UIC launches new graduate degree in supply chain management

Chicago is a hub for the movement of goods on a local, national and international scale. (Photo: Fan Wang)

Applications are now being accepted for the new master of science in supply chain and operations management launched by the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Business Administration Liautaud Graduate School. The graduate degree program will begin classes on the UIC campus in spring 2019.

“The creation of the master of science in supply chain and operations management degree is a reflection of our commitment to empower students with a dynamic, proven business education, and an immersive city experience full of opportunities that reflect today’s demanding and changing business environment,” said Michael Mikhail, dean of the College of Business Administration. “Furthermore, our students receive the key combination of innovative curriculum and world-class faculty instruction at a value price point to yield a high-value return on investment.”

The UIC Business master of science in supply chain and operations management is a 32-credit-hour program that includes 16 hours of required courses and 16 credit hours of electives. The goal is to provide functional knowledge in the areas of integrating analytical modeling approaches; enterprise systems; data, analytics and business intelligence; and developing leadership skills within a global context.

“Enterprises are seeking supply chain professionals having a confluence of skill sets in the areas of data and analytics, enterprise systems and technology, and domain knowledge of supply chain functions and related operational processes,” says Matthew Liotine, UIC clinical associate professor of information and decision sciences.

“Aligning with the present trends, we designed the UIC master of science in supply chain and operations management degree program to fulfill the staffing needs of firms seeking individuals having these skills and this kind of knowledge base.”

The program is designed to prepare students for varied work roles, from supply chain planner to manager; logistics coordinator; pricing analyst; procurement specialist; and quality officer, among others.

It develops a strong background for supply chain and operations roles in a range of fields, including manufacturing, transportation and logistics, retail, distribution, to pharmaceutical and personal products, health and medical, and food and software systems. As an innovative hub for logistics, UIC is one of only 11 universities in the U.S. named a SAP Next-Gen Chapter, empowering students with technology best practices and future-focused insights.

The curriculum features courses in supply chain management, global sourcing and logistics, and applied supply chain strategy and practice. It also incorporates a practicum capstone experience course where students work with a client organization to resolve supply chain and operations issues.

The prerequisites to apply include at least one course in managerial statistics or equivalent. Undergraduates with a business degree are welcome to apply, as well as working professionals looking to enhance their skills and capabilities in this field.

Those who have completed an eligible UIC undergraduate degree might also qualify for preferred admission, waiving the need for taking a standardized graduate exam, Liotine said. Some additional perks include certifications and recognitions that can be obtained depending on the courses taken.

UIC Business graduate students study in the heart of Chicago, a major supply chain and operations hub, with many leading companies in close proximity.

According to an article resulting from a 2015 report of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, the region’s “connectedness” makes metropolitan Chicago a hub for the movement of goods on a local, national and international scale, with an estimated $1.3 trillion in goods moving into and out of the region each year.  The region’s diverse set of industries trade roughly $365 billion in goods with domestic partners and $245 billion in goods internationally.

Applications are currently being accepted for the spring and fall semesters. For more information, to attend an information session or speak to a recruiter, visit the master of science in supply chain and operations management website.

All business programs are accredited by AACSB, the top accreditation organization for business schools; only about 5 percent of the business schools worldwide — including about 30 percent of U.S. business schools — have this distinction.

ABOUT UIC BUSINESS

At UIC Business, we transform student potential into success and connect students to Chicago’s living classroom. Rated among the top 20 percent of AACSB-accredited business schools in the country and among the top 10 ‘Best Value’ universities according to the Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education, UIC Business utilizes our world-renowned research faculty and 35,000-strong alumni network to provide a proven business education to more than 3,200 undergraduates and nearly 900 graduate students. UIC Business faculty empower students with real-world skills and professional experiences that add up to a high value return on investment. Find out more at business.uic.edu.