classes are now in session ...

The Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) is well known for its annual conference and local roundtables. What people may not realize is that the CSCMP also co-sponsors seminars and courses at universities across North America. The group has worked with schools like the University of Tennessee, Pennsylvania State University and the University of Wisconsin for years. Its latest academic partner, added this year, is the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which is offering two co-sponsored seminars in July.

"CSCMP recognizes the enormous value that attending executive development programs provides to its members and to supply chain professionals," said Kathleen Hedland, CSCMP's director of education and roundtable services, in a prepared statement. "By forming and maintaining close relationships with universities, we can better support the professional community as it seeks to further its knowledge and advance its careers."

Seminars range from a one-day event with a single-topic focus to a five-day executive development course. The content offerings vary as well, reaching a diverse segment of the supply chain and logistics population. CSCMP members are eligible for reduced registration rates.

Links to the universities and details on the programs can be found at the CSCMP Web site, www.cscmp.org. Some upcoming programs include:

The University of Tennessee
April 10: Supply Chain Resource Management
April 12: Integrative Supply Chain Experience

Penn State University's Smeal College of Business
April 10: Managing Effective Supply Chains: Achieving Supply Chain Transformation
May 22: Managing Effective Supply Chains: Essentials of Supply Chain Management

University of South Florida's College of Business Administration
April 5: Paradigm-Driven Factor Optimization Part II—Positioning the Firm for Profitable International Expansion
May 4: Building Sustainable Enterprises: Best Practices in Business Ethics

The University of Wisconsin
April 3: Pricing and Costing Motor Carrier and Logistics Services
April 5: Contracting and Managing Motor Carrier and Logistics Services
April 27: Strategic Sourcing for Purchasing and Supply Management
May 1: Import/Export Documentation and Traffic
May 3: Transportation Claims Management and Prevention
May 8: Demand Planning and Sales Forecasting for SC Management
May 10: Improving SC Performance with Business Requirements Planning and Technology Development

Michigan State University
May 7: Supply Chain Integration, Performance Measurement, Technology Application, Organizational Dynamic