A student who completes their postgraduate studies in a specific field or has a professional practice in a specific area is awarded a master’s degree. The Masters in Supply Chain Management helps students learn about various nuances of logistics, marketing, customer relations, sourcing, and inventory management. All these specifics are necessary for the smooth operations of a business.

The duration of the Masters in Supply Chain Management in the USA is 9 months – 2 years, depending on the degree and the college you pick. The cost of pursuing a course in Supply Chain Management can range from USD 26,000 to USD 80,000 per annum. The master’s program also teaches students to manage resources and processes using the right technology. 

If you are one of those looking to pursue a Masters in Supply Chain Management, you can go through all the details to get admission into your dream university in the US. 

Why study Supply Chain Management in the USA? 

The courses in supply chain management in the USA are quite resourceful as they not only hone the students’ skills but also help advance them. Students can improve on skills like problem-solving, negotiation, and research. There are many advantages why you can study the course in the USA.

• Based on the US BLS, completing a master’s degree in supply chain management offers excellent career opportunities, and there can be an increase of 22% in the base salary. Also, the jobs for business operations are expected to rise by 7% and logistics by 5% by 2028. 
• The manufacturing industries in the US retain international students with an MS or MBA in supply chain management. The major sector includes the federal government, wholesale trading, and management companies. 
• The USA has more than 170 universities that offer various programs in supply chain management.
• One of the main reasons for pursuing a master’s in supply chain management in the US is that it allows students on an F1 visa to obtain a 24-month allowance when looking for a job there. 
• Studying in the US can also be cost-effective, as many universities offer scholarships and grants for international students.

Masters in Supply Chain Management in the USA: Course Highlights

Types of Masters in Masters in Supply Chain Management

Students who wish to pursue Masters in Supply Chain Management in the US will come across two types of Masters: MBA in Supply Chain Management and MS in Supply Chain Management. Let us find out more in detail about both these programs.

MBA in Supply Chain Management - MBA in Supply Chain Management is a Post Graduate course, and students can choose from a full-time or a part-time course. The course duration of these is 2 years. However, a few can be completed in a year, or it can take up to 3 years as well. GMAT or GRE is mandatory with a bachelor’s degree. The courses mostly focus on offering knowledge on the management of logistics or supply chain management business. 

MS in Supply Chain Management – Like the master’s, MS in Supply Chain Management is also a postgraduate course, and students can pick from full-time or part-time courses. The duration of these courses ranges between 9 months to 2 years, and GRE or GMAT is not mandatory for many MS courses. The courses focus on functional areas like planning, distribution, inventory, and quality control and help enhance the student’s understanding of supply chain management. 

Best Universities for Masters in Supply Chain Management in the USA

Masters in Supply Chain Management USA can be termed as a multi-disciplinary field. The courses thus combine ideas/concepts from industrial engineering, systems engineering, marketing, information technology, and operations management. 

Those planning to pursue MS or MBA in Supply Chain Management in the US can opt for the courses from the top universities listed below.

Michigan State University – Michigan State University offers MBA in Supply Chain Management. The MBA program focuses on theory and practical knowledge and is perfect for professionals seeking a career in logistics or supply chain companies. The course gives a better understanding of the concept and helps them design and execute their vision regarding the global supply chain. 

New York Institute of Technology – New York Institute of Technology offers an MBA in Operations & Supply Chain Management, and the course duration is 1.5 – 2 years. This course helps students to measure and add multifaceted supply chain systems within an organization. They can also predict or enhance the performance of the existing system. 

University of Pittsburgh – One of the top universities in the US, The University of Pittsburgh offers the MS in Supply Chain Management (STEM) program, which has a course duration of 1.5 years. The course is designed for students looking to advance their knowledge of supply chains and learn the technical skills required for logistics, consulting, sourcing, pricing, and inventory. 

University of South Dakota – University of Dakota offers an MBA in Operations and Supply Chain Management, with a course duration of 1.5 years. This is also known to be the best course in chain management as it helps international students learn various skills relevant to all those logistics or supply chain management industries. The study topics of this course include managerial finance, leadership development, strategic management, operational management, etc., to name a few.

Colorado Technical University – The University offers a 1.5 – 2 year MBA in Logistics Management course. The program is well-planned and offers students a thorough understanding of planning, operation, and management of business systems in various organizations. The course curriculum is well-balanced and trains the students in various skills required for business management.

Course Curriculum for Masters in Supply Chain Management in the USA 

Students who wish to pursue master’s courses in supply chain management in the USA must complete 30 credit hours or 10 courses. But first, let us look at the elective and core courses commonly included in the master’s program. 

The Core Courses – The core courses that add 18 credit hours include,  

• Supply Chain Logistics Management
• Supply Chain Management
• Supply Chain Analytics
• Applied Statistical Modeling
• Strategic Sourcing
• Operations Management

The Elective Courses – Students can pick 4 elective courses from the ones mentioned below that add up to the 12 credits. 

• Data Mining
• Enterprise Resource Planning 
• Computer Information System
• Product Development & Technology Management
• Business Intelligence
• Lean and Six Sigma
• Graduate Research
• Graduate Seminar
• Management Science

Eligibility Criteria for Masters in Supply Chain Management in the USA 

The eligibility criteria to get accepted into master’s programs in Supply Chain Management in the US are listed below. Students must fulfill the criteria to obtain admission into US universities. 

• A Bachelor’s Degree
• Having a Work Experience
• Scores of English Language Proficiency Tests
• GRE/GMAT Scores
• USA Student Visa

There might also be additional requirements, which can vary based on the course and the university. 

Admission Requirements for Masters in Supply Chain Management in the USA 

Admissions in US universities happen twice a year, during the fall and the spring. There are a few universities that offer summer semesters for Indian students. Students must decide which semester they would opt for and proceed with the admission process accordingly.

Every student needs to meet the eligibility criteria listed below. The English Language Proficiency Test scores required for admission can vary from one to another, and the same applies to GRE/GMAT scores. Apart from meeting the eligibility, the students must also prepare some documents. Let us have a look at them in detail.

• Certificates, transcripts, and mark sheets of earlier courses/institutions
• Two Letters of Recommendations (As you are applying for a master’s in supply chain management, a LOR from a person in the same industry can be of great help)
• Personal statement or SOP – This document needs to be prepared by the student and should list their goals, achievements, and the reasons why they chose the course and university
• US student Visa
• Proof of funding
• Proofs of Language Proficiency Tests / and other tests like the GRE, GMAT, or TOEFL

Admission Process for Masters in Supply Chain Management in the USA

• Getting admitted into the top universities to pursue your dream course will be hassle-free once you follow the steps mentioned below. 
• International students must first look out for the best universities that offer the course of their choice. Then, once you find the universities offering Masters in Supply Chain Management in the USA, shortlist the best out of them, and make a list. 
• Once you shortlist, visit the official websites of these universities, fill out the online application form, and pay the fee required for the application.
• Check all the required documents thoroughly and submit the same before the deadline.
• Once the documents are submitted, you must prepare for university interviews. 
• When the application is accepted, universities send you a formal email with details about the interview rounds. Then, finish the interview and wait for the results.
• When the interview is cleared, you will receive a university acceptance letter. 
• Once the letter is received, revert with your confirmation before the allocated time. 
• You will have to pay the tuition fee (details can be obtained in the email or on the official website) and apply for your US student visa.

Cost of Studying for Masters in Supply Chain Management in the USA

The overall cost of studying in the US includes your tuition fees and the cost of living.

Tuition fees – The exact tuition fees may vary based on your course fees and if you have any scholarship. However, it can cost between 34,700 USD – 104,990 USD per annum.  

Cost of living – Apart from the tuition fees, students need to consider the cost of living in the US. The average cost of living for an international student in the US is about USD 3,500 – USD 4,000 monthly. These are the expenses incurred for rent, electricity, transport, food, gas, and groceries. 

Scholarships and Financial Aid for Masters in Supply Chain Management in the USA 

Most universities offer scholarships based on the merit of the students. However, there are other kinds of scholarships that students can avail of.

Merit scholarships – These scholarships are given to students with outstanding academic scores.

Need-based scholarships – These scholarships are available for students based on their financial status. 

Tuition fee discounts – Tuition fee discounts or waivers can be obtained as partial or complete, and this discount only applies to the course’s tuition fees. This is one of the most common scholarships provided for international students.

Students can also earn a scholarship stipend via a teaching, research, or graduate assistantship. 

Career Opportunities after Masters in Supply Chain Management in the USA

Pursuing a course in Supply Chain Management in the US will open various job opportunities for the students. The details of the job role and the average salary are listed in a tabular format. However, it is important to note that getting the right job with the right pay always depends on the merit and skill of the students.

The demand for supply chain analysts and managers is witnessing very stable growth. Hence, students can be positive that they are making a wise career choice. Therefore, make sure to find the best university to complete your Masters in Supply Chain Management, and take the first step toward your dream career.