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supply chain

Graduate Certificate inSupply Chain Management

Summary Courses Careers Costs and Aid

Gain the skills you need to maximize the efficiency of your organization’s supply chain. This online program can help you learn to develop supply chain solutions as you gain an understanding of how companies use networks to acquire, produce, and deliver goods and services domestically and worldwide.

100% Online

Complete your Penn State course work at your own pace and 100% online.

Apply by July 20 to start August 25

12 Credits$1,143 per credit

No GRE/GMAT

GRE and GMAT test scores are NOT required.

Gain Supply Chain Management Skills

  • Synchronize the flow of products, information, and funds.

  • Develop supply chain solutions for your organization. 

  • Identify and measure essential metrics that are key indicators of supply chain performance.

  • Utilize the strategic supply chain management framework.

The Penn State Graduate Certificate in Supply Chain Management curriculum consists of four courses designed to build your competence across the foundations of supply chain management.

You will study: 

  • supply chain strategy and network design 
  • purchasing and negotiations 
  • inventory cost analysis, planning, and control 
  • performance measurements 
  • information technology and decision support 
  • transportation systems operation and third-party logistics services providers

Required Courses (12 credits)

  • 3
    credits

    Introduction to the core concepts of the strategic supply chain management framework, including process orientation, a systems viewpoint, intra-frim coordination, and extended enterprise collaboration.

  • 3
    credits

    Performance metrics used in supply chain management, both within the enterprise and across the extended enterprise.

    • Prerequisite or concurrent

      SCM 800

  • 3
    credits

    Selecting, evaluating, and determining the nature of relationships with suppliers from the buyer's perspective within the context of industry and market knowledge. Additionally, understanding ethical conduct in business organizations.

    • Prerequisite

      SCM 800

  • 3
    credits

    Best principles and practices for production management as well as tools and models for demand forecasting and inventory management, particularly as it relates to the fulfillment of demand for finished goods.

    • Prerequisite

      SCM 800

Course Availability

If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.

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You can use the knowledge gained from this program and the support of Penn State career resources to pursue careers in a variety of fields, depending on your goals.

Career Opportunities for Graduates

Your Graduate Certificate in Supply Chain Management can equip you for a variety of careers as a supply chain professional or in supply chain management positions with companies in virtually any industry. You can prepare for positions such as: 

  • supply chain manager 
  • logistics manager 
  • purchasing manager 
  • industrial production manager 
  • retail solutions manager 
  • product supply lead 
  • import operations specialist 
  • export specialist 
  • warehousing

Career Services to Set You Up for Success

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From the day you're accepted as a student, you can access resources and tools provided by Penn State World Campus Career Services to further your career. These resources are beneficial whether you're searching for a job or advancing in an established career.

  • Opportunities to connect with employers
  • Career counselor/coach support
  • Occupation and salary information
  • Internships
  • Graduate school resources 

Upcoming Event

Master of Supply Chain Management Webinar

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Ready to take the next step toward your Penn State graduate certificate?

Apply by July 20 to start August 25. How to Apply 

Learn about this program's tuition, fees, scholarship opportunities, grants, payment options, and military benefits.

Graduate Tuition

Graduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register. Tuition is due shortly after each semester begins and rates are assessed every semester of enrollment.

2024–25 Academic Year Rates

Tuition rates for the fall 2024, spring 2025, and summer 2025 semesters.
How many credits do you plan to take per semester?Cost
11 or fewer$1,143 per credit
12 or more$13,723 per semester

2025–26 Academic Year Rates

Tuition rates for the fall 2025, spring 2026, and summer 2026 semesters.
How many credits do you plan to take per semester?Cost
11 or fewer$1,154 per credit
12 or more$13,860 per semester

Paying for Your Certificate

Students pursuing a certificate are considered "nondegree," a status that is not eligible for federal student aid, including the Federal Direct Stafford Loan program. A private alternative loan may be an option to consider.

Additionally, Penn State offers many ways to pay for your education, including an installment plan and third-party payments. Penn State World Campus also offers an Employer Reimbursement and Tuition Deferment Plan. Learn more about the options for paying for your education.

Students pursuing a degree and meeting all other eligibility requirements may qualify for financial aid.

Military Benefits

Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents should explore these potential military education benefits and financial aid opportunities, as well.

Additional Cost of Attendance Details

To view the detailed list of cost of attendance elements:

Technical Requirements

Review the technical requirements for this program.

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Smeal College of Business is committed to being your partner in lifelong learning. Smeal offers programs, support, and resources for every career stage and life circumstance that will prepare you not only for your next great opportunity but also for the one after that.

More options, greater flexibility, and a commitment to lifelong learning

The desire for knowledge and professional growth spans a lifetime. That is why the Penn State Smeal College of Business offers a portfolio of professional graduate programs for all stages of your career. In partnership with Penn State World Campus, Smeal makes it easy to customize a learning plan to your unique career aspirations and busy schedule. Penn State Smeal offers you a lifetime of learning with more concentrations and one of the most integrated, flexible offerings of online and residential programs in the United States.

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An entire team dedicated to your success

Personal advising — Our experts will explain the many options that Penn State Smeal offers and will help you refine your career strategy and craft the educational experience best suited to your interests. It all starts with a simple, but critical question: “What are your goals?” 

Career coaching* — Our Alumni Career Services team will support you across all career stages with professional advancement opportunities and coaching to help you stay focused on achieving your goals.

Delivering the best of online and in-person learning for a rich educational experience

We understand that today’s professional learners want meaningful discussion and interaction with faculty and classmates along with the technologies and flexible approaches of contemporary online learning. By aligning the best of both worlds, we bring richness, depth, and diversity to the overall educational experience.

Courses designed to engage and motivate the professional student

Creative Teams consisting of a lead faculty member, a Teaching Support Specialist (TSS), and an Instructional Designer use advanced analytics to develop and deliver contemporary graduate courses that promote application and engagement. We strive to innovate in ways that others don’t. 

A real-world perspective

  • Industry professionals inside the virtual classroom — Many of Penn State Smeal’s courses feature industry professionals who have been in the trenches and work hard to make an impact every day. These individuals, most of whom hold a Smeal graduate degree, partner with our renowned faculty to provide a rich academic context with real-world application.
  • Global immersion* — This unique, optional experience will enhance your ability to communicate cross-culturally, adapt to evolving business environments, and manage the risks and benefits of operating on a global scale. Any student pursing a full degree from Smeal may participate in this optional, faculty-led experience for elective credit. Previous destinations have included Shanghai, China; Johannesburg, South Africa; Prague, Czech Republic; Santiago, Chile; and Zagreb, Croatia.

One of the largest and most influential networks in the country

At Penn State, you are part of a worldwide community of instructors, learners, and more than 775,000 alumni who support one another and make a meaningful impact. Whether studying on campus or online through Penn State World Campus, all Penn State students can experience a sense of community and belonging. You’ll have opportunities to engage with your peers, faculty, and alumni through virtual and in-person, on-campus events such as Impact Smeal Day, WE ARE Weekend, THON™, and the Blue-White game.

More than 94,000 Smeal alumni benefit from connections around the globe as well as networking events, podcasts, webinars, a powerful LinkedIn community, and opportunities for volunteerism.

* Services are available only to students and alumni of Penn State Smeal’s degree programs and online degrees led by Smeal and delivered through the World Campus. Students and alumni of online graduate certificates are not eligible to receive these benefits unless they are also enrolled in a degree program.

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Not only can this program help create opportunities in your career, it can also give you a solid head start toward a full master’s degree.

Degree Programs Related to This Certificate

In addition to being an excellent stand-alone credential, all of the courses in the Graduate Certificate in Supply Chain Management can be applied toward the following programs, if you are accepted into that program:

Learn to gain a competitive business advantage using forecasting, inventory analysis, demand planning, and transformation strategy as a student in Penn State’s online supply chain management program. Courses from this flexible master’s degree also satisfy the requirements for a graduate certificate in supply chain management.

Learn more

Learn to strategically manage high-performance teams and solve complex, real-world business challenges. With more than 25 concentrations available, you can customize this top-ranked online MBA to suit your unique career goals.

Learn more

Learn to strategically manage corporate innovation; develop new products, services, and business models for companies; and launch startups. With multiple concentrations to choose from, you can customize this online degree program to support your goals.

Learn more

This online master's program in enterprise architecture and business transformation (EABT) integrates both business strategy and enterprise technical execution. EABT improves organizational efficiency, effectiveness, and agility by delivering holistic business-aligned and digitally focused systems.

Learn more

AACSB Accredited

This program is AACSB Accredited

The Penn State Smeal College of Business is AACSB accredited, an honor reserved for the top 5% of business schools worldwide. This program is competitively priced compared to other AACSB–accredited programs.

Nationally Recognized Supply Chain Program

U.S. News & World Report ranks the Penn State Smeal College of Business supply chain/logistics graduate program as one of the best in the nation, and employers consistently recognize the exceptional quality of this program. 

This program is designed for working logistics professionals who want to gain the knowledge and skills needed to maximize the efficiency of their organizations' supply chains.

Although many individuals in the program have supply chain experience, the program is also appropriate if your education and/or experience is in disciplines such as the sciences, engineering, or the liberal arts.

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Whether you are looking to finish your program as quickly as possible or balance your studies with your busy life, Penn State World Campus can help you achieve your education goals. Many students take one or two courses per semester.

Our online courses typically follow a 12- to 15-week semester cycle, and there are three semesters per year (spring, summer, and fall). Depending on the course offering schedule for the program, certificates may be completed in 8–16 months.

Convenient Online Format

This program's convenient online format gives you the flexibility you need to study around your busy schedule. You can skip the lengthy commute without sacrificing the quality of your education and prepare yourself for more rewarding career opportunities without leaving your home.

A Trusted Leader in Online Education

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Penn State has a history of more than 100 years of distance education, and World Campus has been a leader in online learning for more than two decades. Our online learning environment offers the same quality education that our students experience on campus.

Information for Military and Veterans

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Are you a member of the military, a veteran, or a military spouse? Please visit our military website for additional information regarding financial aid, transfer credits, and application instructions.

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Apply by July 20 to start August 25

Application Instructions

Deadlines and Important Dates

Complete your application and submit all required materials by the appropriate deadline. Your deadline will depend on the semester you plan to start your courses.

  • Fall Deadline

    Apply by July 20 to start August 25

  • Spring Deadline

    Apply by November 15 to start January 12

Steps to Apply

  1. For admission to the J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School, an applicant must hold either (1) a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or (2) a tertiary (postsecondary) degree that is deemed comparable to a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. This degree must be from an officially recognized degree-granting institution in the country in which it operates.

    The certificate program curriculum is designed for working supply chain management professionals. Accordingly, successful applicants will have, before the start of their first semester, at least two years of post-baccalaureate work experience in supply chain management or a closely allied field. Additionally, prospective students should have Microsoft Office Excel skills, knowledge of business statistics, and an understanding of basic accounting and microeconomic terms and principles.

    Students who require additional training are encouraged to enroll in preparatory courses prior to entrance into the program. For more information on prerequisites, please send an email to [email protected].

  2. You will need to upload the following items as part of your application:

    Official transcripts from each institution attended, regardless of the number of credits or semesters completed. Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. If you are Penn State alumni, you do not need to request transcripts for credits earned at Penn State but must list Penn State as part of your academic history.

    Test Scores — GMAT/GRE test scores are not required.

    English Proficiency — The language of instruction at Penn State is English. With some exceptions, international applicants must take and submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Minimum test scores and exceptions are found in the English Proficiency section on the Fox Graduate School's "Requirements for Graduate Admission" page. Visit the TOEFL website for testing information. Penn State's institutional code is 2660.

    Program-Specific Questions/Materials

    Résumé — Upload your résumé (one to two pages) to the online application. You may also submit your résumé by email to [email protected] with the following subject line: Resume for the Certificate Program – your last name, your first name.

    Statement of Purpose — Applicants must describe how their professional experience and goals align with the supply chain management certificate. Please do not exceed 500 words.

    Short-Form Responses — You will be asked to complete a brief series of questions relative to specific professional and educational experiences.

  3. To begin the online application, you will need a Penn State account.

    Create a New Penn State Account

    If you have any problems during this process, contact an admissions counselor at [email protected].

    Please note: Former Penn State students may not need to complete the admissions application or create a new Penn State account. Please visit our Returning Students page for instructions.

  4. You can begin your online application at any time. Your progress within the online application system will be saved as you go, allowing you to return at any point as you gather additional information and required materials.

    • Choose Enrollment Type: "Certificate Admission"
    • Choose "WORLD CAMPUS" as the campus

    Checking Your Status 
    You can check the status of your application by using the same login information established for the online application form. 

  5. 5. Complete the application.

    Penn State Fox Graduate School Application

Admissions Help

If you have questions about the admissions process, contact an admissions counselor at [email protected].

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Have questions or want more information? We're happy to talk.

To learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Supply Chain Management program, please contact:

Penn State Smeal College of Business
Professional Graduate Programs Office
Phone: 814-865-5290
[email protected]

For general questions about the application process, please contact:

World Campus Admissions Counselors
Phone: 814-863-5386
[email protected]

This program is offered in partnership with the Penn State Smeal College of Business. Through this certificate program, you can earn a respected credential while learning from faculty with diverse backgrounds, intellectual perspectives, and industry expertise.

Faculty

  • Norm Aggon

    • MBA, James Madison University,
    • B.S., Mining Engineering, Penn State

    Norm Aggon has 26 years of experience in various executive and supply chain management positions, including work for Pfizer, Engelhard and Tarmac, Ltd., and Chemstone Corporations.

  • David Huff

    • Ph.D., Business Administration, University of Rochester
    • M.S., Mathematics, Brigham Young University
    • B.A., Mathematics, Utah State University

    Dr. David Huff is a clinical professor of supply chain management (SCM) and the faculty director of graduate programs in SCM at the Penn State Smeal College of Business. He has held visiting professorships at NYU and the University of Utah. David teaches courses in SCM, operations management, demand forecasting, business analytics, and project management for undergraduate, graduate, and executive students. He has received the Dillwyn Paiste award for excellence in undergraduate teaching, the Best MBA Professor award, and the Best MBA Supply Chain Professor award at the Smeal College of Business.

  • Susan B. Purdum

    • MBA, University of Massachusetts at Amherst
    • B.S., Industrial and Management Systems Engineering, Penn State

    Susan B. Purdum, CTL, is a senior instructor of supply chain management and a faculty affiliate with the Center for Supply Chain Research (CSCR). After an extensive industry career in engineering, manufacturing, logistics, and consulting, she joined CSCR to lead research efforts in supply chain and design course content for executive education. She now teaches and specializes in strategic procurement, supplier development, and supply chain strategy and transformation.

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Ready to take the next step toward your Penn State graduate certificate?

Apply by July 20 to start August 25. How to Apply 

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