The Master of Science in Management (MSM) program prepares professionals to be effective leaders in supply chain, innovation, and information technology management. Graduates will have the advanced technical, entrepreneurial, and leadership skills necessary to succeed as mid- or upper-level managers in manufacturing, service, and consulting organizations. The MSM program also prepares qualified students for further doctoral study in the fields of supply chain and operations management, and information systems management. MSM students benefit immensely from the focused curriculum, close coordination of courses with the MBA program, and from the small class sizes. The program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), and has received special commendation for excellence from the South Carolina Commission for Higher Education.

The program requires a Business undergraduate or graduate degree. Students with non-Business backgrounds are recommended to pursue an MBA from Clemson University in which they can complement a general business education with a specialization in Supply Chain & Information Management or Innovation & Entrepreneurial Leadership.

 The MSM curriculum requires thirty credit hours consisting of 7 core courses organized in three modules (General Business, Supply Chain & Information Management, and Entrepreneurship & Innovation Management), 1 elective course, and a six credit hour master’s thesis.

 Core Courses

 The program requires three advanced general business courses: (1) Organization Behavior & Human Resources Management, (2) Strategic Management, and (3) Project Management. Students who have completed a general business course in prior study may elect, with approval, to replace it with an alternate core or elective course.

 Topics covered in core and elective courses in Supply Chain & Information Management, and Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management include the following:

• Global Supply Chain & Technology Management

• Enterprise Resource Planning and Control Systems

• Logistics and Purchasing Management

• Lean Manufacturing and Process Improvement

• Emerging Technologies

• System Analysis & Design

• Technology & Innovation Management

• Enterprise Development

• Creativity & Innovation in Business

• Managerial Decision Modeling

• Business Statistical Analysis

 The Graduate Programs Committee will approve the final program for each student based on their background, interest, and availability of courses.

 Master’s Thesis

 A major component of the MSM curriculum is the integration, synthesis and research required toward the end of the program. The thesis-based integration course is designed to provide students the opportunity to synthesize the ideas presented earlier to a current business problem or development of new research on management theory and practice. A formal presentation and written report are required.

How Long Does the Program Take?

Students can enter the MSM program only in the Fall semester (starting mid-August), and can complete the program in 10 months (mid-August to mid-June).

 Note: There are no graduate courses offered by the Department of Management during summer sessions, except for the thesis course. A very limited number of MBA, Computer Science, and Industrial Engineering courses relevant to the MSM program may be available.

Can I Receive a Dual MSM/MBA Degree?

Dual master's degree opportunities are available to interested and qualified students. To earn a dual degree (pursuing the MSM and MBA degrees simultaneously), you must be admitted into both programs. Up to one-sixth of the total number of credit hours taken can be double counted for both degrees. If a student takes classes full-time, typically both degrees can be earned in approximately two and a half years.

Who Teaches in the MSM Program?

The Department of Management consists of an internationally recognized faculty with diverse research, teaching, and consulting experiences. Faculty members hold doctoral degrees from premier institutions and include Fulbright scholars with international experience, award-winning instructors, fellows and officers of major professional societies, internationally-known researchers, and professionals with significant industrial experience. The Department has developed an outstanding reputation for its broad-based, interdisciplinary programs in management.

Management faculty members provide a variety of services to the business and professional communities. Faculty members also serve as Senior Editors of top journals in Supply Chain and Operations Management, Information Systems, and Entrepreneurship and are active in consulting for many of the largest companies in America and internationally. They are frequently asked to speak as distinguished speakers at universities, conferences, and companies, and are quoted regularly in local and national newspapers and periodicals.

See the Department of Management’s web page at www.clemson.edu/management for more details on the faculty’s teaching and research interests.

What Facilities are Available to MSM Students?

 All MSM students have high-speed access to the Internet and campus-wide networks containing the latest business applications. Sirrine Hall, which houses the Department of Management, has several computer-equipped “smart” classrooms. The Department of Management also has a dedicated Manufacturing Management lab that provides access to industrial manufacturing resource planning software. The mission of the laboratory is to promote operations management by attracting talented students to the field and uniquely preparing them for career challenges in the profession. This is accomplished through active learning involving modern principles of manufacturing management, leading-edge enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, team work, and leadership.

 What are the Physical Surroundings Like?

 Clemson University is a selective university in a beautiful college-town setting along a dynamic southeastern corridor. It has comfortable weather and natural beauty with nearby mountains and lakes. The town lies 30 minutes from Greenville, South Carolina, a dynamic and growing city, with a booming artistic, service and industrial base; and is about 90 minutes each from the outskirts of Atlanta, Georgia and Charlotte and Asheville, North Carolina.

Importantly, the region has been designated as center for trade and logistics. There are over 400 foreign national companies headquartered or located in South Carolina. This burgeoning business environment provides a natural ‘laboratory’ for Supply Chain and Operations Management, Information Systems, and Entrepreneurship academic research and interfacing with industry. Unique opportunities for Clemson students include the International Center for Automotive Research (ICAR), the Spiro Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, and a vibrant business community in Greenville and Spartanburg, SC.

 What is the Cost of Study?

For the current cost of study and other financial information, please check the Academic Expenses page of the Graduate School at: www.grad.clemson.edu/p_financial.html  Clemson University now follows a tiered system for graduate academic fees. The MSM program falls under Tier Two (see above website for complete details).

How Do I Apply?

Application must be made directly to the Clemson Graduate School, and not to the Department of Management. The Graduate School strongly prefers online submissions of applications. Go to www.grad.clemson.edu to access this feature. If you do not wish to submit an online application, you may receive a paper application by contacting the Graduate School at grdapp@clemson.edu.

 In addition to materials required by the Graduate School, the Department of Management requires a short (no more than two pages long) essay in English, giving the reasons for seeking the MSM degree from Clemson University. Applications will not be processed until the essay is received.

Because of the competitive nature of the admission and financial aid processes, students must submit their packages by January 15. Students interested in competing for University fellowships (in addition to departmental graduate assistantships) must submit their packages as early as December 1.

The program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).