Supply Chain Management Requirements & Deadlines

The Master of Science in Supply Chain Management program begins in August of each year. To apply to the program, candidates must have an equivalent to a 4-year U.S. bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and a minimum of 3 years of full-time professional work experience is required (internships not included) at the time of application submission.

Applicants who do not meet these requirements are not eligible for the program and are encouraged to wait until both requirements are satisfied before applying.

Application Deadlines

Apply early and give yourself the best chance to join the Carlson School's Supply Chain Management program.

Application Deadlines

  • December 1
    Decision Notification: January 6
  • February 15
    Decision Notification: March 17
  • April 15 (final deadline for applicants requiring F-1 visas)
    Decision Notification: May 16
  • June 15
    Decision Notification: July 14
  • July 15 (final deadline for all other applicants)
    Decision Notification: 2-3 weeks
*After the April 15 deadline, applications from international candidates in the U.S. will be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Please contact msscm@umn.edu if you are interested in applying.
**After this deadline, we will continue accepting applications on a space-available, rolling basis.

Supply Chain Management Application Checklist

Getting Started

  • An account and password are required to start the online application.
  • Select "Fall 2024" for "Entry Term" and "Supply Chain Management - MS" for "Selected Program."
  • Read the instructions below carefully before completing your application.
  • When you have provided everything required to submit your application, the application will allow you to submit. The application is not complete until the recommendations are submitted and we have received your official test scores. Applications must be complete before the deadline for which you would like to be considered.

To be considered for admission, the MS in Supply Chain Management program requires a first university degree that is an equivalent to a 4-year U.S. bachelor's degree. Students with a 3-year degree from India do not satisfy this minimum requirement and must complete an additional year of accredited post-baccalaureate study before submitting an application to the program. If a student is unsure whether their degree is an equivalent to a 4-year U.S. bachelor’s degree they should email their transcripts and proof of degree to the Office of Graduate Admissions for review. Their email is gsquest@umn.edu.

Unofficial transcripts can be submitted through the online application. You will need to submit a transcript from each college or university where you have completed coursework before your application will be considered complete and reviewed by the admissions committee. Unofficial transcripts must include your name and the name of the institution. Third Party credential evaluation reports and degree planning documents are not accepted. Non-English transcripts must be accompanied by an English translation. Use this local resource for a list of English language translation services in the Twin Cities. If you have previously enrolled at any University of Minnesota campus, you can obtain electronic copies of your transcripts from OneStop student services. Additional information can be found on the Graduate School Transcripts & Credentials and International Applicants webpages.

If admitted, you must submit official transcripts or academic records prior to your enrollment at the University of Minnesota. Official transcripts must be sent directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions Office from the institution. An official, certified (signature and seal) English translation must accompany non-English transcripts. The University of Minnesota reserves the right to require the submission of official transcripts or credentials any time during the admission review process. More information can be found on the Graduate School Official Transcripts & Credentials webpage.

While these test scores are not required for admission to the MS in Supply Chain Management program, you may consider including test scores if you are concerned that your academic record is weak or contains gaps.

Important Note: Applicants interested in pursuing consulting careers during or after completing the MS SCM should plan to take the GMAT as many consulting firms do look at these scores when assessing candidates.

International and domestic applicants whose first language is not English must provide proof of English language proficiency. Proof of English language proficiency is measured according to the categories detailed below. You are not exempt if you have lived in an English-speaking country for several years, but have not completed any prior education in English.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

  • Applicants providing an exam score must have an exam date within two years of the graduate program start date. Exams exceeding two years will not be accepted.
  • We do not offer an option for the English language ability to be assessed upon arrival on campus.

For additional details regarding this requirement, please visit the Office of Graduate Admission's website or contact them at gsquest@umn.edu.   

If you completed secondary school in the U.S. or in a country on  this list,* then you satisfy the basic English language proficiency requirements.

  • The ESL Policy Committee is in the process of revising the English Proficiency Exemption list to include Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria.
  • Students whose education took place in Ghana, Kenya or Nigeria satisfy English language proficiency requirements and do not need to provide English test scores. 
  • The updated list will be published as soon as it is available.

Post-secondary Education

You satisfy the English proficiency requirement if you completed post-secondary coursework in the U.S. or a country on this list,* and:

  1. the coursework consisted of  least 16 semester credits, or 24 quarter credits, and
  2. ESL coursework was not part of the qualifying number of credits, and
  3. the coursework was completed within the past 2 years, and
  4. the coursework was completed while living in the U.S. or in a country on this list*

Please note that the exam date should be within two years of the graduate program start date. 

Graduate School Minimum Requirements

  • Total Score: 79
  • Writing Subscore: 21
  • Reading Subscore: 19

Please note that these scores are the minimum University requirements. No exceptions can be made.

Typically competitive candidates have average scores of 90-105 on the internet-based TOEFL.

The University of Minnesota Twin Cities does not consider MyBest Scores: Sum of Highest Section Scores of the TOEFL iBT Score Report to meet the minimum total score requirement for admission. Applicants should self-report their highest Total Score from the one test date in the Application for Admission. Applicants should also submit the official TOEFL iBT scores via ETS.

Please note that the exam date should be within two years of the graduate program start date. 

Minimum Scores for Admission

  • Total Score: 6.5
  • Writing Subscore: 6.5
  • Reading Subscore: 6.5

Please note that these scores are the minimum University requirements. No exceptions can be made.

Please note that the exam date should be within two years of the graduate program start date. 

Minimum Scores for Admission

  • Total Score: 59
  • Writing Subscore: 59
  • Reading Subscore: 59

Please note that these scores are the minimum University requirements. No exceptions can be made.

Typically competitive candidates have a total score of 65 or higher.

The Duolingo English Test will be accepted with the score and test date requirements listed below. Please visit the Duolingo preparing for the exam, scheduling the exam, and FAQs sites for more information. 

Minimum Scores for Admission

  • Overall Score: 115 or above
  • Subscore for Literacy section: 115 or above

Your exam date should be within two years of the program's start date.

NOTE: We do not offer an option for the English language ability to be assessed upon arrival on campus.

We're now accepting the Cambridge C1 Advanced and we're following grad admissions standards for scores:

Minimum Scores for Admission

  • Total Score: 180
  • Writing Subscore: 180
  • Reading Subscore: 180

For additional information, please review the Graduate School's breakdown on English Proficiency Exams.

We require two recommendations for application to the Master of Science in Supply Chain Management (MSSCM) program. These recommendations can be from any combination of professional and academic recommenders, though we strongly prefer that at least one recommendation come from a supervisor or current employer. 

Please note that you do not need to solicit letters of recommendation from your recommenders. We partner with GMAC for the Common Letter of Recommendation, so you simply need to provide contact information for your recommenders in the online application and the form will be automatically routed to them via email for completion. The form does include an optional section to attach a letter of recommendation if your recommender chooses to add that component.

We recommend getting started on your application early so you can enter the recommender contact information right away before continuing to work on your application. Both recommenders must complete the aforementioned GMAC form before your submitted application is considered complete. This means all recommendations must be received before the deadline for which you would like to be considered. 

Prepare a current resume that includes a detailed education and employment history in no more than 3 pages.

Resume guidelines

  • List both employer and official position held.
  • Specify both month and year for dates of employment in each role.
  • Detail job responsibilities and accomplishments in approximately 3-5 bullet points.

For additional guidance, view our Carlson Business Career Center's resume advice webpage, and feel free to use their resume template to help simplify the process.

Upload your completed resume in the online application where prompted for resume or CV.

Personal Statement

For consideration for admission, please submit a personal statement (750 words, approximately 2 pages max.) answering the following three questions:

  • Briefly describe your short-term and long-term career goals. Why are you choosing to pursue an MS in Supply Chain Management at this time, and what are you hoping to accomplish by doing so?
  • Why are you interested in pursuing an MS at the Carlson School of Management?
  • What do you feel makes you a strong candidate for the program? How will you contribute to the Program overall?

 

Academic Performance Statement

Required for applicants with one or more of the following on their academic records:

  • Cumulative GPA below 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent)
  • Academic probation or dismissal
  • Significant or notable declines in academic performance
  • Any other academic weaknesses or concerns

Reflect on your prior academic performance and make a case for why you are now prepared for the rigor of graduate level work. Your statement should be limited to no more than 500 words (1 page).

 

Optional Essay

Use this optional essay if you feel you need to share information that is not presented elsewhere in the application, for example:

  • Explanation of employment gaps
  • Major career changes
  • Choice of recommenders
  • Other considerations you'd like the admissions committee to be aware of

Your statement should be limited to no more than 500 words (1 page).

All applicants are invited to submit an essay to be considered for one of the 50% or 15% merit-based scholarships offered to admitted candidates entering the MS in Supply Chain Management program. Scholarships will be awarded on a merit basis to a limited number of admitted candidates who demonstrate the potential to be exemplary contributors to the Carlson School community and possess outstanding academic and professional achievements. Selected students will be notified of their award at the time of admission.

This scholarship essay is not required for admission to the program but is necessary to be considered for the scholarship. The essay must be submitted within the application itself, as no late or alternative submission methods will be accepted.

The scholarship is non-transferable to other Carlson School degrees, is not "stackable" with other scholarships or discounts, and may only be applied toward the MS in Supply Chain Management program.

The Scholarship Essay prompt should address the following in no less than 300 words (1 page):

  • Can you tell us about a time you advocated for a more inclusive or more welcoming community, either professionally or personally? How do you plan to carry what you have learned from this experience forward and positively impact the Carlson School?

Carlson Corporate Discount applicants may also submit an essay for the consideration of the available scholarships, but no "stacking" of scholarship awards and corporate discounts are allowed. 

Additionally, Corporate Discount candidates must also submit 2 letters of recommendation, along with the scholarship essay, in order to fulfill requirements for scholarship consideration.

The video essay is a required component of the application that provides candidates with an opportunity to show the admissions committee the authentic you.  Think of this video essay as if you were answering an interview question with a member of our admissions committee. 

Preparation Checklist

  • You will need to use a computer with camera and microphone capabilities. You will have the ability to test your technology before starting the video essay and submit a practice video essay. 
  • You can test your technology and run the practice simulation as many times as you wish to be comfortable with the format and technology.  You will be able to review your practice video essay(s) and your recording(s) will not be saved beyond the testing phase and will never be reviewed.
  • You can also practice responding to impromptu questions offline with a friend or colleague before completing the video essay portion of your application.
  • You will be prompted to click "Ready" once you are prepared to submit an official video essay.  You will be asked one impromptu question from a bank of behavioral questions selected by our admissions team. 
  • Two minutes (120 seconds) will be provided to prepare an answer and two minutes (120 seconds) to record an answer.   Recording will automatically stop after two minutes.  You are not required to use the full two minutes.  If you have time remaining once complete with your response, click the "Stop Recording" button to end the recording. 
  • You will only be provided one attempt to record your official video essay.

You should treat the video essay question as you would a job interview question. Appropriate attire is business professional.

The application fee is $75 (non-refundable) for U.S. citizens; and $95 for international applications and U.S. residents with foreign credentials. Your application fee will be waived if you have served in the US Armed Forces for any length of time, past or present, and indicate as such where prompted in the online application. There are no other options to have this fee waived.

Admission interviews are by invitation only. Not all applicants will be interviewed. Interviews may be conducted on campus or virtually. Interview format has no bearing on admission decisions. The interview is approximately 30-45 minutes in length and aimed at better understanding a candidate’s academic and professional background. You should treat the interview as you would a job interview. Appropriate attire is business professional.

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Contact Master of Science in Supply Chain Management