Online MBA Programs in Operations, Logistics, and Supply Chain Management

“My MBA in operations, logistics, and supply management equipped me with the problem-solving skills necessary to navigate the challenges of the pandemic. It allowed me to pursue consulting opportunities in fine-tuning the supply chains of firms experiencing bottlenecks.”

Bryan Berthot, MBA, President of Berthot Consulting

An MBA can prove an essential tool for an aspiring executive or entrepreneur. Some benefits are obvious. The salary potential for those who possess an MBA is much higher than for those without an MBA. A recent report from Fortune Education found that 87 percent of MBA graduates surveyed reported a positive return on their investment within three years.

However, an MBA represents more than just a chance to make more money. There are many intangible benefits associated with this degree, including developing vital skills for successful businessmen and women, such as leadership, teamwork, strategic thinking, confidence, and networking. That being said, obtaining an MBA is not an easy task, and students must be prepared to show up for class and work hard for their degree.

Fortunately, distance education makes MBA programs more accessible than ever by allowing schools to offer online degree programs. By providing students with the opportunity to study from home and on their schedule, many schools nationwide are helping aspiring entrepreneurs reach their dreams of securing a professional degree.

Many MBA programs also allow students to specialize in some areas, such as operations, logistics, and supply chain management. This field, in particular, might be an exciting choice for aspiring students who are interested in sourcing, supply chain operations, logistics, and the movement of goods. For example, the Covid-19 pandemic has forced logistics-based industries to reevaluate risk-management policies and procedures by making supply chains more resilient to prevent shortages of essential goods.

This article features 15 accredited online MBA programs specializing in operations, logistics, or supply chain management and three highly respected professors teaching courses and researching in this field.

Featured ERP & Operations Programs
Texas A&M International University Online MBA - International Trade and Logistics View Full Profile
Southern New Hampshire University Online MBA In Operations and Supply Chain Mgmt View Full Profile
Lamar University Online MBA - Enterprise Resource Planning View Full Profile
Lamar University Program Certificate - ERP View Full Profile
Boston University Graduate Certificate - Supply Chain Mgmt View Full Profile
Boston University MS - Supply Chain Management View Full Profile
UNC Pembroke Online MBA - Supply Chain Management View Full Profile
University of Wisconsin - Parkside MBA - Supply Chain Management View Full Profile
×

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN Southern New Hampshire University Online MS - Construction Management

Meet the Expert: Bryan Berthot, MBA

Bryan Berthot

Bryan Berthot, the esteemed President of Berthot Consulting, stands as a beacon of expertise in healthcare and IT, backed by over 20 years of experience. His academic foundation is robust, with a master’s in supply chain management from Penn State University, an MS in project & program management from Brandeis University, and an MBA from the University of Maryland Global Campus.

Currently pursuing a doctorate in business management at the University of South Florida, Berthot combines his roles as a seasoned project manager, scrum master practitioner, and academic researcher to drive significant improvements in team performance and efficiency.

Known for his ability to facilitate paradigm shifts towards best practices and forge strong, trusting relationships within teams, Berthot has solidified his reputation as a published thought leader in project management. His specializations lie in optimizing the role of the scrum master within industries, developing engaging case studies for business students, and advancing supply chain management techniques, making him a pivotal figure in guiding firms through the transition from waterfall to agile methodologies.

BSchools.org: How has graduating with an MBA in operations, logistics, and supply management enhanced your career?

Berthot: Acquiring master’s-level degrees has opened up new opportunities to me beyond the usual 9-to-5 business roles. Pursuing my master’s degree in supply chain management gave me an idea that became a published theoretical academic paper and gave me the gravitas to get accepted at a number of doctoral programs.

Moreover, my MBA in operations, logistics, and supply management equipped me with the problem-solving skills necessary to navigate the challenges of the pandemic. It allowed me to pursue consulting opportunities in fine-tuning the supply chains of firms that were experiencing bottlenecks. For instance, one company had crucial equipment shipped from China stuck in U.S. West Coast ports. Leveraging my knowledge and network, I was able to help them by getting some equipment routed to ports in Louisiana and Mississippi, which not only resolved the supply issue but also demonstrated to customers their commitment to service.

BSchools.org: What is one piece of advice you would give to a prospective MBA student?

Berthot: The MBA is a versatile degree, but to truly stand out, you need to specialize. Find an area that excites you and delve deep into it. Many MBA programs now offer courses in various specialties, such as entrepreneurship. Take advantage of these opportunities to gain specific expertise and insights that can set you apart in the job market. Who knows, it might even inspire you to launch your own business!

Featured Online MBA Programs in Operations, Logistics, and Supply Chain

UNC Pembroke offers an online MBA with multiple specializations, including a concentration in supply chain management. Courses include global sourcing, operations management, logistics, information processing systems, distribution, and product development.

Applicants to this program must have an undergraduate degree with a minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher. The GMAT and GRE are waived for those with undergraduate GPAs of 3.0 or higher or a master’s degree. Previous work experience is not required. Those with undergraduate degrees in a field other than business must take four foundation courses before enrolling in the MBA courses.

Location: Pembroke, NC
Duration: 12 months
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International)

The Pompea College of Business at the University of New Haven offers an online MBA program with three concentrations, including global supply chain management. There are no on-campus visits required, and applicants to this program do not need prior work experience to be eligible for admission.

Courses include management in global markets and operations management. Students can complete this program in 18 to 24 months, depending on full- or part-time enrollment. There are six rotating start dates throughout the year, and courses last for seven weeks.

Location: West Haven, CT
Duration: 18 to 24 months
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International)

Students at Southern New Hampshire University have the opportunity to complete an online MBA program with a specialization in operations and supply chain management. Students can complete this 36-credit program in as little as 15 months of full-time study. They will take courses on government impact on business, operations management, technology, leading in an organization, and other core classes, as well as concentration courses in quantitative analysis for decision-making, operations management, six sigma quality management, and supply chain management.

In addition, students will complete a capstone to culminate their MBA experience. The program offers excellent flexibility, provides 24/7 access to classes, and does not require GRE or GMAT scores during the admissions process.

Location: Manchester, NH
Duration: 15 months
Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)

At the Kenan-Flagler Business School, students can complete an online MBA that has been ranked among the best in the world by U.S. News & World Report and Princeton Review. This 66-credit program can be completed in 18 to 36 months and allows students to specialize in global supply chain management. Students will take classes on analytical tools, operations management, global supply chain, modeling, project management, and data analytics in this concentration.

Although much of the program is online, students must participate in various immersions, which are hosted both locally and abroad. Upon completing their degree, graduates from the Kenan-Flagler Business School can network with the more than 34,500 alumni working in over 100 countries and have lifelong access to all of their coursework and recorded lectures from the online MBA.

Location: Chapel Hill, NC
Duration: 18 to 36 months
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International)

The College of Business at Ohio University offers an online MBA program concentrating on supply chain and operations management. The curriculum in this program focuses on four areas: entrepreneurship, strategic leadership, innovation, and professional development.

To complete this degree, students submit a team-based capstone project consisting of a computer simulation activity where they run a business and compete with other teams of students to accomplish a business-oriented goal. Applicants to this program should have two or more years of professional experience and an undergraduate degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The GMAT and GRE are not required for admission.

Location: Athens, OH
Duration: Two years
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International)

At the Kania School of Management at Scranton University, students have the opportunity to complete an online MBA degree in management. The school has been ranked among the top 10 universities in the North by U.S. News & World Report, and the program can be completed entirely online, allowing students to study from anywhere in the world.

Students can finish the 36-credit program in two years—although students are allowed up to six years to obtain their degree—by completing core courses, advanced electives, and a capstone class. Upon completing their degree, graduates can network with more than 45,000 alumni across the globe.

In addition, students in the operations management track will learn how to succeed in this data and technology-intensive field by taking classes in supply chain management, project and change management, business forecasting models, quality management, and production planning and control.

Location: Scranton, PA
Duration: Two years
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International)

Campbellsville University offers an online MBA specializing in supply chain and logistics management. Courses include international trade regulations, logistics and transportation management, and procurement and supply management. Students can complete this program in 12 months with no campus visits.

Students with undergraduate GPAs of 3.0 or higher are exempt from submitting GMAT and GRE scores.

Location: Campbellsville, KY
Duration: One to two years
Accreditation: International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)

The Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland offers a flexible two-year online MBA program ranked ninth in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Students in this program may choose from various specializations, including supply chain management and accounting, finance, information systems and business analytics, and marketing.

In addition, the program allows students to build their professional network throughout their studies by connecting with over 60,000 alumni worldwide who have graduated from the school. The program includes a handful of live online classes that students must attend, although it is mainly asynchronous, allowing students to complete their degrees on their schedule. In addition, students will take courses on global trade logistics, innovative solutions to supply chain challenges, supply chain risk management, international business, and global study in the supply chain management track.

Location: College Park, MD
Duration: Two years
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International)

The MBA program at D’Amore-Kim School of Business at Northeastern University was ranked eighth in the nation by the Financial Times. This degree can be completed entirely online in as little as two years while allowing students time to continue working in their existing jobs.

The school offers several specialized tracks, including one focusing on supply chain management—additional tracks include high technology management, sustainability, and innovation entrepreneurship. In the supply chain management track, students will learn about the importance of transportation planning, inventory control, warehouse management, customer service standards, and the design of supply and distribution systems. In addition, they will take courses in logistics and transportation management, global supply chain management, strategic sourcing, and sustainability.

Students who complete this program can network with the more than 235,000 distinguished alumni of the school and will have an in-depth understanding of business enterprise and critical thinking skills that will help them succeed in the field.

Location: Boston, MA
Duration: Two years
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International)

The Martin. J. Whitman School of Management offers an online MBA that has been rated among one of the best of its kind by the Financial Times, U.S. News & World Report, and the Princeton Review, and even earned a spot as one of the best college programs for the military by the Military Times.

Students who choose to specialize in supply chain management must complete 54 credits across courses in global supply chain management, strategic sourcing, project management, principles of management science, and lean six sigma, among other core classes. Students must also complete three residencies as part of the program, held both in the United States and at various global locations.

Like other programs, graduates of Whitman have networking access to myriad alumni, and students within the program may also have personal career coaching to help them meet their goals.

Location: Syracuse, NY
Duration: Two years
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International)

The School of Business and Management at Norwich University offers a top-rated online MBA program made up of six courses, each of which is delivered over an 11-week term, for a total of 36-credits. Students in this program can specialize in supply chain management and logistics. This track requires the completion of three electives focusing on all facets of supply chain management, including strategy, planning, operations, logistics, design and execution, assessment, integration, and optimization. Although students can complete much of the MBA online, the program concludes with a residency at the Norwich University campus in Vermont, where students will meet with fellow students, faculty, and program staff and participate in academic recognition and commencement ceremonies.

Location: Northfield, VT
Duration: 18 to 24 months
Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)

The School of Business Administration at Widener University offers an online MBA program focusing on business process innovation, which is directed by Yvonne Lederer Antonucci, who also serves as the SAP university alliance coordinator. Several concentrations are available, including healthcare management, leadership, and business process innovation.

The 33-credit MBA in business process innovation program requires students to take a variety of core courses and specialization courses, which include business process management (BPM), business process strategy and innovation, and knowledge management and social BPM.

Overall, students can complete the program in 18 to 24 months, and students are never required to visit the campus to finish their degree. However, all online students have the opportunity to attend on-campus events, such as career fairs or networking opportunities.

Location: Chester, PA
Duration: 18 to 24 months
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International)

The W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University offers an online MBA taught by the same faculty in the on-campus program. Students can enroll in dual degree programs, including the MBA/MS in industrial engineering, closely related to supply chain logistics.

There are four tracks to choose from: operations research and production systems, quality and reliability engineering, information and management systems engineering, and logistics/supply chain engineering within the industrial engineering specialty.

The dual degree option can be completed in three years rather than four, saving students time and money in tuition costs. Application eligibility requirements include an undergraduate GPA of 3.2 or higher, one year of work experience, and GMAT or GRE scores.

Location: Tempe, AZ
Duration: 21 months
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International)

Located in Mobile, Alabama, Spring Hill College offers an online MBA program specializing in logistics and supply chain management. Students can complete this degree in an accelerated timeline in only 10 months.

Spring Hill College is a Jesuit institution that teaches business through a theoretical framework of business ethics and social responsibility. Graduates with a concentration in logistics and supply chain management are prepared to work in materials procurement and management, logistics information systems, and inventory distribution, which apply to business areas such as transportation, constitution, and storage.

Location: Mobile, AL
Duration: 10 months
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

Career Outlook & Salary for Operations, Logistics & Supply Chain Management

The job market for transportation, storage, and distribution managers is poised for significant expansion from 2022 to 2032, underscoring the critical importance of logistician managers in steering projects, teams, and groundbreaking advancements across various sectors. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2024) forecasts an impressive 18 percent growth rate for logisticians during this period, substantially outpacing the national average growth rate of 3 percent. This surge is propelled by the increasingly global demand for the efficient transportation of goods and services.

Regarding the compensation landscape for these professionals, the following salary percentiles have been reported by the BLS (May 2023) for engineering managers:

  • 10th percentile: $58,810
  • 25th percentile: $76,120
  • 50th percentile (median): $99,200
  • 75th percentile: $133,090
  • 90th percentile: $175,530
Rachel Drummond, MEd
Rachel Drummond, MEd
Writer

Rachel Drummond has offered a unique blend of metrics-based mindfulness to BSchools.org since 2019. She teaches future business leaders to prioritize their well-being to sustain professional success and personal fulfillment over the lifetime of a corporate or entrepreneurial business career.

Rachel is a writer, educator, and coach from Oregon. She has a master’s degree in education (MEd) and has over 15 years of experience teaching English, public speaking, and mindfulness to international audiences in the United States, Japan, and Spain. She writes about the mind-body benefits of contemplative movement practices like yoga on her blog, inviting people to prioritize their unique version of well-being and empowering everyone to live healthier and more balanced lives.

Related Posts

  • 6 November 2023

    Online MBA Programs for International Students

    For international students, pursuing an MBA has become quite a popular choice. In today’s modern world, education has been revolutionized by technology and online master of business administration programs have recently emerged as convenient and flexible options for prospective business professionals looking to balance their education with professional and personal commitments.

  • 30 October 2023

    Best Business Schools for Environmentalists (2023-2024)

    Five business schools, in particular, are outstanding for environmentalists: the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s MIT Sloan School of Management, University of Vermont’s Grossman School of Business, Georgia Institute of Technology’s Scheller College of Business, Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business, and the University of California at Berkeley’s Haas School of Business.

  • 12 July 2023

    Biz Flash: What to Know Before Starting a Restaurant

    Restaurant entrepreneurs invest immense hard work, dedication, and planning to get their restaurants off the ground. From finding the perfect location to securing financing and hiring staff, many steps are involved in launching and running a successful restaurant.

  • 14 September 2022

    Can a Lean Canvas Replace a Traditional Business Plan?

    Within the past 15 years, new kinds of business plan possibilities have captured the imagination of entrepreneurs. Some of these planning approaches—which embody radical departures from the process of drafting traditional business plans—appear to be gaining momentum.

  • 17 December 2020

    The Ultimate Supply Chain Challenge, Part Two: Pfizer’s Factories, Freezer Farms & Frigid Flights

    Then, we answered the one question on everyone’s minds: why the vaccine’s two pioneering technologies—messenger RNA encoding and lipid encapsulation—require Pfizer to store and ship its vaccine at the never-before-attempted arctic temperature of minus 94 degrees Fahrenheit. To accomplish this logistics feat, the drugmaker developed a workaround. It took the form of an ultracold distribution and packaging system that preserves the company’s control over as much of the supply chain as possible.

  • 16 December 2020

    The Ultimate Supply Chain Challenge, Part One: Ultracold Storage & Shipping for Pfizer’s Covid Vaccine

    Pfizer’s extreme cold requirement stems from the firm’s need to preserve a novel ingredient never before used in a vaccine. And the rapid development technology that enabled Pfizer and Moderna to bring their vaccines to market before other competitors also relies on this ingredient—a naturally-occurring component of cell biology known as “messenger RNA,” or mRNA.

  • 23 July 2019

    Business Schools with a Standout Faculty in Project Management

    Project managers—also known as project leads, program managers, project coordinators, or project specialists—initiate, plan, control, coordinate, and execute the efforts of a team with a view toward completion of a business-oriented goal.