Supply Chain Management:
A Spotlight on 9 Programs in Canada, the US, and the UK

Illustration of supply chain management professional

Over the last year, we’ve seen how the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the supply chain in countless different ways. Who doesn’t remember the great toilet paper shortage of 2020? With that in mind, it’s no wonder that highly skilled individuals are in demand across the supply chain industry.

What Is Supply Chain Management?

The supply chain is more than just truck drivers delivering products from point A to B. Supply chain management is an emerging area of study that explores how information, materials, and products flow within and across organizations, and has become a top choice for international students studying abroad.

Supply chain management is a fast-growing field offering good pay and a variety of career paths, from a purchasing agent to operations manager and logistics analyst. There are also many opportunities for career advancement. Graduates can climb the ladder from an entry-level role through to management, the director-level, and beyond.

This blog post takes a look at nine supply chain management-related programs in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

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Canada

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Bachelor of Commerce (with Supply Chain Management Specialization) | MacEwan University

4-Year Bachelor of Commerce

The four-year Bachelor of Commerce degree at MacEwan University gives students the opportunity to specialize in supply chain management, or one of six other majors. There is also an optional co-op stream for students looking to obtain real-world work experience. Students spend the first two years gaining fundamental business knowledge through the study of analysis and argument, financial math, macroeconomics, marketing fundamentals, and introductory accounting. This program gives students the chance to work closely with the wider business community through case studies, networking, independent studies, and international study tours.

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International Supply Chain Management | Douglas College

2-Year Post-Baccalaureate Diploma

The two-year post-baccalaureate diploma in International Supply Chain Management from Douglas College is ideal for students aspiring to a career in supply chain management and already holding a bachelor’s degree in any academic discipline. Students will learn to recognize problems in the supply chain, as well as identify opportunities and implement solutions that truly work. There is also an optional co-op component, where students will alternate between academic and work terms while gaining and making important industry connections. Graduates will be well-placed to attain internationally recognized industry certifications, such as Lean Six Sigma and APICS CPIM.

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Supply Chain Management – Logistics | Fanshawe College

1-Year Graduate Certificate

Fanshawe College’s one-year graduate certificate in Supply Chain Management – Logistics is designed for university or college graduates looking to pursue a career in the in-demand supply chain industry. With multiple delivery formats to choose from, including an option to study entirely online, students have the flexibility to pursue the format that best suits their needs. Students will participate in a four-month co-op placement, helping them to gain practical, hands-on experience in supply chain management. Supply Chain Management – Logistics is a common first level with Fanshawe’s Operations Management graduate program, meaning students can earn two graduate certificates in just one year.

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United Kingdom

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Business Management (Supply Chain and Logistics) | Middlesex University

3-Year Bachelor of Arts

The three-year Bachelor of Arts in Business Management (Supply Chain and Logistics) at Middlesex University combines a broad exploration of day-to-day business operations with specialist knowledge of supply chain processes. Students will become proficient in the enterprise resource planning software SAP ERP, which aids in managing and analyzing the supply chain. In their third and final year, students enrolled in this course will secure a paid work placement through the university’s partnership with NOVUS Lite. Middlesex’s personalized approach also ensures that each student has a personal tutor to support their learning as well as academic and career goals.

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Logistics and Supply Chain Management | Cranfield University

1-Year Master of Science

The one-year Master of Science in Logistics and Supply Chain Management at Cranfield University is designed to help graduates make an impact in the global marketplace. This course is ideal for recent graduates looking to gain an in-depth understanding of logistics and supply chain management, and who want the tools to succeed in their first professional role. It has been uniquely designed alongside professionals in the field to ensure that students have the knowledge and skills for successful, in-demand careers. This approach has paid off: This program ranked an impressive #2 in the UK and #11 in the QS World University Rankings: Masters in Supply Chain Management Rankings 2021.

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Logistics and Supply Chain Management | Royal Holloway University

1-Year Master of Science

Royal Holloway University’s one-year Master of Science in Logistics and Supply Chain Management (formerly International Supply Chain Management) gives students the tools and knowledge to manage both technology-based and traditional supply chains. Royal Holloway’s close ties with industry help shape course material and content, ensuring that it’s up-to-date and relevant. Students will learn from experts in the field, including senior academics and experienced practitioners, as well as CEOs and senior executives from a wide variety of industries. This course is accredited by the UK branch of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT).

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United States

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Business Administration with Operations and Logistics Management Emphasis | University of Findlay

4-Year Bachelor of Science

The University of Findlay’s four-year Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with Operations and Logistics Management teaches students to plan, design, implement, manage and support initiatives across all industries. With Findlay’s focus on experiential learning, students are encouraged to participate in internships to take what they’re learning in the classroom into the real world. They will also have the chance to work on projects for external clients, offering invaluable resume-building opportunities. Graduates will be ready to hit the ground running in careers in business operations, procurement, purchasing and inventory, warehousing, distribution, customer support, and transportation.

Rochester Institute of Technology campus

Supply Chain Management | Rochester Institute of Technology

4-Year Bachelor of Science

The four-year Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain Management is a New Economy Major at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Students can take advantage of advanced electives from the institute’s Kate Gleason College of Engineering to “enhance [their] knowledge of the integration of engineering and technology with problem-solving and organizational efficiency.” A four-month co-op work placement will give students the opportunity to put what they’ve learned in the classroom into practice in a real-world work environment. Students can also earn Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt certification through process improvement and project management.

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Supply Chain Management | Iowa State University

4-Year Bachelor of Science

Students enrolled in Iowa State University’s four-year Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain Management will have the opportunity to study courses in the three main areas of supply chain management: procurement, operations, and logistics. Students enrolled in this program will gain valuable insight into such important areas as purchasing, demand planning, warehouse management, inventory control, transportation management, information technology, material handling, and more. Iowa State’s Department of Supply Chain Management also participates in the university’s Master of Business Administration (MBA), PhD in Business and Technology programs, and interdepartmental Master of Science in Transportation.

Ready to study supply chain management abroad? Explore more top programs on ApplyBoard!

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