A Complete List of Supply Chain Certification Programs

In the constantly evolving world of supply chain management, the executive quest for new knowledge, qualifications, and skills never really ends. With new challenges, opportunities, and technologies emerging all the time, keeping up requires a continuous learning approach that includes—but isn’t limited to—higher education, hands-on training, certifications, well-rounded skills, and excellent problem-solving capabilities.

As a service to readers, Supply Chain Management Review is providing this list of available certification programs from professional associations and universities.

If you see an error in these listings, your listing requires an update, or you are an association or academic institution that offers a supply chain certification program and would like to be listed, please email bstraight@peerlessmedia.com.

We strive to keep these listings as accurate as possible, but you should confirm the availability and requirements of each program with the individual organization/university.

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

ASCM (Association for Supply Chain Management)

ASCM is the global leader in supply chain learning, transformation, innovation and leadership. The organization offers four certifications including APICS Certified in Planning and Inventory Management (CPIM), APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), APICS Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution and APICS Certified in Transformation in Supply Chain (CTSC).

APICS Certified in Planning and Inventory Management (CPIM)

APICS CPIM is recognized worldwide as the standard of professional competence in planning and inventory management. Candidates learn the basics of planning and inventory management, such as the required terminologies, concepts, demand planning and management, procurement, scheduling, continuous improvement, and related areas.

CPIM is a recognized addition to the profile of anyone looking to advance a career in supply chain management; it is almost a necessity for individuals whose day-to-day activities involve working in planning and inventory management, operations, supply chain management, procurement, purchasing, and materials management departments.

The APICS CPIM exam consists of eight modules including:

• Align the Supply Chain to Support the Business Strategy
• Conduct Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) to Support Strategy
• Plan and Manage Demand
• Plan and Manage Supply
• Plan and Manage Inventory
• Plan, Manage, and Execute Detailed Schedules
• Plan and Manage Distribution
• Manage Quality, Continuous Improvement, and Technology

The ASCM website provides many resources on the CPIM Learning System to help individuals prepare for the exam. www.ascm.org/cpim

APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)

APICS CSCP certification distinguishes a candidate as an industry expert in supply chain management. It is one of the most widely recognized certification programs and is also the most sought-after designation by many employers. APICS CSCP exams are offered at locations around the world.

The program focuses on improving a professional’s expertise in global supply chain management in areas such as customer relations, information technology enablement, logistics and international trade.

The APICS CSCP exam consists of eight modules including:

• Supply Chains, Demand Management, and Forecasting
• Global Supply Chain Networks
• Sourcing Products and Services
• Internal Operations and Inventory
• Forward and Reverse Logistics
• Supply Chain Relationships
• Supply Chain Risk
• Optimization, Sustainability, and Technology

The ASCM website provides many resources on the CSCP Learning System to help individuals prepare for the exam. www.ascm.org/cscp

APICS Certified in Logistics, Transportation, and Distribution (CLTD)

The APICS Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution (CLTD) designation assesses individuals based on a comprehensive body of knowledge, best practices and standards. Earning the CLTD credential validates a professional’s expertise in logistics, transportation and distribution.

The APICS CLTD program consists of nine modules critical to the logistics industry, including:

• Logistics Overview and Strategy
• Logistics Network Design
• Sustainability and Reverse Logistics
• Capacity Planning and Demand Management
• Order Management
• Inventory Management
• Warehouse Management
• Transportation
• Global Logistics

The ASCM website provides many resources on the CLTD Learning System to help individuals prepare for the exam. www.ascm.org/cltd

APICS Certified in Transformation for Supply Chain (CTSC)

The APICS Certified in Transformation for Supply Chain (CTSC) demonstrates you have high-level skills in systems thinking; supply chain architecting; leadership; risk management, digital transformation and

in-depth knowledge to effectively develop and deploy a successful supply chain transformation and improve day-to-day operations.

The APICS CTSC program consists of four modules, including:

• Supply Chain Transformation Overview
• Preparing for Supply Chain Transformation
• Executing Supply Chain Transformation
• Review of Supply Chain Transformation

The ASCM website provides many resources on the CTSC Learning System and exam to help individuals prepare for the exam. www.ascm.org/ctsc

To keep your APICS certification valid, you must earn and submit 75 professional development maintenance points every five years (100 points for APICS Fellows).

Maintenance can be fulfilled with many of the educational activities you’re already doing to expand your supply chain knowledge and stay up to date on the latest supply chain trends. To learn more about the rules and policies relevant to maintaining your APICS certification, please read the APICS Certification Maintenance Handbook.

For more information about how to complete the maintenance application once you are ready to submit your maintenance, review the Maintenance Application Tutorial.

CSCMP’s SCPro Supply Chain Management Certification Program

The SCPro Supply Chain Management Certification is offered by the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP). SCPro certification is a three-level certification process that validates a professional’s ability to assess business challenges and effectively implement improvements in the area of supply chain management.

Level One. Level one certification consists of eight modules and demonstrates a solid foundation of knowledge in all areas of supply chain management. In order to complete this level, candidates are required to have a bachelor’s degree or four years of relevant work experience.

Level Two. Level two certification covers the analysis and application of supply chain challenges. In order to be eligible for level two, candidates must have a bachelor’s degree and three years of work experience or seven years of work experience along with level one certification.

Level Three. Level three certification requires candidates to perform hands-on analysis within a working environment and to create a detailed project plan that generates results such as an increase in ROI, cost reductions and improvements. To be eligible for level three, a candidate should have a bachelor’s degree and five years of work experience or nine years of work experience along with level one and level two certifications.

Candidates with all three levels of certification can demonstrate to an employer that they are well-versed with the most important concepts required to manage today’s supply chains.

Learn more at cscmp.org

Institute for Supply Management

ISM’s Certified Professional in Supply Management® (CPSM®) Program

With a community of more than 45,000 worldwide, the Institute for Supply Management is one of the largest global organizations focused on improving procurement and supply management. ISM has certified more than 60,000 procurement professionals in more than 30 countries worldwide. The Supply Management Program helps candidates become experts in critical areas of supply chain management such as sustainability, strategic sourcing and forecasting. The eligibility requirements for this exam are:

• three years of experience in supply chain management with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent;
• five years of supply chain management experience without a bachelor’s degree; and
• successfully pass three CPSM exams.

In order to earn this certification, candidates must complete in order the following three exams.

• Exam 1: Foundation of Supply Management
• Exam 2: Effective Supply Management Performance
• Exam 3: Leadership in Supply Management Preparation

Resources for this certification can be found on the ISM Website (ismworld.org).

ISM’s Certified Professional in Supplier Diversity® (CPSD®) Program

The Supplier Diversity Program (CPSD) is best for professionals who participate in the development of supplier diversity initiatives. The eligibility requirements for this exam are:

• pass the CPSD exam;
• Exam 1 for CPSD is waived if the candidate has CPSM certification;
• five years of experience in the area of supplier diversity or supply chain management;
• a bachelor’s degree and three years of experience in the area of supplier diversity or supply chain management.

Preparation resources for this certification can be found on the ISM Website (ismworld.org).

Next Level Purchasing Association

NLPA SPSM Certifications

The Next Level Purchasing Association (NLPA) currently offers four certification levels that are open to supply chain professionals who are members of the NLPA. The SPSM program covers essential procurement skills and consists of six online purchasing courses and an exam that focuses on the most effective purchasing and supply management techniques, tactics, and strategies. Candidates have up to one year to complete the program, but it can be completed in less time.

Level 2, or the SPSM2 certification, is open to individuals who have earned the SPSM certification and covers global procurement management. The program consists of four online procurement courses and an exam.

Level 3, or the SPSM3 certification, is available to individuals who have earned the SPSM and SPSM2 certifications. The program is designed to help professionals master the skills to collaborate with other departments leading to even better results and a greater bottom-line impact. The program consists of four online procurement courses and an exam.

Level 4 covers social responsibility and strategic supplier diversity practices.

Information is available on the NLPA website (www.nextlevelpurchasing.com).

Sourcing Industry Group (SIG University)

SIG University Certification

The academic rigor of SIG University builds upon current organizational competencies and helps employees excel in their roles. The institution’s training provides MBA-level strategy, theory, actionable tactics to put new skills to use, and provides a dynamic learning experience that allows for networking and open discussion with peers and faculty.

Learn more on the SIG University website (http://sig.org/sig-university).

CERTIFICATIONS OFFERED BY UNIVERSITIES

Apart from professional organizations, many U.S. universities offer certification and degree programs in the field of supply chain management. Here are some of the programs that universities nationwide are offering for supply chain, logistics and procurement professionals.

Air Force Institute of Technology

The Graduate Logistics and Supply Chain Management program provides students with the opportunity to learn and exercise state-of-the-art management knowledge and tools to solve defense acquisition and logistics problems. The curriculum includes courses in statistics, operations research, organization and management theory, inventory systems, transportation and strategic mobility, maintenance and production management, financial management, and economics. In addition, students have the opportunity to pursue an operational logistics, operational maintenance, petroleum management, lifecycle logistics, or nuclear logistics management track.

American Public University

Online Graduate Certificate in Logistics Management

This concentrated six-course online logistics certificate program provides a highly targeted focus on logistics and supply chain management with a heavy emphasis on transportation factors. Coursework includes an examination of the maritime industry, transportation policy and planning, transportation management and economics, and the role of logistics in optimizing supply chain management.

Arizona State University

Supply Chain Management Graduate Certificate

The certificate program in supply chain management is composed of courses with content that is tightly integrated and offers a comprehensive coverage of core topics in supply chain management. The intended audience for this 15-credit-hour certificate includes working professionals who have graduated from general management undergraduate or graduate business programs and wish to supplement their degrees with focused, graduate-level courses in supply chain management. Students are either relatively new to supply chain management and desire a foundational knowledge of supply chain management complexities or experienced supply chain management professionals who wish to update their knowledge regarding current thinking and best practices.

California State University at Dominguez Hills

Online Certificate in Purchasing  

The certificate is for individuals who wish to gain a broad education in the principles of purchasing and procurement management. Those already in the field of procurement, as well as those anticipating a career change will benefit from this practical training taught by leading professionals currently employed in purchasing. Topics covered include cost-price analysis, negotiation, public sector procurement, legal and regulatory considerations, specification, standardization, supply, ethical issues, partnering, total quality procurement, and logistics. To earn the certificate, students must complete the five courses offered achieving an overall grade point average of 2.5 or better. The certificate must be completed within three years once the student has started the program.

Online Certificate in Supply Chain Management

The certificate is designed for those who wish to gain a broad education in the principles of supply chain management. Course topics include supply chain management, detailed scheduling and planning, material requirements planning, capacity requirements planning, inventory management, supplier planning, procurement, operations execution and control, production processes, quality incentives, inventory control, master planning of resources, forecasting, master scheduling, strategic management of resources, and integrating operating processes into the strategic plan. To earn the certificate, you must complete the five courses offered achieving an overall grade point average of 2.5 or better. The certificate must be completed within three years once the student has started the program.

Visit SCMR.com to view the full list.