Academic Programs Catalog

The Eli Broad College of Business and The Eli Broad Graduate School of Management

Department of Supply Chain Management

Jason Ward Miller, Chairperson

Undergraduate Program

The Department of Supply Chain Management provides undergraduate education in supply chain management which includes the business functions of procurement, operations, logistics, inventory management, transportation, lean manufacturing, warehousing and customer service. Instruction of foundational knowledge in these fields provides an understanding of the concepts necessary for performance in managerial positions as well as entry-level positions in profit, non-profit, and government organizations.

The supply chain management program provides sequential study of business processes useful for well-rounded personal and professional development. The required courses are designed to provide necessary understanding, integration and skill development. Specialty courses offer opportunities to apply concepts in accordance with student interests and prospective career paths. Emphasis is placed on quantitative analytical skills, business communication skills and integration of concepts learned in other disciplines.

Qualified students are encouraged to pursue honors courses, study-abroad programs and co-op and internship experiences with national and international corporations.

 

Supply Chain Management

The Bachelor of Arts degree program in supply chain management focuses on the integration of value–adding components from manufacturing operations, purchasing, transportation, and physical distribution that are critical to the enhancement of global competitiveness.  The objectives of the program are to provide students with a comprehensive background in each of the broad areas referenced above and to allow them to pursue concentrations within their areas of interest.

Students in the supply chain management program complete courses designed to develop specific skills in the planning and control of the value–creating processes in private and public enterprises.  These processes include manufacturing systems and their management; product and material movement systems; and purchasing the materials, products, and services needed to produce the firm's output and managing their flows through the organization.  Students may select such areas of study as physical distribution system design and administration, purchasing techniques and strategies, computer integrated manufacturing, and manufacturing strategies.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Supply Chain Management

  1. The graduation requirements of the University as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Supply Chain Management.

    The completion of Mathematics 103 and Statistics and Probability 200 [referenced in item 2. below] may also satisfy the University mathematics requirement.

    The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Supply Chain Management major is met by completing Supply Chain Management 470 or 472.  Those courses are referenced in item 3. a. below.
  2. The requirements of The Eli Broad College of Business for the Bachelor of Arts degree in the majors that comprise the Business Administration Programs.
  3. The following requirements for the major:
    a. Major Field of Concentration:  A minimum grade–point average of 2.00 in courses taken for the major (19 credits):
    (1) All of the following courses (12 credits):
    SCM 371 Procurement and Supply Management 3
    SCM 372 Manufacturing and Service Operation Management 3
    SCM 373 Logistics and Transportation Management 3
    SCM 475 Data Analytics in Supply Chain Management 3
    (2) One of the following courses (3 credits):
    SCM 470 Integrated Supply Chain Management Capstone (W) 3
    SCM 472 Experiential Learning with Industry Problems in Supply Chain (W) 3
    (3) Complete an additional 4 credits from an approved list of courses available from the department.


Graduate Study

The Department of Supply Chain Management offers Master of Business Administration degree programs with a concentration in Supply Chain Management and a Master of Science degree in Supply Chain Management offering higher level studies in the major concepts of supply chain: logistics, procurement and operations. The department also offers a Graduate Certificate in Elements of Global Supply Chain Management. For information about the M.B.A. program refer to the Master of Business Administration statement in the Broad College section.
 


Supply Chain Management - Master of Science

The Master of Science degree in Supply Chain Management is available through the Eli Broad Graduate School of Management. The program is completed over 20 months, five semesters with three 3-day on-campus sessions and eight week online sessions.  Students in the program must complete the required courses in the defined sequence.

The program is designed for individuals with an undergraduate degree plus a minimum of two years of related experience. All students are expected to maintain full-time employment throughout the program. The program is specifically designed to prepare students for advancement in supply chain management careers with supply chain management companies or within supply chain management divisions within a corporation. Careers may also be in management, consulting, supplier business development, and supply chain management software support. The program provides an understanding of the role the supply chain manager can play in an enterprise supply chain and overall strategy. The program exposes students to leading supply chain management operating practices, analysis methods, technology applications, and strategy development.

Admission

To be considered for admission to the program, an applicant must:

  1. submit an online application which includes a requirement to attach a resume and essays.
  2. have an undergraduate degree with at least a 3.0 grade-point average. Official transcripts must be provided.
  3. have a minimum of two years of professional supply chain work experience.
  4. provide three individual recommendations from supervisors, coworkers, etc. regarding supply chain management work experience.
  5. be prepared to provide Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) scores. Qualified applicants with three or more years of supply chain work experience and a cumulative undergraduate grade-point average 3.0 are not required to submit either a GMAT or GRE score for admission consideration. Applicants may compensate for deficiencies in their background by providing a strong score on the GMAT or GRE. Submitted GMAT or GRE scores must not be more than five years old.
  6. Be prepared for a review of undergraduate transcripts for quantitative content and the grades achieved in those quantitative courses.

Admission to the program is competitive. Meeting the minimum standards does not guarantee admission. Admission decisions are based on the applicant’s overall record, including previous academic work, work experience, job responsibilities, extra-curricular activities, references, and demonstrated potential for graduate and professional success. It is expected that all candidates will have an introductory awareness of statistics, accounting, finance, marketing, and human resource management, and a working knowledge of software for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and data-based management systems. Each student is expected to have a laptop computer with a minimum configuration approved by the program office.

Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Supply Chain Management

A total of 31 credits are required for the degree under Plan B (without thesis). The student must meet the requirements as specified below:

1. Both of the following courses (6 credits):
SCM 870 Introduction to Supply Chain Management 3
SCM 879 Supply Chain Management – Strategy and Applications 3
2. Complete 25 credits of electives as approved by the student’s guidance committee:
COM 874 Communication in Supply Chain Management 2
SCM 848 Analysis of Supply Markets and Suppliers 2
SCM 871 Applied Data Analysis 3
SCM 872 Distribution Fulfillment 2
SCM 874 Total Quality Management and Lean Enterprise 3
SCM 875 Manufacturing Planning and Control 2
SCM 876 Logistics Operations, Methods, and Systems 2
SCM 881 Global Supply Chain Management 2
SCM 882 Supply Chain Management Project Management Research Paper 3
SCM 883 Technology and Product Innovation Management 2
SCM 886 Strategic Sourcing 2
SCM 887 Packaging Design/Engineering Optimization in Supply Chain 2
SCM 888 Product Protection and Safety for Supply Chain Managers 2
SCM 890 Independent Study 1 to 3
3. Successful completion of a final evaluation.

Academic Standards

Students are expected to (1) maintain a minimum grade-point average of 3.0 for each program residency module, (2) maintain a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.0, and (3) complete all courses listed on the Candidacy Form. A student’s academic progress will be monitored by the director of the master’s program in supply chain management or his/her delegate.

A student who does not maintain a cumulative 3.0 grade-point average for two consecutive residency modules will be placed on final probation. Students will be given the next two residency modules to achieve a cumulative 3.0 grade-point average; otherwise, dismissal from the program will normally occur.


Elements of Global Supply Chain Management - Graduate Certificate

The Graduate Certificate in Elements of Global Supply Chain Management is designed to provide a basic supply chain and business education for those entering the industry or looking to make a career change. The certificate is targeted at students new to the supply chain field who are missing the academic credentials to advance in their careers. The certificate is available only online.
 
Admission
 
To be admitted to the Graduate Certificate in Elements of Global Supply Chain Management, a student must:

  1. have a minimum undergraduate grade-point average of 2.5.
The applicant’s overall record is considered. Work experience or internships that generated exposure to supply chain concepts will be considered. Students are educated during the recruitment process regarding the pace of the program, and length of time to complete the graduate certificate.              

Requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Elements of Global Supply Chain Management

Students must complete all of the following courses (11 credits):
SCM 801 Introduction to Global Business and Supply Chain 2
SCM 803 Introduction to Supply Chain Analytics 3
SCM 805 Basic Elements of Strategic Sourcing 2
SCM 806 Basic Elements of Logistics and Warehousing 2
SCM 807 Basic Elements of Operations Management 2