Students who complete an online program to earn their master’s degree in supply chain management will learn more about this highly-technical field of logistics and chain management. They will also be able to obtain a more senior-level supply chain management job, such as a logistician, where they can expect to earn an average salary of $77,030 per year.
Such programs require 30-60 credit hours; most full-time students can complete the required coursework in two years. Accelerated programs may allow students to complete courses in only one year. According to US News, an online master’s degree in supply chain management may cost between $12,000 and $50,000.
How to Choose an Online Master’s in Supply Chain Management Program
Choose your area of study
Some online programs for a master’s degree in supply chain management are more generalized, but many will require students to choose a specialized area of study. The exact concentrations available may vary by school, but students can typically choose from global business, quantitative approaches, logistics management, logistics and transportation, and logistics and operations.
These concentrations are related to supply chain management, but different concentrations prepare students for more specialized careers after graduation. Because of this, students are encouraged to carefully consider their ideal post-graduation career before selecting the area they will specialize in.
Research schools and programs
There is no shortage of universities offering an online master’s in supply chain management, so students need to develop their criteria to help them narrow down this extensive list of programs to a much smaller list of prospective schools.
First, check the accreditation status of all the schools you are considering. The financial aid you can receive will be limited if you attend an unaccredited school, and employers and postsecondary programs may not recognize a degree from such schools. Check the U.S. Department of Education for qualified accrediting agencies. Additionally, students should rule out schools that are too expensive for their budget and schools that don’t offer a learning format that aligns with their learning preferences and needs.
Prepare for tests and applications
Most online programs for a master’s degree in supply chain management require students to submit GRE or GMAT scores. If a student has never taken one of these required tests, it’s important to know that it may take up to three months to study for the test and up to three weeks to receive test results. The time requirement may affect whether the student can meet specific application deadlines.
Also, review the application closely: it will reveal whether students need to attach anything else to the application, including test scores, undergraduate transcripts, a cover letter, and letters of recommendation.
Select your program
With the list of schools now narrowed down, students must next decide on the online programs they plan to apply to.
Cost should still be a consideration: students can mitigate or avoid taking on student debt by focusing on more affordable programs. Students who can’t pay for their tuition outright should also focus on schools that offer enough financial aid to meet their needs. Finally, students may wish to focus on schools that provide a high degree of support (including tutoring services and online cohorts) necessary for remote learners to thrive.
Determine how you’ll pay for your degree
It’s always advisable for those pursuing an online master’s in supply chain management to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each academic year. Filling out the form qualifies the students to receive federal student loans, and a completed FAFSA may be required for any grants, scholarships, or assistantships the student may earn. Students who need additional aid or want to explore their options should contact the financial aid office of each prospective school to inquire about special assistance that may be available through either the school or the state.
Best 50 Accredited Online Master’s in Supply Chain Management Programs
Discover More Options
How We Rank Schools
Advanced degrees in supply chain management (SCM) come in a few varieties – Master of Science (MS), Master of Business Administration (MBA), and Master of Professional Studies (MPS). Each degree type has a different approach, but they will prepare you for career advancement in SCM.
We included programs delivered in on-campus, online, hybrid, and blended formats to offer options for all lifestyles and learning preferences.
All the programs are offered by regionally accredited institutions, ensuring they meet high-quality standards. Many programs also have specialty accreditation through the Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) or the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
Once we narrowed our list of programs, we evaluated them based on their faculty, flexibility, course strength, cost, and reputation. We then gave them an Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. For a more extensive explanation, check out our ranking methodology.
What Can You Expect from an Online Master’s in Supply Chain Management Program
An online master’s in supply chain management program is designed to build upon students’ knowledge of planning, logistics, and management while teaching additional skills, such as interpersonal and international communication.
As with most graduate degrees, the area of study chosen affects the coursework. For example, someone specializing in global business will learn more about complex topics such as international trade and multinational finance. Meanwhile, someone specializing in logistics and transportation will learn about business laws and theories and practical skills such as making the delivery of various goods faster and more efficient.
Most of the time, an online program to earn a master’s degree in supply chain management can be completed in two years by students attending full-time. Full-time students can also take accelerated programs that allow them to complete their coursework in as little as one year, while part-time students should expect their coursework to take three years or longer to complete.
Potential courses you’ll take in an online master’s in supply chain management degree program
- Advanced Supply Chain Planning and Control: This course builds on students existing supply chain management knowledge by teaching students more about converting raw materials to finished goods for consumers. As part of this class, students will learn in-depth about the different aspects of the supply chain, from scheduling to inventory management.
- Case Studies in Global Supply Chain and Logistics: With the student’s previous coursework as a starting point, this class teaches more about applying supply chain theories to various real-world scenarios. While the course emphasizes global logistics, its fundamentals can help students with domestic supply chain issues.
- Decision Models for Supply Chain: When it comes to supply chain management, there are many theories and modeling approaches to managing the chain more effectively. This course provides an overview of decision models used in supply chain management and how these models can help create the most optimal approach.
- Project Management: This course prepares students for every step of the project management process, including manufacturing, R&D, resource management, construction, and more. Students will be ready to take the lead on any project related to the supply chain.
Online Master’s in Supply Chain Management Degree Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to an online master's in supply chain management degree program?
To apply for an online master’s in supply chain management, students must first navigate to the university website. There, students can apply directly online or through an application portal. Either way, filling out the required fields and hitting “send” shouldn’t take too long. Still, it’s important to review the application for any required attachments, including test scores, transcripts, a cover letter, and letters of recommendation.
Students with questions about the application or application process should contact the school’s admissions office. There, they can get the answers they need and confirm that their submitted application is complete.
How much does an online master's in supply chain management degree program cost?
According to U.S. News & World Report, an online master’s in supply chain management may cost between $12,000 and $50,000. This extreme variation is because many schools are much more expensive than others. In extreme cases, the most expensive private school may be more than four times as expensive as the cheapest public school. Fortunately, this means that students who put in the time to research all of the prospective schools may achieve significant savings.
Additionally, all online students will save money relative to in-person students because they won’t face extra costs such as moving to a university town, parking, and student activity fees.
How long does it take to earn an online master's in supply chain management degree?
An online program for a master’s degree in supply chain management can typically be completed within two years by full-time students.
Those who enroll in an accelerated program can complete the coursework in only one year, and those who attend part-time may need three years or more to complete their classes. Ultimately, the most important thing for remote learners to do is to find an online program that offers coursework related to their career goals with the learning format and remote support necessary for academic success.