Certificate in Supply Chain Management
Develop and Sustain Competitive Advantage
At the heart of business, supply chain management professionals are in high demand due to competitive pressures and increased business complexity across the globe. Invaluable to every organization, they are involved in all processes from raw materials extraction to consumer purchase and customer satisfaction. In this 12-credit-hour online program, you’ll discover how to leverage key concepts, tools and technologies to make supply chains faster, more efficient and more resilient.
August, January or May Start
Fuel Your Career
Through innovative coursework focused on the theory and practice of supply chain management, you’ll learn about strategic supply chain design, planning and forecasting, sourcing and procurement, logistics, distribution and inventory management, sustainability and lean management principles. Comprised of four courses, which you can tailor to fit your interests, you must earn a grade C or better in each to complete the certificate.
Explore All SCMA Courses
Complete One Required Course
Supply Chain Management Strategies
GRBA 815
This course enables students to better develop and sustain a company’s competitive advantage through effective supply chain management. Students will learn how to create value for customers through supply chains, operations, and information systems, and develop an understanding of the relationships between operations, supply chain management, and other parts of the organization. Students will also gain an understanding of how effective operations and supply chain management can support corporate level strategies. This course is a prerequisite for most other supply chain management courses.
Choose Three Elective Courses
Advanced Enterprise Systems
SCMA 831
This course discusses how information systems and technology are used to support operations and supply chain management, including designing, planning, and controlling of manufacturing and service systems. Students will explore and learn some of the latest trends in information systems and technology, and gain an understanding of how those systems can improve supply chain performance.
Planning and Controlling Supply Chain Systems
SCMA 832
Prerequisites: GRBA 815 (Supply Chain Management Strategies)
This course covers topics related to planning that are relevant in the manufacturing, service, and public sectors. Topics include forecasting and planning for capacity management, materials management, utilization of facilities, managing and scheduling inventory, scheduling people and equipment, and the tracking of people, orders, and equipment to ensure the accommodation of customer needs while maintaining effective and efficient processes.
Advanced Topics in Lean Supply Chain Management
SCMA 834
Prerequisites: GRBA 815
This course focuses on the continuous improvement of supply chain operations and other business processes through the application of lean management principles. Topics include just-in-time, six-sigma, theory of constraints, and associated tools and applications.
Project Management and Implementation
SCMA 836
Project management involves managing people and resources to accomplish a new activity. This course introduces techniques used for planning and managing projects, from project initiation through implementation. Students learn a variety of tools and techniques used for budgeting, planning and scheduling, risk management, and project implementation.
Global Supply Chain Management
SCMA 839
Prerequisites: GRBA 815
This course considers issues of relevance in global supply chains, with a focus on sourcing, distribution, and transportation. Specific issues include international trade, the benefits and risks of outsourcing, and the use of information technology for coordination in international supply chains. Other topics include make or buy decisions, supplier evaluation and selection, total cost of ownership, negotiation, and purchasing ethics.
Managing Logistics in the Supply Chain
SCMA 844
Prerequisites: GRBA 815
Logistics has been defined as the process of planning, implementing, and controlling the efficient, cost effective flow, and storage of raw materials, in-process inventory, finished goods, and related information, from point of origin to point of consumption to meet customer requirements. This course covers topics related to physical distribution, channel design, transportation mode selection, and inventory management.
Information Technologies for Operations and Innovation
SCMA 847
Prerequisites: GRBA 815
Business leaders must understand how to leverage advanced information technology (IT) for operations and innovation. In this course, students will learn the foundations of IT, advanced IT trends, and how IT is used to operate, innovate, grow, and transform organizations. Topics include new and disruptive IT and its potential a role in innovation and smart operations through digital transformation.
"I chose Nebraska because it's one of the best programs in the nation. I started out with the supply chain management graduate certificate. It's a great foundation and introduction into the realm of continuous process improvement. I took my new knowledge to change processes and make them more efficient. We re-organized our parachute shop and saved valuable hours by cutting down unnecessary steps. I used the certificate program as a stepping stone into the M.S. in Supply Chain Management program."
Joshua Johnston, Flight Chief, U.S. Air Force
Admission
Because we review applications on a continual basis, you can start earning the certificate when it works best for you, whether that’s spring, fall or summer.
Application deadlines are July 1 for the fall semester, November 1 for the spring semester and April 1 for the summer semester.
Upload Supporting Documents
All Supporting Documents are uploaded directly via the graduate application.
- Professional Résumé
Your résumé should include relevant work experience, education, skills, professional and community involvement, and other professional credentials. - Unofficial Transcripts
You are required to submit an unofficial transcript from each higher education institution you have attended.
Submit Official Transcripts
If you are admitted, you will be required to submit an official transcript sent directly from each institution you have attended to The Office of Graduate Studies. We recommend that you complete this task before your admitted term begins. A hold will be placed on your account if they do not receive your official transcripts by October 1 for the fall semester, February 1 for the spring semester and July 1 for the summer semester. Students will have until that day to submit official transcripts or your admission will be rescinded.
Transcripts can be sent electronically to graduate@unl.edu or by mail to
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Graduate Admissions
1100 Seaton Hall
Lincoln, NE 68588-0619
Note: International Student Transcript Submission
If you are an international student, please refer to the Nebraska Office of Graduate Studies for transcript and document information.
International Transcript Information
Note: 3.0 recommended GPA
Students with less than a 3.0 GPA with substantial relevant professional experience will also be considered.
Applying for Multiple Certificates
The College of Business is pleased to provide multiple graduate certificate options. Please note, however, that students pursuing multiple graduate certificates may not apply the same course to more than one certificate. Below is a list of courses used by more than one certificate. If you have questions about this policy, please reach out to the Business Graduate Programs office at businessgrad@unl.edu.
Overlapping Courses in Certificates
- Business Analytics and Marketing Analytics share GRBA 851
- Business Analytics and Supply Chain Analytics share GRBA 851
- Supply Chain Management and Supply Chain Analytics share GRBA 815
- Marketing Analytics and Strategic Marketing share GRBA 813
Additional information on Application Requirements can be found at Graduate Studies website.
Prerequisites
Before applying, ensure you have met the prerequisite of a bachelor’s degree. You are also expected to have developed proficiency in using Microsoft Excel before beginning the program.
Affordability
Since certificate programs are not eligible for financial aid, we know cost is key. At a flat rate of $675 per credit hour, our certificate programs are some of the most affordable in the Big Ten.
Maximize Your Investment
Completing a certificate can be a good way to get a feel for graduate level classes and diversify your expertise. Because the course credits you'll earn while completing a certificate are transferrable, you can roll your credits into a master's program later on. If you’re enrolled in our MBA programs, you can use your MBA electives to earn this graduate certificate at the same time.
Start Your Application
Apply Now
May Start | Apply by April 1
August Start | Apply by July 1
January Start | Apply by November 1
"The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically shows how critical the supply chain is in all aspects of business, health care, government and manufacturing. Managing the supply chain changes daily."
- Jennifer Ryan, Department Chair and Professor of Supply Chain Management and Analytics and Van Horne Family Endowed Chair
Get More Information
Provide your information and we'll send you what you need to know about earning your graduate certificate at Nebraska.
If you have immediate questions, contact our Business Graduate Programs Office at businessgrad2@unl.edu or 402-472-2338.