​Master's in Supply Chain Management Curriculum

Our 36-unit web-based curriculum is highly interactive—and flexible—for working supply chain professionals. Throughout the program, you'll learn how to meet regulatory and environmental demands for sustainability and learn to increase the efficiency of your own supply chain.

Students entering the University of San Diego and/or declaring a major during 2017-2018, should follow information contained in the printed course catalog (also known as the "catalog of record") published on August 10, 2017. Access the catalog of record at http://catalogs.sandiego.edu.

MSCM 561, MSCM 562, MSCM 563, MSCM 564, MSCM 565, MSCM 566, MSCM 581, MSCM 582, MSCM 583, MSCM 584, MSCM 585, MSCM 586, MSCM 599

MSCM 561 | SUPPLY CHAIN STRATEGY AND DESIGN

Units: 3

Introduces the concept of a supply chain as a complete system that begins with raw materials and delivers value to the end customer. The student will learn to use a variety of conceptual models to describe and classify supply chains In terms of how they are designed and configured to maximize that value, with the emphasis always being on the entire system rather than any individual component. The objective is to recognize and correct supply chain designs that are mismatched to their environments and to direct attention to the critical elements that must be managed. Discusses current trends in Supply Chain Management in terms of how they contribute to maximizing customer value.

MSCM 562 | OPERATIONAL PROCESSES

Units: 3

Examines operational processes of the supply chain from acquisition of materials through conversion to physical distribution of goods and services. Topics include workflow systems, inventory systems, quality systems, production systems, logistics systems, cost estimation, optimization and continuous improvement. Common business processes and business skills addressed include: production planning, workflow scheduling, cost estimation, resource allocation, work methods design, inventory management and continuous improvement methods.

MSCM 563 | SUPPLY MANAGEMENT

Units: 3

Examines the challenges of integrating the members of an organization’s supply management system. Such improvements reduce time-to-market and improve quality and the inflow of technology from the firm’s supply base, thereby increasing market share and profitability. These improvements also result in reductions in the total cost of ownership for purchased materials, services and equipment. Addresses supply management’s role in: social responsibilities; buyer-supplier relationships; ethics; cross-functional teams; quality, price and cost analysis; methods of compensation; total cost of ownership; the development of requirements; acquisition of services and equipment; outsourcing; global sourcing; post-award activities; and legal issues.

MSCM 564 | STRATEGIC COST MANAGEMENT

Units: 3

Investigates the highly dynamic, timely and little understood area of cost management in the supply chain. Promotes cost reduction as a critical tool in competitive business strategy redirecting emphasis from price to the total cost of ownership. Identifies costs throughout the supply chain system and methods of measuring costs and determining cost drivers. Develops written strategies on reducing or managing costs.

MSCM 565 | FINANCE AND RISK MANAGEMENT

Units: 2

Supply Chain Managers require knowledge of finance tenable analysis of projects, the justification for proactive investments and estimation of supply chain costs. Topics addressed include: financial statements analysis, valuation, capital budgeting (net present value, internal rate of return, management of working capital, international financial markets and risk management (options, futures contracts, forward contracts).

MSCM 566 | PROJECT MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES

Units: 3

The integrative project is a core element of the Master of Science in Supply Chain Management. The ability to apply project management knowledge, tools and principles to the effective execution of process improvement or system implementation projects is central to modern supply chain management. This course provides students with the foundational capabilities required to be effective project managers in a supply chain context. Topics addressed include team formation, team sponsorship and team governance, developing charters, project management, quantifying financial impacts and presentation skills.

MSCM 581 | INTERNATIONAL NEGOTIATIONS

Units: 1-3 Repeatability: Yes (Can be repeated for Credit)

Addresses the art and science of negotiation with the “science” learned through readings and the “art” learned through experience gained in simulated negotiations. These negotiations frequently are set in a foreign country, exposing participants to nuances of conducting business abroad. These mock or simulated negotiations are conducted both online and during the residence sessions held on campus.

MSCM 582 | DISTRIBUTION AND LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT

Units: 2

Distribution and logistics management is a critical element of supply chain management because distribution and logistics expenses often represent the largest single category of costs faced by a company and logistics activities touch all aspects of supply chain performance, creating value and competitive differentiation. Students will gain an in-depth understanding of basic distribution and logistics management principles and be able to identify those distribution and logistics issues critical to supply chain managers in today’s business environment and to project their likely impact on overall business performance. Students will become familiar with contemporary concepts and techniques and be able to use these for analyzing and resolving distribution and logistics problems.

MSCM 583 | LEADERSHIP AND CHANGE MANAGEMENT FOR SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGERS

Units: 3

This course is designed to assist students in the practice of ethical leadership and management of change. As a result of actively participating in this course, students will understand theories and practices of leadership, the properties of influence and strategies to control internal and external perceptions. Students will begin to map their current and future organizations, suppliers and e involvement in organization change interventions.

MSCM 584 | LAW, ETHICS AND CONTRACTS FOR SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT

Units: 3

Explores the legal context of supply chain management in areas of contract formation, obligations, remedies and dispute resolution in an international setting. Examines the overlapping roles of ethics and regulation in defining socially responsible business enterprise and standards for behavior. Three basic ethical theories are applied to supply chain management, especially purchasing. Current issues of social and environmental justice are introduced as catalysts for proactive policy formation and world-class supply chain performance. Ethics, diversity and legal issues are of paramount concern to organizations that operate in today’s global environment that pits supply chain against supply chain. Proactive companies recognize that striving for diversity and maintaining ethical policies and actions help enable world-class supply chain management. Topics addressed include diversity suppliers, protecting the physical environment, workplace values, ethics in business, contract formation and the legal context of supply chain management.

MSCM 585 | SUSTAINABLE GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT

Units: 2-3

Sustainability and social responsibility are rapidly evolving issues facing supply chain professionals’ organizations in all sectors. Further, global challenges within increasingly extended supply chains means that it is now impossible for an organization to ignore regulatory, economic, environmental and reputational pressures to address the sustainability agenda of ‘people, planet and profits’. The evolving agenda for sustainable practice presents both opportunities and significant risk to upstream and downstream supply chain decision making. The aim of this course is to equip students with a deeper understanding of the CSR agenda, providing them with the wherewithal to have a positive impact on their organization and to raise their awareness of the moral and ethical concerns facing global organizations within this agenda. This course will focus on the nature, definition and evaluation of issues relating to CSR. Students will be introduced to the core issues faced in environmental sustainability from a robust total systems perspective and incorporating a basic review of the scientific evidence pertaining to environmental impact. Students will also be introduced to the social, health and safety risks and remedies available to supply professionals when sourcing internationally, including trends in global regulatory requirements. Further, specific measurement and reporting protocols will be examined in order to provide a proactive compliance strategy.

MSCM 586 | VALUE NETWORK MANAGEMENT

Units: 3

“Competition does not take place between organizations, but between competing value networks.” This course is concerned with examining the nature and development of strategic advantage through networks of coordinating and collaborating partners. The course serves as a capstone for the MS-SCM and adopts a critical perspective to the fields of strategic management, human relations, behavioral science and innovation. It is intended to both consolidate prior studies and develop strategies for future personal development. This course begins by analyzing contemporary understanding of human behavior within the context of complex network relationship interactions. It addresses the theories and mechanics involved in development and management of dyadic and triadic relationships, including the economics of trust and the various schools of thoughts associated with strategic capabilities. This course also addresses the complex nature of innovation set within networks, specifically exploring the Schumpeterian approach to strategies for collaborative innovation. Students will learn about developing and managing integrated relationships, knowledge and resources, identifying opportunities for strategic improvement and developing their understanding of strategic value network through reflective learning and join problem-solving.

MSCM 599 | ADVANCED INTEGRATIVE PROJECT

Units: 1-3 Repeatability: Yes (Can be repeated for Credit)

The advanced integrative project is a sponsor-based, supply chain-based project. Projects are approved by management of the sponsoring organization and the director of S CMI and have the potential of contributing significantly to the sponsors’ bottom lines. The projects may be conducted in a team environment if the project value exceeds the combined tuition of the team members. Topics addressed include team formation, developing charters, project management, quantifying financial impacts and presentation skills.