Program Coordinator/Contact
Nicole Klein, Associate Director
Ness School of Management and Economics
Harding Hall 100
605-688-4141
Program Information
The Operations Management (B.S.) program prepares students to plan, manage, and continuously improve the systems that produce goods and services. Grounded in applied management and technical problem solving, the program develops the skills needed to manage people, equipment, facilities, finances, and processes in today’s data-driven and highly integrated organizations. Graduates are well prepared for entry-level professional roles in supply chain–driven organizations, manufacturing and service organizations, supplier networks, and industrial sales.
A defining strength of the program is its emphasis on hands-on learning and real-world application. Students gain experience through laboratory-based coursework, industry-informed projects, simulations, and collaborative problem solving. The curriculum integrates analytical decision-making, process improvement, quality management, and operations strategy to ensure graduates can translate theory into practice.
Students select one of three career-focused emphases to tailor their degree to their professional interests:
- Supply Chain Management focuses on the end-to-end system that moves products and services from raw materials to final customers. Coursework emphasizes production management, logistics, transportation, and warehousing, preparing students for high-demand careers managing complex global supply chains.
- Manufacturing emphasizes lean operations, quality management systems, process development, workplace safety, industrial controls, and supply chain integration. Students gain the technical and managerial foundation needed to lead manufacturing operations and may elect to pursue additional professional certification at graduation.
- Electronics prepares students for supervisory and project leadership roles in industries that design, manufacture, service, or support electronic devices and distributed systems.
Through its applied curriculum, industry engagement, and flexible emphasis options, the Operations Management program equips graduates with the technical competence, leadership skills, and professional preparation needed to succeed in a wide range of operations and supply chain careers.
Accreditation
The Ness School of Management and Economics is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB).
The Operations Management program is accredited by the Applied and Natural Science Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the General Criteria.
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