Logistics Degree Online BS in Operations Management Concentration

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 160,000 graduates across the country. SNHU is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), a regional accreditor, which advocates for institutional improvement and public assurance of quality.

Recently, SNHU 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.

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.

Simply work with 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.

Notes: 

• Laptop or desktop?  Whichever you choose depends on your personal preference and work style, though laptops tend to offer more flexibility. 

• Note:  Chromebooks (Chrome OS) and iPads (iOS) do not meet the minimum requirements for coursework at SNHU. These offer limited functionality and do not work with some course technologies. They are not acceptable as the only device you use for coursework. While these devices are convenient and may be used for some course functions, they cannot be your primary device. SNHU does, however, have an affordable laptop option that it recommends: Dell Latitude 3301 with Windows 10. 

• Office 365 Pro Plus is available free of charge to all SNHU students and faculty. The Office suite will remain free while you are a student at SNHU. Upon graduation you may convert to a paid subscription if you wish. Terms subject to change at Microsoft's discretion. Review system requirements for Microsoft 365 plans for business, education and government. 

• Antivirus software: Check with your ISP as they may offer antivirus software free of charge to subscribers. 

The real question is: Which logistics degree is best for you? Only you can decide.

If you're looking to break into a career in logistics, this online bachelor's program can be a great place to start. You'll gain critical knowledge about supply chain and operations management. Plus, you'll hone the skills you need to be a more effective leader – helping prepare you to make an impact across a number of different industries.

There are several other benefits to earning an online logistics degree at SNHU. Here are just a few of them:

• Quality. Let's be honest – the quality of the program is what matters most in terms of future success. Our curriculum was created by subject-matter experts and is taught by professionals with industry experience. That means you'll have the opportunity to learn from instructors with insider knowledge and decades of wisdom to share. Plus, throughout your courses, you'll apply what you've learned using real-world scenarios, making the material more meaningful.
• Flexibility. School can often feel like it's out of reach – especially if you're trying to balance work, family and other personal commitments. We're here to help. With no set class meeting times, you can learn on your schedule and access online course materials 24/7.
• Cost. Ours are some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation. Why? Because we're built for people, not for profit. We believe college can be more accessible when it starts being more affordable.
• Transfer friendly. Have previous college experience, but never finished? Maybe you've earned your associate degree, but aren't sure what to do next? At SNHU, we accept up to 90 credits toward your bachelor's degree. Consider the fact that it takes 120 credits to complete your bachelor's program, and that could mean you're already 3/4 of the way to earning your degree. This means that your degree could be closer than you think.
• Military friendly. Speaking of transfers, did we mention that military experience may also translate to college credits? Not only that, active-duty military and their spouses are eligible for up to 30% tuition discounts. You'll also have access to military-focused advisors and a dedicated military benefits team, so you can feel confident you'll make the most out of your military benefits as you pursue your bachelor's.

As logistics and supply chains are highly complex, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that many employers seek logisticians with a bachelor's degree for entry-level positions.¹ Some professionals may also seek certificate licensure to stand out in a competitive market, but this is not necessarily required.

According to Dr. Zuzana Buzzell, associate dean at SNHU, a logistics degree is critical to understand all the moving parts of a supply chain.

"Logistics and transportation managers are responsible for moving people, goods, and animals from one location to another by diverse transportation modes," Buzzell said. "They are tasked with operational decisions dealing with packaging, containerization, documentation, insurance, storage, regulations, freight damage, managing partners and risk mitigation."

Bachelor's programs like SNHU's logistics and transportation degree concentration explore in-depth principles and practices of logistics, transportation and supply chain management. With the addition of practical, experiential learning and a capstone project, graduates will have the knowledge and skills they need to make an impact in the real world.

"Our operations management degree with a concentration in logistics and transportation will not only help prepare you through its curriculum – it will provide you with the opportunity to build upon your critical thinking skills and analytic abilities that employers seek in this fast-paced field," Buzzell said.

While a logistics degree is often a minimum requirement for employers, those with previous experience in a logistical support role will have an edge in a competitive field. For this reason, dispatchers, clerks and people with previous military experience are highly valued by organizations looking to hire entry-level professionals.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, logisticians earned a median annual wage of $77,030 in 2021.¹ By comparison, the national annual wage for all workers was $58,260 in the same year.¹

These wages vary by industry. For example, in May 2020, logisticians working for the federal government earned a median annual wage of $88,710, the highest among top industries.¹ Other top-earning roles were available in:¹

• Manufacturing
• Management of companies and enterprises
• Professional, scientific and technical services
• Wholesale trade

In addition, job prospects in logistics appear to be growing much faster than the national average for all occupations in the coming years.¹ Job growth will likely be caused by an increased need for educated professionals who can tackle highly complex supply and distribution systems, along with new opportunities to fill roles as workers retire.

While these two terms may often be used interchangeably, logistics are actually a much broader piece of the supply chain. Transportation, by comparison, hones in specifically on the process of physically carrying goods from point A to point B.

The term "logistics" embodies all the processes that must happen between manufacturing a product to delivering it to the end user. This includes planning, implementation, managing procedures, storage and, of course, transportation.

All businesses rely on logistics to help them meet consumer needs. Take restaurants, for example. Because food is perishable, there is a constant stream of product and supplies moving in from partner distributors, like local farmers. Delivery of these goods needs to be timely and temperature controlled, which means a partnership with the right transportation company is critical. Finally, once the product is on site, it needs to be stored. A logistician must then consider inventory, asking questions like: What can we keep on site, how much of it and for how long?

As mentioned earlier, transportation is one piece of the logistics process. Specifically, it's the point in which goods are physically moved from the manufacturer to the consumer – whether it's by air, sea, land or even space. These are the processes that enable trade between two parties and are an absolutely crucial piece of the supply chain.

¹ Bureau 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 Oct. 27, 2022)
• https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes113071.htm (viewed Oct. 27, 2022)

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

² According to more than 9,200 SNHU online students in survey responses from the fall of 2019.