The following is a list of questions organizations often ask concerning the University of San Diego’s Master of Science in Supply Chain Management (MS-SCM) degree program.

1. Why would an organization send an employee to the MS-SCM program?
2. What is the length of the program?
3. How many days will your employees be required to be on-campus (and away from their jobs)?
4. What do students do during the on-campus sessions?
5. Is the GMAT required for admission to the program?
6. How much time should your employees expect to spend on class work?
7. Do employees need to have supply chain experience?
8. Will students be successful?

1. Why would an organization send an employee to the MS-SCM program?
Organizations have a variety of reasons for sending employees to this program. They include:

• Management has a special project which requires dedicated time and talent to solve. This project will benefit from the latest supply chain innovations.
• Management has an employee, or a group of employees, who is key to the organization and needs further state-of-the-art thinking and education to be ready for promotion into higher level management positions.
• Management wants to establish the company as a market leader for its customers and/or competition.

2. What is the length of the program?
The MS-SCM is a Web-based, lock-step, cohort-based program which requires approximately 26 months for completion.

3. How many days will your employees be required to be on-campus (and away from their jobs)?
Students are required to attend three on-campus sessions per Phase, for a total of 11 days each year, 22 days for the entire program.

4. What do students do during the on-campus sessions?
The on-campus sessions are designed for students to meet and work with instructors and other students. Please click here for detailed information on these sessions.

5. Is the GMAT required for admission to the program?
An undergraduate degree or equivalent is required. The GMAT is not required for admission to Graduate Certificate in SCM program (Phase I of the program). Click here to learn more about admission requirements.

6. How much time should your employees expect to spend on class work?
Students tell us that they typically spend approximately 15 hours per week on class work. With the flexibility of the online format of the program, they manage their own time. Please click here for more information regarding online delivery.

7. Do employees need to have supply chain experience?
Students who are accepted into the program must have experience in supply chain management related fields. We do require that students have a minimum of 2 years related working experience. The average is 15 years.

8. Will students be successful?
Faculty and staff do everything possible to create an environment in which students can succeed. We offer an online learning community that provides valuable study skills resources. Our program coordinator assists students with any technical issues that arise within the framework of the course delivery. Each cohort is assigned a learning mentor to assist with questions and challenges that arise as students implement new learning and balance their professional and personal lives with the additional demands on their time.

Click here to see the few days a year students need to be away from their job and on campus.

Please contact us at (619)260-4894 or msscm@sandiego.edu for additional information.