Operations Management Concentration in Business Admin
An operations management concentration focuses on how organizations design, run, and improve the systems that produce goods and services. Within a business administration program, this track emphasizes process efficiency, data informed decision making, and coordination across functions.
Operations management concentrations are often chosen by students interested in improving workflows, managing resources, and solving complex operational problems.
Quick answers
What is an operations management concentration?
An operations management concentration is a focused set of courses within a business administration program that emphasizes how organizations design, manage, and improve processes that deliver products and services.
What do you typically study in an operations management concentration?
Common course themes include operations strategy and process design, supply chain and logistics fundamentals, quality management and continuous improvement, capacity planning, project planning basics, and performance measurement.
How does this concentration fit into a business administration degree?
An operations management concentration supplements the business core rather than replacing it. Students still complete foundational coursework in accounting, finance, marketing, and management, then apply those concepts to operational decision making.
What degree levels may offer operations management?
Operations management concentrations are commonly available at the bachelor’s and master’s levels. At the associate level, operations topics are usually introduced through general business, management, or logistics courses rather than formal concentrations.
Is an operations management concentration available online?
Many programs offer operations management concentrations online, and the coursework often emphasizes analysis, case studies, and applied problem solving. Online formats may include weekly problem sets, spreadsheet based process evaluation, and standard or accelerated term schedules.
Does choosing this concentration change admissions or accreditation?
Choosing an operations management concentration does not change admissions requirements or accreditation standards. Always verify institutional accreditation, then confirm course sequencing and quantitative expectations.
Back to Business Administration Concentrations
At a glance
- Focus on process efficiency and operational decision making.
- Builds on the standard business core.
- Course themes often include process design, supply chain fundamentals, and quality management.
- Common at the bachelor’s and master’s levels; associate programs may cover operations topics without a formal concentration.
- Online formats often use analysis, case studies, and problem sets; pacing varies by school.
For an overview of all degree pathways, see the Business Administration Program Guide.
What you typically study
Operations management concentrations examine how organizations convert inputs into outputs efficiently and reliably.
Common course themes
- Operations strategy and process design
- Supply chain and logistics fundamentals
- Quality management and continuous improvement
- Capacity planning and resource allocation
- Project planning and scheduling basics
- Process analysis and performance measurement
Course depth and emphasis vary by school, but most programs focus on applying analytical tools to real operational challenges.
To see how operations courses fit into the overall program, review the Business Administration Curriculum.
How this concentration fits into a business administration degree
An operations management concentration supplements the business core rather than replacing it. Students still complete foundational coursework in accounting, finance, marketing, and management, then apply those concepts to operational decision making.
Most programs require a defined set of upper level operations courses, typically completed after core business requirements.
Degree levels that may offer operations management
Operations management concentrations are commonly available at the bachelor’s and master’s levels.
You may encounter this concentration in:
At the associate level, operations topics are usually introduced through general business, management, or logistics courses rather than formal concentrations.
Online formats and pacing
Operations coursework adapts well to online learning due to its emphasis on analysis, case studies, and applied problem solving.
Online formats may include:
- Weekly problem sets and case analysis
- Spreadsheet based process evaluation
- Standard or accelerated term schedules
Compare delivery and pacing options:
- Online Course Formats
- Accelerated Business Administration Programs
- Part-Time Business Administration Programs
Choosing operations management vs other concentrations
This concentration may be a good fit if you enjoy:
- Improving processes and workflows
- Working with data, systems, and constraints
- Coordinating resources across teams
- Solving practical efficiency problems
If you prefer customer or people focused coursework, you may also want to explore:
How to evaluate an operations management concentration
- Review typical course themes such as operations strategy, process design, supply chain and logistics fundamentals, quality management and continuous improvement, capacity planning, and project planning.
- Confirm how the operations track supplements the business core, including accounting, finance, marketing, and management.
- Check online format and pacing options, such as problem sets, case analysis, spreadsheet based process evaluation, and standard or accelerated term schedules.
- Verify institutional accreditation, then confirm course sequencing and quantitative expectations.
Admissions and accreditation considerations
Choosing an operations management concentration does not change admissions requirements or accreditation standards. Always verify institutional accreditation, then confirm course sequencing and quantitative expectations.
Helpful pages:
Is an operations management concentration worth it?
The value of an operations management concentration depends on your interest in systems, efficiency, and process improvement. It provides structured exposure to analytical tools and operational thinking, but it does not replace hands on experience.
For a broader fit discussion, see: Is a Business Administration Degree Worth It.
FAQ
What is an operations management concentration?
An operations management concentration is a focused set of courses within a business administration program that emphasizes how organizations design, manage, and improve processes that deliver products and services.
What do you typically study in an operations management concentration?
Common course themes include operations strategy and process design, supply chain and logistics fundamentals, quality management and continuous improvement, capacity planning, project planning basics, and performance measurement.
How does this concentration fit into a business administration degree?
An operations management concentration supplements the business core rather than replacing it. Students still complete foundational coursework in accounting, finance, marketing, and management, then apply those concepts to operational decision making.
What degree levels may offer operations management?
Operations management concentrations are commonly available at the bachelor’s and master’s levels. At the associate level, operations topics are usually introduced through general business, management, or logistics courses rather than formal concentrations.
Is an operations management concentration available online?
Many programs offer operations management concentrations online, and the coursework often emphasizes analysis, case studies, and applied problem solving. Online formats may include weekly problem sets, spreadsheet based process evaluation, and standard or accelerated term schedules.
Does choosing this concentration change admissions or accreditation?
Choosing an operations management concentration does not change admissions requirements or accreditation standards. Always verify institutional accreditation, then confirm course sequencing and quantitative expectations.