Purchasing managers are in charge of buyers and purchasing agents, who purchase goods for companies to use or sell.
A career in purchasing management requires a degree. Keep reading to discover top purchasing degree programs for aspiring purchasing managers.
Top Purchasing Degree Programs for Aspiring Purchasing Managers
Most purchasing managers earn degrees in business administration, supply chain, and logistics. We've broken down these degree options below.
Business Administration Degrees
Business administration degrees are common degrees available at the associate, bachelor's, and master's levels.
They often allow you to concentrate on specific business areas, like accounting, finance, management, and marketing.
We've listed some of the top schools for business administration below.
1. Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University is a private research university in Pittsburgh, PA. It offers business programs through its Tepper School of Business.
Students can earn a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and choose from eight concentrations, including business analytics and marketing management.
Courses in the curriculum include:
- Advanced Data Management
- Business, Society, and Ethics
- Supply Chain Management
- Strategic Management and Innovation
Students can earn a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with 13 concentrations. It includes courses like:
- Ethics and Leadership
- Managerial Economics
- Marketing Management
- Statistical Decision Making
The MBA program is available as a 21-month full-time program, a 24-month part-time accelerated program, or a 32-month online hybrid program.
2. Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston, IL. Its Kellogg School of Management offers MBA programs.
Students can choose to focus on general business or select one of eight majors in areas like operations, strategy, managing organizations, and management science.
The degree includes courses such as:
- Business Strategy
- Marketing Management
- Microeconomic Analysis
- Operations Management
This degree is available as a one-year or two-year degree. The two-year option requires summer work experience.
3. University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private research university in Los Angeles, CA. It offers business degrees through its Marshall School of Business.
Undergraduate students can earn a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Nine concentrations are available, including business analytics and leadership and innovation.
This program includes courses like:
- Marketing Fundamentals
- Operations Management
- Organizational Behavior and Leadership
- Statistics and Data Science for Business
A Master of Business Administration is also available. Courses in this program include:
- Contemporary Issues in Competitive Global Strategy
- Data Science for Business
- Organizational Behavior and Leadership
- Problem Solving and Decision Making: An Integrated Approach
The MBA is offered as a full-time, two-year program, a part-time, 33-month program, a 22-month executive program, and a 21-month online program.
Supply Chain and Logistics Degrees
Degrees in supply chain and logistics study how to most efficiently get products from manufacturing into the customers' hands.
These degrees are typically available as supply chain management bachelor's degrees. We've listed some of the top schools for supply chain and logistics degrees below.
There are also supply chain management master's degrees available for those looking to further their education.
1. Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university in Tempe, AZ. It offers several degree programs for supply chain and logistics through the W.P. Carey School of Business.
At the undergraduate level, students can earn a Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain Management. This degree is available on campus or online. Courses include:
- Business Law and Ethics for Managers
- Global Supply Chain Management
- Logistics Management
- Planning and Control Systems for Supply Chain Management
A Master of Science in Supply Chain Management is also available on campus or online. It includes courses like:
- Advanced Supply Chain Planning and Control
- Operations Planning and Execution
- Supplier Management and Negotiation
- Strategic Procurement
Additionally, a Master of Science in Global Logistics is available as well. Courses in this program include:
- Decision Models for Supply Chain Management
- Descriptive and Predictive Supply Chain Analytics
- Operations and Supply Chain Management
- Supply Chain Cost and Design Issues
The global logistics degree is only available on campus.
2. Bellevue University
Bellevue University is a private university in Bellevue, NE. It offers a few different options for supply chain and logistics degrees.
Students can earn a Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain and Logistics Management or a Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain, Transportation, and Logistics Management.
Both programs are available on campus or online and include courses like:
- Decision-Making in a Global Environment
- Emerging Trends in Supply Chain and Logistics Management
- Global Procurement and Strategic Sourcing
- Supply Chain Management Financial, Economics, Capital, Cash, and Legal Considerations
At the graduate level, students can earn a Master of Science in Supply Chain Management. It requires 30 credits with courses such as:
- Essentials of Supply Chain Management in a Global Environment
- Management of Supply Chain Operations
- Regulation and Ethics for International Business
- Supply Chain Risk Management and Disruption
The master's degree is only available online and is not offered on campus.
3. Ohio State University
Ohio State University is a public research university in Columbus, OH. It offers logistics and supply chain management degrees through its Fisher College of Business.
Students can earn a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a specialization in logistics management. It includes courses like:
- Building a Sustainable Supply Chain
- Logistics and Supply Chain Analytics
- Logistics and Supply Chain Decision-making
- Supply Chain Management
An online Master of Supply Chain Management is also available. It includes courses such as:
- Consumer-Centric Supply Chain Management
- Contemporary Supply Chain Issues
- Supply Chain Analytics
- Supply Chain Sustainability & Resilience
The master's program is offered on a 15-month schedule and a 24-month schedule. Though the program is online, students will still need to appear on campus for three separate experiences.
FAQs About Purchasing Degree Programs for Aspiring Purchasing Managers
Find the answers to frequently asked questions about purchasing degree programs for aspiring managers.
How Long Are Degree Programs to Become a Purchasing Manager?
Bachelor's degree programs for purchasing managers typically take four years, while master's degree programs average about two.
Can I Take a Degree Program to Become a Purchasing Manager Online?
Some schools, including a few listed above, offer online degree programs to help you become a purchasing manager.
What Level of Degree Do I Need to Become a Purchasing Manager?
Most purchasing managers need at least a bachelor's degree, though some employers may require a master's.
Find Purchasing Degree Programs for Aspiring Purchasing Managers
Aspiring purchasing managers can pursue degrees in business administration logistics and supply chain management. Check out the programs listed above to get started today!
