Reflecting its mission to create new curriculum and programs that produce highly sought graduates for growing fields, Schoolcraft College will begin offering certificates and an associate degree in Supply Chain Management starting in the Winter 2021 semester.

“The all-new Supply Chain Management program offers students several avenues to enter or advance in this expanding, vital component of business and industry,” said Dr. Robert Leadley, Dean of Occupational Programs & Economic Development. “Schoolcraft College’s ongoing conversations with business and industry leaders resulted in the development of this important program that will help address a current need for qualified supply chain technicians.”

Job outlook promising

Supply Chain Management (SCM) encompasses a diverse range of skills and jobs, including planning, strategic procurement, logistics management, inventory control and more in a wide range of settings, including warehouses, distribution centers or offices.

The global SCM industry is expected to grow 11.2% from present to 2027. In particular, the global healthcare field is expected to grow 7.9% by 2025, creating additional opportunities in SCM. It’s anticipated the fastest growth areas will be in analytics and new technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT).

Students will have the option of three academic credentials:

Skills Certificate

• 16 credits
• Provides introductory view of the total field of Supply Chain Management
• Provides fundamental skills in business, math, communications and spreadsheets
• Prepares students to obtain an entry-level position

Certificate

• 32 credits
• Introduces more concentrated SCM areas such as Supply Chain Logistics and Distribution, and Supply Chain Purchasing
• Increases knowledge of spreadsheets, communications and statistics
• Can help advance the career of someone already in the field or prepare a student for more specialized employment

Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree

• 60-65 credits
• Prepares students or incumbent employees to become leaders within this industry toward career opportunities from design through to final distribution
• Students will learn how to effectively manage all activities throughout the SCM industry
• Includes study of specific key interconnected areas, such as supplier selection and sourcing, manufacturing, warehousing/inventory management, and efficiency in material distribution
• An internship provides real-world experience in the SCM industry
• Provides a smooth pathway to a bachelor’s program

Each credential is “stackable,” meaning completed coursework from the Skills Certificate flows directly to the Certificate, and then Certificate to the AAS. This allows students to efficiently advance their learning and potentially advance in their career path.

As with all new programs, the curriculum was developed through a partnership of Schoolcraft College faculty and an advisory board of seven industry leaders, covering automotive, healthcare, logistics and academia, who provide a wealth of knowledge and real-world experience. Together, they shaped the curriculum, which has been approved by the Higher Learning Commission, the agency that accredits colleges and universities in a 19-state region of the United States.

“Supply Chain Management is an advancing field with a great variety of positions available that allow for individual career growth,” said Olga Alavanou, an automotive executive who previously served as Executive Vice President of Supply Chain Management for a Tier I automotive supplier. “The new Supply Chain Management program at Schoolcraft College will provide an opportunity for students to learn many aspects of Supply Chain Management. This experience will allow for a rewarding educational journey in this field."

All courses will be taught by instructors who combine excellence in the classroom with years of business and industry experience. One of those instructors is Steve Donovan, who began as a consultant on the Supply Chain Management program in 2018 after a distinguished career in the automotive industry.

His most recent position was with Yazaki North America, a Tier I automotive supplier, where he was the Manager of Advanced Purchasing.

“In Michigan, of course we think of the automotive industry first when we talk about Supply Chain Management, and it certainly is vital here, but Supply Chain Management goes far beyond manufacturing,” Donovan said. “It’s an important component of just about any business, including banking and finance. Supply Chain Management is really a wide-open field.”

For additional information about the program, please contact Steve Donovan, sdonovan@schoolcraft.edu or the office of Education and Occupational Programs, EducationOccupationalPrograms@schoolcraft.edu.

Registration for the Winter 2021 semester starts Saturday, Oct. 31. Classes begin Monday, Jan. 11, 2021.