Online Bachelors in Logistics and Supply Chain Management

An online bachelor’s in logistics supply chain management helps you gain the critical skills needed to create a sustainable, efficient supply chain. Learn how these skills can help you plan and monitor the movement of supplies, services, and goods. Use this Campus Explorer guide to find career opportunities, average salaries, and popular courses related to logistics and supply chain management.

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What Is an Online Bachelor’s in Logistics and Supply Chain Management?

Supply chain management and logistics both describe a field that focuses on the production, movement, and distribution of products in a business setting. Common tasks for a professional in this industry include purchasing equipment, maintaining databases, and monitoring inventory levels.

Explore courses related to this crucial field to find a career that’s right for you. Here are some common courses that may be part of your online bachelor’s degree program:

International business
Procurement and supplier relations
Inventory management
Business research and analysis
Supply chain management
Sustainable operations

These courses cover a broad range of skills and knowledge can prepare you for a variety of roles in the industry. Improve your application or advance in your career as an operations manager, purchasing agent, supply chain manager, logistics analyst, or other related role.

As you prepare for a bachelor’s degree in logistics and supply chain management, consider the skills that can help you succeed. Monitoring supply chains and managing logistics requires attention to detail, professional communication skills, and an understanding of computer software related to the industry.

Find out if earning a bachelor’s degree is the right career step for you. Many engineering and management positions require a BA degree to apply. A degree may strengthen your application to other positions or give you the leverage you need to request a raise in your current role.

Consider an online course for the pace and style of study that best fits your personality. An online BA program typically offers accelerated, full-time, and part-time options to fit your schedule. You may be able to earn your degree without quitting your job with a part-time program. An accelerated program can help you jump-start your career in as little as 36 months.

How Much Does a Bachelor’s in Logistics and Supply Chain Management Cost?

An online bachelor’s in logistics supply chain management costs, on average, $36,000 to $64,000, according to U.S. News. This puts the per-credit cost between $300 and $500.

This price can vary considerably depending on the fees, tuition rates for in- and out-of-state students, and other factors. Some programs cost considerably more than $64,000, while others can be more affordable or even fully funded.

Online courses typically cost less than on-campus alternatives. They can also be more convenient. To attend an on-campus program, you’re limited to the schools in your city or local area unless you’re willing to relocate for four years. Take an online course from a reputable college anywhere in the nation. You don’t need to move, and you can even take courses part-time if you don’t wish to leave your job.

Average Salary for a Bachelor’s in Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Your expected salary with a bachelor’s degree in logistics and supply chain management varies depending on your chosen career path and level of experience. Bachelor of Science degree holders in this field earn a median salary of about $65,500, according to PayScale.

Purchasing agents, managers, and buyers had a higher median pay in 2020 of approximately $72,300, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, or BLS. Logisticians earned a median pay of about $76,300 in 2020, while distribution managers earned approximately $96,400.

All of these careers typically require a bachelor’s degree as part of your entry-level education. Some require previous work experience in the industry, but a BA degree may be all you need to apply for a position.

Most logistics and supply chain management positions are full-time, and many have overtime opportunities to keep up with a fast-paced industry. You can work in this industry in government, non-profit, retail, wholesale, or manufacturing facilities.

What Is the Job Outlook for Bachelor’s in Logistics and Supply Chain Management Degree Holders?

The number of logisticians in the industry is expected to grow by 4% between 2019 and 2029, according to BLS. The number of purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents is expected to decline by 7%, so it’s more important to have a competitive application in these roles.

If you’re passionate about improving processes and helping businesses streamline their production, then this degree may be right for you. As a successful graduate in logistics and supply chain management can work in a variety of settings to assist a single business or multiple businesses in improving the efficiency and safety of their organization.

Once you complete your course of studies and receive a job in the field, you can expect a competitive salary working as a manager, purchasing agent, or other role in the industry. Some logistics roles offer remote work opportunities, while many require you to be in an office or on the shop floor directing and monitoring daily operations.

Courses in Bachelor’s in Logistics and Supply Chain Management

An online bachelor’s in logistics supply chain management program offers flexible course options. If you know the specific career you wish to pursue, you can take courses focused on that role. Otherwise, take a broad range of courses to prepare for an unknown career in this industry.

The specific courses you’re required to take vary between programs. Some programs offer concentrations to specialize in a particular aspect of logistics, while others offer a more general approach. Here are some key courses that may be required to earn your degree:

Inventory management
Principles of supply chain
Business research and analysis
Sustainable operations
Supply chain management
Supply chain risk and compliance
International business

These courses focus on a range of specific skills, theories, and facets of the industry that you may need to be a successful manager or purchasing agent. Learn more about each step in the supply chain, theories of proper management, and research skills to discover new ways to improve operations.

In addition to courses related to your career ambitions, you’ll also need to take general courses in science, literature, communication, math, and history. These courses seek to provide a well-rounded education for your personal and professional life.

FAQs on Bachelor’s in Logistics and Supply Chain Management

What Jobs Require a Bachelor’s in Logistics and Supply Chain Management?

You typically need a bachelor’s degree to apply for a position as an operations manager, purchasing agent, logistics analyst, or distribution manager. Because these positions can be competitive and aren’t expecting a large growth percentage between 2019 and 2029, a bachelor’s degree is even more important for strengthening your application.

Some positions won’t review any candidates without at least a bachelor’s degree. Others are willing to accept applications, but may not prioritize applicants without degrees. Invest your time in a quality online degree to move ahead in your career or launch a new career in logistics.
There are other career opportunities that may not require a degree, but where one can be beneficial. If you’re interested in a position as a C-level professional or manager of a large corporation, a degree in logistics may be helpful for your application. This training gives you a unique perspective in how a business coordinates supplies and delivers goods.

Does a Bachelor’s in Logistics and Supply Chain Management Offer Good Job Prospects?

Competitive salaries and fulfilling work are benefits that can make many logistics and supply chain management positions great career options. Choose to pursue a role in this industry if you’re passionate about improving systems and creating efficient supply chains.

These positions can be very rewarding if you’re looking for ways to promote company-wide change. Graduates can become managers, purchasing agents, and other professionals who find inefficiencies in a company. You may be responsible for creating a safer, more affordable, and more convenient workplace for dozens or hundreds of employees.

A competitive salary for many of the related roles also makes this degree program a great option. If you wish to earn a stable income, a job in supply chain management and logistics may be right for you.

The skills you learn in this bachelor’s degree program can help you succeed in a number of business positions. If you’re not passionate about procurement or organizational strategies, you may be able to work in other, similar roles in a company. Explore your career options as you take electives and tailor your degree to fit your passions.

What Are the Different Fields of Bachelor’s in Logistics and Supply Chain Management?

Common specializations in this major include sales, procurement, production, recovery, and recycling logistics. Supply chain managers monitor the production, shipment, and distribution of components. Logisticians work in engineering, transportation, defense, or other industries to analyze data and make decisions about many aspects of a product life cycle.

Sales and procurement professionals develop relationships with suppliers to receive the materials, parts, and services that go into a product before the final product is complete. As a procurement manager, it will be your responsibility to negotiate contracts and connect with suppliers to ensure your facility can continue to deliver products to meet deadlines.

You can also work as an analyst in the supply chain and logistics industry. As an analyst, you may be employed by a single company or may contract with multiple companies in a single industry. Your job will be to inspect the supply chain and identify inefficiencies, inconsistencies or other issues before proposing solutions.

How Long Does It Take To Get a Bachelor’s in Logistics and Supply Chain Management Degree?

Most on-campus degrees require four years to complete, but online programs can be completed in 36-48 months. A previous degree or completed college courses can shorten the timeline. Most programs require you to complete 120 credits, but these credits can be completed in a number of ways to shorten or lengthen the time until you graduate.

For example, many institutions accept transfer credits. If you already have an associate’s degree or first bachelor’s degree, then some of those credits may apply to your logistics and supply chain management degree.

Many online programs offer accelerated degree options. In an accelerated program, you can work quickly to complete your degree in as little as 36 months. This allows you to get started a year or more before other students, giving you more time to develop real-world experience and receive on-the-job training.

If you’re already working in the field and can’t take time off to become a full-time student, consider completing your degree as a part-time student. As a part-time student, you typically have up to seven years to complete the required credits.

What Does a Bachelor’s in Logistics and Supply Chain Management Program Curriculum Typically Include?

Prepare to take courses in business, management, principles of supply chain, risk and compliance, and supplier relations as part of your BA program. Add elective courses to personalize your program and dive into general education classes to expand your knowledge base.

As a logistics and supply chain management student, you’ll expand your knowledge of business operations and the movement of products and materials. Use this knowledge to connect with suppliers, organize new supply chains, or improve logistics in a number of facilities in your local area.

Popular concentrations include supply chain management, sales logistics, and procurement
Programs usually take between 26 and 48 months to complete
Degree can be completed fully or partially online
Accelerated, standard, and part-time study options available for supply chain management and logistics

Offers opportunities in a number of business industries
Prepares students for a wide variety of careers in logistics
Provides essential training for purchasing agents, supply chain managers, and other management positions
Can be completed in as little as 36 months

Programs can cost as little as $36,000
Many scholarships are associated with this program
Degree costs vary considerably from school to school and program to program

Online Bachelor's in Logistics and Supply Chain Management Degree Programs