Casey Jensen ⋅ Saint Louis, MO Express Scripts ⋅ 17 years experience

Good Morning Tauris,

You are asking a very good question. I struggled with the same thoughts. When it comes to supply chain/logistics/distribution/etc. there are several things to consider.

1) The quality/Accreditation of education
2) The fit of the school
3) Time of completion
4) Cost of the span of the program
5) What you can do with the degree

Let me break these down one at a time.

First the quality/accreditation of education is very important. You want to find a regionally accredited institution. I do not recommend that you attend a school that is nationally accredited. Next you need to think about the business accreditation on your program. AACSP and ACBSP are the two you want to watch for. Each have a stringent accreditation process for the school.

Second you need to make sure that the school matches your personality and goals. Every school will try and sell you. For example, I attended Trident University International for my B.S.B.A in Logistics, part way through I realized that the school was not a match to my personality or goals. I pushed through because I wanted a degree, but many other schools would have matched my personality and goals much better.

Third, you need to consider how long you are willing to go to school for. Are you willing to take a few additional classes at a new school to fill any gaps you may have? Are you willing to spend 2.5 years on a degree? Or do you just want to get it done quickly? There are advantages and disadvantages to each scenario. For example, for my MBA in Supply Chain Management I could have gone to a school with a completion of one year, instead I choose a 2.5 year program that cost double what some programs cost. But it fit my personality, my goals, and ultimately I am very happy with my choice.

Four, cost is an important factor. If you are using your G.I. Bill then you should have you degree covered. But cost does not necessarily mean quality or fit. As mentioned above, find the program that fits your personality and goals, then pursue from there.

Finally, what can you do with the degree after completion. Having a degree is great. It is a major accomplishment, but it only gets your foot in the door. Your experience and how you sell yourself during the interviews will be the ultimate test of being hired.

The nice thing about the path you want to take, many schools are offering degree programs (online and physical) in the Supply Chain profession. Just take your time and find the right school that will fit your personality, time line, cost, and goals.

If you want to pursue the procurement, purchasing, supplier management (it goes my many names) then I would find a program that offers that track. The logistics degree from West Florida is going to specialize you in mainly transportation and warehousing. A Supply Chain Management degree will expose you to multiple different facets of the profession.

As I said I struggled with the same questions that you are asking. But here I am, almost done with my MBA in Supply Chain Management, almost done with a Masters Certification in Advanced Procurement, and looking into starting a Doctorate program in Supply Chain management. I found the programs that made me really happy and proud to a part of. Do your research and find what will get you what you want.

Please do not hesitate to reach out and let me know if I can help you in any way. Have a great day.

Casey

Casey Jensen ⋅ Saint Louis, MO Express Scripts ⋅ 17 years experience

Hey Tauris,

If you want to be in the supply chain profession, and stick with one of those two options, then it seems that UWF would be your best option. It focuses on the specific topics that you will be faced with everyday versus Pensacola that is an organizational degree and focuses more on the HR stand point.

In addition to your degree, I would recommend that you research APICS, ISM, and CSCMP for professional certifications. Many positions in the field want candidates with these certifications.

Please let me know if I can answer any additional questions.

Respectfully,

Casey

xxx xxx ⋅ Denver, CO Education ⋅ 8 years experience

Tauris -
There is a difference between TRANSFER and APPLICATION of credits. Here's why this matters: You are correct that Florida law says that if you graduate from any 2 year college in the state that you HAVE to be accepted to any 4 year college in the state, so after you're finished you could transfer to the university and they would have to accept me. BUT, just because they accept you and transfer over your credits does NOT mean that all your credits will APPLY to the degree program you want to complete at the 4-year college. You may end up having to take extra courses (which will cost more money and lead to longer completion time) and you may end up feeling like some of the courses you took at the 2-year college were a waste of time and money because they don't apply to the program at the 4-year college.

Best advice: If you know which 4-year college you will eventually attend and which bachelor's degree at that college you will eventually transfer into either get into that program now or, if you want to stay at your two-year college for a while then talk to an advisor in the bachelor degree program to find out exactly which courses at your 2-year college will transfer AND APPLY to the bachelor's degree at the 4-year college. Then take those courses.

Eugene Tuzkov ⋅ El Segundo, CA DIRECTV ⋅ 9 years experience

Assuming I understood your question(s) correctly, out of the options you presented, my recommendation is to study business and management at the best available to you university.

Also, (ideally) this university will be far enough away from your family and friends so that you are not distracted and can commit 100% of your time and energy on your education. Your family and friends will still be there when you graduate and get a job :)

Tauris Shingler ⋅ Pensacola, FL U.S. Navy, Petty Officer Third Class ⋅ 3 years served

Thank you all for your answers. I think my question basically breaks down too

Taking these classes at my current school:

Legal Environment
Financial Management
Professional Communications
Organizational Behavior
Theories of Leadership
Management Theory
Human Resource Administration
Professional Ethics and Values
Managerial Risk Analysis and Decision Making
Managing Diversity
Strategic Management

And 3 of these classes

Accounting for Non-Financial Majors
Law Enforcement Administration I
Law Enforcement Administration II
Management Information Systems
Project Management
International Business
Managing Diversity
Customer Relations in Business
Recruitment and Selection
Compensation Management
Employee Benefit Planning
Effective Employee Training
Employment Law & Regulations
Total Quality Management
Quality Certification: ISO 9000
Process Improvement Methodology
Innovation, Change, and Agile Process
Authority, Influence, and Projects
Marketing for Managers
Values, Ethics and Conflict Resolution

Or taking all these classes at the local university:

Legal Environment of Business
FIN 3403 Managerial Finance
Writing for Business: Theory and Practice
Business Ethics and Stakeholder Management
International Business
e-Business Systems Fundamentals
Management Fundamentals
Operations Management
Policy Analysis and Formulation
Marketing Fundamentals
Supply Chain Logistics Management
Warehousing and Terminal Management
Seminar in Supply Chain Logistics Strategy
Logistics Systems and Analytics
Global Logistics Management
Purchasing and Supply Management
Strategic Transportation Management

Or does it matter which ones I take? Could I still get the same type of job with either or?

Chris Hyers ⋅ Farmington, CT University of Connecticut ⋅ 22 years experience

While it is not my field, I can tell you from the experiences of friends and colleagues that supply chain is a hot, in demand field with a lot of possibilities- - - I'd venture to say that aligning yourself there would position you well for a limitless future.

Neil Serafin ⋅ Easthampton, MA Telecommunications ⋅ 40 years experience

Go purchasing manager. Go my old industry...Cable TV... I am retired now...all hardware comes from Asia...offer to visit the OEM'S in Asia to qualify them...that will set you apart from the pack...Stay away from the for profit private college diploma millls...go state college. Have your employer pay for your MA.

FRANCIS TEPEDINO, ESQ. ⋅ San Diego, CA THE CONDOR GROUP ⋅ 30 years experience

Get your degree from a recognized 4 year university. This will be recognized across the county not only in your home state. If you really want to be successful, couple that BS with a JD. That would be a tough, expensive, very difficult, road but if you are able to do it, that combination would set you up for success for life.