Master of Science Maritime Trade and Supply Chain Management (MS)
Rafael Diaz, Graduate Program Director
The Master of Maritime Trade and Supply Chain Management is a graduate program that provides managers and supply chain professionals the opportunity to expand their knowledge, update their skill sets, and enhance their work with supply chain partners, transportation carriers, shippers, sourcing agents, warehouse managers, as well as third parties and governments directly or indirectly involved in the movement of cargo and material flow. The 30-credit hour program requires critical thinking and investigation in maritime and supply chain industries, including analyses of worldwide port networks and supply chains that contribute to enhanced productivity. This program is available on-campus and online.
Admission Requirements
Prospective students may apply for admission to the program for the fall, spring, and summer semesters. We welcome applicants who have earned bachelor’s degrees from accredited institutions. Admission to the program is competitive and is granted only to those who show high ability and likely success in graduate study. Successful applicants will stand well above the average in most of the criteria used to measure graduate student promise.
To be considered for admission, students must submit the following:
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited university in the U.S. or an equivalent foreign institution;
- Official copies of transcripts of all colleges and universities attended;
- Two letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant’s professional and/or academic background;
- A current resume;
- A statement of professional goals;
- Completion of GRE or GMAT; a waiver may be available for those who already have successfully completed a graduate degree or certificate, or those who have an undergraduate GPA >= 3.0, or those who have taken the prerequisite course(s) determined and approved by the director of the program; and,
- English language requirements: TOEFL (IBT): 79, TOEFL (paper-based): 550, IELTS: 6.5 for those whose native language is not English (waived if an applicant has earned a college degree from an institution in an English-speaking country).
Students may be considered for conditional admission. Contact the Graduate Program Director for more information.
Application Deadlines
Fall Semester
Domestic Students - June 15th
International Students - May 15th
Spring Semester
Domestic Students - November 1st
International Students - October 1st
Curriculum Requirements
The program has been designed to address the advanced educational needs of students and employers in the area of maritime trade and supply chain studies. This proposed program consists of 30 credit hours: five core courses (15 credit hours), four electives (12 credit hours), and one capstone course (3 credit hours).
The five core courses focus on the analysis of international shipping, supply chain management, port planning and competition, and maritime-related organizations. They also cover forward and reverse logistics, warehouse and material management, global sourcing and supply management, buyer-supplier relationships, port operator costing and pricing, and port carriers and shippers. Finally, the curriculum includes international trade theory and commercial policy.
The four electives provide students with opportunities to learn about advanced information technology tools that are important components of global supply chain, as well as data science and analytical skills. Other options in this category include admiralty law, supply chain and maritime security and risk management.
The capstone course addresses strategic management of maritime trade and supply chain management. The course brings together students in their final semester of study to synthesize knowledge from their previous coursework in order to better understand the relationships among the various areas of maritime trade and supply chain management and impacts on supply chain and maritime industry.
The list of courses—all existing—include the following:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Courses * | ||
| Introduction to Statistics | ||
| Statistics for Managers | ||
| Operations & Supply Chain Management | ||
| Core Courses | ||
| MSCM 641 | Supply Chain Management and Logistics | 3 |
| PORT 611 | International Maritime Transport | 3 |
| PORT 612 | Port Operations and Management | 3 |
| PORT 616 | Reverse Logistics and Sustainable Operations | 3 |
| BNAL 721 | Simulation Modeling for Business and Supply Chain Systems | 3 |
| Business Analytics Courses - Select Two of the Following: | 6 | |
| Predictive Analytics for Business | ||
| Prescriptive Analytics of Management Science | ||
| International Economics | ||
| Essentials of Project Management | ||
| Database Management Systems | ||
| Business Intelligence | ||
| Digitalizing Enterprises | ||
| Approved Electives | 6 | |
| Electives must be approved in advance by the Graduate Program Director ** | ||
| Select two of the following: | ||
| Simulation Modeling for Business and Supply Chain Systems | ||
| Transportation Economics | ||
| Database Management Systems | ||
| Business Intelligence | ||
| Digitalizing Enterprises | ||
| Strategic Sourcing and Purchasing Management | ||
| Distribution Center and Material Handling Management | ||
| Port Operations and Management | ||
| International Maritime and Admiralty Law | ||
| Maritime Security and Risk Analysis | ||
| Transportation Management | ||
| Marine Insurance | ||
| Directed Research/Port Internship | ||
or PORT 695 | Selected Topics in Maritime and Port Management | |
or PORT 697 | Independent Study | |
| Introduction to Public Procurement ***/**** | ||
or PPCM 718 | Public Sector Contract Administration | |
or PPCM 728 | Public Sector Contract Planning and Formation | |
| Capstone Course | ||
| PORT 610 | International Shipping and Supply Chain Management | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
- *
The foundation courses are not obligatory for individuals who can demonstrate satisfactory equivalent preparation either at the undergraduate or graduate levels, or through relevant training sessions. The determination of the foundation course requirement is made by the faculty adviser at the time of admission, ensuring personalized guidance based on each student's specific needs and qualifications.
- **
Electives must be approved by the Graduate Program Director.
- ***
Students are allowed to take PPCM 726, PPCM 718, or PPCM 728 with the approval of the director of the PPCM program and the director of the MS in Maritime Trade and Supply Chain Management.
- ****
Students can take one of the three PPCM courses (PPCM 726, PPCM 718, or PPCM 728) as an approved elective to be applied to the degree work.
Additional Requirements
Continuance
To remain in good standing after admission to the program, students must maintain a minimum, cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in all graduate course work attempted at the University. Students who fall below this minimum standard will have 12 credit hours to remedy this deficiency.
Additionally, students may earn no more than 2 courses with a grade of C or lower. Further, any student receiving a failing grade (F) in a course will be dismissed from the program.
Financial Assistance
Financial aid is available to graduate students at Old Dominion University. Financial aid may be available in the form of University fellowships, tuition grants, and research assistantships. In addition to the financial aid offered by the University, graduate students may be eligible for aid and student loans administered by other agencies. For information about part-time employment, scholarships, and student loans, contact the Office of Student Financial Aid.
For information and forms concerning application, contact:
Admissions Office
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA 23529
Phone: (757) 683-3685
For information concerning financial aid, contact:
Office of Student Financial Aid
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA 23529
Phone: (757) 683-3683