Online Operations Management Degree Programs
Degree Subject
Degree Level
Online Operations Management Degree Programs
Operations Management is an essential function that contributes the success of all businesses and organizations. Many entry-level operations management positions require a minimum of a bachelor degree in operations management and many professionals begin their career with this degree. Undergraduate operations management degree programs provide students with a solid foundation in operations management and enable them to gain the necessary broad range of skills to pursue a meaningful and successful career. Students can also pursue MBA degrees and concentrate on operations management. Read more about online operations management degree programs.
Some Stats
In 2006, there were 2,471 bachelor, 1,078 master, and 14 doctorate degrees conferred in operations management (1). Operations managers held 1.7 million jobs in 2006, with 3 out of 4 employed in service-providing industries and operations research analysts held 58,000 jobs (2). Operations managers with less than 1 year experience earned annual salaries between $35,915 and $60,597 (3).
Employment Outlook
Career outlook for operations management jobs varies among degree and position. Employment of operations managers is expected to have little or no change from 2006 to 2016, increasing 2% and adding 26,000 new jobs. Operations research analysts are expected to experience as fast as average employment growth, increasing 11% and adding 6,200 new jobs (2).
Specialties
When pursuing an operations management degree students can choose to concentrate on a specialty. Operations management specialties include business administration operations, supply chain, global business, information technology, healthcare, logistics, dispute resolution, customer care, project management, sales, quality control, production, planning, and analysis. Students who are interested in a particular specialty should choose a school that offers a strong program in that area of interest.
What to Expect
Online operations management degree programs focus on intra-organizational and inter-organizational skills to enable students to purse a wide variety of career opportunities in the field of operations management. Coursework varies by degree and program, but all most undergraduate programs require general education courses such as English, mathematics, science, history, and composition. Many undergraduate operations management programs include core courses in economics, statistics, calculus, financial reporting, management accounting, fundamentals of finance, management theory and practices, fundamentals of operations management, and business communication. Graduate operations management degree programs, such as the Master of Operations Management or MBA with Operations Management concentration provide students with greater specialization and prepare graduates for higher level management positions. These degrees also enable students to gain skills that can be transferred to other fields.
The End Result
An undergraduate operations management degree opens the door to many job opportunities in a variety of fields. Students will have flexibility and value in the very competitive marketplace. Students who pursue graduate degrees will be prepared to transition to higher paying jobs. Career opportunities for operations management degree graduates include:
- Operations Manager
- Operations Research Analyst
- Operations Consultant
- Operations Management Specialist
- Vice President of Operations
- District Manager
- Director of Operations
- Operations Coordinator
- Marketing Operations Specialist
Individuals who enjoy ensuring businesses and organizations are operating efficiently will find a career in operations management enjoyable. Operations management professionals plan, coordinate, and supervise companies and organizations of all types. They manage the everyday operations, create policies, and plan the use of human resources and materials.
(1) SOURCE: U.S. National Center for Education Statistics, Digest of Education Statistics
(2) SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook 2008-2009 Edition
(3) SOURCE: Payscale.com, Salary Survey Report