7 of the Best Supply Chain Certification Programs

The editors at Solutions Review have compiled some of the best online supply chain certification programs that active and aspiring professionals should consider. Solutions Review participates in affiliate programs and may make a small commission from products purchased through this resource.

Supply chain management is a complex process that requires a wealth of skills and experience in various fields. For example, a supply chain manager or professional needs to be intimately familiar with the systems, processes, people, timelines, production, and partners involved in a given supply chain, and that’s often the tip of a far larger iceberg. This means that active and aspiring supply chain professionals must consistently expand their knowledge of the trends, tools, and insights informing the market.

With that in mind, our editors have compiled some of the best online supply chain certification programs to consider. These are comprehensive programs developed for students looking to expand or fine-tune their supply chain management expertise. Click the GO TO CERTIFICATION link to learn more about each course and register.

The Best Supply Chain Certification Programs

Course Title: Leverage Data Science for a More Agile Supply Chain Specialization

OUR TAKE: Offered through the University of California, Irvine, this intermediate-level program will help you learn and implement data science skills into your company’s agile supply chain initiatives.

Provider: Coursera

Description: The more complex supply chains become, the more crucial it becomes to utilize various technologies and skills to navigate them. With this intermediate course, students will learn how data science can help them analyze historical supply chain data to predict future needs, manage inventory levels in uncertain environments, build simulated snapshots to test potential strategies, and more. The program consists of three unique courses and concludes with an Applied Learning Project.

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Course Title: Supply Chain Excellence MasterTrack Certificate

OUR TAKE: This “graduate-level” online certification program is designed for experienced students looking to learn the end-to-end skills necessary to advance their careers and lead supply chain management operations.

Provider: Coursera

Description: This course covers the three primary “flows” fundamental to supply chain excellence and is designed for intermediate students with an undergraduate education or professional supply chain experience. The program uses real-world projects and simulation exercises developed by Rutgers University’s Supply Chain Management Department faculty to educate students on the fundamentals of supply chain management and success. The online course usually requires 6-8 hours of study a week and can be completed in as little as four months.

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Course Title: Supply Chain Finance and Blockchain Technology Specialization

OUR TAKE: For professionals interested in pursuing a different kind of supply chain expertise, this four-course program will introduce you to the emerging shift from traditional trade finance to supply chain finance.

Provider: Coursera

Description: Students who enroll in this certification program will learn about the evolving trends in supply chain finance and become well-acquainted with the significant challenges and developments in that marketplace, including blockchain technology. The four courses can be completed in approximately four months and cover topics like trade finance management, accounts receivable, blockchain technology implementation, foreign currency risk management, marketing, supply chain finance services, and more. Upon completion, professionals will have the expertise and skillsets to analyze and identify supply chain finance opportunities for organizations.

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Course Title: Supply Chain Management Specialization

OUR TAKE: Acting as a gateway to the “Supply Chain Excellence” certification above, this program is designed for beginners who want a thorough introduction to the world of supply chain management.

Provider: Coursera

Description: This certification program includes four introductory courses on logistics, operations, planning, and sourcing. It concludes with a “capstone” focusing on supply chain management strategy and tasks students with a real-life business case. The certificate is best suited for students looking to start a career in the supply chain management field or who have some exposure to the field but lack the knowledge needed to understand the processes involved in supply chain management. The program has a flexible schedule and has a suggested time commitment of 3 hours a week.

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Course Title: MicroMasters Program in Principles of Manufacturing

OUR TAKE: Developed primarily for graduate-level engineers, technology developers, or product designers, this certification program will help students understand the processes and designs involved in manufacturing supply chains.

Provider: edX

Description: This instructor-led course uses a mixture of assignments, exams, lectures, and real-life business cases to equip students with the foundational knowledge to understand and manage the various processes and factors involved in a manufacturing enterprise. Other subjects covered include modeling and controlling multiple unit processes, manufacturing systems, and manufacturing-centric supply chains. There are eight courses included in this program, and students should expect to commit between 10-12 hours a week to the workload.

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Course Title: MicroMasters Program in Supply Chain Management

OUR TAKE: This certification program will introduce students to supply chain essentials and is best suited for students who are still in the early stages of their supply chain career and want to get ahead of the curve.

Provider: edX

Description: This MicroMasters program certificate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology comprises five graduate-level courses and a concluding capstone project. It will equip students with expertise in supply chain analytics, design, technology, end-to-end supply chain management, and more. The program represents the equivalent of one semester’s worth of coursework at MIT. If students commit eight to twelve hours per week to the material, it can be completed in approximately eighteen months.

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Course Title: Professional Certificate in Certified Supply Chain Analyst (CSCA)

OUR TAKE: Professionals who enroll in this three-month certification course will learn to understand and manage supply chain planning strategies, logistics management, sales order fulfillment, supply chain management tools, procurement management, and more.

Provider: edX

Description: The International Supply Chain Education Alliance offers this certification program to active and aspiring professionals looking to become Certified Supply Chain Analysts. The program consists of four skill-building courses, can be completed in around three months, and covers a suite of topics and skills, including supply chain performance, Lean, Six Sigma, supplier management, the flow of goods, and more. After completing the four courses, students can take the ISCEA-certified exam to earn their certificate.

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