Best Online Master's In Logistics And Supply Chain Management Degrees

Overview

Known as a “Public Ivy” school, Indiana University Bloomington is a public research institution that competes on par with the elite Ivy League schools. It enrolls close to 50,000 students each year. Within the student body, around 6,100 students are enrolled as business students through the Kelley School of Business, which has been listed in the top 10 programs in the country the last four years.

Features

The renowned Kelley School of Business houses Indiana University’s online Master of Science in Global Supply Chain Management, which is a 30-credit-hour program that can be completed at your own pace (though most finish it in between fifteen months and five years). IU Bloomington also offers a dual degree option, which lets you earn both a master of science and an MBA at the same time. Some of the classes in the MS in Global Supply Chain Management degree include:

• Sustainable Operations
• System Distribution and Inventory Management
• Quantitative Analysis
• Managing Accounting Information for Decision-Making

Notables

Hands down, the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University Bloomington is a stand-out feature for this school. Just this year, US News & World Report ranked it 3rd in the nation for online MBA programs. Overall, IU Bloomington holds steady ground in the world of rankings; in 2016, the school had 40 graduate programs that ranked within the top 25 in the country. Clearly, you’ll be in good hands!

Overview

Arizona State University, based in Phoenix, Arizona, is a public research institution with a number of notable features: its impressive enrollment of around 73,000 students, its commitment to sustainable energy and education, and its large online learning platform that aims to give students the same quality of learning experience they would receive on campus.

Features

The W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University offers an online MBA that covers the principles of management, along with the chance to earn an Executive Certificate in Supply Chain Management. At the beginning of the program, all students attend an on-campus orientation to get accustomed to the online format and meet their cohort and faculty members. Beyond the nine-course core curriculum, the certificate program includes three online courses:

• Operations and Supply Management
• Integrated Supply Chain Strategy
• Electives like Principles of CSR & Sustainability

Notables

Arizona State University is nationally and globally ranked by US News & World Report, Washington Monthly, the Wall Street Journal, and more. For one, it was ranked number 1 in a list of “Most Innovative Universities,” and it holds the 47th rank nationally for “Best Universities in the US.” The Supply Chain Management program was ranked 5th last year by US News & World Report. You can’t go wrong with any of those statistics!

Overview

A private research institution based in Syracuse, New York and loosely connected with the Methodist church, Syracuse University excels in both academics and sports on a national level. Made up of thirteen well-respected colleges, Syracuse provides hundreds of different majors and programs to both undergraduates and graduates (enrollment is around 21,000 students annually).

Features

The 54-credit-hour online MBA at Syracuse University splits its requirements into three categories: 36 core business classes, 15 credits in a specialization (one of which is in Supply Chain Management), and 3 credits for a residency on Syracuse’s campus. In addition to the specializations, students have the chance to earn certifications in APICS, ISM, and ASQ. The Supply Chain Management specialization requires some of the following courses:

• Principles of Management Science
• Lean Six Sigma
• Strategic Sourcing
• Global Supply Chain Management

Notables

Syracuse’s online MBA program has reaped the praises of a number of reputable sources over the years. This year, Financial Times listed it as the 10th best online MBA and The Princeton Review listed it as the 20th best, leaving our 13th place ranking just about averaging the two out. Nationally, Syracuse University ranks 60th among other universities, according to US News & World Review.

Overview

A Catholic university located in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, Desales University is a small school that offers big features: an impressive student to faculty ratio of 14:1, a robust online program that provides flexible hybrid options, and affordable tuition in both its online and on-campus programs. At DeSales University over 95 percent of its students receive some kind of financial aid, a good indicator of the strength and support of the university.

Features

The blended MBA program at DeSales University is offered in any format that fits your schedule: fully in person, a hybrid of online and in person, or fully online. One of the concentrations included in this MBA program (from a list of nine) is in Supply Chain Management. Other than the 7 core courses in business and one capstone class at the end of your degree, the Supply Chain Management degree at Syracuse involves 4 courses. You can choose some of the following:

• Forecasting, Production, and Inventory Planning
• Value Chain Operations and Quality Management
• Project Management Essentials
• Strategic Procurement and Financial Risk Management

Notables

DeSales University performs quite well in its region. US News & World Report named it the 61st best school in its list of “Regional Universities North.” It also earned a spot in this year’s “Best Value Schools,” ranking 32nd in the nation. In terms of graduate satisfaction, DeSales University’s record is nearly perfect; 99 percent of students say they “felt well-prepared for their careers or for more schooling.”

Overview

Another Catholic college on our list (and the first one established in Florida), Saint Leo University is a private, Roman Catholic university that was founded in 1889. Saint Leo University’s academic reach goes beyond its main campus in St. Leo, Florida—the university’s 14,650 students are enrolled in over 40 locations throughout the country.

Features

Saint Leo University offers an online MBA with a concentration in Supply Chain Global Integration Management with the choice to complete it in either the traditional two-year timeline, or in the accelerated program, which takes just one year. All of the faculty are associated with the Council of Supply Chain Professionals and are certified in Lean Six-Sigma. Their expertise and wide network in the field are two stand-out perks of this particular program. Some of the classes you’ll take in this 36-credit-hour program are:

• Building Competitive Advantages through Relationships & Reverse Logistics
• Dynamic Risk Modeling & Quality Initiatives
• Integrated Global Systems & Sustainability Initiatives

Notables

Saint Leo University has a number of areas in which it excels. For instance, Guide to Online Schools recently gave Saint Leo the 17th spot in its list of the top online programs in the country. That’s no surprise, given its relatively lengthy history in online education—The Center for Online Learning at Saint Leo was created in 1998, one of the first in the United States! On a more regional scale, US News & World Report included Saint Leo University in its list of “Top Universities in the South” in 2016.

Overview

Based just outside of St. Louis, Missouri, Maryville University is a historical landmark when it comes to academic institutions in the state. Founded in 1872, it has grown into a private university with a long-lasting reputation for academic excellence. Beyond its on-campus programs, Maryville’s online branch offers a number of different degrees in Health Care, Nursing, Business, and Education.

Features

Started in 2014 through the John E. Simon School of Business, the online MBA at Maryville University was formed to meet the needs of working adults. For instance, the degree can be completed in just one year, and has six possible start times per calendar year. The application process is made simple too; applicants are not required to take the GRE or GMAT and no prior business background is required. The Project Management track is one of 9 concentrations that is included in the degree, offering classes in:

• Process and Operations Management
• Supply Chain Management
• Enterprise Planning & Control
• Project Management

Notables

Maryville University is one of the quiet standout schools on our list. It doesn’t have a fancy Ivy League status or a multi-million dollar research budget, but it does have the historical backing of quality, practical education. It has landed Forbes’ “Top Colleges” list consistently since 2014, and it was listed as a “Best College Values” school by Kiplinger’s in 2017 ($714 per credit hour).

Overview

Founded in 1923 as a Catholic women’s college, Fontbonne University opened its doors to be coeducational in 1970 and grew into its current form of around 1,500 students at both the undergraduate and postgraduate level. Located in a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri, Fontbonne University is a strong local provider, with 74 percent of its alumni still living and working in the larger St. Louis area.

Features

Led by business experts in the St. Louis area, the Masters of Science in Supply Chain Management at Fontbonne University is offered 100 percent online. The program takes an eight-week-per-course format, with a curriculum of seven core classes and two elective classes. Within the degree, students can choose concentrations in three areas: accounting, management and leadership, or nonprofit management. Among the required courses of the degree are:

• Business Components Assessment
• Materials Management
• Lean Principles in the Supply Chain
• Strategic Procurement

Notables

The online options at Fontbonne University have expanded significantly over the last number of years to today, where the university offers online programs in undergraduate majors and minors, graduate programs, graduate certificates, and more. Last year, Fontbonne was recognized by Colleges of Distinction for excelling in four core categories: engaged students, great teaching, vibrant community, and successful outcomes.

Overview

Located in Manchester, New Hampshire, and home to six professional colleges and schools, Southern New Hampshire University is private university that enrolls around 60,000 students per year. However, only about 3,000 students attend on the main campus, with the majority of its students earning degrees through its College of Online & Continuing Education. Southern New Hampshire University’s MBA has a forty-year history, and now offers around 50 specialized MBAs, one of which is the Operations and Supply Chain Management degree.

Features

Known as one of the more affordable online MBA programs ($627 per credit hour), Southern New Hampshire University’s MBA in Operations and Supply Chain Management distills the essential tools and techniques of the degree into a 15-month-long program. The curriculum is organized for students to take two classes during each 10-week term, with foundation courses building into core business classes and electives. Some of those classes include:

• Six Sigma Quality Management
• Government Impact on Business
• Ethics, Corporate Culture, and Social Responsibility
• Leading in an Organization

Notables

Southern New Hampshire’s School of Business has a strong reputation among local and national standards. In the past number of years, the New Hampshire Business Review awarded the School of Business multiple “Best of Business” recognitions, including “Best MBA Program.” The university is also frequently recognized for its innovation; in fact, Fast Company recently named it the 12th most innovative organization in the world.

Overview

Chatham University was founded as Pennsylvania Female College, and has a long history of educating women. The school maintains three different academic Colleges on its eastern Pittsburgh campus and online: Chatham College for Women (female only), the College for Graduate Studies (coeducational), and the College for Continuing and Professional Studies (coeducational).

Features

Chatham University’s online MBA program, open to both men and women, offers eight unique concentrations within the degree, one of which is the Supply Chain Management track. All concentrations include the Business Consulting Capstone, which allows students to work with top executives on a final project. On top of the 27 credits of core MBA courses, students who specialize in the Supply Chain Management concentration are required to take an additional 9 credits, which include the following courses:

• Sustainable Supply Chain Management
• Logistics and Operations
• Global Procurement

Notables

Since Chatham University has historically supported women in academics, the support services for women are exceptionally strong. For example, the business program includes a Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship and offers a Certificate in Executive Women’s Leadership. Chatham is also nationally known for its sustainability projects on campus, and was ranked in the top five in the country for its efforts.

Overview

Penn State-World Campus, started in 1998, is the distance learning offshoot campus of the larger Pennsylvania State University, located in University Park and elsewhere in the state. The World Campus provides the platform for 125 online degrees at the undergraduate and graduate level and enrolls around 13,400 students each year.

Features

The 30-credit-hour Master of Professional Studies in Supply Chain Management at Penn State World Campus typically takes around two years to complete. The curriculum combines leading theories and techniques in the field, as well as research skills and business practices, to give you a well-rounded education. One intensive, four-day residency is required at the Pennsylvania campus, which gives you access to faculty members and in-person advising. Some of the supply chain-specific courses in this degree include:

• Supply Chain Performance Metrics and Financial Analysis
• Manufacturing and Service Operations Planning
• Strategic Procurement
• Supply Chain Design and Strategy

Notables

Even though Penn State World Campus is the last school on our list, it should not diminish the reputation of its online MBA program. In fact, Penn State World Campus holds an impressive spot in the top ten list of “Best Online Programs,” according to US News & World Report. Its extensive experience in distance learning has understandably propelled it to the front of the pack.