What to Expect in a Supply Chain Master’s Degree Program – Purdue Krannert
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
A master’s degree in supply chain management can open the doors to many logistics career opportunities. If you are considering the investment, you are likely wondering
what you can do with a supply chain management degree and what subjects will be covered in your courses.
What is Supply Chain Management?
The basis of supply chain management is to facilitate the flow of materials, information, and finances as efficiently as possible along the supply chain.
The term “supply chain” can be used in reference to multiple organizations like suppliers, manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, and customers. Ultimately, the goal of SCM is to improve the customer
experience and reduce supply chain costs.
What Are The Main Jobs Types In The Field?
A master’s degree in supply chain management can open the door to a variety of careers, including
- Logistics
- Supplier Relations
- Inventory Management
- Procurement Management
- Distribution Management
- Demand Forecasting
What Subjects Will I Study in a Supply Chain Management Program?
While each supply chain master’s degree program is unique, most programs will include these subjects:
- Supply Chain Management
Supply chains are complex and can include many organizations. There are multiple analytical methods to design and manage a supply chain. This type of course will instruct on the different methods while providing insight into the application of each approach.
- Logistics
The focus of logistics management is to get products to customers effectively and efficiently. Transportation, warehousing, and inventory are all important in logistics management. Some concepts that are covered include transportation, fleet management, inventory management, and supply and demand planning. You may also learn how logistics is integrated with other functions like marketing and finance.
- Operations Management
In an operations management course, you will learn about the manufacturing and production processes. You will study concepts like forecasting, production planning, process analysis, bottlenecks, and inventory levels.
- Transportation Operations
Your studies will cover transportation technology, different modes of transportation, how the field is evolving, and sustainability in transportation.
- Inventory Management
In your supply chain management studies, your course matter will often talk about the importance of inventory management within the supply chain. You will study different types of inventory and their uses, inventory cost components, and measuring and planning inventory levels.
These are just five different course subjects that your master’s degree in supply chain management program will cover. Your program may have specialized subjects available as well.
Purdue’s Master of Science in Global Supply Chain Management (MS GSCM) Program
At Purdue, the core of our MS GSCM program is centered on operations, supply chain management, and business analytics with a global focus. The MS GSCM program is ranked #12 for Top North American Graduate Supply Chain Programs and #10 Best Masters in Logistics. Students learn in both formal and informal classroom environments and are prepared to enter a supply chain management career upon graduation. In addition to the coursework we covered above, our MS GSCM program also offers:
- Sustainable Operations
- Advanced Business Analytics
- Data Mining
- Marketing Analysis
- Brand Management
- Accounting for Managers
We hope this blog helps you understand what you can do with a supply chain management degree. If you are interested in a master’s degree in supply chain management, learn more our program here.