Wayne State’s global supply chain program once again ranked among top 25 in the country
Wayne State University’s undergraduate programs in global supply chain management are once again among the nation’s top 25 according to Gartner, a leading industry research company that releases rankings every other year.
As curricula have mostly been standardized, Gartner’s 2022 Undergraduate Supply Chain rankings focus on other criteria, such as experiential learning, DEI initiatives, location and cost. North American programs are ranked on scope, industry value and program size, with data gathered from supply chain contacts at universities across the U.S. and Canada.
Offered through the Mike Ilitch School of Business, Wayne State’s global supply chain management program prepares students with in-depth knowledge about global challenges and the critical links in the value chain of goods. The Ilitch School program came in at number 21 for 2022, its highest ranking ever.
“Our faculty members have worked hard to make sure we are student-centered and deliver an excellent curriculum,” said Sachin Modi, professor and chair of the Ilitch School’s Department of Marketing and Department of Supply Chain Management. “Our full- and part-time faculty represent tremendous industry experience and have helped shape our program. The supply chain management advisory board’s effort and dedication to student placement, experiential learning and program promotion cannot be understated.”
Nearly 500 supply chain majors learn from nine full-time faculty members as well as high-quality adjunct instructors from across the industry, including senior executives from companies like Lear, Ford, General Motors, Stellantis, GE Healthcare and many more.
Courses include logistics and transportation, purchasing, risk management, manufacturing processes for buyers, production planning and control, theory of constraints, quality management, lean management and more. The job placement rate for alumni within six months of graduation is over 85%, with most of those entering automotive careers.
Through its partnerships and curriculum, the business school has established itself as a leader in global supply chain management. The annual General Motors-Wayne State University Supply Chain Case Competition draws teams from top universities across the country and around the world, including China, Brazil, Mexico, the Netherlands and Poland. The 2022 competition will mark its twelfth year.
The department also partners with the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) on a certificate program for industry employees, as well as on research through the Global Automotive Purchasing and Supply Chain Partnership (GAPSCN).
To gain firsthand global experience, WSU supply chain students can choose to study abroad through unique, automotive-focused programs in China, Brazil and Europe. Due to COVID-19, these programs were temporarily suspended but will be starting again soon.
In addition to its top-ranked bachelor’s program, the Ilitch School’s M.B.A. concentration in supply chain is also among the best in the nation, ranking in Gartner’s 2020 top 25 graduate supply chain programs (the 2022 rankings will be announced in July).
The M.B.A. concentration covers subjects such as strategic procurement, enterprise resource planning systems and quality management. Courses include ERP systems and business integration, the theory of constraints, supply chain decision tools, quality management, manufacturing planning and control, managing risks in automotive supply chains and more.
The Ilitch School also offers an executive master of science in automotive supply chain management, which provides students in automotive and related industries with the theoretical understanding and applied practical knowledge and skills to be well-informed, creative professionals who have leading-edge knowledge in managing complex manufacturing supply chains.
The school recently added a concentration in healthcare supply chain management, which has proven to be remarkably timely since the dawn of the COVID pandemic.
Get in touch with the Frederick Hessler Student Success Center to learn more about an undergraduate degree in global supply chain management or contact our Graduate Programs Office to learn more about an M.B.A. concentration or the executive M.S. in automotive supply chain management.
