Bachelor’s Degree in Logistics: Schools & Careers

The majority of the courses offered in a logistics and supply chain management undergraduate degree program are provided through classroom lectures, written assignments, and seminars. Some universities even offer the majority of their logistics courses online. Students are encouraged to participate in an internship or work co-op to obtain the real-world experience necessary to gain a position in the business field. As with most 4-year universities, colleges offering bachelor's degree programs in logistics typically require applicants to have standardized test scores. Before enrolling in a logistics program, students must complete general education courses, such as college mathematics, composition, English, and economics.

The courses in a logistics bachelor's degree program focus on both business theories and practicalities. Some examples include:

• Marketing theory and practice
• Business law
• Transportation management
• Service management
• Strategic management
• Business planning
• Logistics systems analysis
• Tourism logistics
• Advanced supply chain management

Some of the best schools specializing in logistics include:

• Michigan State University
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
• Arizona State University
• University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
• Pennsylvania State University, University Park
• Ohio State University
• Carnegie Mellon University
• Perdue University, West Lafayette
• Stanford University
• The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

These listings are for MBA or post-graduate education, but the schools listed also have a logistics bachelor's degree or other undergraduate degrees in supply chain/logistics programs.

Career Options

There are a few different types of positions available for graduates of a bachelor's degree program related to logistics. The most common type of position available is a management position. A bachelor's of logistics includes positions that can have a range of titles, however, including:

Retail Buyer or Merchandiser

This position requires thorough purchasing knowledge for sourcing, both domestic and international.

Logistics Manager

This position requires a thorough knowledge of warehousing and transportation.

Cost Analyst

A cost analyst reviews historical and future pricing of commodities to make sure profitability targets are met.

Contract or Procurement Manager

A contract and procurement manager must have the training and background to establish domestic and international contracts with enforcement provisions if necessary.

Global Distribution Manager or Inventory Control Specialist

Distribution and inventory control covers a vast area of knowledge in transportation and inventory turnover. Distribution and inventory control involves the product in transit and the timing of shipments and receipts. Global distribution requires formal contracts and agreements are in place to ensure consistency.

Production Coordinator

Production coordination is critical to the efficiency of a manufacturing environment. Analyzing Work In Process (WIP) inventory to meet shipment schedules is a vital function of this position.

Specializations

One can expand one's career in logistics in multiple ways. One can specialize in the following elements of supply chain management and logistics.

• Product life cycle
• Allocation of materials, supplies, and products
• Development of business relationships with suppliers and clients
• Understand client expectations and how to meet them
• Review logistics functions and how to improve them
• Traffic; domestic and international transportation
• Propose strategies for cost reduction and overall logistic flow improvement
• Develop inventory management plans
• Setup systems for purchasing, inventory control, production control, warehousing, and shipment

Certifications

Many logistics organizations certify individuals in particular fields and offer initial and ongoing training in the logistics area of one's choice. One example is the APICS (American Production and Inventory Control Society).

APICS was founded in 1957 and has evolved. As a result, the current acronym one might expect is CPIM, which stands for Certified in Production and Inventory Management. The target skills one can obtain from this certification are:

• CPIM (Certified in Production and Inventory Management)
  • Demonstrating competency in production and inventory management
  • Improving one's hiring potential and salary
  • Proving mastery of concepts, strategies, and terminologies
  • Improving internal operations and increasing customer satisfaction
  • Demonstrating a commitment to improving company operations as well as one's career
• CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional)
  • This certification demonstrates knowledge of essential technology, concepts, and strategies in today's extended supply chains.
• CLTD (Certified in Logistics, Transportation, and Distribution)
  • This certification proves that one has the knowledge to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of logistics, transportation, distribution, order management, distribution inventory management, and warehouse management.

A bachelor's of logistics background can open the complex world of manufacturing, material handling, storage, and transportation. Establishing a good foundation allows one to choose many satisfying but complex paths.

As a beginner in logistics, one could accept intern positions while they are in school. This approach allows one to appreciate and absorb the complex world of material creation and movement.

FAQ's

• What is involved in a logistics degree?

Many logisticians have a bachelor's degree in business, systems engineering, or supply chain management.

• What characteristics make a good logistician?

Skills in communication, critical thinking, customer service, organization structure, and problem-solving.

• Are technical skills required?

Logistics relies greatly on system knowledge. There are multiple ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems like NetSuite and SAP. Understanding the basics of planning and inventory control make utilization of these systems more effective. WMS (Warehouse Management Systems) programs are also available from some major software organizations like Oracle.

• What courses should I take for logistics?

Some of the relevant courses are in operations and database management, system dynamics, tracking technologies (barcodes and RFID's (Radio Frequency Identification)), inventory management, and transportation. Business courses relating to inventory management and mathematics courses in planning are also beneficial.

Employment Outlook and Salary Information

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects employment growth of 3% for business operations specialists, transportation, and material moving workers from 2019-2029. Average growth of 4% is expected for logisticians during the same decade, and the mean annual salary for this career was $74,750 in May 2019. (Logisticians include analyzing an overview of a company's purchasing, material storage, distribution, traffic, inventory management, and overall supply chain management.) The median 2019 annual pay for purchasing managers was $69,600, and employment is projected to decline by 7% from 2019 to 2029.

Continuing Education Options

There are many master's degree programs for students interested in continuing their studies in logistics. Most graduate programs in the subject allow students to focus on a particular aspect of logistics and management and have titles such as a Master of Science in Global Logistics, Master of Business Administration in Supply Chain/Logistics, or a Master of Science in Supply Chain Management. The programs can last anywhere from 1-2 years and include advanced business and operations management courses. They also typically require completing a thesis paper or project that analyzes a particular business strategy or principle.

Students who earn a bachelor's degree in logistics will learn more about business, management, and operations. Graduates can pursue careers as production coordinators, cost analysts, global distribution managers, and more.