Guide to the bachelor's degree in operations management

Are you good at planning? Is efficiency important to you? Are your communications skills top-notch? You might find that a career in operations management is a great outlet for your talents. Operations managers can play many roles in a business, including coordinating production activities and seeing that production is met on time and within budget.

What to expect from an operations management degree program

There isn't any one educational path for people who want to work in operations management. However, it is likely that if you are working toward a bachelor's degree in operations management you will take a number of interesting courses in:

• Organizational behavior
• Logistics
• Accounting
• Financial analysis
• Business law

Regardless of which bachelor's degree program in operations management you choose, your goal should be a great career. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), people in different aspects of operations management can expect faster-than-average job growth. Take a look at popular operations management careers below, with salary statistics from the BLS.

Careers for those with an operations management degree

Budget analysts help organizations develop, analyze, and execute budgets, as well as estimate their future financial needs. They can work in private businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies. May 2009, average salary for budget analysts: $69,240.

Industrial production managers help companies to plan, direct, and coordinate work activities and resources to manufacture their products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications. May 2009, average salary for industrial production managers: $93,650.

Operations research analysts develop and interpret information that assists management with decision making, policy formulation, or other managerial functions. May 2009, average salary for operations research analysts: $75,370.

First-line supervisors of production and operating workers supervise and coordinate the activities of production and operating workers, including precision workers, machine setters and operators and assemblers. May 2009, average salary for first-line supervisors of production and operating workers: $55,150.

Management analysts conduct organizational studies and evaluations, design systems and procedures, and prepare operations and procedures manuals to assist management in operating more efficiently and effectively. May 2009, average salary for management analysts: $84,650.

No degree program can guarantee you'll graduate to find a certain career or salary. However, because competition is stiff, you should be in a better position for jobs in the field if you have a bachelor's degree in operations management.

Learn more about the online bachelor's degree in operations management

Studying online for your bachelor's degree in operations management allows you to take the necessary courses around your other responsibilities, which can include family and job commitments. Now is a good time to tap into the demand for people with a degree in operations management. Explore online education options and find the freedom and flexibility you need in a degree program.

Get the education you need to be eligible for rewarding jobs in an industry that interests you. Looking for a slightly different type of training? At our guide to college majors, find more information on training in business, industrial management and project management.

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