I am looking for a very specific MBA: one that focuses on using analytics to improve operational processes. It should have a healthy mix of supply chain/operations classes + at least some analytics electives. It seems like there's not a lot of overlap in these specializations.

There is the MBA at Georgia (Terry), which has concentrations in analytics and operations, but will let some students "design" their own concentrations in some circumstances. Although I'm not entirely sure about this school, since I was looking for something with a better position in the rankings.

Any advice to point me in the right direction would be appreciated.

Surely 'analytics' is simply operations research for the non-expert user? All SCM or operations MBA at top schools will focus on the quantitative approaches that will underpin these (http://find-mba.com/lists/top-business-school-by-speciality/top-business-schools-for-supply-chain-management). What's the point in teaching specific tools that will out out of date in two years?

Indeed, most of the best MBA programs in supply chain will have cover analytics topics fairly well, if that's what you're asking. The Wisconsin supply chain specialization has a number of classes in supply chain analytics, data, etc. Same thing with the Smeal program.

I wouldn't actually look for something that's ultra-specialized and puts a lot of attention into analytics, rather I'd just find a great program in supply chain.

Got it. So you don't see any point of finding something that offers dual specializations in supply chain and analytics? I found that Rutgers offers dual concentration and has options for the two fields. Another option I was playing around with was to take a bit more time and do a joint MBA/MS in supply chain, because in these programs they tend to go more in depth into analytics, or at least there's a bit more room for increased focus. The IU Kelley MBA/MS in Global Supply Chain Management looks pretty neat.

In general I think that Rutgers is a great choice for both supply chain and analytics.

That Kelley program is obviously more substantial, but really consider if you actually need a second degree. There are probably a lot of roles where the MS would add more value, but I think that for most managers, the second degree would probably be unnecessary.

UT Knoxville's MBA in supply chain management has a lot of overlap with business analytics. Also check out Tippie.

Knoxville is a great suggestion.

Usually, following schools are considered to be good in SCM in no particular order
-MIT (Sloan)
-Carnegie Mellon
-Michigan State (Broad)
-Uni of Mich (Ross)
-Penn State (Smeal)
-Arizona State (Carey)
-Ohio State (Fisher)
-Uni of Tennessee - Knoxville
-Purdue (Krannert)
-Uni of British Columbia (Canada)

However, most schools offering MBA have SCM concentration / specialization / focus / electives. In my Opinion, you'll be at an advantageous position getting your MBA from a top ~25 school (e.g NYU) than a SCM specialty school (UT Knoxville), even though NYU is known more for its strength in Finance.

Thanks everyone! A lot to chew on here. Yes, perhaps I should just aim at a top school like NYU rather than trying to specialize.

Hi, I know this is a bit late, but I wanted to chime in here as I work in Admissions for Rutgers. We do offer the ability to do a dual concentration and we offer both a Supply Chain and Analytics and Information Management concentration. Please reach out to me at [email protected] if you have any follow-up questions/concerns.