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Some of the nation's top programs have been in existence for years, having adapted their curriculum to the present business environment, while others are fairly new to the scene.
Here's a look at a few of the leading programs:
The Center for International Trade and Transportation at California State University, Long Beach
"Our curriculum is developed by the industry, for the industry," says director Marianne Venieris. When the program was first begun, students were comprised mainly from professionals in the transportation industry. However, it increasingly attracted shippers from companies such as Boeing, says Venieris, as well as others in the industry like customs brokers. The centerpiece is the Global Logistics Specialist (GLS) program, which is the only program to offer the trademarked GLS designation. Students are required to complete the program's six modules within two years' time.Students have the option of taking the GLS modules in sequence or separately as stand-alone courses, and modules are offered every semester. The GLS professional designation can be obtained within one year by attending just one three-hour evening class per week, or within one semester by attending two evening classes per week.
The GLS program is also offered at the California Maritime Academy in the San Francisco Bay area, and at Alliant International University in San Diego.
"Over half of our students are referred by word of mouth," Venieris says. A Master of Arts in Global Logistics is a recent addition.
The World Trade Institute of Pace University
The School of International Trade & Commerce (SITC) is one of six components of the World Trade Institute's programs and services. The course of study for a Certificate in International Trade at the SITC requires a total of 10 courses: five required core courses and five elective courses. Core courses include: Introduction to World Trade; Import Regulations and Documentation; Export Documentation; Export/Import Letters of Credit; and Global Logistics Management.Customized training programs can also be developed for individual companies, groups of companies, or regional organizations. This option allows companies to:
- Train a number of people at one time.
- Analyze a situation or problem within their company, country or region and develop a consensus that will lead to a solution.
- Provide their local business, executives and their staff with information on recent developments and current practices in a particular field.
- Reduce their training expenses through the Institute's group rates.
- Minimize travel costs.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Center for Transportation & Logistics
In addition to administering three interdisciplinary graduate programs-a master and a PhD program in transportation and a master of engineering in logistics-the Center helps coordinate the extensive transportation and logistics research conducted throughout MIT. At any given time, research efforts typically number over 100, ranging from modest projects involving a single faculty member and a few students to large-scale international programs involving scores of people and a full-time research staff. The student body includes an eclectic mix of intellectual and geographical backgrounds, ages, and experiences. About half the students are U.S. citizens and half come from other parts of the world, with approximately two-thirds fluent in at least one language other than English.
Over 50 faculty and staff are affiliated with the Center for Transportation & Logistics through participation in its education, research, and outreach programs.
The Supply Chain Management Institute, University of San Diego
The SCM Institute is one of the newer programs, and differentiates itself from others in several areas. According to Dr. David N. Burt, director, the program's emphasis on "socially responsible, moral, and ethical behavior" is one such distinguishing feature. Furthermore, "We offer a year spanning integrative project, which is the foundation of the program and is designed to provide a positive return on investment for sponsoring organizations." About 95 percent of the program's students are sponsored either fully or partially by their organizations.Burt also says, "Our program is offered online, with only 11 days required on campus per year. The online format is designed specifically to meet the needs of working professionals and their organizations, and reflects the evolution in the workplace towards virtual teamwork and collaborative learning." Among the benefits students can gain from the program are the ability to identify gaps between their organization's processes and world-class processes; the skill to plan for and conduct negotiations successfully and ethically; and the competence to deal with uncertainty in the management of supply chains.
The typical student enrolled in the SCM Institute is a "high performing manager or executive involved in the development and management of supply chains," says Burt. "In addition to supply chain managers and executives, we have engineers, buyers, and managers in the following areas: contracts, logistics, transportation, procurement, materials, inventory, and sourcing. Our typical student has a bachelor's degree, is in the age range of 24-54 years, and has industry experience ranging from 3-5 years."
The Institute of Logistical Management
Distance Learning is the hallmark of the New Jersey-based Institute of Logistical Management (ILM). Not only does that make the program particularly convenient, it also makes it extremely cost-effective, remarks Frank Breslin, dean and registrar of ILM and former vice president of transportation and distribution for Scott Paper Company. Warehousing, freight claims management, and transportation law are some of the program's offerings.In the meantime, a third-party logistics course, which will likely be rolled out later this year, is a "high priority, and in the design phase," says Breslin.
The ILM's Hazmat course is the only Distance Learning course on hazardous materials compliance offered in the United States today. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: Explain the importance and consequences of adherence to the Federal Regulations; meet the criteria for hazardous material training as mandated by the Department of Transportation regulations, which must be accomplished every 3 years; and achieve competence in accessing and using the applicable governing regulations through successfully completing all study materials, assignments, and course testing.
Major topics covered in the course are an overview of the DOT Hazardous Materials Regulations; the Regulatory Authority; the Federal Regulations; Hazmat shipping paper requirements; packaging requirements; the shipper responsibilities; carrier responsibilities by transportation mode; and DOT training requirements.
Colorado Technical University
Colorado Springs-based Colorado Technical University offers a bachelor degree in Logistics Systems Management, as well as undergraduate level professional certificates in Logistics/Supply Chain Management, e-Business Management, and e-Commerce.The Bachelor of Science in Management degree with a concentration in Logistics Systems Management addresses the principles and techniques of systems management and logistics, including the fundamentals of analysis, design, implementation and customer support. Program content is designed to build a strong foundation in analytical components such as pricing, distribution and supply chain management, as well as cultivating skills in collaboration, professional communications and management strategy. Graduates holding this degree concentration are prepared for logistics systems management positions in areas such as procurement, contract administration, distribution and manufacturing in both private business and the government sector.
The Bachelor of Science degree program in Management, Logistics Systems Management concentration, is endorsed by the Society of Logistics Engineers (SOLE) and its Logistics Education Foundation (LEF).
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