Academic Programs Catalog

The Bachelor of Arts degree program in supply chain management focuses on the integration of value–adding components from manufacturing operations, purchasing, transportation, and physical distribution that are critical to the enhancement of global competitiveness.  The objectives of the program are to provide students with a comprehensive background in each of the broad areas referenced above and to allow them to pursue concentrations within their areas of interest.

Students in the supply chain management program complete courses designed to develop specific skills in the planning and control of the value–creating processes in private and public enterprises.  These processes include manufacturing systems and their management; product and material movement systems; and purchasing the materials, products, and services needed to produce the firm's output and managing their flows through the organization.  Students may select such areas of study as physical distribution system design and administration, purchasing techniques and strategies, computer integrated manufacturing, and manufacturing strategies.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Supply Chain Management

1. The graduation requirements of the University as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Supply Chain Management.
   
   The completion of Mathematics 103 and Statistics and Probability 200 [referenced in item 2. below] may also satisfy the University mathematics requirement.
   
   The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Supply Chain Management major is met by completing Supply Chain Management 470 or 472.  Those courses are referenced in item 3. a. below.
2. The requirements of The Eli Broad College of Business for the Bachelor of Arts degree in the majors that comprise the Business Administration Programs.
3. The following requirements for the major:

   a.	Major Field of Concentration:  A minimum grade–point average of 2.00 in courses taken for the major (19 credits):
   	(1)	All of the following courses (12 credits):
   		SCM	371	Procurement and Supply Management			3
   		SCM	372	Manufacturing and Service Operation Management			3
   		SCM	373	Logistics and Transportation Management			3
   		SCM	475	Data Analytics in Supply Chain Management			3
   	(2)	One of the following courses (3 credits):
   		SCM	470	Integrated Supply Chain Management Capstone (W)			3
   		SCM	472	Experiential Learning with Industry Problems in Supply Chain (W)			3
   	(3)	Complete an additional 4 credits from an approved list of courses available from the department.

The Master of Science degree in Supply Chain Management is available through the Eli Broad Graduate School of Management. The program is completed over 20 months, five semesters with three 3-day on-campus sessions and eight week online sessions.  Students in the program must complete the required courses in the defined sequence.

The program is designed for individuals with an undergraduate degree plus a minimum of two years of related experience. All students are expected to maintain full-time employment throughout the program. The program is specifically designed to prepare students for advancement in supply chain management careers with supply chain management companies or within supply chain management divisions within a corporation. Careers may also be in management, consulting, supplier business development, and supply chain management software support. The program provides an understanding of the role the supply chain manager can play in an enterprise supply chain and overall strategy. The program exposes students to leading supply chain management operating practices, analysis methods, technology applications, and strategy development.

Admission

To be considered for admission to the program, an applicant must:

1. submit an online application which includes a requirement to attach a resume and essays.
2. have an undergraduate degree with at least a 3.0 grade-point average. Official transcripts must be provided.
3. have a minimum of two years of professional supply chain work experience.
4. provide three individual recommendations from supervisors, coworkers, etc. regarding supply chain management work experience.
5. be prepared to provide Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) scores. Qualified applicants with three or more years of supply chain work experience and a cumulative undergraduate grade-point average 3.0 are not required to submit either a GMAT or GRE score for admission consideration. Applicants may compensate for deficiencies in their background by providing a strong score on the GMAT or GRE. Submitted GMAT or GRE scores must not be more than five years old.
6. Be prepared for a review of undergraduate transcripts for quantitative content and the grades achieved in those quantitative courses.

Admission to the program is competitive. Meeting the minimum standards does not guarantee admission. Admission decisions are based on the applicant’s overall record, including previous academic work, work experience, job responsibilities, extra-curricular activities, references, and demonstrated potential for graduate and professional success. It is expected that all candidates will have an introductory awareness of statistics, accounting, finance, marketing, and human resource management, and a working knowledge of software for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and data-based management systems. Each student is expected to have a laptop computer with a minimum configuration approved by the program office.

Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Supply Chain Management

A total of 31 credits are required for the degree under Plan B (without thesis). The student must meet the requirements as specified below:

1.	Both of the following courses (6 credits):
	SCM	870	Introduction to Supply Chain Management				3
	SCM	879	Supply Chain Management – Strategy and Applications				3
2.	Complete 25 credits of electives as approved by the student’s guidance committee:
	COM	874	Communication in Supply Chain Management				2
	SCM	848	Analysis of Supply Markets and Suppliers				2
	SCM	871	Applied Data Analysis				3
	SCM	872	Distribution Fulfillment				2
	SCM	874	Total Quality Management and Lean Enterprise				3
	SCM	875	Manufacturing Planning and Control				2
	SCM	876	Logistics Operations, Methods, and Systems				2
	SCM	881	Global Supply Chain Management				2
	SCM	882	Supply Chain Management Project Management Research Paper				3
	SCM	883	Technology and Product Innovation Management				2
	SCM	886	Strategic Sourcing				2
	SCM	887	Packaging Design/Engineering Optimization in Supply Chain				2
	SCM	888	Product Protection and Safety for Supply Chain Managers				2
	SCM	890	Independent Study				1 to 3
3.	Successful completion of a final evaluation.

Academic Standards

Students are expected to (1) maintain a minimum grade-point average of 3.0 for each program residency module, (2) maintain a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.0, and (3) complete all courses listed on the Candidacy Form. A student’s academic progress will be monitored by the director of the master’s program in supply chain management or his/her delegate.

A student who does not maintain a cumulative 3.0 grade-point average for two consecutive residency modules will be placed on final probation. Students will be given the next two residency modules to achieve a cumulative 3.0 grade-point average; otherwise, dismissal from the program will normally occur.

The Graduate Certificate in Elements of Global Supply Chain Management is designed to provide a basic supply chain and business education for those entering the industry or looking to make a career change. The certificate is targeted at students new to the supply chain field who are missing the academic credentials to advance in their careers. The certificate is available only online.
 
Admission
 
To be admitted to the Graduate Certificate in Elements of Global Supply Chain Management, a student must:

1. have a minimum undergraduate grade-point average of 2.5.

The applicant’s overall record is considered. Work experience or internships that generated exposure to supply chain concepts will be considered. Students are educated during the recruitment process regarding the pace of the program, and length of time to complete the graduate certificate.              

Requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Elements of Global Supply Chain Management

Students must complete all of the following courses (11 credits):

SCM	801	Introduction to Global Business and Supply Chain							2
SCM	803	Introduction to Supply Chain Analytics							3
SCM	805	Basic Elements of Strategic Sourcing							2
SCM	806	Basic Elements of Logistics and Warehousing							2
SCM	807	Basic Elements of Operations Management							2