sample courses include strategic cost management, international financial management, logistics strategy and management, and information technology management.
Students must complete 30 credits to graduate.
Applicants must submit transcripts, a resume, a statement of purpose, two letters of recommendation, and GMAT score. Applicants with sufficient academic or work history may apply for a GMAT waiver.
Founded in 1878, Champlain operates as a non-profit college teaching more than 3,000 online students.
Champlain offers a 100% online master of business administration degree program with an embedded supply chain management graduate certificate. Courses include strategic procurement, supply chain strategy, and inventory, distribution, and logistics.
Students must complete 36-42 credits to graduate.
Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Depending on the degree earned, applicants may need to complete two prerequisite courses before beginning core coursework. Champlain also prefers applicants with work experience in a related field. The application requires essays, transcripts, and a resume.
First opening in 1923 as a women's college, Fontbonne traces its roots to the French Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph.
Fontbonne offers a master in business administration with a concentration in supply chain management. Students take courses online for 8 weeks at a time. Courses include materials management, lean principles in the supply chain, strategic procurement, and process and methodology.
Students must complete 36 credits to graduate.
Applicants must submit transcripts showing completion of a bachelor's degree with a GPA of at least 2.5, a self-statement, an a resume. Fontbonne accepts up to 6 graduate transfer credits that meet specific criteria.
A liberal arts college affiliated with the United Church of Christ, Lakeland teaches around 3,500 students.
Lakeland offers an online master of business administration in supply chain management. Courses include international trade and finance, supply chain procurement, organizational effectiveness, and corporate strategy and decision making.
Students must complete 36 credits to graduate.
Applicants must submit transcripts, a resume, a statement of purpose, and two letters of recommendation. Lakeland accepts up to 9 graduate transfer credits that meet specific criteria.
Online Master's in Supply Chain Management Programs Ranking Guidelines
We ranked these degree programs based on quality, curricula, school awards, rankings, and reputation.
The motto of TheBestSchools.org is Finding the best school for you. Here is how we do it:
The value of any ranking list of schools and/or degree programs depends on having a methodologically sound assessment of each school’s/program’s characteristics, especially insofar as these can be objectively measured. A college or university is a complex entity, with numerous factors to consider, and distilling these down to the place where meaningful comparisons can be made to form a defensible ranking list becomes part science and part art.
To meet this challenge—and thereby provide you with the most useful and insightful educational rankings on the Internet — TheBestSchools.org formulates our rankings based on five informational categories (six, when considering online schools). The major metrics and qualities for which we rank are these (with expanded, detailed considerations and weights listed):
1. Academic excellence based on a school’s curriculum generally or within the selected discipline [weight = 25%]
- Weighs school against known leading schools in that discipline
- Weighs number of core curricula listed as advanced courses within that discipline and compares against introductory courses
- Weighs school’s curriculum against known knowledge needs of major employers in that discipline
- Considers number and types of specializations offered within that discipline
- Considers faculty expertise in that discipline
- Considers range of electives within that discipline
- Considers quality of online environment offered to students (if applicable), particularly within that discipline
2. Strength of faculty scholarship [weight = 25%]
- Considers education background of the faculty
- Considers years of faculty experience both inside and outside of academia.
- Considers faculty membership and leadership within relevant, prominent associations
- Considers academic papers published by faculty in relevant, prominent periodicals
- Considers awards and recognitions given to faculty members from prominent organizations and from other sources
3. Reputation [weight = 20%]
- Considers a school’s reputation among academic peers and employers regarding the following:
- Faculty
- Curriculum
- “Freshness” of academic knowledge
- Adaptability to changes in employment sectors
- Suitability of graduates for the workplace
4. Financial aid [weight = 10%]
- Mandatory: Requires full accreditation from an agency endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education and listed on the federal register to accept student federal financial aid
- Considers range of school-sponsored financial aid such as scholarships and grants
5. Range of degree programs [weight = 20%]
- Considers range of degree levels: associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral and professional
- Considers range of degree subjects offered, such as art & design, computers & technology, education & teaching, criminal justice, and business
6. Strength of online instruction methodology (if applicable) [weight = 25%; subtract 5% from each of the above for online schools/programs]
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Considers the following of the online classes:
- Types of online technology used to deliver content
- Pedagogy style: asynchronous, synchronous, or both (depending on the degree)
- Extent and quality of the online, community learning environment, including options for communication, interactivity, and collaboration between students and also between students and instructors
- Variety, breadth, and depth of coursework, and its support, including project options and online tutoring
-
Considers the following of instructors:
- Extent of training for teaching within an online learning environment
- Amount of timely, consistent feedback to students
- Extent of collaboration with prospective employers to ensure suitability of instructional materials for achieving desired skills
- Ratio to number of students in a class
- Number and quality of internships in a student’s geographical area for applicable degrees
Because students tend to review a variety of information when choosing a school, the weight a student gives any one criterion will vary. For instance, it’s not enough to offer a carefully constructed ranking of great schools if many are too expensive or too difficult to get into.
To better serve the needs of prospective students, we are therefore increasingly offering filters that help you better use our rankings to find the schools that match your specific needs. These supplement our ranking criteria and include:
- Accreditation
- Public or private status
- Acceptance rate
- Retention rate
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- ACT/SAT requirements
- Cost in-state / out of state
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- Region
- State
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If you have any questions about our ranking methodology, please contact us.
Citations: For a broader account of our ranking methodology, especially as it relates to TheBestSchools.org's underlying educational philosophy and, in other ranking articles, looks beyond academic excellence (as here) to such factors as return on investment or incidental benefit, see our article "Ranking Methodology: How We Rank Schools at TBS." Reputation of schools and degree programs can at least in part be gauged through the school or department's publishing activity, citations, and desirability. At TheBestSchools.org, we keep track of such social and peer validation: "Making Sense of College Rankings." For nuts-and-bolts information about colleges and universities, we look to the National Center for Education Statistics and especially its College Navigator. Insofar as salary and inflation data are relevant to a ranking, we look to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Finally, nothing beats contacting schools and degree programs directly, which our researchers often do, with the result that all the entries in this article should be considered as belonging to this citation!
What Is an Online Master's in Supply Chain Management Degree?
A master's in supply chain management explores topics like lean production, supply chain coordination, logistics management, and risk mitigation. The goal is for graduates to understand how to create business strategies that use integrated approaches to solve supply chain issues.
Programs that offer a supply chain management MBA online also emphasize broader business concepts, like finance and accounting. Students also develop skills that are useful in any field, including effective decision-making, data analysis, process optimization, and leadership.
The best candidates for an online master's in supply chain management already have professional experience. Some programs even require 2-3 years of work experience as a prerequisite. Applicants typically hold a related bachelor's degree from an accredited school.
Choosing an Online Program
Schools develop their own curricula, which means that requirements and course formats vary. An online master's in supply chain management may require in-person residencies, internships, or synchronous sessions. However, some programs may not require any in-person or live attendance.
The links below provide more information about how to select an online program.
What Else Can I Expect From a Master's in Supply Chain Management Program?
An online master's in supply chain management may offer multiple specializations and elective courses. Nevertheless, most programs cover the same fundamental topics, including the following sample courses.
Supply Chain Management Curriculum
- Supply Chain Analytics: This course explores ways to increase operational effectiveness and efficiency using strategic, data-driven methods. Students examine modern issues using case studies about major organizations. Students learn to use data analytics to create strategies that improve cost efficiency.
- Transportation and Logistics: In this course, students learn about key areas and activities needed to move products through a supply chain. Topics may include modal characteristics, transportation risk management, and third-party providers. Learning outcomes include method evaluation, identifying issues that impact profitability and security, evaluating international alternatives, and creating strategic recommendations.
- Sourcing and Procurement: This course explores quality assurance, selection, supplier evaluation, and global sourcing. Course objectives include describing the way procurement fits within an organization, identifying associated risks, and learning how to formulate make-or-buy analyses to uncover the best solutions for organizations.
Supply Chain Management Careers
The supply chain management process requires excellent planning and understanding of consumer demand. A master's degree in supply chain management prepares graduates to manage the behind-the-scenes needs of organizations in nearly every industry.
Some supply chain positions may require a master's degree or higher, along with professional experience. Certain jobs may also require specific certifications. The following list explores three potential careers for online master's in supply chain management graduates.
| Median Salary: $69,600 | Projected Job Growth: -6% |
|---|
Purchasing managers buy services and products that organizations need for operations or plan to resell. This role requires evaluating the quality of suppliers, being aware of what vendors and suppliers offer, analyzing proposals, and negotiating contracts.
Most purchasing managers work in manufacturing. However, wholesale trade and the federal government also offer opportunities.
| Median Salary: $74,750 | Projected Job Growth: 5% |
|---|
Logisticians oversee the entire supply chain cycle of a product. Duties include allocating materials, developing professional relationships with suppliers and customers, understanding consumer demand, and reviewing logistic functions for areas of improvement.
The best candidates have excellent critical thinking, active listening, and coordination skills. Candidates can find entry-level positions with an associate degree and professional experience, but most employers require a bachelor's degree.
| Median Salary: $103,320 | Projected Job Growth: 6.8% |
|---|
Students who earn a master's in supply chain management can become distribution managers. These professionals work in nearly every industry, monitoring large quantities of inventory. Duties include managing warehouse employees, collaborating with warehouse supervisors, maintaining product quality, and ensuring on-time delivery.
The best candidates have excellent organizational, communication, problem-solving, and time management skills. Other relevant skills include knowledge of analytical or inventory management software. Employers typically prefer candidates with a bachelor's degree and experience in warehouse management.
Supply Chain Management Professional Organizations
Students who earn a master's in supply chain management enter a fast-paced, competitive field. Professional organizations can help emerging professionals build their networks and learn about changes within the field.
Frequently Asked Questions
While program length varies, full-time students typically earn their degrees in 12-24 months.
A master's in supply chain management qualifies graduates for careers as project managers, transportation directors, and warehousing managers.
Supply chain management careers can be in multiple industries, and salaries vary by industry. For example, the highest paying industry for distribution managers — telecommunications — offers a median annual salary of nearly $150,000.
Supply chain management is the control of goods and services, which includes all processes that convert raw materials into distributable products.
A master's in supply chain management is an advanced degree that provides students with the expertise required to manage supply chains on a global scale across multiple industries.
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