Logistics Engineering Technology
Building an Academic Pathway for Logistics Engineering Technicians
Addressing the industry need for education qualified Logistics Engineering Technicians by creating an interdisciplinary curriculum pathway with supply chain management, engineering technology, and information technology coursework.
Columbus State Community College in Central Ohio in collaboration with Eastland-Fairfield Career Center, its 16 associated school districts, Franklin University, and key regional industry partners, is developing a new multi-disciplinary academic pathway in Logistics Engineering Technology. This project is designing and developing an associate degree curriculum that incorporates engineering, information technology and supply chain management delivered through a blended delivery model that integrates a learning object methodology. Instructional and student support systems are being developed to help establish the optimal environment for student success. The overall project goal is to create a career pathway for industrial engineering and operations technicians with the STEM and subject matter knowledge to support the increasingly complex technology needs of the supply chain sector while providing program graduates opportunities in a variety of industries.
Learn more about Logistics Engineering Technology by viewing our program brochures:
Phase One: Curriculum & Education
Job Skills Analysis
In February 2015, a group of six key central Ohio companies were gathered to conduct an all-day Industry Job Skills Analysis for the Logistics Engineering Technician role using Compression Planning with Storyboarding. These detailed findings built the foundation for instructional program planning and curriculum development. Read more on the Labor Trends page.
Integrated 2+2+2 Career Pathway
Columbus State has created an integrated career pathway that is built upon a 2+2+2 framework that leverages partnerships with high school, two-year colleges, and four-year universities. Columbus State's pathway includes:
- College Credit Plus: SCM 1100 Supply Chain Management Principles and SCM 1101 Transportation Management have been developed for College Credit Plus classes.
- Associate of Applied Science: Columbus State gained Ohio Board of Regents approval for a new Logistics Engineering Technology Associate of Applied Science Degree based upon the results of Compression Planning. In August of 2017, the degree program officially began with approximately 30 students with LET as their declared major.
- Articulation Agreements: Columbus State has articulation agreements with Franklin University's Bachelor of Science in Logistics Management and Ohio University's Bachelor of Science in Technical Operations and Management Online Program.
Pre-College Initiative
The pre-college initiative targets high school students, educators, and counselors. A key component of this initiative is the coordination and implementation of a LET Summer Camp for high school students designed to inspire a future in logistics careers. A similar program has been developed for high school counselors and educators with the purpose of disseminating the labor trends and career options for students.
Phase Two: Enhancing the LET Curriculum
Work Study Model
The Logistics Engineering Technology Work Study seeks to replicate and expand the Modern Manufacturing Work Study (DUE 1400354) model to include multidisciplinary Logistics jobs. In partnership with area employers, the LET project team will develop a year-long co-op model allows students to work part-time in paid logistics position three-days per week the second year of the program and complete their AAS degree two-days per week.
Prior Learning Assessment
Columbus State Community College has many adult learners, including military veterans, unemployed, and under-employed incumbent workers. These students have valuable knowledge from previous education and work experience that will be evaluated by faculty for potential college credit.
Hands-on Application
LET is heavily focused on hands-on application for necessary technical experience. The LET AAS and summer camp students both utilize the Integrated Systems Technology (IST) lab on Columbus State's campus to learn valuable engineering and IT skills. The IST lab will help prepare students for Work Study as well. Furthermore, LET is closely aligned with the SmartColumbus project and has participated in SmartColumbus events.
What is ATE?
The Logistics Engineering Technology projects are being funded by a National Science Foundation grant under the Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program (DUE 1400452 & 1700520). With an emphasis on two-year colleges, Advanced Technological Education program focuses on the education of technicians for the high-technology fields that drive our nation's economy. The program involves partnerships between academic institutions and industry to promote improvement in the education of science and engineering technicians at the undergraduate and secondary school levels. The ATE program supports curriculum development; professional development of college faculty and secondary school teachers; career pathways to two-year colleges from secondary schools and from two-year colleges to four-year institutions; and other activities.
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1400452 & 1700520.