Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Logistics is the movement of supplies, materials, and people from one place to another to satisfy corporate and consumer requirements. It includes inventory management, transportation, quality control, purchasing, operations management, and much more. The supply chain consists of the organizations, raw materials producers, factories, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers that process the flow of products to the customer. All companies rely on logistics professionals to keep their inventory moving.

Logistics is critical to a healthy world economy, even when the world isn't in crisis. It was critical for the world to get through the pandemic. The global logistics sector, currently valued at over $8.6 trillion, moves hundreds of billions of dollars in freight every year. Now, as new technologies evolve and change what logistics work entails, it is more important than ever to develop this critical skill set.

Logistics and Supply Chain Management is one of the most exciting career fields, according to the U.S. News and World Report. With Palo Alto College's 60-hour degree, certificates, and occupational skills award, you could be well on your way to one of the world's most rewarding and stable careers. 

Logistics Program Highlights

The program covers the foundational areas of logistics and supply chain, developing students' critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students learn negotiation tactics and gain exposure to supply chain analytics, both highly sought-after skills by employers.

Program features:

• Case Studies
• Industry-leading supply chain software
• Internship Opportunities
• Participation in national case study competitions
• Social Responsibility Activities – Socks and Jackets for the Homeless
• Transfer Agreement with Wayland Baptist University – Transfer 60 hours plus an additional 12 hours earned at Palo Alto College toward a Bachelor of Applied Science in Logistics and Supply Chain.

In 2022 Palo Alto College’s Logistics and Supply Chain Management was recognized as the 3^rd ranked program in the nation by Intelligent.com with a totally online associate degree program and also recognized by Supply Chain Edu as one of the best programs in Texas.

Logistics Careers & Employment

Transportation – Dispatcher, Traffic or Freight Manager, Dispatch Supervisor, or Load Planners, Rail Operations & Planning Specialist Route Managers

Warehousing/Distribution – Supervisor Warehouse Combo, Inventory Specialist, Warehouse Supervisor, Dock Coordinator, Materials Manager

Manufacturing – Production Manager, Operations Supervisor, Operations Manager, Quality Assurance Technician

Purchasing – Buyer Expediter, Customer Service Supervisor, Entry-Level Buyer

Why get a degree in Logistics?

Jobs are available at every educational level, and a degree or certificate can often make a difference in securing that next great opportunity. Individuals with a college degree can earn over $60,000 annually, and Senior logistics managers can earn over $700,000 annually.

The projected growth for logisticians in Texas is 48% through 2032, which is much faster than the national average for the U.S. at 18%.

(Bureau of Labor Statistics 2022-2032 employment projections)