The Top Operations Management MBA Online Programs

The need for effective operations management continues to increase as the business marketplace becomes more competitive. Students who pursue either a conventional or online Master of Business Administration in operations management will find themselves uniquely qualified to create business strategies and direct the flow of goods. Those who attend an operations management MBA online or campus-based program will also learn the skills necessary to find lucrative careers in general business after graduation.

An operations management MBA online degree is specifically designed to teach online students the fundamental elements of effective production planning and management. Courses include the basics of marketing, ethics, accounting and data mining. In addition, a good MBA online operations management school will provide in-depth courses about world markets, operations strategies and acquisition methods that keep students abreast of current operational management procedures.

How can I tell if an online MBA operations management degree is right for me?

Students who enjoy thinking logically and analytically, who are comfortable communicating with others and who enjoy organizing large-scale systems can expect to find schools with the best online operations management MBA rankings to be a good fit for them.

Other common characteristics amongst many online MBA operations management students are:

• A skill for communicating with persons outside organization
• A propensity for making decisions and solving problems
• A capability for establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships
• An ability for communicating with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• A capacity for resolving conflicts and negotiating with others

How long does it take to earn an MBA online operations management degree?

Earning an operations management MBA degree online is comparable to earning any other similar degree. Two years of full time study is typically required to finish this degree. However, students are able to finish the course at their own pace at some colleges that have part-time or accelerated programs.

What are the prerequisites and admission requirements for MBA operations management schools online?

An undergraduate degree is normally required before students can gain admission to online MBA operations management programs. While having a bachelor’s degree in related fields like operations research, operations, logistics, and business administration may be ideal for those considering enrolling in a good MBA operations management online program, it is generally not required.

Many online MBA in operations management programs also base admission on the following criteria:

• Academic transcripts
• Work experience
• References or Letters of Recommendation
• Graduate Management Admission Test scores (GMAT)

What courses will I take in operations management MBA programs online?

Accredited online MBA programs in operations management have three major parts: a required number of core business classes, key elective courses in operational management strategies and a thesis paper or professional project. During the first part of the MBA operations management online program, students take courses in leadership, organization, marketing, finance and ethics. Basic courses in operations may also be included in this core class set.

During the second part of the program, most online operations management MBA schools help students focus on skills that will apply to their post-degree careers. Upper-level courses in supply chain innovation, production analysis and management are a few of the required courses at top operations management MBA schools online. Additional electives in areas such as global economic environmental and organizational change may be required in addition to the completion of a professional project or thesis.

Many students enrolled in online operations management MBA programs complete an internship during the course of their studies. These internships can be very valuable. Through them, students get an opportunity to put their learning into practical use. They also often make valuable business contacts.

What are the best online MBA in operations management books I should consider reading?

For students wanting to pursue operations management MBA careers, some on point books include:

1. Lean Six Sigma Pocket Toolbook (Michalel L. George, John Maxey, David Rowlands and Mark Price) – A handy version of the popular Six Sigma series, this is an excellent reference for students in traditional and online MBA operations management programs on how to implement specific operational management strategies in unique situations.

2. Turbulence: Boeing and the State of American Workers and Managers (Edward S. Greenberg, Leon Grunberg, Sarah Moore and Patricia B. Sikora) – An evocative look at the restructuring of Boeing over a tumultuous ten-year period, this book documents the company’s health in relation to its management strategies.

3. The Toyota Way: 14 Management Principles from the World’s Greatest Manufacturer (Jeffrey Liker) – This book explains how lessons from Toyota about eliminating waste, building quality and empowering employees can be used to provide high-quality operations in other areas of business.

4. Execution: The Business of Getting Things Done (Larry Bossidy, Ram Charan and Charles Burck) – This is a classic book that explains the basics of operations management and how to balance the three core elements of an effective business: strategy, operations and people.

5. Freedom from Command and Control: Rethinking Management for Lean Service (John Seddon) – Highlighting the deficiencies of top-down management, this book illustrates how customer and employee-centered systems can help managers reconnect with core values and eliminate waste.

What are my future job prospects if I pursue operations management MBA jobs?

There are currently more than 1.8 million people employed as general and operational managers. Students who complete an accredited online MBA in operations management may be eligible for one of these high-paying positions. Operations management MBA salary and career options include:

• Purchasing Manager – $58,360
• Distribution Manager – $87,830
• Operations Research Analyst – $70,960
• Industrial Production Manager – $87,160

The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects that most students who complete a traditional or online Master of Business Administration in operations management will have a more difficult time finding work than in other management fields. The projected growth for these jobs is between 7% and 9% over the next ten years, which is much slower than average. Although this may be due in part to a decrease in U.S. production, it may also reflect a tighter economy and companies’ fear of filling vacancies due to general job cuts.

Many employers prefer graduates who have graduated from AACSB accredited operations management MBA programs. Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business accreditation generally is evidence that that a business school gives students a quality education.

What are the top online schools to pursue an online Operations Management MBA degree?

• American InterContinental University
• Colorado Technical University