Penn State tops Gartner's supply chain education rankings

Penn State tops Gartner's supply chain education rankings

University Park, Pa. – The Penn State Smeal College of Business has the No. 1 undergraduate and graduate programs in supply chain management in the country, according to a new report from Gartner.

The technology research firm asked more than 400 supply chain practitioners and academics to rate U.S. supply chain education providers based on industry value (40 percent), program size (20 percent), and program scope (40 percent). Respondents were asked to assess how well familiar providers meet the changing needs of supply chain professionals and how efficiently research and innovations reach the student population. Gartner also factored in information provided by the schools regarding enrollment numbers, programs and faculty size.

"The Smeal supply chain faculty's leading-edge research combined with our industry partnerships allow us to keep our classrooms reflective of the latest trends and developments in the supply chain industry," said James B. Thomas, the John and Becky Surma dean of Smeal. "It's nice to be recognized for these efforts by our peers and the industry leaders surveyed by Gartner."

The Gartner study is a continuation of the 2009 ranking of supply chain education providers published by AMR Research, which was acquired by Gartner that same year. Smeal was ranked No. 1 in the 2009 results as well. In this year's report, the firm published separate lists of the top 25 colleges and universities in graduate and undergraduate education. Smeal topped them both.

The university rankings are part of Gartner's larger research project identifying skill and talent gaps in the supply chain industry. The results were unveiled at the Gartner Supply Chain Executive Conference this month in Scottsdale, Ariz., and a more complete report from Gartner is forthcoming.

Smeal offers highly regarded supply chain programs at every educational level. For undergraduates, the college offers a bachelor's degree in supply chain and information systems. At the graduate level, the Smeal MBA Program offers a concentration in supply chain management and, together with Penn State World Campus, Smeal offers an online, 30-credit professional master's program in supply chain management. The college also offers a Ph.D. in supply chain, and Smeal's Center for Supply Chain Research and Penn State Executive Programs offer three certificate programs in supply chain management.

For more on Smeal's supply chain offerings, visit http://www.smeal.psu.edu/scis and http://www.smeal.psu.edu/cscr/edop online.