Master of Science in Supply Chain Management

SCM 848

Analysis of Supply Chain Management reviews how companies develop and design “category sourcing strategies” to support their business operations. You will examine why the design of a company’s supply base is important and how to evaluate and assess suppliers when developing the supply base. Other elements of sourcing strategies that will be covered include cost modeling, identifying and mitigating supply chain risk, finance, digital procurement and collaborative supplier relationships. This course is open to master’s students in the Supply Chain Management major and is offered in the fall, spring and summer terms.

SCM 870

In the Intro to Logistics and Supply Chain Management course, students will learn why logistics, operations, and procurement are essential components within the supply chain and how together they work to deliver value to the customer. Taught by Dr. Judith Whipple, Bowersox-Thull Endowed Professor of Logistics and Supply Chain Management and Faculty Director of the Master of Science in Supply Chain Management program, students will explore concepts crucial to understanding the fundamentals of supply chain management, including product flow, procurement, sourcing, forecasting, demand fulfillment, reverse logistics, production and operations management, as well as discover tools and techniques for analyzing and improving supply chain processes. By the end of the course, students should expect to have a thorough understanding of the flow of products from raw material sourcing and acquisition through delivery to the final customer.

SCM 871

Applied Data Analysis gives students a familiarity with quantitative and statistical methods which are widely used in the supply chain, operations, logistics and similar business-related functions. This course begins with a statistics tutorial to explain basic foundations, followed by in-depth study of hypothesis testing, regression and correlation analysis, linear programming and forecasting from analytics. By the end of the course, you will have the opportunity to perform case analyses by applying the methods you’ve learned. This course is open to master’s students in the Supply Chain Management major and is offered in the fall, spring and summer terms.

SCM 872

Distribution Fulfillment teaches students how to manage a firm’s value creation from initial product development through consumption. You will explore alternative approaches to developing customer value with an emphasis on transportation and the role of the supply chain in creating order fulfilment strategies. Topics will include examining motor carrier operations, importing strategies, aggregate inventories, operational issues in order fulfillment, international issues in distribution and ordering and strategies in fulfillment for brick-and-mortar retail. The course is open to master’s students in the Supply Chain Management major who have completed SCM870.

SCM 874

TQM and Lean Enterprise is designed to help students develop and lead an efficient enterprise. You will study total quality management tools and practices and lean systems that focus on cost reduction, minimizing waste and quality improvement. The curriculum is focused on how to identify variance and reduce waste within the workplace structure and explores how to measure performance with the correct data to capture loss in a timely manner. This course is open to master’s students in the Supply Chain Management major who have completed SCM870 and is offered in the fall, spring and summer terms.

SCM 875

Manufacturing Planning and Control examines the functions required to match supply and demand in a manufacturing firm. You will explore the concepts needed in manufacturing planning and control, with emphasis on both short- and long-term demand forecasting, aggregate planning, cycle and safety inventory management, productivity analysis and sourcing and ordering policies. The role of information and modeling for inventory planning will be discussed as well as how to identify factors in forecasting and evaluating suppliers when making decisions. This course is open to master’s students in the Supply Chain Management major who have completed SCM870.

SCM 876

Logistics Operations Methods and Systems focuses on the microanalysis of logistics and transportation including customer service, order fulfillment, distribution, purchasing and operation of transportation services and supply chain strategy. You’ll develop a detailed understanding of how logistics management integrates and coordinates all logistics activities. You will also explore how to integrate logistics with other functions including marketing, sales, manufacturing, IT and finance. Complete the course with the knowledge to define the components of the logistics system, explain the relationship between logistics and other business systems, summarize the changing role of logistics in the global marketplace and illustrate network design basics and supply chain strategies. This course is open to master’s students in the Supply Chain Management major who have completed SCM870.

SCM 879

Students in Strategy and Applications explore the analysis and solution of supply chain management cases and simulations. This is the capstone class to MSU’s Master of Science in Supply Chain Management and integrates material from throughout the program. You will discuss the fundamental building blocks of routing, vehicle routing and facility location modeling using techniques covered in previous courses. During a three-day on-site logistics simulation, you will also engage in a dynamic supply chain simulation allowing you to operate a supply chain across nine time periods. This course fully explores the teamwork, communication, and job skills that are essential for leadership in the field and is open to master’s students in Supply Chain Management who have completed SCM870. 15 credits in MS-Supply Chain Management are recommended.

SCM 881

Global Supply Chain Management is designed to help students better understand a firm’s global supply chain strategy. This course helps students understand decision-making strategies regarding the planning and operational aspects of global supply chains. You will learn to identify and leverage industry globalization drivers, explain worldwide infrastructures for supply chains and understand the logistics for purchasing and operations internationally. This course is open to master’s students in the Supply Chain Management major and is available on demand.

SCM 882

The Field Study/Research project is designed to help students apply the knowledge gained during the Master of Science in Supply Chain Management program to research, analyze and develop a viable solution to an existing problem or opportunity within your organization. You are encouraged to work with your organization’s management team to identify a project area, gain support and develop a topic for study or research. All topics must be approved by the instructor prior to the start of the project. Upon completion, you will prepare a report detailing your analysis, results and recommendations. The course is offered in the fall and spring terms and is open to master’s students in Supply Chain Management who have completed SCM870, with a recommended completion of 21 credits in MS-SCM.

SCM 883

In Technology and Product Innovation, students study the analysis and decision-making techniques that go into assessing new product innovations for a profitable high-tech company. Product planning concepts, tools and techniques and product development processes will be reviewed prior to live course sessions. These sessions apply concepts covered in the reviews and discuss case studies within organizations — detailing their strategies for innovation, planning, marketing, and execution of design. This course is open to master’s students in the Supply Chain Management major and intended for those focusing on the management of technology and product development. It is offered online in the fall, spring and summer terms.

SCM 886

Strategic Sourcing is intended to provide students with an understanding of the fundamentals of sourcing and how it forms the foundation of a company’s supply chain. It explores the integration and coordination of product innovation, sourcing, manufacturing, distribution and logistics for global competitiveness. The course provides insight into what strategic sourcing means to a firm, the importance of establishing a supplier portfolio, developing collaborative relationships with suppliers and leveraging capabilities with supply chains. This course is open to master’s students in the Supply Chain Management major, offered in the fall, spring and summer.

COM 874

Communication in Supply Chain Management focuses on helping students develop the interpersonal skills to excel in business settings, including presentations and interviews. You’ll explore casual conversation in relationship development, the role of customer engagement and critical conversations, how to adjust communication styles to the situation, problem-solving and negotiation and many more critical topics to help you be a confident leader in Supply Chain Management. This course is open to master’s students in the Supply Chain Management major with the approval of the department.

Put simply, supply chain management (SCM) is the process of coordinating all the resources and activities needed to bring a product or service from conception to delivery. This includes everything from raw materials and components to finished goods and packaging. In today’s global economy, this often involves managing a complex network of suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and customers located around the world. The goal of SCM is to optimize the flow of goods and information throughout the supply chain to improve efficiency and quality while reducing costs.

With the ever-changing landscape of the business world, SCM has become increasingly important in recent years. The pressure to deliver faster, better and cheaper products has put a strain on traditional supply chains. In response, companies have had to become more agile and adaptive, introducing new technologies and processes to keep up with the competition. Today’s successful businesses understand that an efficient supply chain is essential to their bottom line. By carefully managing the flow of goods and information, they can quickly adapt to changing market conditions and deliver superior value to their customers.

The 3 key elements are: sourcing, operations and logistics.

Sourcing is the process of acquiring goods and services from suppliers. This includes identifying potential suppliers, negotiating contracts and maintaining relationships with suppliers.

Operations is the process of transforming raw materials into finished products. This includes planning production schedules, managing inventory levels and ensuring quality control.

Logistics is the process of organizing the transportation and storage of goods. This includes tasks such as warehousing, order fulfillment and transportation management. Each of these elements is essential to the smooth operation of a supply chain.

A career in supply chain management requires a unique blend of skills. It is important to have a strong understanding of the various components of the supply chain, from raw materials to finished products. Secondly, effective supply chain managers must be able to develop efficient and cost-effective plans for moving goods through the supply chain. This requires not only a keen eye for detail but also the ability to think creatively and outside the box. Finally, good communication and negotiation skills are essential to work effectively with suppliers, customers, and other stakeholders. Those who possess these skills can find themselves in high demand in today’s competitive business world.

A master’s degree in supply chain management may be a way to advance your career in the field. The program can provide you with the skills and knowledge to be successful in the industry, and it can also help you to network with other professionals.

With an advanced understanding of the principles of supply and demand, you can be equipped to manage the flow of goods and services across a complex network of suppliers, manufacturers and retailers. In this role, you’ll be responsible for ensuring that products are delivered on time and in accordance with customer specifications. You’ll also be tasked with developing efficient shipping routes and negotiating favorable rates with carriers. Additionally, you’ll need to be able to troubleshoot any issues that arise along the supply chain. With a master’s degree in supply chain management, you can have the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in this exciting and fast-paced field.

In any business, efficient management of resources is essential to success. This is especially true in the world of supply chain management, where the goal is to ensure that goods and services flow smoothly from supplier to customer. To achieve this, supply chain managers must have a detailed understanding of the various processes involved in the production and distribution of goods. They must also be experts in project and financial management, logistics, and accounting. In recent years, there has been a growing demand for supply chain management knowledge. As businesses have become increasingly globalized, the need for managers who can effectively coordinate complex supply chains has grown exponentially. The rise of e-commerce has also created new challenges for supply chain managers, as they must now contend with the added complexity of managing digital products and services. As a result, those who possess the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively manage supply chains are in high demand.

• The program is comprised of 5 semesters equal to 20 months (about 1 and a half years) in length
• Each course is 8 weeks in length
• All courses are created and taught by MSU full-time faculty
• Online classes will be a mix of synchronous and asynchronous materials
  • Asynchronous: assignments, reading, quizzes that you work on your own time
  • Synchronous: weekly instructor-led live sessions.

Students are placed in a cohort, allowing them to work together and to provide mutual support as they work toward their degree. Students progress through the program together and learn to lead as they work on collaborative projects in a online learning environment. As they progress through the program in their cohort, they can develop life-long mentors and connections who may impact the course of their professional life.