MBA Concentration in Supply Chain Management: Curriculum Overview and Key Topics

In today's interconnected global market, the efficiency of supply chain operations has become a critical determinant of organizational success. Many top MBA programs are responding by offering specialized concentrations in Supply Chain Management, equipping students with the skills needed to navigate and optimize complex supply chains.

Core Courses and Strategic Focus

The concentration in Supply Chain Management typically includes courses such as "Supply Chain Management Strategies," which delves into key strategies essential for effective supply chain operations. This course emphasizes cross-functional integration and covers critical areas including logistics, forecasting, and inventory management. Students explore the role of supply contracts and strategic alliances through case studies and simulations.

Another pivotal course is "Global Procurement and Supply Management," which focuses on the acquisition and management of resources, emphasizing product and information flow. Key topics include supply chain costing and risk management, reflecting the increasing importance of data-driven approaches in recent decades. The course incorporates lectures and case studies to enhance data analysis and visualization skills, applying these to real-life supply chain problems through case studies and group projects.

Experiential Learning and Practical Applications

Hands-on experience is a cornerstone of the Supply Chain Management concentration. Students engage in experiential learning opportunities such as simulations, mentorship, guest speakers, case competitions, and applied client projects. These experiences are designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of an end-to-end supply chain. For instance, projects requested by the Rutgers SCM Advisory Board require students to identify key issues, formulate models, and present their findings to clients' supply chain management executives.

Courses like MGT 431: Logistics Management focus on developing an understanding of all movement, storage, and support activities necessary to provide products to customers, highlighting logistics' essential role in today's complex supply chains. MGT 432 centers on global strategic sourcing and supplier selection, while MGT 451 covers manufacturing-oriented planning and scheduling systems. MGT 453 introduces quality management systems and process improvement, underscoring the importance of quality management for sustainable business success.

Preparing for Diverse Career Paths

Graduates of the Supply Chain and Operations Management major are well-prepared for diverse careers in purchasing, logistics, process improvement, quality management, inventory management, and scheduling. They often find positions with manufacturers, retailers, consultants, and third-party providers of supply chain services (3PLs). Alumni from the program are represented in major supply chains, including DHL, Shark/Ninja, Textron, and Grainger.

Faculty members bring real-world experience to the classroom, having won teaching and research awards. This expertise, combined with a curriculum that emphasizes real-world problem-solving and experiential learning, prepares students for exciting, fast-paced jobs in the supply chain field upon graduation.

Innovative Learning Modules and Technological Integration

The program integrates cutting-edge topics such as digital maritime and supply chain management, blending online learning with on-campus modules. Students explore the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and blockchain, aiming to solve shipping-related problems. The two-year degree program, jointly developed by two departments, comprises 900 hours of classroom sessions and totals 192 credits. It includes six on-campus immersion modules, providing access to a digital maritime library.

The curriculum emphasizes the integration of data analysis into operations processes, underscoring the need for AI and machine learning understanding. Students are exposed to real-world projects with successful corporate professionals, shaping them into successful individuals through experiential learning and real-world problem-solving.

The Department of Management is located at 3056 Farmer School of Business, 800 East High Street, Oxford, OH 45056. The Chair of the Department of Management is Xiaowen Huang.