SNHU Graduate, Matthew Seawright talking to his fellow employees. With the text Matthew Seawright '19

Online Operations Management Degree Bachelor of Science

Win in Operations Management

$320/credit (120 credits)
Transfer up to 90 credits
Your military services could earn you credit and tuition savings

Program accredited by ACBSP
Receive credit for prior learning
No application fee or SAT/ACT scores required

Operations Management Program Overview

Operations managers are responsible for developing, improving and managing the processes used to produce and transport products, services and even people. They're often tasked with reducing costs, maximizing profits and increasing customer satisfaction - critical areas to any organization's sustainability.

Develop the knowledge and skills you need to help businesses run with the Bachelor of Science in Operations Management online degree program at Southern New Hampshire University.

Learn how to:

Solve problems with process, procedure and product
Implement continuous improvement practices
Apply operations management theory and best-practices
Promote low-risk operations management decisions
Implement procedures that influence business sustainability
Promote accountability, sustainability and organizational effectiveness

Leadership skills are key to success in this field. That's just one of many reasons that military students are especially well-suited for the BS in Operations Management. Some students are also able to receive credit for their military service in addition to tuition discounts, allowing them to advance their career without putting their life on hold. Contact an Admission counselor to learn more.

Become a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)^®

Want to earn a certification that can help position you for success in the field? As part of SNHU's online operations management degree program, you can take QSO-345: Project Management for CAPM® Certification course, which will prepare you to take the PMI® Certified Associate in Project Management® exam. SNHU is a registered education provider of PMI, the world's largest project management member association.

Receive Credit for Prior Learning

You've earned it. Now take advantage of it. If you have the following certifications, you may be eligible to waive certain courses, helping you save time and tuition.

Active PMP Certification for QSO-345: Project Management for CAPM (R) Certification
Six Sigma Green Belt Certification (with an exam score of 280 or above) for QSO-360: Six Sigma Quality Management

Choose the bachelor's in online operations management degree alone, or elect a concentration in Logistics and Transportation or Project Management.

Concentration Options

Logistics & Transportation

Play a crucial role in the supply chain with the Bachelor of Science in Operations Management with a concentration in Logistics & Transportation.

This concentration will help prepare you with skills you need to oversee the successful delivery of goods including purchasing, transportation, inventory and warehousing. You'll use software programs and manage logistical functions and challenges across the entire life cycle of a product, all in service of a superior consumer experience.

Courses may include:

Sustainable Operations
Transportation Management
Reverse Logistics

Project Management

Earn your project management degree online at Southern New Hampshire University and gain the knowledge and skills you need to manage and execute projects on time, on budget and within scope.

The Bachelor of Science in Operations Management with a concentration in Project Management degree provides students an opportunity to apply the knowledge and techniques needed to execute and manage projects in almost every industry, including manufacturing and services.

If you enjoy the rewards and challenges of managing people and processes, this project management degree online is the right fit for you. You'll learn effective communication skills, creative and analytical problem-solving strategies, and explore the vital role that project management plays in moving a company forward.

Career outlook:

According to a Project Management Institute® report, the number of project management jobs in project-oriented industries in the U.S. will grow by over 31% through 2027.² The same report stated that employers in the U.S. and 10 other countries will need 87.7 million individuals working in project management-oriented roles.²

Courses may include:

Project Management
Human Behavior in Organizations
Leading in an Organization

Those interested in this concentration may also want to explore our BS in Business Administration with a project management degree concentration.

Operations Management Career Outlook

Employment continues to grow as more businesses transport goods in the global economy.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for operations research analysts will increase by 26% through 2028 - much faster than the average of all occupations.³ The need for logisticians will increase by 5% in the same time period, according to the BLS.³

Operations managers are highly valued in a number of high-demand industries, including transportation, retail, military, e-commerce, healthcare, financial services, higher education, insurance, food service, manufacturing and hospitality.

Graduates with a bachelor's in operations management can pursue a number of roles including:

Distribution manager. Oversee employees and operational activities needed for the movement of inventory to store locations or distribution centers.
Inventory control analyst. Analyze inventory data to inform decision makers in relation to pricing, inventory capacity levels and need – helping organizations control expense and maximize profitability.
Supply manager. Manage the acquisition, negotiation and purchasing of materials through various vendors in support of and in preparation for the construction of a finished product.
Production planner. Plan and prioritize the equipment, raw materials, manpower and capacity needed to optimize production and meet demand with minimal delay.
Production supervisor. Organize the workflow of team members within the production environment to meet deadlines and production quantity output.
Project manager. Establish parameters, roles and goals of a cross-departmental project team to help ensure success within an estimated time frame and budget.
Purchasing manager. Track inventory, provide pricing assessments, manage project-specific supply needs and work with vendors to negotiate pricing and scheduling.
Quality assurance (QA) analyst. Review production of materials with specialized tools, technical design documents and quality specs – helping you ensure your product meets quality standards and identify areas for process improvement.
Supply chain planner. Review current processes and establish supply chain schedules in order to help your organization navigate various factors that can impact movement within a supply chain such as customs, weather, breakdowns and more.
Warehouse manager. Schedule and manage a team of material handlers, as well as the overall supply and storage of materials for future distribution.

An online operations management degree from SNHU will not only help prepare you through its curriculum – it'll give you opportunities to get out into the world and build skills employers want to see.

One such opportunity is the SNHU LEADS Conference, an annual event that brings online students together to network and share ideas on leadership. While the event represents students across all of our 200+ online degree programs, it's an especially impactful experience for those looking to grow into a management role.

For Student Advisory Board member, Megan McKinney, who is earning her BS in Operations Management with a concentration in Project Management, an important takeaway of the conference was “learning to put yourself out there and connecting with others and learning to grow.”

Start Your Journey Toward an Online Operations Management Degree

Why SNHU For Your Operations Management Degree

Flexible

With no set class meeting times, you can learn on your schedule and access online course materials 24/7.

Affordable

Take advantage of some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation, plus financial aid for those who qualify. We also make it easy to transfer to SNHU by accepting up to 90 credits from your previous institution.

Respected

Founded in 1932, Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution with over 100,000 graduates across the country. SNHU is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), which advocates for institutional improvement and public assurance of quality.

Recently, Southern New Hampshire University has been nationally recognized for leading the way toward more innovative, affordable and achievable education:

“Most Innovative” regional university honors from U.S. News & World Report each year since 2015
A $1 million grant from Google.org to explore soft skills assessments for high-need youth
Recognition as a 2017 Digital Learning Innovator by the Online Learning Consortium

Network

At Southern New Hampshire University, you'll have access to a powerful network of more than 200,000 students, alumni and staff that can help support you long after graduation. Our instructors offer relevant, real-world expertise to help you understand and navigate the field. Plus, with our growing, nationwide alumni network, you'll have the potential to tap into a number of internship and career opportunities.

Experiential Learning

Education is about empowering you to advance your career. That's why, at SNHU, we offer a number of experiential learning opportunities, all built to position you for success long after you complete your degree. Some of our operations management students, for example, have competed in the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM) Case Competition – a global event in collaboration with Deloitte Consulting LLP that challenges teams of participants to engage in real-world supply chain problem solving. Student teams from universities across the U.S. and the world compete against each other for the chance to win cash prizes up to $5,000. The competition not only helps students flex both technical knowledge and soft skills, it offers valuable opportunities for networking that could lead to mentorships, internships and more.

See why 96% of students would recommend SNHU.*

Admission Requirements

Part of our mission to expand access to quality higher education means removing the barriers that may stand between you and your degree. That’s why you can apply at any time and get a decision within days of submitting all required materials.

Acceptance decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year for our 6 (8-week) undergraduate terms.

How to Apply

Simply contact an admission counselor, who can help you explore financial options, answer all your questions and walk you through the application process. Start by:

Completing a free undergraduate application
Providing previous institutions attended – so we can retrieve transcripts for you at no cost

Test scores are not required as part of your application.

Courses & Curriculum

SNHU's operations degree provides a solid foundation of knowledge for managing operations in manufacturing, service and other sectors. The curriculum builds upon a business core, emphasizing communication, ethics and globalization. This bachelor's program culminates in a capstone course, meant to assess students’ ability to synthesize and integrate the knowledge and skills they have developed throughout their coursework.

Curriculum Requirements & Resources

Business core: Business programs require learners to complete the business core, which includes a variety of business-specific courses. These courses focus on 10 core competencies to prepare you for success wherever you go.
General education courses: All bachelor's students are required to take general education classes, if not obtained in prior coursework. Through these foundation, exploration and integration courses, students learn to think critically, creatively and collaboratively, giving you the edge employers are looking for.
Technology resources: We provide cloud-based virtual environments in some courses to give you access to the technology you need for your degree – and your career. Learn more about our virtual environments.
Earn credits for what you already know: Did you know certain work and life experience – like industry-recognized certifications, law enforcement training and math knowledge – could save you time and money at SNHU? Learn how you could get credit for work or life experience.

View Full Curriculum in the Catalog

BS in Operations Management

Courses May Include

QSO 320 Management Science through Spreadsheets

Apply management science techniques to analyze data to inform business decisions that align to strategic organizational objectives.

QSO 325 Continuous Improvement Tools and Techniques

This course examines continuous improvement tools and techniques used in problem solving supporting sustainable operations. Topics include lean techniques, quality management, TQM, JIT, and product experimental design.

QSO 328 Sustainable Operations

This course focuses on manufacturing and service operations control and the importance of making operations decisions that support the long-term sustainability of organizations while meeting the needs of the customers. Students explore topics such as brand management, closed loop supply chains, competition, environmental management, safety and compliance, and social responsibility.

QSO 330 Supply Chain Management

This course focuses on effective supply chain strategies for companies that operate globally with emphasis on how to plan and integrate supply chain components into a coordinated system. Students are exposed to concepts and models important in supply chain planning with emphasis on key tradeoffs and phenomena. The course introduces and utilizes key tactics such as risk pooling and inventory placement, integrated planning and collaboration, and information sharing.

QSO 415 Trends in Operations Management

This course focuses on contemporary topics in operations management. Examples of topics that will be explored included assessing and managing disruptive change, agile project management, automation, innovation, and technology trends.

QSO 489 Capstone in Operations Management

This capstone course is the culminating experience for the B.S. in Operations Management program. The aim of the capstone is to assess students' ability to synthesize and integrate the knowledge and skills they have developed throughout their coursework, rather than introducing new concepts. This course is structured to support student success in fulfilling program requirements.

Total Credits: 120

Program Outcomes

Tuition & Fees

Tuition rates for SNHU's online degree programs are among the lowest in the nation. We offer financial aid packages to those who qualify, plus a 30% tuition discount for U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty.

Online Undergraduate Programs	Per Course*	Per Credit Hour*
Degree/Certificates	$960	$320
Degree/Certificates (U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty)	$675	$225

*Tuition Rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually.

Additional Costs
No Application Fee, $150 Graduation Fee, Course Materials ($ varies by course)

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of degree do you need to be an operations manager?

Typical entry-level education for operations managers is a bachelor's degree in operations management, supply chain management or a related field.

Some operations management positions may also benefit from a business administration degree due to its holistic approach to all facets of how a business runs and operates. Earning a business degree with a concentration in an area such as project management offers the experience you need to succeed in operations management, project management and a multitude of other business operations positions.

For those looking to continue their education in operations management once they earn their bachelor's, SNHU also offers an online master's in project management.

What are the roles and responsibilities of an operations manager?

Broadly speaking, operations managers are responsible for guiding critical business decisions within an organization.

They use mathematical and analytical methods to identify, analyze, interpret and solve operational challenges, as well as promote successful business practices. They have the power to examine and improve processes in almost every area of an organization – from supply chains and resource allocation to setting prices and production schedules.

It's important to note that, while people tend to associate operations managers with retail and home improvement industries, these areas only scratch the surface of what can be done with an operations management degree. Virtually every business and industry needs the knowledge and skills of an operations manager – whether it's a high-end dining establishment, a local bank or fashion retail.

Generally, an operations manager will be responsible for at least one of the following:

Front end operations management – which is the customer-facing side of operations, such as customer support, communication and sales; or
Back end operations management –which is the behind-the-scenes side of operations, such as inventory, distribution and delivery

You may work in a single retail location or distribution center, or as a regional or area manager – overseeing multiple stores in an assigned area. In any case, your contributions will play a major role in the success of a company.

What is a typical salary for an operations manager?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, operations research analysts earned an annual median pay of $83,390 in 2018.³ By comparison, the national annual wage for all workers was $38,640 in the same year, a difference of nearly $45,000.³

These wages vary by industry. For example, in May 2018, logisticians working for the federal government earned a median annual wage of $113,920, the highest among all industries.³ With data playing an increasingly pivotal role in the way organizations operate, it's expected that job prospects for qualified professionals who can interpret this data will continue to grow.

This is especially true for federal government jobs, as operations research analysts are expected to play a large part in the development and implementation of policies and programs within different areas of government.

What are the skills an operations manager needs?

There are several key skills an operations manager must possess, including:

Leadership
Organizational planning
Adaptability
Risk management
Strong communication
The ability to understand complex systems

These skills and many others are demonstrated regularly by military service members in the numerous organizational leadership positions that span across all branches of our military.

Military operational support roles, for example, require service members to execute timely decisions, coordinate leadership operational directives, allocate resources or prioritize operational needs that can change at a moment's notice. The operations management degree helps our valued service members take these skills – many of which were developed through their service experience – and translate them into a successful civilian career.

Beyond a curriculum that builds upon military skills, SNHU has a longstanding track record of empowering military service members and their families – a commitment we've stuck to since we first introduced online learning for active military students back in 1995.

Kristi Galvin with text Kristi Galvin "Being a military family, we move often," said Kristi Galvin, who earned her bachelor's at SNHU in 2019. "SNHU was the one constant in our lives that no matter where we move, I can continue with them. We know that they'll always be there for me."

Here are just a few ways we proudly support our men and women in uniform:

Military tuition benefits. We offer online tuition discounts of up to 30% for service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty. We also accept Tuition Assistance (TA), VA education benefits and military scholarships for spouses through MyCAA.
Transfer-friendly enrollment. At SNHU, you can transfer up to 90 credits toward your undergraduate degree – which includes earning credit for your military training.
Academic and career support. Here, you can count on support from dedicated academic and career advisors with a strong military background, helping you succeed as you transition to a civilian career.

It's also worth noting that, in more recent years, advances in technology – such as automation, mobile communication and the use of third-party delivery systems – have evolved the role of an operations manager. As a result, those looking to break into these roles need a solid grounding in tech, to help them master software and platforms that can help businesses run more smoothly.

By pairing an online learning environment with coursework in continuous improvement, trends in operations management and sustainable operations, SNHU's BS in Operations Management is built to help you stay ahead of an ever-changing field.

University Accreditation

Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) as well as several other accrediting bodies.

The PMI Registered Education Provider PMI, PMP, CAPM, and PMBOK are registered marks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.

This program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Student achievement data can be found on College Navigator.

*All concentrations associated with the program are also accredited through ACBSP.

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*According to a survey of over 12,000 SNHU online students conducted in the fall of 2018.

²Project Management Institute, on the Internet, at Project Management Job Growth and Talent Gap 2017-2027 at http://www.pmi.org/-/media/pmi/documents/ public/pdf/learning/job-growth-report.pdf (viewed online October 16, 2019)

³Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the Internet at:

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/logisticians.htm (viewed October 16, 2019).

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/operations-research-analysts.htm (viewed October 16, 2019).

Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.