DUNMORE, Pa. — Penn State Scranton will begin offering a bachelor of science degree in project and supply chain management (PSCM) in fall 2018, Chancellor Marwan Wafa has announced.
The degree will be offered as part of a consortium with the Hazleton, Schuylkill and Wilkes-Barre campuses. The first students will be accepted into the program for a fall 2018 start, and a full complement of upper-level classes will be offered beginning in fall 2019.
“We take pride in delivering courses and programs developed with input from civic leaders and business executives representing both large and small business enterprises in our service area,” Wafa said.
“As a result, we are uniquely positioned to provide educational solutions that reflect local and regional workforce needs. We are excited to be offering the project and supply chain management degree, which was developed to serve an important, and growing, business sector in our region.”
The PSCM program equips students with the skills and knowledge needed to enter careers in business functions devoted to acquiring, producing, and delivering goods and services worldwide, qualifying graduates for careers in supply chain operations and project management.
Typical employers include manufacturers, warehousing and distribution companies, information integrators, retailers, transporter and third-party logistics firms, and related consulting firms across both industry and government.
“Northeastern Pennsylvania has many such employers, all looking for qualified PSCM professionals,” said James Wilkerson, assistant professor of business and program coordinator for the business and PSCM programs. “Thus, our region’s industry also provides our PSCM students with opportunities for field experience and networking.”
According to the National Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in project and supply chain management are projected to increase by 5 percent in Pennsylvania and 2 percent nationally through 2024.
Career opportunities for graduates with the degree are found in fields such as transportation and logistics, purchasing and supply management, operations management, inventory management and control, demand and supply chain planning, and project management in jobs such as managers, business analysts, production managers, procurement managers, distribution center managers, or managers in logistics and transportation firms.
Since 2007, the Hazleton, Schuylkill, Scranton and Wilkes-Barre campuses have worked together to offer three baccalaureate degrees collaboratively: bachelor of science in business, bachelor of science in information science and technology, and bachelor of arts in corporate communication.