Bachelor of Science in Logistics and Supply Chain Management
4- and 8-Week Courses
Start sooner and finish faster with our innovative course design.
Year-round enrollment
Our admissions team reviews applications year-round.
240K+ Alumni Worldwide
Become a member of NU’s global community.
Help Organizations Develop and Manage an Efficient Supply Chain
The logistics of coordinating and managing an organization’s supply chain is a complicated process that factors in everything from purchasing and transportation to inventory and warehousing. It requires highly skilled professionals with the industry-current knowledge and training to ensure products and supplies are effectively manufactured, stocked, and shipped around town or around the world.
National University’s Bachelor of Science in Logistics and Supply Chain Management is designed to help students understand how to deliver the right product, at the right time, in the right quality, in the right condition, and with all the right documentation. NU’s curriculum focuses on building supply chain leaders with in-depth expertise in market-relevant strategies and tactics.
As e-commerce becomes the predominant way business is conducted globally, the physics of the supply chain has evolved. Our program will help you understand these paradigm shifts while you build a comprehensive knowledge of the core fundamentals.
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accredits public and private schools, colleges, and universities in the U.S.
Course Details
Course Listing
Preparation for the Major
- 6 courses; 27 quarter units
Key mathematical and statistical concepts useful for understanding business problems and making informed decisions with the right tools are introduced. Concepts relate to numbers, formulas, linear equation models and descriptive statistics. Applications focus on personal decisions and decisions within businesses in the areas of finance, discounts, pricing, interest rates, loans, insurance, investment, payroll and taxes. Microsoft Excel is the software used in this class. MNS 205 and MTH 210 are the primary quantitative courses required for MNS 407. Students who have taken college algebra or calculus (MTH 215 or MTH 220) are exempt from this course.
In this course, students will study the price system, market structures, and consumer theory. Topics covered include supply and demand, price controls, public policy, the theory of the firm, cost and revenue concepts, forms of competition, elasticity, and efficient resource allocation, among others.
This course provides an examination of aggregate economic activity. It includes a study of aggregate supply and demand, the monetary and banking systems, aggregate economic accounting, inflation, unemployment, the business cycle, macroeconomic policy, and economic progress and stability, among other things.
A survey of basic accounting theory and the application of accounting principles, this course includes the recording and summarization of business transactions in the form of financial statements under the rules of generally accepted accounting principles. (GAAP). It is designed for students who have little or no prior knowledge of financial accounting, this course corresponds to Principles of Accounting I at other colleges.
Prerequisite: ACC 201
This course is an overview of the use of financial accounting and cost accounting data for the design and preparation of reports to aid management in organizing, directing, controlling, and decision-making functions. The topics include the fundamentals of cost accounting, budgeting and responsibility accounting for cost and profit centers.
A survey of contracts, sales, agencies, personal property, commercial paper and associated topics. Emphasizes prevention of litigation and liability arising from business operations.
* General Education Requirement
Business Core Requirements
- 9 courses, 40.5 quarter units
Introduction to the roles of managers and the vision, mission and goals of organizations. Investigates management theories and explores the four primary functions of managers: Planning, Organizing, Leading and Controlling. Covers issues related to human resource management, organizational structure and behavior, creative problem solving, effective communication, and the management of teams, change and innovations.
This course is the introduction to contemporary marketing theory and practice in both the local and global marketplace. Basic concepts of marketing are examined with an emphasis on marketing positioning, segmentation and targeting as well as product development and distribution.
Prerequisite: ACC 201
This course is a survey of the basic principles and concepts used in the financial management of a business enterprise addressed from both theoretical and practical standpoints. Topics include money and capital markets, financial management of working capital, capital budgeting and fixed asset management, cost of capital, and short-term and long-term financing by means of debt and equity capital.
Exploration of values and ethics in businesses that operate locally and internationally. Moral philosophies, values, conflict of interests, discrimination, business cultures, and ethical standards are critically presented. Ethical leadership of people, technology and sustainability are used in the development and implementation of ethical business programs.
Examination of core issues in the practice of leadership. Identification of differing theories and styles of collaborative, integrative organizational leadership and comparison to authoritarian or management by edit within the organizational context.
Prerequisite: MNS 205 and MTH 210
An introduction to the fundamentals of business analytics. Focuses on the management science approach for problem solving, the application of linear programming, the use of decision analysis techniques, as well as project management tools. It is practical and students gain advanced skills in Excel. This course is a prerequisite for MGT 451.
Prerequisite: MNS 407
A survey of the fundamental concepts of production and operations management. Use of quantitative methods for forecasting, resource allocation, capacity planning, inventory management, and quality assurance. Focus is on improving production efficiency while simultaneously enhancing effectiveness through better managerial decision. Concludes with management skills to align the organization with external suppliers and customers using Supply Chain Management. Students who have taken MGT 351 cannot take MGT 451.
Introduction to the concept of project management, covering the essential elements of planning a project, initiating the project, implementing the project, and the termination of the project, while emphasizing the importance of team building and leadership, as well as incorporating cost, scheduling and budgetary principles according to contractual terms.
Prerequisite: ECO 203 and ECO 204
Logistics and Supply Chain Management Requirements
- 10 courses; 45.0 units
Prerequisite for all Logistics and Supply Chain Management Requirements: Students must have completed MNS 407 and MGT 451 or their equivalent with a minimum grade of “C” within two years of taking any of the following courses:
Prerequisite: MGT 451
Exploration of the evolving field of Supply Chain Management, which is increasingly important for competitiveness in the global market place. Evaluation of the eight key components of Supply Chain Management, focusing on how demand management is used to balance consumer needs with supply chain capabilities. Advanced forecasting techniques and rapid product development combine to create a responsive supply chain, providing competitive value to the consumer.
Procurement of goods and their storage costs impacts a firm’s competitive advantage. Prominence placed on reducing cost of purchasing while increasing product quality through co-creation of value. Evaluation of the costs, benefits and risks of holding inventory in the face of uncertain demand and product innovation. Implementation of lead-time reduction techniques to respond to changing demands and competition in a global, eCommerce market.
Linking a business enterprise to its suppliers and customers, transportation is among the more critical and increasingly complex functions within a business enterprise, especially in the competitive globalized business environment. Evaluation of the modes of transportation and principles such as Just-in-Time delivery, Transportation Management Systems, Routing and Scheduling and Automatic Identification. Culminates in the operation of Distribution Centers in an Omni-channel distribution system to create world-class customer service from order to returns.
Prerequisite: LOG 420
Development of strategies for the selection of international suppliers and then movement of goods across national boundaries. Discussion and analysis of modes of entry, global storage and transportation choices, international contracts and terms, and logistics risk management in order to add value through supply chain integration. Impact of international trade laws, culture, distance and time to make optimal logistics decisions. Emphasis on practical application of course concepts and systems thinking using case studies and mathematical models.
Customer service is one of the most important facets of logistics and the supply chain, and yet it is one of the least appreciated. Great customer service gives a business a key differentiating advantage over the competition. This course will cover the end-to-end process of transactions, customer service policies, order entry, and order processing. In addition, Returns Management (reverse Logistics) will also be studied. By properly managing returned products, a business can significantly cut losses by using undamaged returned items to restock warehouse inventory for resale. The Returns Management process is part customer support, part Logistics, and part Inventory Management. This course will focus on developing the most-cost optimum strategies to handle this key area of supply chain while maintaining world class customer service at total lowest cost.
Analysis of pre-transaction, transaction and post-transaction elements that influence cost and risk toward achieving long-term customer satisfaction and profitability. Application of Blockchain technologies to reduce costs and verify supply pedigree. Other topics include Lean 6-Sigma, lead time reduction, risk management and resilience to create responsive and reliable supply chains. Alignment of these concepts between supply chain partners extends these traditional topics beyond the firm.
Prerequisite: MNS 407; SCM 440
Analysis of supply chain networks to evaluate strategic alternatives using both optimization and probabilistic models. Evaluate supply chain options under real-world variability and unknowns to quantify operational and financial risks from your supply chain, markets and competitors. Modeling in spreadsheets, discrete event software and system dynamics software.
As goods progress on in its supply chain journey from manufacturer to customer, a product moves to increasingly smaller vehicles and acquires more specific delivery criteria. The first, middle, and last mile stages of the logistics journey are essentially defined by a gradual decrease in shipment size and distance from the final consumer. The last mile is the most visible stage of the logistics chain to the end consumer and hence is the most critical stage of delivery. In this course we explore how the complex problem of last mile delivery is solved by leveraging technology such as robots and drones. Additionally, advances in cloud computing and data interchange have revolutionized Supply Chain Management. Blockchain Technology can benefit supply chains by improving visibility and adding security of data. Track and trace capability of raw materials from source to manufacturing to customer will be leveraged using Blockchain technology.
Prerequisite: MNS 407
Data visualization is one of the most powerful tools to explore and communicate patterns in quantitative data. We are living in a world where data is everywhere and permeates every single business decision. Data visualization techniques allow businesspeople to leverage their perception to convert data to information and make smarter, quicker, and more informed decisions. In addition, in this course we will cover the fundamental types of risk, probabilistic analyses of risks and cost management strategies. We will develop discrete event and system dynamic models to create an optimal risk management model.
Prerequisite: All other Requirements for the Major courses (e.g., Business Core Requirements and LSCM Requirements) with a GPA of 2.00 or higher.
A supply chain strategy & policy is a strategic vision backed up by a detailed executable plan that enables organizations to get their goods delivered to customers at low cost and on time, every time. Gaining a market edge over your competition requires leveraging fundamentally sound principles that together build a strategy that retains loyal customers. Using real life case studies and simulations, this course will reinforce business critical skills and the importance of cross functional collaboration across the supply chain.
Upper-Division Electives for the Major
- 2 courses; 9.0 quarter units
Students must choose two courses from the courses listed below:
Prerequisite: FIN 310
An examination of the international aspects of corporate finance and investing, the course covers balance of payments, foreign exchange with emphasis on exchange rate determination, exchange risk, hedging, and interest arbitrage, international money and capital markets, international financing, and international banking.
An overview of the issues of quality applied to human resources management, topics include the delegation of authority and empowerment, work groups, team building, and employee involvement, reward/recognition programs and employee morale, and the importance of written and oral communication skill in the delegation, sharing, and execution of work. Students gain a clearer understanding of the ways the workplace is changing to improve productivity and profitability.
A study of entrepreneurship with particular reference to creating and starting a new venture. Emphasis on historical development of entrepreneurship, risk taking and entrepreneurship, innovation and marketing the plan, financial plan, organizational plan, going public, and legal issues for the entrepreneur.
An in-depth study of small to mid-sized companies with a view to preparing students for leadership roles. Emphasis on building and managing companies from the start-up phase to their growth and efficient operation. Problem solving strategies of managerial, legal and ethical issues and dilemmas particularly relevant to small business.
Creating, integrating and maintaining successful e-business through a business plan. Emphasis on origin and growth of e-business, security concerns of e-business, entrepreneurial aspects of business-to-business e-commerce, e-tailing and supply chain management. Students are encouraged to develop business plans through their own website.
Prerequisite: MKT 302A
An introduction to digital marketing that explores the development, implementation, and measurement of digital-based marketing strategies and tactics including search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing, and online advertising.
Prerequisite: PMB 400
Examination of the elements of project planning and control by studying each element in depth. Addresses topics such as work breakdown structure, budgets, costs, resource planning and allocation, project monitoring and reporting, and project and process control methods, as well as the termination and audit of a project.
Prerequisite: PMB 400
Study the management of a portfolio of projects leading to organizational change, creation of a model that compares the program with other segments in an organization using benchmarks, and develops a plan that builds an infrastructure of critical chains for parallel projects.
Prerequisite: PMB 400
Overview of the management of contracts made with customers, vendors, or partners. Contract management includes negotiating the terms and conditions in contracts and ensuring compliance, as well as documenting and agreeing to changes that may arise during its implementation of execution.
Analysis of constant and continuous change in modern organizational environments. This class will provide students with the skills needed to recognize the potential impacts of change on their organizations, and to lead their organizations through the change process effectively. Students will develop skills in assessing organizational culture and learn to create the learning organization of the future.
Effective conflict resolution, bargaining and negotiation are addressed in this course as methods for improving the organizational effectiveness in the long term. A special focus will be placed upon creation of win-win solutions to real life organizational situations. Conflict will be examined as both a necessary and challenging workplace phenomena.
* Non-Business Minors are prohibited from satisfying this requirement. ** Exception: Students in the BSLSCM/MBA Transition Program may apply for approved graduate-level courses to satisfy this requirement.
(Optional) Preparation for Certification
- 1 course; 3.0 quarter unitss
Optional: Students planning to continue toward evaluation for the Council of Supply Chain Management Professional’s SCPro™ Level One Certification, are highly encouraged to complete the following course:
Prerequisite: SCM 480
Concepts and processes from all topics within Supply Chain Management are integrated for application in business situations. Focusing on strategies and technologies will advance knowledge and appreciation for the complexities of Global Supply Chains. Assessment of alternative plans and strategies will prepare students for decision-making roles. Topics include: Integrated Supply Chain Management, Demand and Supply Integration, Supply Management and Procurement, Manufacturing and Service Operations, Transportation, Inventory Management, Warehousing, and Order Fulfillment and Customer Service. Passing professional exams provides additional opportunities and greater versatility for employment options within the Supply Chain Management profession. Grading is S/U only.
Degree and Course Requirements
To receive a Bachelor of Science in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, students must complete at least 180 quarter units as articulated below, 45 of which must be completed in residence at National University, 76.5 of which must be completed at the upper-division level, and a minimum of 69 units of the university general education requirements. In the absence of transfer credit, additional general electives may be necessary to satisfy the total units for the degree. The following courses are specific degree requirements. Refer to the section on undergraduate admission procedures for specific information regarding admission and evaluation. All students receiving an undergraduate degree in Nevada are required by state law to complete a course in Nevada Constitution.
Organizations in every industry need highly skilled, industry-current logisticians to keep the supply chain running smoothly and efficiently. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, logisticians use software systems to plan and track the movement of products. They operate software programs designed specifically to manage logistical functions, such as procurement, inventory management, and other supply chain planning and management systems.*
NU’s BS in Logistics and Supply Chain Management explores leading-edge technologies that can generate disruptive benefits to the process. Our program also focuses on operational risk management and strategic resilience planning, which is critical to managing an efficient supply chain. This industry-current curriculum is designed to help you prepare for an in-demand career that is expected to grow 28 percent by 2013. **
*Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/logisticians.htm#tab-2
** Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/logisticians.htm#tab-6
NU’s BS in Logistics and Supply Chain Management program focuses on helping you develop a deep understanding of how products and services are acquired, manufactured, allocated, and delivered. As your body of knowledge develops, you’ll build sharply honed, market-relevant skills in communication, decision-making, problem-solving, time management, and leadership. By the time you graduate, you’ll have what it takes to pursue a broad range of in-demand positions*, including:
- Logistician
- Supply Chain Manager
- Cost Estimator
- Industrial Production Manager
- Operations Research Analyst
- Project Management Specialist
- Purchasing Manager
- Quality Control Inspector
As an industry-current supply chain management professionals, you’ll be in demand for positions with a median annual wage of $77,030, with the highest 10 percent earning more than $122,390.**
* Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/logisticians.htm#tab-8
** Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/logisticians.htm#tab-5
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of National University’s BS in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, you’ll be able to:
- Cultivate a deep and fundamental understanding of supply chain concepts within the framework of current global business conditions.
- Employ tools within data analytics, information flows, and statistical methods to make informed and smart business decisions.
- Develop strong technical, functional, and leadership skills to drive benefits across the supply chain spectrum.
- Design principles of digital supply chains that optimize key financial metrics while maintaining social, ethical, and environmental responsibilities.
Admissions
Enrolling in a university is a big decision. That’s why our dedicated admissions team is here to guide you through the admissions process and help you find the right program for you and your career goals.
To that end, we’ve simplified and streamlined our application process, so you can get enrolled in your program right away. Because we accept and review applications year-round, you can begin class as soon as next month, depending on your program and location of choice.
Learn more about undergraduate, graduate, military, and international student admissions, plus admissions information for transfer students. You can also learn more about our tuition rates and financial aid opportunities.
To speak with our admissions team, call (855) 355-6288 or request information and an advisor will contact you shortly. If you’re ready to apply, simply start your application today
Why Choose National University
- Four- or Eight-Week Courses
- 190+ Degree Programs
- Online or In Person
- Year-Round Enrollment
- Military Friendly
We’re proud to be a veteran-founded, San Diego-based nonprofit. Since 1971, our mission has been to provide accessible, achievable higher education to adult learners. Today, we educate students from across the U.S. and around the globe, with over 240,000 alumni worldwide.
“National University has impacted my career. You can immediately apply what you learn in class to your business.”
-Francisco R., Class of 2016
The Key Grant Scholarship
Do you qualify for a needs-based scholarship? Learn more about the NU Key Grant Scholarship and other scholarship opportunities to unlock the door to your dreams!
Program Disclosure
Successful completion and attainment of National University degrees do not lead to automatic or immediate licensure, employment, or certification in any state/country. The University cannot guarantee that any professional organization or business will accept a graduate’s application to sit for any certification, licensure, or related exam for the purpose of professional certification.
Program availability varies by state. Many disciplines, professions, and jobs require disclosure of an individual’s criminal history, and a variety of states require background checks to apply to, or be eligible for, certain certificates, registrations, and licenses. Existence of a criminal history may also subject an individual to denial of an initial application for a certificate, registration, or license and/or result in the revocation or suspension of an existing certificate, registration, or license. Requirements can vary by state, occupation, and/or licensing authority.
NU graduates will be subject to additional requirements on a program, certification/licensure, employment, and state-by-state basis that can include one or more of the following items: internships, practicum experience, additional coursework, exams, tests, drug testing, earning an additional degree, and/or other training/education requirements.
All prospective students are advised to review employment, certification, and/or licensure requirements in their state, and to contact the certification/licensing body of the state and/or country where they intend to obtain certification/licensure to verify that these courses/programs qualify in that state/country, prior to enrolling. Prospective students are also advised to regularly review the state’s/country’s policies and procedures relating to certification/licensure, as those policies are subject to change.
National University degrees do not guarantee employment or salary of any kind. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to review desired job positions to review degrees, education, and/or training required to apply for desired positions. Prospective students should monitor these positions as requirements, salary, and other relevant factors can change over time.