Master of Arts in Transportation and Logistics Management-Capstone Option

This course is designed to provide the graduate student with a study of the major historical events in the transportation industry. Topics include agricultural, industrial, information, interstate, and transtate transportation events and precedents. The course will provide both broad analysis of the industry and specific seminal events in its history.

This course in research methods will prepare the transportation and logistics management graduate student to understand material and issues associated with but not limited to the logic of the scientific method, research design, and qualitative and statistical analysis of data. Students will be afforded to opportunity to begin to conduct research on topics within the field of transportation and logistics management. This course is intended to provide a foundation from which the student may use the knowledge and practices gained in this course throughout the rest of their graduate program.

The course provides the student with a coherent and integrated framework, based on micro and macro economic principles, for understanding aggregate transportation activity. Issues include: regulation, tariffs, interstate commercial policy, international trade, and transportation exchange rates.

This course examines the United States and worldwide commercial freight transportation systems, with an emphasis on international intermodal surface transportation. Modal/intermodal economic and operating characteristics will be surveyed, along with cost, pricing, and regulation of transportation services. In addition, students will be introduced to electronic data interchange (EDI) in commercial transportation and the use of computer software applications in transportation management—all with the goal of providing students with an in-depth understanding of the principles of intermodal transportation systems, a grasp of transportation terminology, and the interrelationship between the Defense Transportation System (DTS) and the global commercial transportation infrastructure.

This course provides an understanding of leading-edge logistics management, as well as principles and techniques available to achieve optimum operational efficiencies. Topics include: development of logistics, logistical economic significance, the importance of logistics management in transportation operations, application of supply chain management concepts, role of information systems, elements and management of global logistics, distinctions and characteristics of international versus domestic logistics, global transportation options, traffic management, global transportation decision-making, management of inventory costs, measurement and control of integrated logistics systems, and development of effective world-wide logistics strategies.

This course is a comprehensive review of the major applications of reverse logistics principles, problems and best practices in manufacturing, retail and the military. The student will study applications from apparel, aviation, automotive, electronics, food and beverage, retailers, and sporting goods. It includes an analysis of Green applications and Carbon Footprint credits for companies.

This course studies the use of GPS, RFID and bar coding technology used to track and trace products through the forward supply chain and the reverse logistics process. The student will study the complex issues of data synchronization facing today’s reverse logistics manager.

Students in this course analyze the resources needed to establish and implement a reverse logistics operations in manufacturing and in retail stores. Emphasis is placed on analysis and way to measure the return on investment and other performance measures to ensure a successful reverse logistics operation.

This course is a focused and comprehensive examination of the recalls programs of major manufacturing companies around the world, as a thorough study of how a returns program can enhance the revenue stream of a retail store.

A comprehensive study of the central returns centers, its layout, the facilities, and training needed to successfully operate in today’s global market place. Emphasis on project management knowledge, use of diagrams and flowcharts are used to design a network process for a manufacturing firm and for a retail organization.

This course examines the organization, planning, and controlling of recycling, reclaimed materials, and reclaim centers projects that are designated as Green. The student is provided practical knowledge on Green project planning, managing Green project scope, and sustainment and environmental risk management.

This course is a focused and comprehensive examination of how different retail industries implement reverse logistics programs. The focus is on food and beverage, apparel, automotive, sports, hotel operations, and consumer electronics. Attention is focused on data synchronization inventory management comparing the forward and reverse logistics chains.

This course studies the handling of hazardous materials in reverse logistics operations. The study designs a forward and reverse logistics chain to identify and analyze the point where the product become hazardous to workers in recycling, returns, and waste movement. The student will study the regulatory issues that govern the legal and illegal activities of returns through case studies.

This course is available to graduate students majoring in transportation and logistics management. Students may enroll in this course or take the comprehensive examination option. This course will involve a major research paper or thesis option that demonstrates understanding of the program objectives. The research paper and thesis option will demonstrate understanding of social science research methodology. A Research Manual with explicit guidance for the research paper and thesis option will be available. Students electing this option must use this as one of the graduate electives. The student shall select their research paper or thesis option professor from designated APUS faculty. Students should confer with the professor overseeing the research paper or thesis option to determine which exit option is the best for the student’s needs.