Supply Chain Management Curriculum
Learn to Manage the Supply Chain End to End
The Minnesota Carlson MS in Supply Chain Management teaches you how sourcing, operations, analytics, logistics and finance connect. You’ll learn to make decisions that work across the whole supply chain, not just one link in it.
This STEM-designated program is built for working professionals. You’ll learn alongside a network of classmates, faculty, alumni and industry advisors in the Twin Cities, a business hub home to Fortune 500 companies.
What You’ll Learn in Supply Chain Management Courses
The curriculum is built on two foundations. First, courses that teach you skills in areas such as:
- Supply chain and operations management
- Strategic sourcing
- Sales, inventory and operations planning
- Data analysis and statistics
- Digitalization and AI
- Responsible supply chain management
- Supply chain finance
- Logistics and transportation
Second, the Global Operations Strategy Capstone, where you consult for a real client on a live supply chain problem. You’ll learn from faculty in the classroom, then apply it to challenges companies are facing now.
Leadership Built Into Every Course
Supply chain leaders see the whole system, from sourcing to delivery, and make decisions that hold up across it. That’s why leadership development runs through every course in the program instead of sitting in one. Five principles shape how you’ll grow as a leader.
Key Principles for Supply Chain Leaders
- Leadership: Develop your own leadership style by identifying and strengthening your core capabilities.
- Strategic Orientation: Learn how managing the supply chain end to end drives business success.
- Global Perspective: Build the international business acumen to tackle global challenges.
- Analytics: Use data-driven decision-making to cut through complexity.
- Social Responsibility: Integrate ethical and sustainable practices into supply chain design.
MS in Supply Chain Management Program Format
The MS in Supply Chain Management is a 12-month, 3-semester program. Starting in September, the academic year runs as four seven-week terms, followed by an 11-week summer term centered on your capstone.
Most terms, you’ll take 2 in-person evening courses and 1 online or condensed course. That mix keeps the program on campus while fitting around a full-time job. You’ll move through the program with your cohort and complete 30 credits by the end of summer.
Note: Exact dates vary by year.
In the fall term of the MS in Supply Chain Management program, you will delve into essential courses such as Strategic Sourcing and Operations Excellence via Lean Thinking. This supply chain management curriculum blends foundational knowledge and practical skills across various formats, from on-campus evening sessions to condensed Saturday classes.
Fall A
| Course number | Title | Required or Elective | Format | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MBA 6809 | Supply Chain & Operations | Required | On-Campus/Evening | 2 |
| MBA 6801 | Foundations of Critical Thinking | Required | On-Campus/Evening | 2 |
| SCO 6098 | Operations Excellence via Lean Thinking | Required | Condensed/3 Saturdays | 2 |
Fall B
| Course number | Title | Required or Elective | Format | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MBA 6804 | Data Analysis & Statistics | Required | On-Campus/Evening | 2 |
| SCO 6045 | Strategic Sourcing | Required | On-Campus/Evening | 2 |
| SCO 6085 | Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning | Required | Online | 2 |
In the spring term of the MS in Supply Chain Management program, you will engage in vital supply chain management courses such as Digitalization and AI in Supply Chains and Responsible Supply Chain Management, navigating through a blend of on-campus evening sessions and online formats to cultivate expertise in strategic decision-making and ethical supply chain practices.
Spring A
| Course number | Title | Required or Elective | Format | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCO 6191 | Big Data Analytics in Supply Chains | Required | On-Campus/Evening | 2 |
| SCO 6072 | Digitalization and AI in Supply Chains | Required | On-Campus/Evening | 2 |
| N/A | Elective | Elective | TBD | 2 |
Spring B
| Course number | Title | Required or Elective | Format | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCO 6094 | Responsible Supply Chain Management | Required | On-Campus/Evening | 2 |
| SCO 6192 | Supply Chain Finance | Required | Online | 2 |
| N/A | Elective | Elective | TBD | 2 |
In the summer term of the MS in Supply Chain Management program, you complete your experiential learning capstone.
| Course number | Title | Required or Elective | Format | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCO 6048 | Logistics and Transportation | Required | Condensed/3 Saturdays | 2 |
| SCO 6292 | Global Operations Strategy Capstone | Required | On-Campus/Evening | 4 |
Global Operations Strategy Capstone
In the Master of Science in Supply Chain Management program at Minnesota Carlson, you bring your learning to life through the Global Operations Strategy Capstone. Over the summer, you consult for external clients, tackling real-world supply chain challenges and delivering strategic solutions. This hands-on, end-to-end industry experience gives you the skills and expertise to make an immediate career impact.
Masters in SCM Electives
You can take electives outside the MS in Supply Chain Management program to build your skills and expand your network. One option is the Carlson Consulting Enterprise, a student-run consultancy where you’ll work with MBA students on real projects for major companies. Please note: The Carlson Consulting Enterprise is only offered as a daytime class.
Prepare for the future with a MS in Supply Chain Management
Discover how the #8-ranked supply chain management graduate program in the U.S. (QS World University Business Master’s Ranking 2027) positions you with the skills for next-level potential in supply chain, logistics, and operations careers—both immediately after graduation and throughout your career.
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