Top 5 Online Associate in Supply Chain Management Programs for 2019
A supply chain management online degree provides students with an understanding of the flow of goods in business operations and the skills to manage issues that may arise in the supply chain.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, common positions in supply chain management, such as logisticians and purchasing agents , are projected to increase by 2% from 2014 to 2024. These positions have a median salary of $60,000 to $75,000 a year.
What Are The Best Online Associate in Supply Chain Management Programs?
Top 5 Online Associate in Supply Chain Management Programs
Graduation Rate
38%
Online Enrollment
12%
Retention Rate
73%
Default Rate
14%
Grounded in the principles of APICS, which is the main professional organization in supply chain management, Fox Valley Technical College's associate in applied science in supply chain management program focuses on the entire supply chain operation, which includes the flow of goods and information from the point of origin to the point of consumption. Classes in this 61-credit hour online program are taught asynchronously, and distance learners typically earn their degree in two years.
Students learn about a variety of business fundamentals as well as specific supply chain operations related to transportation, inventory control, materials management, and international business. Students also complete a capstone project. In addition to submitting a transcript or GED, all applicants must complete a skills assessment to evaluate their suitability for the program.
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How to Choose an Online Associate in Supply Chain Management Program
Most supply chain management associate degree online programs require 60 credits of coursework and can be completed in four semesters. Curriculums usually offer a blend of business foundation courses and major-specific courses. Some supply chain management online degrees are more focused on an international perspective, with more course options concerning global business connections and supply chain networks worldwide. It's important to know what you need from a program. Some are taught synchronously, requiring students to log on at specific times. Busy professionals usually prefer an asynchronous program, which allows them to complete assignments on their own schedule.
Educational Paths
Education requirements can fluctuate depending on the size of a corporation and the position you are interested in. Higher-level executive or management positions require at least a bachelor's degree and a few years of work experience, while entry level positions may only require a high school diploma or associate degree. If you desire a management position, then you should consider transferring into a bachelor's program. Below are a few four-year programs that would prepare you for upper-level positions.
Logistics Management: A logistics management bachelor's degree prepares students to oversee the day-to-day operational processes, which includes monitoring the flow of goods and meeting the needs of clients. These programs offer core courses on topics such as supply chain negotiation, transportation and distribution management, and quality management.
Operations Management: An operations management bachelor's degree provides students with the background knowledge and skills to manage systems of production and distribution, as well as the people involved in these systems. Courses cover topics like sustainable operations, spreadsheets in management science, and the integration of costs and scheduling.
Business Administration: A business administration bachelor's degree provides students with a general foundation of business topics, such as marketing, finance, accounting, and strategic management. Many programs offer specializations in more specific areas like management information systems or supply chain management.
Career Paths for Supply Chain Management Graduates
Supply chain management positions are essential to various industries, including retail, manufacturing, and wholesale trade. Companies require people to manage the influx of raw materials from suppliers, supervise the processing of those materials, and oversee distribution of finished products to customers or business clients. There are a variety of positions available to graduates who understand the workings of supply chain networks, many of which offer high earning potential. Some positions may require further education.
A logistics manager is responsible for coordinating the movement of a product or good from supplier to consumer. They oversee all parts of this process, including transportation, purchasing, inventory, and warehousing. Logistics managers need to have a comprehensive understanding of supply chain networks in order to make decisions to improve efficiency.
Median Salary: $61,697
Job Outlook and Salary
The supply chain field is projected to maintain a steady growth pattern over the next ten years. Employees working in supply chain management are essential in helping companies find cost efficient solutions to their supply chain operations. Job opportunities and salary for supply chain management associate degree online graduates can vary greatly depending on the industry, location, and specific position. The general decline in the manufacturing industry may affect the number of supply chain jobs that deal specifically with manufacturing.
Buying and purchasing agents are common entry-level position within supply chain management. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this position is projected to grow by 2% from 2014 to 2024 .
| Employment, 2014 | Projected Employment, 2024 |
|---|---|
| 443,200 | 450,300 |
SALARY GROWTH BY EXPERIENCE
Graduates of supply chain management associate degree online programs with more experience in supply chain management are likely to earn more. Salary growth potential is often higher for management or executive positions. As you can see from the chart below, an operations manager's salary can increase by $26,000 over the course of 20 years, while a purchasing agent's salary may increase by $7,000 over the same amount of time. Experience makes a difference regardless of your career path.
To determine the best online supply chain management programs, we looked at the most important factors prospective students, mainly common predictors of future success and a school's commitment to online programs. This boils down to admissions rate, student loan default rate, retention rate, graduation rate, and the percent of students enrolled in online classes. All data points are taken from information provided by colleges and universities to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Each factor is weighted evenly in order to give an objective view and determine the 25 best online supply chain management degree programs. To calculate our rankings, we looked at a school's ranking when organized by a single factor, and then averaged each category's ranking to find an overall score: Admissions Rate (20%) + Default Rate (20%) + Retention Rate (20%) + Graduation Rate (20%) + Percent of Students Enrolled in Online Classes (20%) = Final score.