Supply Chain Management Degrees in Pennsylvania

Students serious about a supply chain management degree have multiple world-class colleges and universities to choose from in Pennsylvania.

The state is home to headquarters of 23 Fortune 500 companies, such as Hershey and Heinz, making it the sixth highest in the United States. This is good news for graduates, presenting multiple supply chain career opportunities.

Continue reading to learn about Pennsylvania’s supply chain industry and educational opportunities, and to view a list of available supply chain programs.

The Supply Chain Industry in Pennsylvania

Lehigh Valley, one of the top logistics hubs in the United States, is home to major distribution centers such as Amazon, Walmart, Nestle, and PetSmart.

Pennsylvania’s infrastructure includes over 120,000 miles of highways, 65 railroads, three major ports, and six international airports. This is why distribution and logistics is one of the leading industries in the state, along with food manufacturing, and robotics and AI.

The Port of Philadelphia is the country’s #1 largest refrigerated port, providing shippers access to the Atlantic Ocean. As an inland port, the Port of Pittsburgh is the fourth busiest in the U.S. and grants access to the Gulf of Mexico. Finally, the Port of Erie covers shipping on the Great Lakes and into Canada.

Study Supply Chain Management in Pennsylvania

Across Pennsylvania, students can find SCM programs ranging from BSBAs to PhDs, offering a variety of advanced learning opportunities, internships, networking, and more.

Undergraduate Programs

Temple University offers a BBA in Supply Chain Management as either a major or a minor and includes seminars, career fairs, and a focus on sustainability in the supply chain.

Another program offering a Bachelor’s in Supply Chain Management with a major or minor option is Duquesne University. The school’s Center of Excellence in Supply Chain Management exposes students to SAP’s ERP software, the Association of Supply Chain Management (ASCM), and career mentors for guidance.

BSBA options are available at Shippensburg University for Supply Chain Management or SCM with a Logistics Management concentration. Alternatively, the University of Pittsburgh’s BSBA program is ranked a top 15 business program and offers a Supply Chain Management major. Gannon University’s Supply Chain Management minor is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

For real-world experience, in addition to classroom learning, students should explore Drexel University’s BSBA in Operations & Supply Chain Management, which includes a six-month co-op program with a university-approved employer.

Anyone interested in problem-solving, complex processes, and data can choose from multiple BS programs. Opportunities for internships, clubs, and networking can be found with a Supply Chain Management degree from Keystone College. Other great options include a BS in Supply Chain & Information Systems from Penn State, or a BS in Supply Chain Operations Management from York College, which focuses on supply chain analytics, Lean Six Sigma, and real-world experience with internships.

Graduate Programs

There are several dual-degree programs for students looking to accelerate their education. Drexel University allows eligible students to apply for a BS/MBA accelerated degree in Supply Chain Management. For a technology focus, the University of Pittsburgh has a joint program for an MS in Supply Chain Management and MS in Industrial Engineering. It also has a dual MBA/MS in Supply Chain Management (STEM) to gain a well-rounded business education.

Professionals can advance their careers by earning an MBA. Penn State has a nine-month STEM-designated MBA in Supply Chain Management program. Similarly, Lehigh University offers a one-year MBA Supply Chain Management concentration that is also STEM-designated and has flexible scheduling options.

MS opportunities focus on the analytics behind a business. Ranging from Supply Chain Analytics at Shippensburg University to general Business Analytics with Supply Chain Management at the University of Pittsburgh, students will be prepared to analyze and optimize supply chain processes upon graduation.

Those who wish to pursue a career in research and education should consider PhD programs, which can be found at Temple University, Penn State, and the University of Pittsburgh.

Certificates/Continuing Education

Anyone not ready to commit to a graduate degree program can find a variety of certificates that will help boost knowledge and résumés.

Lehigh University has an Executive Certificate in Supply Chain Management with programs around Risk and Resilience, Supply Chain Analytics, and Demand & Inventory Planning.

For a 12-credit program that can be applied to an MBA, Robert Morris University offers a Supply Chain and Logistics Management certificate.