The master in supply chain management degree program touches upon various areas of global commerce including inventory management, customer relations, manufacturing, marketing, logistics, information technology, and sourcing. This master's degree program introduces students to several problems linked to management, processes, and design of industrial supply chains. In addition, students are introduced to various methods and techniques for improving and making supply chain operations more efficient by speeding up delivery processes, improving product quality, and lowering inventory costs incurred by the firm.
The program is designed to provide students with in-depth knowledge, critical analysis, and decision making skills, while familiarizing them with real-life supply chain management systems through case studies or projects with local companies. Normally, students take two years to complete this degree, but the duration may depend on if the students choose to complete this degree as either full-time students or part-time students.
Admission Requirements
While applying to a master in supply chain management degree program, the university or college may ask you to fulfill certain criteria. These admission criteria may vary from university to university, but many colleges require you to fulfill the following similar criteria:
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A bachelor's degree from an accredited university
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An acceptable GPA, normally a GPA of 3.0 or above is required
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GRE or GMAT test scores
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Two or more letters of recommendation
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Proof of English language proficiency in some cases, such as in the case of international students
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Official transcripts from all previous academic institutions attended
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Personal essays
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A resume
Work experience is not required, but students who do have work experience in this field may be given preference during the admission process by some universities.
Curriculum and Coursework
The curriculum has been designed to instill several skills and qualities in a student; these may include critical thinking skills, problem solving skills, communications skills, and organizational skills. The students are also introduced to various disciplines that concern the field such as statistics, communications, finance, accounting, economics, marketing, organizational behavior, and strategic planning. The students are also provided training in diagnostic interviewing and negotiating skills.
To give a real-life perspective to students, the curriculum may include various consulting projects sponsored by companies. These projects will help students in understanding real-life supply chain problems such as design and distribution. Through these projects, students will also study actual strategic analysis of supply chain management systems and audits of supply chains. Coursework may vary from university to university, but core curriculum may include:
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Fundamentals of Supply Chain Management
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Negotiation and Conflict Management
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Corporate Strategy
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Project Management
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Managerial Control Systems
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Operations, Planning, and Control
Certification
Although certification for supply chain professionals is not imperative, it may display professional competency and knowledge. The American Society of Transportation and Logistics provides various certifications in this field such as the Global Logistics Associate and the Professional Designation in Logistics and Supply Chain Management.
Career Outlook
After successfully completing your master's degree in supply chain management, you may have opportunities to apply for positions as a senior logistician or a supply chain management consultant with a company. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the annual median salary of logisticians was $72,780 in 2012. The BLS also projected that the number of people working as logisticians would grow by 22 percent from 2012 to 2022, which is much faster than the average of all occupations.
Advancement in technology and change in work environments have made it mandatory for adults to acquire new skills. Educators who are trained to to work with adult students and help them acquire new skills are in high demand. Qualified adult education professionals are needed in a number of work settings such as academic, governmental organizations, community, and corporate organizations.
Program Objectives
Students pursuing
adult education degrees may find programs that will help equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to teach older students. They learn specific techniques that may be effectively used to teach adult students. They understand how adult students differ from younger students, and learn how to develop instructional programs accordingly. Programs that instruct students on how to educate older students will help to enable students to have a strong command of teaching methods and techniques in different teaching environments. They aim to meet the following objectives:
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Enable professionals to work effectively with adult students
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Provide a solid background in adult education and program planning
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Train students in diverse theoretical, philosophical, and historical contexts of adult education in the US
Types of Degrees
Degree programs vary in terms of their curriculum and duration, and are prepared to meet the needs of diverse students. The following are the main types of adult education degrees offered by institutes:
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Associate's Degree
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Bachelor's Degree
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Master's Degree
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PhD in Adult Education
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Adult Education Certificate
Coursework
The coursework offered in these degree programs may vary from one institute to another. However, there are some major courses covered by almost all institutes. Some of the core courses include:
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Foundations of Continuing Education and Training
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Adult Learning Theory
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Fundamentals of Learning Styles
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Adult Education Planning and Development
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Classroom Instructional Methods and Delivery
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Electronic instructional Methods and Delivery
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Learning Assessment and Evaluation
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Instruction Design Process and Strategies
Online Education
Students who may have the time to acquire a degree in adult education from a campus-based program may choose to enroll in online degree programs. Online programs are convenient because students are able to learn at their own pace, and they also get the opportunity to make their own class schedule. Also, online programs could be more cost effective because students do not incur costs for commuting, dorm rooms, or textbooks. Tuition costs for online programs may also be less, due to their cost efficient setup.
Careers Options
Individuals who decide to pursue a degree in adult education may have several career options after they graduate. Students could apply for positions as technology specialists, ESL/EFL instructors, and community educators. Prospective educators are not the only people seeking a degree in adult education; they may be earned by manufacturing executives, human resource development administrators, corporate trainers, executive coaches, and consultants. Professionals from healthcare fields may also acquire adult education degrees: they include nurses, physicians, social workers, and allied health therapists. Graduates from these degree programs may work in a variety of settings. These include academic, corporate, health care, state and federal agencies, non-profit, adult basic education, community education, consulting firms, and sole proprietorship.