Master of Science in Supply Chain Management

ISM approved Master of Science in Supply Chain Management and the Graduate Certificate in Supply Chain Management

Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (CIPS) and approved by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), the Web-based Master of Science in Supply Chain Management (MS-SCM) is designed for high-performing managers and executives who have an established track-record of success in one or more of the functions included in supply chain management. Participants gain advanced expertise needed to help their sponsoring firms progress to world-class supply chain management status, with significant improvement in their firms’ profitability.

At the completion of this program, students who have mastered the curriculum will be able to:

• Demonstrate mastery of the principles of world-class supply chain management;
  
• Identify gaps between their organization’s processes and world-class processes;
  
• Apply project management practices to one or more such gaps;
  
• Demonstrate success as an ethical leader in supply chain management; and,
  
• Demonstrate teamwork and team leadership skills.
  

This 36-Unit program consists of two phases. Phase 1 of the program is the Graduate Certificate in Supply Chain Management (GC-SCM). Students have the option of completing Phase I only and receiving a Graduate Certificate in Supply Chain Management. Upon successful completion of Phase I (GPA 3.0 or higher), students may matriculate into Phase II and complete the MS-SCM.

The MS-SCM program is offered online in a lock-step, cohort-based format and requires 26 months for completion. There is a two month break between Phase I and II, which each require one year for completion. This break allows students time for reflection and rejuvenation. The delivery format employs a blended approach to learning, whereby students spend 11 days on campus per year and complete the remainder of the instruction via online learning. The regular online interaction makes it possible for students to interact with their instructors and fellow students in a user friendly manner. Students often make deeper connections with their online colleagues than in bricks-and-mortar classroom.

Phase I encompasses an 18-unit curriculum that integrates the three legs of supply chain management: supply management, logistics, and operations. Phase II, which requires an additional 18 units, expands on these principles adding emphasis in law and ethics, leadership, organization change management, supplier development, global supply management, finance and marketing. Both phases are designed to blend proven concepts with contemporary best practices found in successful businesses and governments throughout the world.

Integrative Project

The custom focused integrative project is the cornerstone of both phases. The project in Phase I addresses a gap between best-in-class practices as developed in the coursework and current practices at a sponsoring organization. The advanced integrative project in Phase II requires students to apply knowledge gained in coursework in leadership, change management, and ethics to a real-world gap between world-class practices and a sponsor’s practices.
The sponsored project is the vehicle for applied learning and it provides the link between theoretical and applied learning. In addition to the learning resulting from successful project execution, sponsoring organizations receive a positive financial return on their tuition investment. Individuals who are not sponsored by their firms or who do not have internal executive-level support for the integrative project are afforded an opportunity to undertake a project at a nearby firm (usually a small business) or a master’s thesis. The project director facilitates these students in fulfilling the requirement of the integrative project course.

Learning Portfolio

Many experiences in business and life in general are spontaneous and sudden, giving little time to learn from what has been experienced. The opportunity for retained learning increases when experiences are recorded. In addition to providing the student with a record of his or her learning, portfolio-based learning provides a student’s employer with an easy-to-review compilation of the learning process.

A portfolio is a collection of a student’s experiences and achievements during a period of educational activity. A portfolio can contain a log or diary, record of events, project reports, project research, audits and evaluations, papers students have read, observations and reflections, video of consultations, and case descriptions and analysis. Each cohort in the program is assigned a faculty mentor who guides students in improving the effectiveness of their learning, facilitates the development of students’ presentations and communication skills and provides both educational guidance and career counseling.

MSCM Courses and Seminars

Admission Requirements

To provide flexibility to our prospective students, two application pathways are possible:

• Apply to the Graduate Certificate in Supply Chain Management (GC-SCM) with the intention to matriculate into the MS-SCM. The intention to matriculate must be clarified in the statement of purpose at the time of application. A 3.0 GPA in the Graduate Certificate is required to matriculate. If a 3.0 is not attained, satisfactory score on the GMAT is required for matriculation.
  
• Apply to the MS-SCM program directly. A satisfactory score on the GMAT is required. Acceptance to the MS-SCM includes acceptance to the GC-SCM program, as it is the first year of the MS-SCM. We offer this option as some companies will not reimburse their employees for a certificate program, but will reimburse for a master’s program.
  

Basic admission requirements include:

• Minimum two years work experience in a relevant supply chain management position
  
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
  
• A satisfactory GMAT score (only applicable to
  option #2)
  
• Additional screening related to the assessment of academic competence is typical of that found for entry into most business graduate degree programs.
  

In addition, candidates will be expected to provide:

• Two letters of recommendation from the applicant’s supervisor, a colleague, direct report, or university professor (only one letter is required for option #1);
  
• Statement of Purpose – a short essay reflecting the applicant’s personal and professional objectives and expectations for the program.;
  
• A résumé describing work experience to date; and,
  
• College or university transcripts (officially sealed) from each college or university attended.
  

International students who possess an L-1 (business visa) may apply.

Course Requirements

Phase I (GC-SCM)
MSCM 551	Supply Chain Management (3)
MSCM 552	Operational Processes (3)
MSCM 553	Logistics and Supply Systems (3)
MSCM 554	Strategic Cost Management (3)
MSCM 555	International Negotiations (3)
MSCM 558	Project Management Principles (2)
MSCM 559	Integrative Project (1)
Phase II
MSCM 571	Leadership and Ethics for Supply Chain Managers (3)
MSCM 572	World-Class Supplier Development (2)
MSCM 573	Organization Change Management (2)
MSCM 574	Global Supply Management (1)
MSCM 575	Law, Ethics, and Contracts for Supply Chain Management (2)
MSCM 576	Finance for Supply Chain Managers (1)
MSCM 577	Marketing in a Supply Chain Management Context (1)
MSCM 578	Value Network Management (3)
MSCM 599	Advanced Integrative Project (3)

Reservation of the Right to Modify

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