ATU-Ozark gets green light on logistics management class

The Arkansas Department of Higher Education Coordinating Board has granted approval to Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus to offer an Associate of Applied Science in Logistics Management beginning in the fall.

The Arkansas Tech University Board of Trustees previously granted approval of the program in May.

Successful graduates of the logistics management program will be prepared for careers in logistics. Logistics managers analyze and coordinate an organization’s supply chain, which is the system that moves product from suppliers to consumers, including how a product is acquired, distributed, allocated and delivered.

Students will study the basic fundamentals of supply chain management including procurement, issues in executing global supply chains, logistics, manufacturing, warehousing and transportation. Other areas include business and project management, economics of supply and demand, business communication and data management.

Michael Murders, chief academic officer at Arkansas Tech-Ozark, said the program is the direct result of partnerships with regional and national industry to increase economic development in the region as well as the state.

“The River Valley region has a need for entry level logistics and manufacturing employees, and data from Arkansas Labor Market Information reveals a long term job demand increase of 30.2% by 2020,” Murders said. “We appreciate the support from our regional and national partners to better serve the River Valley communities and industry with well-trained students while continuing regional and state economic advancement.”

Additionally, Arkansas Tech-Ozark offers a supply chain management option that is currently under the Associate of Applied Science degree in Business Technology.