Online Operations Management Degree Programs - BAS, BS, MS, MBA

Admissions Requirements For Online Operations Management Degree Programs (What To Expect)

Applying to universities can be stressful if you don't know exactly what to expect from the process. If you are planning on pursuing an online degree in operations management, it is important to make a note of the application process and prepare accordingly.

For enrolling in an online operations management program, aspiring students must first meet a number of admissions requirements. There's no universal set of admission guidelines for all universities, there are a few common admissions criteria across programs that students must note.

For almost all undergraduate programs, the admission requirements would include proof of SAT scores with a copy of a high school diploma or GED. Some colleges might also ask students to submit a personal essay and letters of recommendation. Generally, students will also be asked to offer additional information regarding their academic experience and their reasons for choosing a specific program.

The admission requirements for graduate students would be quite similar to those of undergraduate admissions. Instead of submitting SAT scores, graduates may be asked to submit the scores they received on the GRE (or on a separate graduate school entrance examination). Additionally, they may also have to submit undergraduate transcripts, diplomas, and letters of recommendation.

Overall, individuals who are interested in enrolling in an online program should speak to that program’s administration staff to learn more about relevant dates and deadlines.

Operations Management Curriculum & Specializations

Specific courses across operations management programs will vary for different schools, but students can expect a few common topics and themes to appear across all curricula for this degree.

For example, students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels will likely take classes on operations management, supply chain management, project management, and process management. Undergraduate students may have to complete several elective courses to meet core requirements.

In some cases, students in an operations management program may be able to pursue an additional specialty, although this is not guaranteed for each institution. Areas of specialty for a student of operations management, particularly at the master’s level, may include logistics & transportation, project management, decision analytics, and supply chain management.

1Arizona State University (Bachelor of Applied Science)

Arizona State University’s Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering offers an online bachelor of applied sciences with a concentration in operations management technology program. The program will prepare students for management and supervisory functions in manufacturing, public service, industry, and other service organizations. They will be provided with the required tools for becoming successful as a manager.

Consisting of 120 credit-hours, this program allows students who have earned an AAS (associate of applied science) from a regionally accredited institution to transfer 60 to 75 credit-hours toward a bachelor of applied science at Arizona State University. Courses include computer systems technology, statistics in science and technology studies (CS), leading the enterprise, enterprise planning and implementation, industrial human resource management, enterprise operations, enterprise strategy and innovation, and quality assurance.

To get accepted into the program, applicants must have an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) from a regionally accredited institution. Additional admission requirements include a completed online application, and official transcripts sent directly to Arizona State University from each educational institution attended.

Upon successful completion, graduates can take up roles such as compliance manager, general manager, manufacturing plant manager, manufacturing supervisor, office manager, operations research analyst, quality control technician, quality control manager, and sales manager.

• Location: Tempe, Arizona
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
• Expected Time to Completion: 48 months
• Estimated Tuition: $688 per credit-hour

3Southern New Hampshire University (Bachelor of Science, Master of Science)

Operations managers develop, improve, and manage the processes that are used for producing and transporting services, products, and effectively managing people. They reduce costs, maximize profits, and increase customer satisfaction. With an online bachelor of science in operations management degree program at Southern New Hampshire University, students can efficiently manage operations and become an asset to any organization. The program has two concentration options: logistics and transportation and project management.

The major admission requirements include completing a free undergraduate application and providing transcripts from previous institutions attended. For additional inquiries, students must speak to an admissions counselor.

The program comprises 120 credit-hours and includes courses such as management science through spreadsheets, continuous improvement tools and techniques, sustainable operations, supply chain management, trends in operations management, capstone in operations management, and project management.

The logistics and transportation concentration includes courses such as logistics management, reverse logistics, transportation management, and integrated supply chain management.

The project management concentration includes courses such as project contracting and procurement, resource estimating and scheduling, integrated cost and schedule control, and adaptive project management.

Upon successful completion, graduates can take up roles such as distribution manager, inventory control analyst, supply manager, production planner, production supervisor, project manager, purchasing manager, supply chain planner, and many more such roles.

Southern New Hampshire University also offers an online 36 credit-hour master of science in project management and operations degree program. Courses include quantitative analysis for decision making, operations management, project management, seminar in project management, and topics in operations management.

• Location: Manchester, New Hampshire
• Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
• Expected Time to Completion: BS (36 months); MS (15 months)
• Estimated Tuition: BS ($320 per credit-hour); MS ($627 per credit-hour)

2University of Scranton (Master of Business Administration)

The University of Scranton offers a 100 percent online master of business administration (MBA) program with a concentration in operations management. The program helps students in developing problem-solving and analytical skills needed for succeeding in this information and technology-intensive field.

The curriculum of the program reflects wide-ranging tasks and responsibilities that operations managers often undertake. The expertise developed in this MBA program can prove to be a powerful differentiator for motivated candidates, as they grow their careers.

Applicants to the program must have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university, or the equivalent from an international college or university, a completed application, statement of intent, three letters of reference, at least three years of professional or supervisory work experience, a current resume, and transcripts from all schools attended. International students will be required to show proof of English proficiency by submitting TOEFL, STEP, or IELTS scores.

Comprising 36 credit-hours, the program includes courses such as responsibility, sustainability, and justice, managerial economics, financial management, operations management, introduction to business analytics, supply chain management, data mining, project and change management, business forecasting models, quality management, and production planning and control.

Students through the program will be able to make financial and economic business decisions, apply business law principles and accounting techniques in a business setting, apply management and marketing processes in a business setting, and lead and manage the myriad levers involved in running a business, including supply chain management, operations management, financial management, and project management.

This MBA with a specialization in operations management provides students with the leadership skills, and advanced knowledge needed to qualify for senior management positions in this field. Graduates will be able to take up roles such as chief operations officer, service operations director, operations manager, operations management engineers, plant manager, and purchasing manager/agent, among others.

• Location: Scranton, Pennsylvania
• Accreditation: The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
• Estimated Tuition: $965 per credit-hour

4University of Arkansas (Master of Science in Operations Management)

The University of Arkansas offers a 100 percent online master of science in operations management degree program providing students with the practical knowledge needed for leading complex business operations. The faculty of the program includes industry experts who help students learn relevant skills that can be applied immediately.

In order to get accepted into the program, applicants must have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university, a minimum grade-point average of 3.0, completed online application form, TOEFL or IELTS scores for students who are not native speakers of English and who do not have a conferred bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited U.S. college or university. Letters of recommendation, personal statement, resume, or essays are not required for admission.

Made up of 30 credit-hours, the core courses of the program include an introduction to operations management, project management for operations managers, strategic management, finance for operations managers, human resources management, risk management, quality management, and introduction to analytics.

Students gain a high-level view of the global business landscape, increasing productivity, supply chain, learn finance as it applies to operations managers, leadership principles, and human resource strategies.

• Location: Fayetteville, Arkansas
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
• Expected Time to Completion: 18 to 24 months
• Estimated Tuition: $303.88 per credit-hour

Other Considerations for Selecting the Right Program

Students must conduct sufficient research to find out if a program will help them meet their education and career goals.

To that end, they may inquire about the career placement assistance provided by institutions as well as if they have a career guidance program in place. It may also help to look at testimonials from past students, and if possible, speak with a few graduates from a program to get a sense of its advantages and value.

Ultimately, proactive due diligence will help you choose a program that matches your long term career aspirations.