Study Logistics and Supply Chain Management: Degrees at a Glance
Logistics and supply chain management is a growing field that plays an important role in the global economy and is a key part of many industries. As a student of this subject, you will learn how to organize and move goods and services efficiently through courses in logistics management, inventory control, warehousing, purchasing and production control.
Earning a degree in logistics and supply chain management will open up a variety of different career choices to you. As all companies that deal with goods and services require employees to manage these aspects of business, you may find yourself working in many different industries, or even in government or military positions. A few fields you may enter include logistics, warehouse management, operations and production management, scheduling, purchasing, project management or inventory control.
| Bachelor's | |
|---|---|
| Who is this degree for? | Individuals interested in beginning a career in the field, or advancing to a master's program in logistics and supply chain management or a related subject |
| Common Career Paths (with approximate median annual salary) | - Logistician ($72,000)* - Transportation, storage and distribution manager ($81,000)* - Industrial production manager ($88,000)* - Purchasing agent ($58,000)* - Project manager ($64,000)** - Inventory control analyst ($37,000)** |
| Time to Completion | Approximately 4 years of full-time study |
| Common Graduation Requirements | - Core curriculum including general education and basic business classes - Required and elective courses in logistics and supply chain management - Seminars - Capstone course |
| Prerequisites | High school diploma or equivalent; preparatory work in English, mathematics, sciences, history and foreign language may be required |
| Online Availability | Yes, but not common at this time |
Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2011 figures), **Salary.com (June 2012 figures).
Bachelor's Degree in Logistics and Supply Chain Management
In a bachelor's degree program in logistics and supply chain management you'll learn cost analysis, e-business, logistics network modeling, information management and other subjects that will allow you to help organizations manage the production and distribution of goods and services. As it becomes increasingly important to companies to be efficient, especially in times of economic instability, the demand for logistics and supply chain management professionals should increase. Bachelor's degree holders work in a variety of fields as logisticians or distribution managers.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Many jobs in this field pay higher than the national median for those with bachelor's degrees, which is around $55,000 as of May 2011*
- The BLS predicted that job growth for logisticians will increase at a rate faster than the average across all professions (26% from 2010-2020)*
- A bachelor's degree program in logistics and supply chain management provides a strong foundation in business in addition to logistics-focused topics, giving students a well-rounded education
- A variety of career choices are available in many industries
Cons
- Online bachelor's programs in logistics and supply chain management are not common at this time
- Working as a logistician can be a fast-paced, stressful occupation
- Overtime work is common for purchasing managers
- You may be able to enter this field with only an associate's degree
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Courses and Requirements
You can expect to begin your bachelor's degree program by taking a number of core curriculum courses in preparation for your major field courses. Some subjects you may cover include accounting, finance, business law, organizational behavior, statistics, computer systems, economics and marketing. You may also have general education requirements in social science, mathematics and English. After completing these courses, you will move on to required and elective courses in the major, like logistics management, strategic procurement and data mining. You may also be required to complete seminars and capstone courses.
Some examples of courses that you may take include:
- Operations and supply chain management
- Introduction to logistics
- International transportation
- Supplier relationship management
- Marketing principles
- Decision making in a business environment
- Global logistics
- Business statistics
Online Degree Options
Online bachelor's degree programs for logistics and supply chain management are available, but they are not very common at this time. Generally, the same type of courses in basic business topics and supply chain and logistics management are offered through these programs, and graduates go on to pursue the same types of jobs as graduates of traditional, on-campus programs. Some online programs are meant for students transferring from associate's degree programs.
Stand Out with This Degree
Start building your resume while in school by taking a leadership role in a logistics and supply chain management club or student-run organization. These clubs often provide networking and education opportunities over and above your regular class requirements. Also, after graduation, you can earn a certification from a related professional organization to demonstrate your knowledge in the subject area to future employers. Organizations such as the Institute of Supply Management and the American Society for Transportation and Logistics offer certifications. In order to earn a certification, you generally must have a bachelor's degree in the field and pass one or more examinations. Relevant work experience may also be required.
