What makes our society tick? Is it the far reach of social media? Maybe. Or is it the ability to have whatever you want to arrive at your doorstep with a click or tap? Possibly.
However, if you look deeper at the nitty-gritty of everyday life, you will soon find out everything is tightly wound together in a meticulously detailed system called logistics.
Logistics is the general term for the management of products and transportation between a point of origin and the end of a line.
No doubt you’ve seen massive ocean tankers traveling for miles on the ocean, carrying tons of cargo. But where is it going? It’s safe for many to assume that once those giant vessels of materials and resources are out of your sight, you usually stop thinking about their journey.
But where did they come from? Having an intimate knowledge and view of logistics answers that question for your inquiring mind.
If you are a person who is fascinated by problem-solving, inventory control, and general management, logistic degrees online may be your ticket to a successful career.
We are going to examine some of the top academic institutions that offer solid programs in logistics, as well as some noteworthy careers to keep in mind during your time of study.
Where Are the Best Online Degree Programs for Logistics?
Where does one start in the field of logistics? It seems like a broad set of concentrations and sectors. Luckily for you, there are a slew of different degrees online that could help net you a job as a logistics, inventory, or distribution manager. You will finally find out just where those mysterious tankers come from, where they are going, and what they are hauling.
Logistics is closely tied with business, as both fields deal with the concept of a supply chain consisting of stops and checkpoints. Through knowledge in logistics, you will be able to see how detailed and meticulous moving a product from China to Wisconsin can be.
This path is perfect if you are fresh out of high school, and the big bad world of going to college is staring you right in the face. Picking a major can be a daunting task if you aren’t sure what you want to do with your life.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, logisticians can expect a 5 percent job growth well into the next decade, and those employed in this field earn a median salary of about $74,750 per year. This is a solid career path because supply chains are vital in the inner workings of the global economy – which is not going anywhere.
The states with the most positions for logisticians are:
- California
- Texas
- Illinois
- New Jersey
- Michigan
You can find the highest paying logistician jobs in:
- Washington, D.C.
- Alaska
- Delaware
- Maryland
- Washington
It should be no surprise major cities like New York and Jersey enjoy the most benefits from the logistics field. Big cities have the infrastructure to support the transport of goods. So, metropolitan areas are ideal to set up shop in terms of careers in logistics and supply chain management.
However, not everyone can just pack up and leave their home state. Know that if you are one of them, there are online options. Acquiring an online logistics degree can also be a fantastic choice for returning college students.
Many of these institutions allow for the transfer of credits and transfer students from other regionally accredited institutions and allow you to get an online bachelor’s degree in supply chain management and logistics.
Let’s narrow the field a bit more to give you a better idea of where you should go if you are interested in a career in logistics. Here are some of the top logistics degrees online that offer comprehensive education and fantastic training experiences to make you a master.
Best Schools for Online Logistics Degrees
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
UMass at Amherst offers an online business management degree at its Isenberg School of Management. This degree is completely earned online and has a strong concentration in logistics. The school offers five different majors: Accounting, Finance, Management, Marketing, and Operations & Information Management.
These components make up all of the main moving parts in logistics, so obtaining a degree here can score you a prestigious job. Not only that, the school lays the foundation for you to learn information technology (IT) and project management.
The Isenberg School of Management requires online students to complete 10 to 12 general education and business courses (Isenberg Core Courses). Students will take classes like Business Policy and Strategy, Quality Management, Information & Project Management, and Corporate Finance to earn their degree.
These courses are solid introductions to what you can do within the field of logistics. Students will learn how businesses utilize supply chains and product management. Overall, students will be completing 120 credit hours to earn their degree at Umass Amherst.
Those worried about financing their college career, don’t fret! UMass Amherst allows for financial aid and has a flexible payment program. Potential applicants must also have at least 27 transferable credits, and a solid GPA of at least 3.0 to be considered for the online major.
University of Massachusetts is ranked #64 in National Universities by the US News World Report.
State residents of Massachusetts can be expected to pay around $16,389; out-of-state tuition for students is approximately $35,710.
Temple University
Located in the city of brotherly love, Philadelphia, Temple University is a world-renowned school of medicine. But that’s not the only field in which they dominate other schools. Temple has a fantastic business program located at the Fox School of Business and Management. There, they offer a business administration degree with a specific focus on logistics and supply chain management.
By the time students complete their 124-credit hour Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Supply Chain Management, they will be experts in business acumen, the general flow of goods, and more.
Students will recognize every step in the supply chain process as there is an important emphasis on marketing and product design. Students will familiarize themselves with the concepts of worldwide logistics, supply and demand, global product performance, and net value.
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The school offers chock full of seminars, workshops, and career fairs to give business students a much-needed advantage after graduation. Temple emphasizes the creation of products, making sure students end up in the right hands through effective marketing.
Students will focus on Global Entrepreneurship, Inventory and Warehouse Management, Principles of Supply Chain Management, Sourcing and Procurement, and Transportation and Logistics Management. Furthermore, they will dedicate 60 credits to business foundation classes.
According to the US News World Report, Temple University is ranked #104 in National Universities.
Pennsylvania state residents will pay about $20,616.00 per year, while out-of-state students can expect to pay about $37,608.00 per year.
Portland State University
Portland State University (PSU) is an institution that offers a staggering amount of undergraduate degrees to its students. Their supply and logistics management program consists of 180 credit hours. It teaches students all they need to know about the ins and outs of logistics.
Some classes that students will need to include Research and Analysis of Business Problems, Organizational Behavior, Business Finance, Marketing Management, Competing with Information Technology, Operations and Quality Management, Business Environment, Business Strategies, and Applied Theories of Career and Work.
PSU is committed to ensuring that logistics students take into account the main tenets of supply chain management and business by focusing heavily on planning, sourcing, and manufacturing.
The university holds dual accreditation in accounting and general business from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
The school is ranked #195 in business programs of all the national universities. Students who live in Oregon can expect to pay around $9,500, while out of state residents can expect to pay about $28,000.
Florida International University
Florida has an excellent track record with colleges and universities. Florida International University (FIU) allows business students to concentrate on logistics via their BBA in Logistics and Supply Chain Management at the R. Kirk Landon Undergraduate School of Business.
Students need to have a few solid prerequisites for applying to the program, including business pre-core courses and holding an accommodating 2.5 GPA. Courses here deal heavily with micro and macroeconomics, calculus, and statistics. These will prime you for more applicable courses for logistics.
The more specific courses are Export Marketing, Marketing Channels, Principles of Transportation, Logistics Technology, Principles of Logistics, Logistics Strategy, and Global Logistics. The courses also provide the necessary views on geopolitical situations to provide context for the way trade and product management work.
The application process is straightforward. It allows some flexibility for transfer students who have 60 credits to their studies. The school is giving those who didn’t finish their studies new incentives to join.
Students will complete 120 credit hours for the major and will be instructed by top experts in logistics and supply chain management. Many lecturers here are veterans who have worked with Microsoft, FedEx, and the US government. FIU is also regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Florida residents can expect to pay about $6,558, while out-of-state residents will be expected to pay approximately $18,956. The school offers excellent value for those who already reside in the state.
According to US News World Report, the university is ranked #63 in a list of the most innovative schools in the country.
Final Word on Logistics Degrees Online
If you are a curious individual by nature and are highly motivated by business ventures, there is no better option than attending a business college and earning a degree in logistics online. Many of these schools make their curriculum amazingly detailed and comprehensive. Their business core classes and supply chain and management courses round out the learning experience for students.
Since these degrees are 100 percent online and self-paced, the asynchronous learning experience allows you to live your life while getting a robust education. Don’t let your miserable nine to five job stop you from exploring all of the wonderful and interesting aspects of business schools, project management, and logistics.
If you find yourself asking what exactly is in those giant shipping containers and about the journeys they take, what’s stopping you from exploring any of these online degrees? I encourage you to research these solid universities and colleges of business to learn more and see a more detailed view of the different curriculums.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
