SCM Blended Master’s Program
Is the degree earned by SCMb students the same degree earned by SCMr students?
Yes. Both residential students and blended students are able to earn the same degrees.
How many students are admitted to the Blended program?
We admit around 40 students to the Blended program each year.
Are students admitted through the blended pathway part of the SCM program?
Yes. Students admitted to the program through either the residential or blended paths are part of the same program. Each SCM cohort has 30-40 students each year, bringing the total student body to approximately 80 students in the Spring term when the Blended students arrive.
What will my semester at MIT look like if I come to the SCM program with an MITx MicroMasters® Program in Supply Chain Management?
The Blended cohort enrolls in a combination of subjects designed and run just for SCM, as well as subjects with other MIT students. The full-time spring semester is exceptionally intense. Students enroll in core subjects, elective subjects, and also complete a research project during their in-residence period.
Learn more about the transition from the online-learning of MITx MicroMasters® Program to an on-campus MIT experience directly from recent candidates of the MIT Supply Chain Management Blended Program Cohort. Read more on the SCM Student Voices Blog.
Education & Work Experience
Who should apply to the Blended program?
We are looking for highly qualified non-traditional candidates. The MicroMasters credential was established to enable MIT’s teaching in logistics and supply chain to be available at little or no cost to thousands of interested learners around the globe. In the same spirit, the Blended program was established to create a new pathway for highly qualified non-traditional candidates to earn a master’s degree from MIT.
Non-traditional candidates include, for example, supply chain practitioners who have a wealth of excellent experience, may be a bit older, and have not taken the GMAT or GRE test. They also include people whose undergraduate training was in humanities or social sciences but now find themselves working in supply chains. Strong performance in the MicroMasters program proves you are qualified to keep up with the on-campus courses and activities.
For additional insight into the unique backgrounds and qualifications of program candidates, consider reading the story of a Supply Chain Management Blended Program candidate who took a “Mid-Career Break” to pursue this higher learning opportunity.
What if I don’t have direct supply chain experience? Is other professional experience considered?
Other kinds of experience can be accepted if it is related to operations or planning functions similar to supply chains. Examples might include experience in manufacturing operations, oil field services, and demand forecasting.
For more on the non-traditional experience and professional backgrounds of candidates in the Supply Chain Management Program, and to learn about one candidate’s journey from a career in software engineering to the SCM program, read more on the SCM Student Voices Blog.
What if I have little or no work experience?
Both the residential and the blended paths for the SCM program are designed for experienced professionals. The admissions committee will be looking for at least 2 years of experience and preferably 5 or more years. If you have not worked for at least 2 years in a supply chain role we recommend that you delay applying until you have gained that experience.
Admissions
How is the Admission Committee evaluating applications?
The admissions committee evaluates each application independently along several dimensions, these include:
- MITx MicroMasters® Program in SCM — Performance in each of the 5 courses and the comprehensive final exam. However, the committee will not simply admit the candidates with the highest scores.
- Work Experience — At least 2 years minimum (3-7 years is recommended) of work experience in supply chain or a related field.
- Letters of Recommendation — Recommendation letters from employers/supervisors and (if possible) a university advisor or relevant professor.
- Undergraduate Transcript — To verify that you have earned an undergraduate degree such as BA, BS, BEng, and to evaluate your education history.
- Video Statement — Explain why you want to study supply chain management.
- Research Project — SCMb applicants will need to create a two-page description of their proposed Research Project. The description of this project will replace the usual essay as it will be judged both on the merits of the project and the quality of the writing. Projects that include quantitative analysis and those that include collaboration with an entity (company, agency, NGO) will be preferred. (Guidelines will be provided). (examples of past SCM research projects)
If I aspire to enroll in the Blended SCM Program, what should be my % target in the SCx courses?
Competitive test scores are above the 85% mark. The individual test scores are just one component in the admissions decision to the Blended program. In addition to the scores, we look at the whole person—experience, potential, ability to write and speak, etc.
What are my chances of being admitted to the Blended SCM Program if I am an average performer in the online classes?
Scoring highly in the online subjects will increase your chances of gaining admission to the SCM program. However, we should stress that simply having high scores will not guarantee admission – we look at all aspects of an application.
Can I apply to both SCMr and SCMb programs?
Yes, but this requires two separate applications. There are different admissions criteria and deadlines for each program. The admission decisions will be made independently by each program’s Admission Committee. We encourage applicants to consider which program better meets their needs and aspirations before applying.
For additional perspective and insight into deciding which program is best suited for you, visit our SCM Student Voices Blog to understand the considerations that one international candidate made before joining the Supply Chain Management Residential Program (SCMr).
If I take on-line courses as part of the MicroMaster’s program but then enroll in the SCMr program, will I get credit for those on-line courses?
No, you will not get any credit for on-line coursework. However, for required courses, it will be up to the professor of each class to determine if they will give you a waiver from their class. Your performance in the on-line course will be one of several factors considered. If granted, you will select another course (elective) to take instead.
How long will the MicroMasters be honored for application to the Blended program?
Prospective students who have earned the MicroMasters credential will have 3 years to apply to the Blended program from the award date of their credential. .
How do international students apply for the program?
The admission requirements and process is the same for international students. However, if your native language is not English, you are required to take either the TOEFL or IELTS (TOEFL: Minimum score required: 100, IELTS: Minimum score required: 7). To request a waiver (directly in the online application), you must have received an undergraduate degree or advanced degree from an English-speaking college or university. International students are encouraged to review this information as well: http://gradadmissions.mit.edu/applications/international-applicants
Is there an IELTS or TOEFL requirement?
IELTS or TOEFL: Applicants from non-English-speaking nations must offer evidence of written and oral proficiency in the English language by taking the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). To request a waiver (directly in the online application), you must meet have received an undergraduate degree or advanced degree from an English-speaking college or university.
- TOEFL: Minimum score required: 100
- IELTS: Minimum score required: 7
When does the program begin?
The Blended program will begin in January and end with commencement in May [view SCMb timeline graphic]. We admit Blended cohort students to begin their on-campus study in January only. We enroll only one cohort of Blended students each academic year and there is (so far) no Blended program planned for the Fall Semester.
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