Operations Management Major: What It Includes, Classes and Careers

An Operations Management major studies how organizations produce goods and services efficiently and with high quality. Operations management majors learn process design, quality management, scheduling, inventory and lean methods.

An Operations Management major includes coursework in process analysis, quality management, lean and Six Sigma methods, scheduling and capacity planning, and inventory management and more. You build skills such as process improvement, quality control, data analysis, and team leadership. Typical degrees: associate, bachelor's and master's degrees.

Typical courses include process analysis, quality management, lean and Six Sigma methods, scheduling and capacity planning, inventory management, and project management. Exact course names and requirements vary by college, and most degrees also include general education courses.

It depends on the level. Operations Management is offered as certificate, associate, bachelor’s, and master’s awards at U.S. colleges; certificates take from a few months to about two years, an associate degree usually takes about two years of full-time study, a bachelor’s degree usually takes about four years of full-time study, and a master’s degree usually takes one to two years after a bachelor’s. Part-time study takes longer.

Associate, bachelor's and master's degrees. In the latest federal data, 54 colleges reported certificate awards, 25 colleges reported associate awards, 86 colleges reported bachelor’s awards, and 14 colleges reported master’s awards.

Career paths connected to operations management include general and operations manager, industrial production manager, production planner, logistics manager, purchasing manager, quality control inspector, and project manager. Some roles need additional training, experience, certification or a license.

Examples include general and operations manager (typical training: 5+ years of experience), industrial production manager (typical training: 5+ years of manufacturing experience), production planner (typical training: Several months on the job), logistics manager (typical training: 5+ years of experience), purchasing manager (typical training: 5+ years of experience), and quality control inspector (typical training: 3–12 months on the job).

Operations Management majors build skills such as process improvement, quality control, data analysis, team leadership, and planning.

Good pairings include Data Analytics (helps you measure and improve processes), Supply Chain Management (connects operations to suppliers and distribution), and Human Resources (helps you manage the people who run operations).

It can be a good fit if you are interested in the work it leads to, such as general and operations manager, industrial production manager, and production planner, and enjoy subjects like process analysis and quality management. No major guarantees a job, so compare the coursework, the careers and the education each career requires before deciding.

How hard it feels depends on your strengths. Core coursework includes process analysis, quality management, and lean and Six Sigma methods; if those subjects interest you, the major is likely to feel more manageable. Reviewing a college’s course list and talking to current students helps you judge.

148 U.S. colleges reported awarding degrees or certificates in this field in the latest federal (IPEDS) data. Programs can have different names at different schools.

Florida (11), Ohio (11), Illinois (9), Texas (9), and Wisconsin (8), based on the colleges that reported awards in this field.

144 of the colleges that offer operations management also report offering at least one program entirely online, though not necessarily this one. Use the college search with this major and “Offers fully online programs”, then confirm with the school.

Operations Management studies how organizations produce goods and services efficiently and with high quality. Supply Chain Management studies how products are sourced, made, stored and delivered to customers. Operations Management leads to careers such as general and operations manager and industrial production manager, while Supply Chain Management leads to careers such as logistics manager and logistics coordinator.

Operations Management studies how organizations produce goods and services efficiently and with high quality. Logistics and Distribution focuses on moving and storing goods efficiently through warehouses and transportation networks. Operations Management leads to careers such as general and operations manager and industrial production manager, while Logistics and Distribution leads to careers such as logistics coordinator and logistics manager.

Yes. Short online career training can help you understand a specific job and build practical knowledge alongside your classes. It does not replace your degree or any required license.

No. Career Education Institute is not a college and does not award degrees. It offers short, non-credit online trainings about jobs connected to operations management, such as General and Operations Manager Training.