Hi, I am interested in pursuing an MBA with a concentration in the field of Supply Chain Management, preferably in the US. I know, this is a highly specialized field (under Operations Management) and not all schools offer this program. These are my choices. Anyone who knows about SCM, please help me out! Thank you!

1. University of Michigan (Master of Supply Chain Management) - A 1-year master's program housed in Michigan's Business School (Ross). With internship

2. Georgia Tech (MBA major in Operations Management) - OM major, but GT has a Supply Chain and Logistics Institute (http://www.tli.gatech.edu/).

3. Rochester Institute of Technology (MBA major in Supply Chain Management) - Can be completed in a little less than 2 years. Can major in 2 concentrations. Not so sure about its reputation outside the NY region.

4. Arizona State University (MBA major in Supply Chain Management) - One of the better-known schools in the field of SCM.

5. University of Cincinnati (MBA major in Operations Management) - Can be completed in 15 months, and this includes an internship! The business school has a research center in Supply Chain Management (www.business.uc.edu/supplychain).

6. Northwestern University, Kellogg School (MBA major in Operations Management) - Unless I get a stellar GMAT score, I won't apply to this great school! It also has a Center in Supply Chain Management.

There it is, the list of the 6 schools I researched on (in the USA) which offers programs in Supply Chain Management; I don't plan to add to this list - it will add to the confusion! I should narrow it down to 3 or 4. Please help me, if there's anyone knowledgeable on SCM! I plan to pursue a PhD afterwards (also in SCM), so a good background in the said field is necessary.

Thanks a lot!

Raul

Hi Raul,

Just a quick question before I think in more detail about the issues above: Am I correct in thinking that INSEAD - as mentioned in your other post, but not included here - would be your preferred choice?

Either way, my initial feeling is that a degree from INSEAD would probably be better than from one of the above. I understand your preference for SCM, but at this point I think it would be a better idea to choose somewhere that offers an SCM or OM option, while allowing you do develop other areas, too. That way you can focus on your preferred area whilst at the same time gaining some useful general stuff. I'm sure that'll be even more attractive for prospective employers. In any case, if supply chain management is your thing (and who knows, maybe after the MBA you'll have found something else that peaks your interest), you still have the option of taking it further if/when you do the PhD, at which point you'll have the advantage of a greater knowledge-base complementing your specialist knowledge.

Hi lukeh,

The above list is only US schools. In Europe, INSEAD is their Harvard over there, however, upon checking its website, it doesn't offer a concentration/specialization in SCM, which defeats my purpose of having some business background WITH an SCM specialization. And as of now, INSEAD doesn't offer a lot of electives in OM/SCM. This is the link. http://www.insead.edu/mba/learning_at_insead/tom.cfm
But who knows, that may change in the near future?

Yes, you're right, an MBA with an SCM/OM concentration is a more viable option than a very specific SCM degree, so that at least I could develop other areas. In my list, if I had to pick a few, I'd choose Georgia Tech, Arizona State (excellent SCM department), and Northwestern. All these universities have great business schools and MBA programs, not to mention Centers in SCM.

Thanks a lot for your opinion!

Consider Michigan State University. The Full Time MBA offers a concentration in Supply Chain and there is also a MS in Supply Chain. www.bus.msu.edu.

Thanks, declercq! I will put that in consideration.. I've modified my list after some research.. It still includes Michigan and Arizona State, though. I've placed Cornell (Operations Management MBA) because I like the location (Ithaca, New York), North Carolia - Chapel Hill (MBA in Global Supply Chain Management), and Syracuse.

Placed out Georgia Tech, Rochester Tech, Cincinnati (not much of a brand name - it matters, really, even just a bit), and Northwestern (chose Cornell over this school).

Thanks again, I'll research more on Michigan State!

You may also want to check Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. They have a wonderful program that companies such as Heinz and Del Monte Foods pull from.

http://mba.sustainability.duq.edu/program/concentrations.asp

Thanks a lot for the suggestion! I'll check it out..