Frequently Asked Questions

• What is supply chain management?
• Why is supply chain management important?
• Is supply chain management for me?
• What are the requirements for the major?
• Should I select supply chain management as a single major, or incorporate into a double major program?
• What type of jobs do students get, and what are the career paths?

What is supply chain management?

A supply chain is two or more parties linked by a flow of goods, information, and/or money. There are parts of a supply chain within organizations (e.g., flow between sanding and painting departments) and between organizations (e.g., Intel and Dell). Supply chain management, then, is the management of flows. Supply chain management is also known as logistics management, though some people argue that there are differences. Here is the longer answer.

Why is supply chain management important?

Two main reasons – money and opportunity. In the US about 10 percent of gross domestic product, or almost $1 trillion, is spent on supply chain activities. Advances in information technology (IT) and the expanding IT infrastructure are introducing new possibilities to improve service and efficiencies, and given the amount of money at stake, the opportunities are high. Some people view the IT tools that underlie supply chain management as the backbone of e-commerce.

Is supply chain management for me?

Characteristics that tend to match well with the area are: (1) tolerant of change, (2) enjoy problem solving, (3) interested in information technology, (4) strong analytical and people skills.

What are the requirements for the major?

Here are details for the undergraduate degree and the masters degree.

Should I select supply chain management as a single major, or incorporate into a double major program?

With the exception of students who have a deep interest in the field, we recommend combining SCM with a functional major (e.g., accounting, finance, marketing, MIS). If you plan your courses wisely, you may double major with the same total credits as a single major program. As you plan your program, be aware that you cannot double count courses between two majors.

What type of jobs do students get, and what are the career paths?

Here is basic information on the types of industries and some companies who hire our students. You might also be interested in the career paths of alumni.