Master's in Supply Chain Management Online MBA Concentration

The MBA That Fits Your Life

Career Outlook

A growing understanding of the critical nature of supply chain operations makes this program a highly valued degree. The MBA in Operations and Supply Chain Management from Southern New Hampshire University combines quantitative, analytical and problem-solving skills. This results in an education that can prepare you to succeed in a high-demand industry.

The ability to combine operational function with technology, data analysis and automation are crucial for a wide array of business operations. With the workforce more remote than ever, the more skilled you are in business practices, finance, economics and especially decision-making, the better positioned you may be to lead.

Our master’s in supply chain management MBA program is designed to set you up for success in this increasingly important and in-demand field.

Earning your MBA in Operations and Supply Chain Management degree online at SNHU can help you develop a diverse set of leadership and management skills. This program may position you for an exciting career in the following roles:

• Logistician: Analyze and coordinate an organization’s supply chain. In this role, you would be responsible for the life cycle of creating a product, including production, distribution and delivery.
• Operations or supply chain manager: Manage a company’s overall supply chain, including logistics strategy and operations. Strong interpersonal skills are helpful in this role, because managing relationships with vendors and distributors is key.
• Operations research analyst: Use data mining and statistical analysis to solve high-level problems for your organization. An interest in economics, math and finance are helpful with this role.
• Management analyst: Seek ways to reduce costs and increase revenue for your company. Strong analytical and communication skills are helpful here.
• Purchasing manager: Apply a high level of finance and accounting skills. You’ll negotiate contracts, assure product quality and purchase goods and services needed for your business to run smoothly.
• Inventory control manager: Manage large inventories for organizations. You’ll put your logistics skills to work in this role.
• Quality assurance manager: Coordinate your organization’s quality control policies while improving efficiencies. This role can involve increasing profitability by reducing waste.
• Industrial production manager: Oversee daily operations of a factory or other business. You could be responsible for the staffing and processes that result in creating a wide array of goods and services.
• Plant, warehouse or materials manager: Monitor storage and shipping logistics for an organization. This role involves logistical and analytical skills as well as strong staff management and teamwork skills.

“(Supply chain) is a very sought-after career,” said Dr. Zuzana Buzzell, associate dean of business programs at SNHU. Working in supply chain management “is beneficial for learners looking to enter the field of operation management or someone switching careers with other experiences.”

MBA graduates are still some of the most sought after and employable in today's market. It is one the most respected and versatile degrees in business, and demand remains high by both degree-seekers and employers.

Job prospects for those with an MBA in supply chain management appear to be much faster than other occupations in the coming years.¹ The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of logisticians to grow 30% between now and 2030, with a median annual salary of $76,270.¹

Furthermore, job opportunities for operations research analysts are predicted to grow quite a bit, at 25% predicted job growth between now and 2030, with a median annual salary of $86,200.¹

Thinking about those positions from a leadership perspective, it's important to note that an MBA qualifies you for management level or above careers across many business disciplines (operations, marketing, finance, human resources, etc.) Through 2030, the BLS projects 9% growth.¹ The salary is impressive, as well: In 2020, the median annual wage for management occupations was $109,760, which was the highest of all the major occupational groups.¹

According to a Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) Enrolled Student Survey, almost 8 in 10 enrolled students agree that a graduate business education is a worthwhile investment, even in times of economic uncertainty.² Most survey respondents felt confident in their employability in the face of the many challenges imposed by the global coronavirus pandemic.²

Even in the wake of so much change, we continue to persevere. Take a look at some of the most significant findings from the 2021 GMAC Demand for Graduate Management Talent Survey³:

• Demand for graduate management talent is returning to pre-pandemic levels
• Growth in the technology sector has fueled hiring of business school grads
• Transforming business models are in need of MBAs to help with holistic re-structuring (fueled by pandemic)
  • MBAs have crucial skills necessary in times of uncertainty, like strong abilities in problem solving, strategic planning, and communication
• MBAs command some of the highest average starting salaries: $115,000 median starting salary for MBAs
• Top needed skills from MBAs include; leadership, strategy and innovation, decision making, and strategic and systems skills,
  • All of the above are incorporated into the SNHU MBA, and embedded industry-aligned credentials are offered in many of these skill areas
• 84% of online MBA programs saw application growth in 2021

Courses & Curriculum

Revised in 2021, our supply chain online MBA program was decreased to just 10 courses – giving you the ability to complete the degree in just over a year, should you attend full time.

Benefits of the new curriculum include the opportunity to earn credentials throughout your program, multimedia content and scenario-based learning activities.

"Scenario-based learning provides learners the ability to practice using what they learn and apply it to a real-world scenario of a likely business problem," said Dr. Mark Hobson, senior associate dean of business at Southern New Hampshire University. "It will appear in every course. It places the learner inside a novel experience with learning tools and an instructor who acts like a coach and mentor."

Of the 10 classes that make up the online master’s in supply chain management MBA program, 7 of them are part of your business core. Here, you'll learn traditional topics like marketing, accounting and decision-making, but instead of learning about each class by class, they're woven throughout the curriculum, so you can better learn how the skills you're developing work with each other.

You’ll then have 3 courses that make up the concentration dedicated to the close application of operations and supply chain principles, including courses like:

• Quantitative Analysis for Decision Making: Survey the mathematical, probability and statistical tools available for assisting in the operation and management of industrial organizations.
• Operation Management: Study key concepts of production and operations. It includes study of a variety of methods and techniques used in their management.
• Supply Chain Management: Analyze the role and activities of those involved in supply chain management decision making. The course emphasizes the importance of all aspects of managing the supply chain, including transportation planning, inventory control and warehouse management.

The supply chain courses provide supplemental material to that of the major core. You'll graduate knowing how to provide the right product at the right time in the right quantity to meet customer needs.

This degree program “provides a balanced skills-based curriculum to provide learners with a fast track career advancement opportunity,” said Dr. Zuzana Buzzell, associate dean of business programs at Southern New Hampshire University.

Southern New Hampshire University's MBA programs include cross-cutting themes of leadership, strategy, ethics, management, technology and innovation. The program is integrated with new learning experiences and formats including;

• Scenario-based learning, where learners practice and problem-solve within real-world business scenarios and instructors act as mentors
• Multimedia, including animations for complex topics, video featuring industry leaders sharing business insights and video communication tools
• Timely resources, like carefully selected, relevant resource material from leading professional organizations and publications 
• Embedded credentials from external partners, allowing for the chance to earn more than just their degree, students partake in a selection of either integrated or optional credentialing opportunities as a way to enhance their learnings and their overall marketability in the field
  • Credentialing opportunities include foundational and advanced hands-on learnings in tools such as Power BI, MS Excel and Tableau as well as enhancement of soft skills such as human intelligence and strategy implementation.
• Fluid learning paths, with more flexibility than ever before in assignment due dates and fluidity of learning with assignments that span multiple modules with interconnected themes to draw relationships between business principles

Online MBA students can also pursue a graduate certificate in supply chain management beyond the standard degree program. This option allows you to list another significant credential on your resume with minimal additional coursework. The certificate consists of 4 required courses plus an additional 6 credits of your choice of several different operations and supply chain management courses.

Don't have a business background? No problem. Our MBA is accessible to everyone. Interested students must have a conferred undergraduate degree for acceptance, but it can be in any field. Those without an undergraduate Logistics and Transportation, business or a related field may be asked to complete up to 2 foundation courses to get started as to adequately prepare themselves for the rigor that is to be expected with any MBA program. These foundations cover essential business skill sets and can be used to satisfy elective requirements for the general-track MBA. With foundations, the maximum length of your online MBA would be 36 credits.

Attend full time or part time. Students in the MBA have the option to enroll full time (at 2 classes per term) or part time (with 1 class per term). Full-time students should be able to complete the program in about 1 year, while part-time students could finish in about 2 years. Our SNHU students are busy, often juggling jobs, family and other obligations, so you may want to work with your academic advisor to identify the course plan that works for you. The good news is, you can switch from full time to part time and back again as often as you want.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition rates for SNHU's online degree programs are among the lowest in the nation. We offer a 25% tuition discount for U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty.

Tuition rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually.
*Note: students receiving this rate are not eligible for additional discounts.

Additional Costs:
$150 Graduation Fee, Course Materials ($ varies by course)