UMSL students can now pursue a master of science in supply chain analytics after the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development approved the new degree program. (Photo by August Jennewein)
The most successful businesses today must learn how to effectively and efficiently facilitate ordering, production, storage and distribution to satisfy the needs of their customers and gain an advantage on their competition.
The ability to analyze and manage those supply chains is in demand throughout the country and around the globe, and the University of Missouri–St. Louis is helping students develop that expertise.
The Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development recently approved UMSL’s plan to add a master of science in supply chain analytics degree to its range of degree offerings. Students can begin enrolling in the program immediately.
“Even before COVID-19, careers in supply chain and data analytics have been highly sought after by our students, and we’re committed to providing them with the training they need for success,” UMSL Provost Marie Mora said. “This new degree program goes beyond traditional supply chain management programs because it will produce citizen data scientists who are highly knowledgeable about how to apply analytical skills to supply chains. Given what we observed earlier this year with supply chain breakdowns across the country, this program is more important than ever to produce graduates who can bring their analytical expertise and innovation to businesses and other organizations throughout the St. Louis region and beyond.”
The MS in supply chain analytics is designed for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in business, economics, engineering or applied math and want to continue their education in the supply chain field. It is a 30-credit-hour STEM-designated program housed in the College of Business Administration as part of the Department of Supply Chain and Analytics. Classes will be available in both online and in-person formats.
The degree joins currently offered supply chain programs, including a BSBA with an emphasis in supply chain management, a graduate certificate in logistics and supply chain management and an MBA with an emphasis in logistics and supply chain management.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the supply chain field will grow over the next decade as supply chains become more complex and companies seek increasingly efficient designs.
“I would like to thank the College of Business Administration, UMSL leadership and the department’s advisory board for their strong support,” said Professor Haitao Li, chair of the department. “The launching of this new master of science program in supply chain analytics will further complete and strengthen the pipeline of programs the UMSL Supply Chain and Analytics Department offers – the most comprehensive in the state of Missouri. The uniqueness and edge we have here at UMSL is our ability to leverage the power of data-driven decision-making with the application domain of supply chains. Our new MS program cultivates the next generation of citizen data scientists who bridge the gap between a pure data scientist and a supply chain professional.”
