Logistics professionals coordinate the flow of products and goods from one stage to the next in their development and distribution process. Logistics jobs are available in nearly every industry, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment in the field to grow by 2% from 2014 to 2024. It is a steadily expanding career that is necessary in almost all sectors.
If you are interested in solving coordination and efficiency problems and enjoy working with people, then an associate degree in logistics online may be right for you.
WHAT ARE THE BEST ONLINE ASSOCIATE IN LOGISTICS PROGRAMS?
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Forsyth Technical Community College Winston-Salem, North Carolina |
Forsyth Tech offers an associate degree in logistics online that is ideal for those who want to pursue a career in supply chain management. This program can be completed in just two years of full-time study. The curriculum includes courses on a variety of topics, including business, accounting, management, logistics, warehousing, and transportation. Graduates are prepared for careers as transportation coordinators, purchasing managers, logistics analysts, and warehouse supervisors. Students can enter the program at the beginning of each semester and there is no cap on the amount of spaces in the program. All applicants must submit official transcripts and complete a placement test to be considered. The school accepts transfer credit from all regionally accredited institutions, provided that all coursework was earned at a "C" grade or higher. Forsyth Tech is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. |
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Shoreline Community College Shoreline, Washington |
Shoreline offers a 90-credit purchasing and supply chain management program that emphasizes the fundamental aspects of the field. This logistics degree online boasts a curriculum that includes courses on a variety of topics, such as accounting, supplier relations, materials management, and logistics. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers as buyers, supply chain managers, and contract administrators. Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 throughout the program to graduate. Shoreline also offers three logistics certifications: a 51-certificate of proficiency, and 41- and 26-credit certificates of completion. Students can complete this program in two years of full-time study and can enter the program in the fall, winter, or spring quarters. Online students who are out-of-state residents pay a reduced tuition rate when compared to their on-campus counterparts. Shoreline is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. |
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West Kentucky Community and Technical College Paducah, Kentucky |
WKCTC offers an online associate of applied science in logistics and operations management program that can be completed in two years of full-time study. In addition to the AAS curriculum, students take the Certified Logistics Associate (CLA) and Certified Logistics Technician (CLT) exams after completing LOM100, the program's introductory course. Online courses are delivered asynchronously, allowing students to complete coursework at their own pace. The curriculum includes 61-66 credits of courses on a variety of topics, such as logistics, supply chain management, marketing, digital literacy, and transportation management. Transfer credits are accepted as long as they were earned at a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED to be considered. WKCTC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. |
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Wake Technical Community College Raleigh, North Carolina |
Wake Tech offers an associate degree in logistics online that can be completed in just two years. Students can choose to concentrate their studies in either global logistics technology or distribution management. The program includes 64-65 credits of coursework on a variety of topics, such as domestic and international logistics, purchasing, distribution, transportation, and imports/exports. Graduates are prepared to pursue entry-level careers in purchasing, material management, warehousing, inventory, and logistics. This hybrid program includes some required on-campus coursework. Online courses are offered in eight- and 16-week sessions and are delivered asynchronously, allowing students to complete coursework at their own pace. Wake Tech is an open enrollment school and only requires applicants to submit official transcripts to become admitted. Wake Tech is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. |
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Chattahoochee Technical College Marietta, Georgia |
Chattahoochee offers an associate of applied science in logistics and supply chain management degree that emphasizes career preparation. This 62-credit program includes 15 credits of general education requirements, with the remaining credits coming from major coursework. The curriculum includes courses on a variety of topics, such as leadership, business logistics, management, purchasing, and material management. Graduates are prepared to pursue entry-level careers in the field or to continue their education in a bachelor's program. To apply to this logistics degree online at Chattahoochee, applicants only need to fill out an online application and submit official high school transcripts of a GED. Transfer students should also submit their college transcripts to be considered. All coursework completed at a regionally accredited institution will be considered. Chattahoochee Tech is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. |
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Palo Alto College San Antonio, Texas |
Palo Alto offers a 60-credit associate of applied science in logistics and supply chain management program that can be completed in just two years. Students learn the managerial skills and competencies that are needed to work in logistics, materials management, distribution, and transportation. This program takes a broad approach to the field of logistics, boasting an interdisciplinary curriculum that includes courses on team building, marketing, accounting, business, purchasing, and quality management. Students must also complete an internship during their final semester. Palo Alto also offers specialized studies in the form of five professional certificates: logistics, international logistics, warehouse, transportation, and manufacturing management. Earning one of these certificates can help graduates set themselves apart from the competition when searching for jobs. Palo Alto is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. |
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Albany Technical College Albany, Georgia |
Albany Tech offers a 60-credit associate degree in logistics online that can be completed entirely online. The program consists of 18 credits of core courses and 42 credits of occupational classes, which includes a nine-credit specialization in either service supervision or customer contact. The curriculum includes courses on a variety of topics, such as introduction to computers, supply chain management, e-commerce, and business logistics. Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED to be considered. Albany Tech also uses the COMPASS exam to evaluate a student's capabilities in reading, writing, and mathematics. Students can also complete certificates in several related topics, including logistics, supply chain management, quality assurance, customer contact, and service supervision. Albany Tech is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. |
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Davidson County Community College Thomasville, North Carolina |
DCCC offers an online associate of applied science in global logistics and distribution management technology program that emphasizes the movement of goods at both the international and domestic levels. This program can be completed in two years, including one summer term. Graduates are prepared to pursue logistics-related careers in government agencies or any organizations that deals with manufacturing or service. The 75-credit curriculum includes courses on a variety of topics, such as microeconomics and macroeconomics, international business, transportation logistics, business law, and purchasing logistics. DCCC's online logistic degree emphasizes career preparation and is based on global technical standards in the field. Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED and complete a placement test to be considered. DCCC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. |
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Georgia Military College Milledgeville, Georgia |
GMC offers two programs in logistics management: an associate of arts degree (70-73 quarter hours) and an associate of science degree (65-69 quarter hours). The main difference between these two programs is that the associate of arts requires an additional five quarter hours of core humanities courses. Each program can be completed in two years and includes coursework on a variety of topics, such as accounting, business, economics, and management. As a military school, GMC emphasizes character-based education and includes required coursework in areas such as critical thinking and college success. Applicants must have either a high school diploma or GED and take the SAT/ACT or a placement test to be considered. GMC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. |
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Arizona Western College Yuma, Arizona |
AWC offers an associate of applied science in logistics supply chain management program that combines broad business training with the development of industry-standard skills. The curriculum includes courses on a variety of subjects, such as inventory control, computerized logistics, international logistics, purchasing, warehouse management, and transportation. This 64-credit program can be completed in just two years of full-time study. Online courses are delivered asynchronously, allowing students to complete coursework at their own pace. This program prepares students to continue their education, as AWC makes it easy for students to transfer their credits to four year universities where they can earn an undergraduate online logistics degree. Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED and submit an online application to be considered. AWC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. |
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How to Choose an Online Associate in Logistics Program
An associate degree in logistics online prepares students to oversee the operational processes involved in the lifecycle of a product. This includes managing a business’ flow of goods, relationships with suppliers, and balancing expenses with the demands of clients. This degree can take students two to four years to complete.
Logistics degree online courses often cover topics such as supply chain negotiation, transportation and distribution management, purchasing and inbound logistics, and management of information systems. Many programs offer specializations or concentrations, like transportation, warehousing, and materials.
Educational Paths
An associate degree in logistics online can be used to attain a variety of positions. Some positions, particularly higher-level management or executive positions, often require at least a bachelor’s degree, and students interested in them should plan to pursue further education after they complete their associate degree. Supply chain consultants, for example, are usually required to have a bachelor’s degree, and they earn an average of $87,252 per year. Ultimately, further education in the field can lead to a higher salary. Below, we've covered a few relevant bachelor's programs related to logistics.
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Supply Chain Management
A bachelor’s degree in supply chain management prepares students to oversee the flow of goods from supplier to consumer. Graduates understand how business supply chains function. Common supply chain courses include operations management, warehouse management, and inventory management.
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Transportation Management
A transportation management bachelor’s degree introduces students to the intricacies of transportation logistics and prepares them for a future in integrating and optimizing such processes. Core courses include transportation economics, logistics management, and distribution systems.
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International Business
An international business bachelor’s degree provides a broad foundation in general business theory and practices with an international perspective. Some programs offer more specific concentrations, such as international marketing and international transportation and logistics.
Career Paths for Logistics Graduates
Logistics positions are available in various industries for each stage of a product’s lifecycle, including purchasing, production, maintenance, distribution, and customer service. Regardless of what industry a company specializes in, they need employees to facilitate these processes. Below are a few examples of such positions, some of which may require further education.
Logistics Manager
Median Salary: $61,697
Customer Service Manager
Median Salary: $54,552
Warehouse Manager
Median Salary: $51,121
Vendor Manager
Median Salary: $77,575
Supply Chain Consultant
Median Salary: $87,252
Job Outlook and Salary
Job opportunities and projected growth rates for logistics positions fluctuate depending on the job title, industry, and location. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, administrative or customer service managers are projected to see an 8% growth in employment opportunities, which is in line with the average growth rate across all occupations. Industries that employ the most logisticians include the government and consulting services, while industries offering the highest pay for logisticians include insurance, oil and gas extraction, and construction.
Below is a chart of the projected growth in employment for logisticians from 2014 to 2024.
| Employment, 2014 | Projected Employment, 2024 |
|---|---|
| 130,400 | 132,900 |
SALARY GROWTH BY EXPERIENCE
The salary of an employee working in the logistics field will increase as they gain experience. Managerial positions relating to product life cycle usually have approximately the same salary growth potential, though their starting salaries may vary. Logistics managers, warehouse managers, and customer service managers experience an average increase of $20,000 in their salary over the course of 20 years, but the starting salary of a logistics manager is significantly higher than the other two positions.
To determine the best online associate in logistics programs, we looked at the most important factors prospective students, mainly common predictors of future success and a school's commitment to online programs. This boils down to admissions rate, student loan default rate, retention rate, graduation rate, and the percent of students enrolled in online classes. All data points are taken from information provided by colleges and universities to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Each factor is weighted evenly in order to give an objective view and determine the 10 best online associate in logistics programs. To calculate our rankings, we looked at a school's ranking when organized by a single factor, and then averaged each category's ranking to find an overall score: Admissions Rate (20%) + Default Rate (20%) + Retention Rate (20%) + Graduation Rate (20%) + Percent of Students Enrolled in Online Classes (20%) = Final score.