Online Masters Degree in Operations Management

From the production line to the storefront, operations managers play a vital role in business. They use their knowledge of business tactics and strategies to do everything from picking the location of a new manufacturing plant to streamlining processes and managing inventory in the most efficient way possible.

If you are organized, good with numbers and a strong communicator, think about opportunities in this specialized field. Master's degrees in operations management offer knowledge, skills and tools to help you handle the myriad day-to-day challenges of this profession.

Exploring master's degrees in operations management

Coursework covers topics such as supply chain planning, product development, manufacturing system design, system optimization and operations strategy. While bachelor's degrees in business management give you much of the basic knowledge you need, master's degrees in operations management delve deeper, honing your expertise. This is your chance to polish skills you will need on the job such as communication strengths for managing teams and financial savvy for budgeting and cost cutting exercises.

Career outlook for operations managers

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that general and operations managers earned median annual wages of $94,400 in 2010, compared to the $101,250 earned by top executives. The top 10 percent of operations managers earned over $166,400 in 2010. Salaries for operations managers vary by industry; in 2010, the highest wages were found in professional, scientific and technical services.

Over 1.7 million general and operations managers were employed across the U.S. in 2010, according to the BLS, and that figure is expected to increase 5 percent between 2010 and 2020. While this growth rate is slower than the average for U.S. occupations, it does suggest 81,600 new jobs in the field. The BLS notes that these management roles require significant work experience, and strong leadership skills are in demand.

Master's degrees in operations management encourage you to blend your experience with education. If you're currently building your resume at work, consider the convenience and flexibility of an online master's degree program. A boon for busy, working professionals, online education allows you to study on the road and keep up with your classes on your own schedule.

From the production line to the storefront, operations managers play a vital role in business. They use their knowledge of business tactics and strategies to do everything from picking the location of a new manufacturing plant to streamlining processes and managing inventory in the most efficient way possible.

If you are organized, good with numbers and a strong communicator, think about opportunities in this specialized field. Master's degrees in operations management offer knowledge, skills and tools to help you handle the myriad day-to-day challenges of this profession.

Exploring master's degrees in operations management

Coursework covers topics such as supply chain planning, product development, manufacturing system design, system optimization and operations strategy. While bachelor's degrees in business management give you much of the basic knowledge you need, master's degrees …