Supply Chain Management Degrees in Florida

Students looking for warm weather and sunny beaches should consider exploring Florida’s options for supply chain management degrees. Those beaches, while great for relaxing, also offer a gateway to international trade.

Pharmaceuticals, telecommunications equipment, textiles, and perishable products are some of the main goods distributed through Florida’s supply chain. With accessibility to these major industries and $60 million annual state support for Florida’s seaports from the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development (FSTED) Council, Florida will continue to be central to global trade in the years to come.

For a thorough list of Florida’s supply chain management and logistics degree programs, skip ahead to the end of this guide.

The Supply Chain Industry in Florida

Located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, Florida is a significant hub for trade with Latin America and Caribbean countries. There are 16 public seaports and one of the largest cargo-capable airports in the United States.

Miami International Airport handles 85% of air imports and 80% of air exports for the Latin American–Caribbean region. This helps solidify the airport’s status as #1 in international freight and #4 in total freight as of 2021.

The airport was also the first in the U.S. designated a Pharma Hub Airport by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Pharma products are susceptible to temperature changes and therefore need proper handling at all points within the supply chain. Since the airport’s certification by the IATA Center of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) Pharma Certification Program, six other cargo handlers within Miami have completed the program.

Study Supply Chain Management in Florida

Career growth for logisticians (those coordinating an organization’s supply chain) and operations research analysts is expected to “grow much faster than average,” according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

When considering degrees, students need to understand what the program includes, the opportunities it offers, and the coursework that will get them ahead in their careers.

Undergraduate Programs

For students looking to gain well-rounded supply chain knowledge through a bachelor’s degree, Florida offers several universities to choose from.

The University of Miami, one of the top schools in Florida, according to US News & World Report, offers a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Supply Chain Analytics. The complexity of global supply chains makes data and analytics necessary to get products to the right place at the right time. Students interested in analytics can also explore Florida Polytechnic University, which has a Bachelor of Science in Business Analytics with a concentration in logistics and supply chain management.

Students pursuing a certification through the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) can gain the education they need through Broward College’s online or in-person Supply Chain Management Bachelor of Applied Science degree.

Alternatively, those looking for APICS certifications should consider Rasmussen University, which offers a Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain and Logistics Management. The program prepares students for the APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) exam, Six Sigma, and Total Quality Management (TQM).

For systems expertise, consider Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, a member of the SAP University Alliances program, which provides coursework in SAP (System Analysis Program Development) software that’s focused on resource and network planning across supply chains. For practical and field-based experience, both the University of North Florida and the University of South Florida provide access to internships, projects, and student-led business organizations such as the Transportation and Logistics Society at UNF.

Graduate Programs

Continuing supply chain education by earning a master’s degree can give students an edge for advancing into leadership roles. Whether taking courses while working or joining a full-time program, students have plenty of options.

Students should consider if they would like to develop expertise within multiple areas of the supply chain or a more focused degree. Florida Tech, for example, offers specialties in Supply Chain Management, Humanitarian and Disaster Relief, and Quality Management, among others.

If time is an issue, Florida International University has a 10-month-long Master of Science in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, and the Florida State University College of Business offers accelerated, part-time, and online options for an MBA.

Multiple universities, such as the University of Miami, have PhD programs for students looking to focus on research and theoretical strategies to explore in supply chain management.

Certificates/Continuing Education

When full-time schooling isn’t feasible or students are looking to boost their knowledge, certificates may be an option.

The University of West Florida offers a Supply Chain Logistics Certificate and an online graduate certificate option. Nova Southeastern University recently discontinued their certificate program in supply chain management, but consult our directory (below) for additional Florida-based certificate programs.