Online Master’s Degree in Operations Management

Operations managers are a critical part of successful corporations. They are responsible for all aspects of day-to-day operations and manage everything from personnel to projects and production. The online Master’s Degree in Operations Management is a good option for professionals currently employed in retail establishments and manufacturing businesses who are seeking promotions to management level.

Online Master’s Degrees in Operations Management Requirements

Most accredited schools for an online master’s degree in operations management require the GRE (Graduate Record Examination), and some will also request letters of recommendation for the admissions process.
Candidates for an online masters degree in operations management must already possess a bachelor’s degree prior to applying to the graduate school. Some bachelor’s degrees that are common in this field are:

• Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration
• Bachelor of Arts in Operations
• Bachelor of Arts in Supply Chain Management

Individuals seeking an online operations management masters degree may be coming from a variety of industries, including manufacturing, retail, technology, and even food service.

Online Operations Management Master’s Degree Education

Top online masters degree programs in operations management generally take between two and three years to complete if all prerequisite or foundational courses were completed prior to entering the program. Typical prerequisite courses include statistics, management science, and information management.
The different types of online masters degrees in operations management include:

• Master of Business Administration in Operations Management (MBA in Operations Management)
• Master of Science in Operations Management (MS in Operations Management)
• Master of Science in Management – Operations Research (MSM-OR)
• Master of Arts in Operations Management (MA in Operations Management)

Students seeking an even greater competitive advantage in the marketplace can pursue an online PhD in operations management after completing the operations management online masters degree.

Information on Operations Management Courses

The basic courses in an online operations management master’s degree focus on topics such as management principles, operations planning, and product quality. The curriculum includes courses like the following:

• Accounting for Management
  Students are introduced to advanced accounting concepts, and learn how to analyze financial data for use in organizational decision making.
• Operations Management
  This course covers topics such as process planning, staffing, inventory management, product quality, and operations scheduling relative to how these factors affect overall performance.
• Management Information Systems
  In this course online operations management degree students will discover the value of information systems in achieving overall operational efficiency in product development as well as evaluation processes.
• Organizational Behavior
  Students will learn the theories of improving performance for individuals and work groups, and how to apply these principles within organizations.
• Financial Management
  This course uses specific cases to examine principles of capital budgeting, working capital, and financial structure.

Specializations and Concentrations

Operations management is a specific field relative to the subject matter that is covered by the online masters degree program. However in the field, professionals will become specialized in various areas. A few of these specializations for online operations management masters degree earners are:

• Logistics
• Supply Chain
• Production

Careers in Operations Management

The best online masters degree programs in operations management teach skills that are invaluable in business organizations. The skills gained in these programs prepare graduates for many career options. Some of these include:

• Supply Chain Manager
  Supply chain managers may also be called purchasing managers or buyers. They are responsible for acquiring goods and services of the best quality for the lowest price. Supply chain or purchasing managers earn an average salary of about $92,000 per year. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that this field will have average growth through 2018.
• Logistics Manager
  A logistics manager acts as the intermediary between the departments of purchasing, inventory, marketing and manufacturing. Logistics managers act to maintain effective and efficient supply chains. Salaries for logistics managers range from $48,000 to $80,000. Job growth is expected to be around 18% over the next several fiscal years.
• Management Consultant
  Management consultants evaluate current practices of a corporation and provide organizations solutions to increase productivity, profitability, and avenues to meet future operational needs.
  Management consultants earn wages of about $130,000 annually.
• General Operations Manager
  General operations managers establish and implement policies for budgeting, managing personnel, and business strategy. Average base compensation is $69,000, but many positions also include bonus plans. Job growth is expected to remain stagnant.
• Industrial Production Manager
  Industrial production managers oversee manufacturing processes. They are responsible for meeting output goals and staying within operational budgets. The top 10% of industrial production managers earn about $140,000 on an annual basis.

Online masters programs provide the ideal opportunity for current operations professionals to pursue a master’s degree in operations management. Learners will develop a broad skill set needed to perform vital tasks in a corporation from dealing with employees to managing production lines and budgets.