The Top Supply Chain Management MBA Online Programs

In the past, a product might have been built entirely in the U.S., from gathering raw materials to producing the finished product. Today, however, goods are shipped all over the world before they eventually reach the buyer. For this reason, many companies need a supply chain manager to acquire goods, distribute them to the right locations and coordinate their arrival. Therefore, an online Master of Business Administration in supply chain management can help people interested in this process to become qualified for jobs in the field.

Top MBA supply chain management online programs teach students how to think globally and procure all kinds of goods from around the world. Accredited online supply chain management MBA schools instruct students to be proficient in advanced skills such as logistics, quality management and data modeling. The MBA online programs prepare students to oversee the step-by-step transactions of goods and information at every level of the supply chain system.

How can I tell if an online MBA supply chain management is right for me?

An online MBA in supply chain management might interest anyone who is curious about networking, globalization and event coordination.

Many online MBA supply chain management students also have the following traits:

• A proclivity for organizing, planning, and prioritizing work
• A knack for communicating with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• A capability for analyzing data or information
• A desire for making decisions and solving problems
• A capacity for getting information

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

A supply chain management MBA degree online takes approximately the same time to complete as any other similar degree. It on average requires two years of full-time schooling to finish. But, some institutions have part-time or accelerated programs that give students the flexibility to complete the program under a timeframe that suits their schedule.

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

Accredited online MBA supply chain management programs typically require students to have a bachelor’s degree before gaining admission in the MBA program. Some schools that have an MBA supply chain management online program have a preference for applicants who have degrees in subjects such as management, logistics, business administration, and project management.

In addition to requiring students to have a bachelor’s degree, many online MBA in supply chain management programs base admission on the following criteria:

• Essays
• Personal interviews
• Work experience
• Graduate Management Admission Test scores (GMAT)

What courses will I take in supply chain management MBA programs online?

The best supply chain management MBA schools online initially provide fundamental business management instruction to their students. In the first year, supply chain management MBA online programs make sure that students are well-versed in business principles by offering courses such as accounting for managers, financial management, operations analysis, organizational behavior and business communications. It is imperative that students seeking their online Master of Business Administration in supply chain management are proficient in operating a business and understand how changeable and complex the marketplace can be.

Once students enrolled in online MBA supply chain management programs are exposed to the basics, they learn more specialized skills and knowledge involving supply chain management. Some advanced courses in the second year include business-to-business marketing, global labor governance, managing strategic transformations, negotiations and supply chain risk management. Schools with high online supply chain management MBA rankings also train students to satisfactorily apply principals to improve customer service and reduce waste.

Students enrolled in online supply chain management MBA programs often participate in internships in order to supplement their education. Such an internship can be beneficial in that it not only gives students a chance to practically apply the business and supply chain management skills they are gaining in an actual business setting, but it can also serve as an introduction into a particular business or company.

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

Some books students interested in supply chain management MBA careers may find insightful are:

1. Lean Six Sigma for Supply Chain Management (James Martin) – Martin offers a ten-step process for determining and remedying the problems typically found in supply chain systems.

2. Lean Supply Chain and Logistics Management (Paul Myerson) – This book shows readers how to avoid waste in the supply chain system.

3. New Supply Chain Agenda (Reuben Slone, J. Paul Dittmann and John T. Mentzer) – These authors focus on how to deliver goods and products efficiently and at the lowest price.

4. Guide to Supply Chain Management: How Getting It Right Boosts Corporate Performance (David Jacoby) – Jacoby explains how to optimize a company’s supply chain in a highly competitive marketplace.

5. Single Point of Failure: The 10 Essential Laws of Supply Chain Risk Management (Gary S. Lynch) – This book teaches readers how to identify and fix “risk parasites” in a company’s global supply chain system, including through more efficient and faster delivery.

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

The number of jobs in the U.S. available to MBA online supply chain management graduates is over 828,000. Such managers work in businesses, schools, warehouses, governments and other organizations. Supply chain management MBA salary expectations can vary depending on the type of career a student enters:

• Supply Chain Manager – $94,571
• Purchasing Managers – $58,360
• Logisticians – $70,800
• Operations Research Analysts – $70,960

The projected job growth in 2012 for those with a supply chain management MBA online is 10%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The reason for this growth is that as more companies globalize their production, they will be in constant need of skilled coordinators and problem solvers who understand how to ship goods and information across the globe in a timely manner.

Many employers prefer graduates who have earned their degrees from AACSB accredited supply chain management MBA programs. Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business accreditation generally is evidence that that a business school provides a quality education.

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

• Colorado Technical University
• Ashford University
• Capella University