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With growing supply chain complexity, business wants better prepared graduates, AMR says. What Do You Say? Click Here to Send Us Your Comments Click Here to See Reader Feedback

What university provides the top supply chain management program?

That question always generates much debate, especially from alumni of any of the institutions most known for producing SCM graduates.

AMR Research has now weighed in on the subject, offering its first ranking of supply chain programs. The work was a result both of comparing data provided by the universities themselves as well as survey responses from supply chain practitioners.

In AMR’s view, Penn State came out on top, followed by Michigan State. Rounding out the top 10 in order were: Arizona State, Ohio State, MIT, University of Tennessee, Georgia Tech, Texas A&M, Syracuse, and University of Michigan.

All told, 19 universities provided enough data to be considered for the list.

The rankings were based on three criteria (see graphic nearby):

• Industry Value: Calculated based on recruiting activity and salaries for graduates.
• Depth of Program: How many students were in various programs, number of SCM faculty, and the number of SCM degree programs. This is an area where Penn State scores very high, for example, having a huge number of students, with more than 800 involved in the program. It also has 29 full-time professors focused on supply chain management.
• Scope of Program: Breadth of courses offered, especially around a well balanced scope of subjects identified as needed by practitioners, with scope of academic research also being considered.

(Supply Chain Trends and Issues Article - Continued Below)

AMR’s Ranking of Top Supply Chain Universities

Industry Wants More

With growing supply chain complexity, business wants better prepared graduates, AMR says.

AMR has developed a list of 11 “stations,” or functional skill areas, which it says supply chain practitioners need to master, ranging from SCOR type functions like Plan, Source, Make and Deliver to strategy and change management. It says that, “Unfortunately, supply chain programs are not preparing students well enough in these stations,” though it notes that “industry has a part in this as well, as they have given a mea culpa about the historical lack of clarity provided to universities about the number and type of graduates needed.”

Industry is setting high targets for graduates.

“Beyond competence in the 11 academic stations, industry expects students to have a broad understanding of supply chain concepts,” AMR says. “Additionally, problem solving and judgment, analytical capabilities, relevant work experience, and an ability to effectively work in teams are viewed as high priority.”

To this end, AMR says more universities should require graduates to work in a co-op or internship program before graduation.

“Industry feels strongly about improving the educational experience to ensure that graduates will have applied knowledge, direct experience, and familiarity with cross-functional, time-constraint events,” AMR says. “They also clamor for faster change management within the academic structure.”

What is your view of the rankings and AMR’s approach to calculating the leaders? Do SCM programs need to do more to prepare its supply chain graduates for the world they will enter? Let us know your thoughts at the Feedback button below.

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