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 will survey the critical importance of ports to trade, their vulnerability to disruption and attack, and defensive measures to mitigate risk focusing on international cooperation and legislation. Special emphasis will be placed on defensive measures to protect ports from disruption or asymmetric attack, international cooperation, and national legislation.

This course addresses information systems, to include their nature and role as key management resources. This course covers the information systems infrastructure, to include databases, knowledge management systems, enterprise information portals, telecommunications, the Internet, and wireless technology. It examines the topics of e-commerce, information systems in the global economy, managing global systems, securing information systems, and ethical and social issues in information systems.

This course consists of a collection of classic and contemporary readings in Organizational Development covering a broad range of topics including interpersonal relations, motivation, decision making and group behavior in organizations. Included are experiential exercises that give students an opportunity to practice their skills and cases that allow students to draw on their own experiences to apply the concepts and theories in managerial situations. Special emphasis will be placed on the role of the leader.

An in-depth look at the workings of maritime port operations and intermodal transportation systems. Course topics include the governance and administration of ports and marine terminals, the role of regulatory agencies, navigation and safety, port operations and development including the process to fund and carry out dredging projects. Cargo handling for containers and dry and liquid bulk operations will be discussed along with a look at productivity of terminal operations. Comparisons will be made with other regions of the world. A review of major steamship lines, their trading patterns and future trends among the industry will be covered along with technological advances in vessels and terminal operating equipment. A strong emphasis will be placed on current issues in port policy.

A comprehensive analysis of the theory and practice of Total Quality Management, including the use of Statistical Process Control, as developed and espoused by Juan and Deming, through extensive readings of books by and about these two management pioneers, and use of up-to-date TQM "how-to" handbooks used by businesses and the Federal Government.

This course covers the elements of contemporary leadership and delineates the principles that are important in the development of a leader for the 21st century. Discussion of the role and function of leadership will include an in-depth analysis and study of needs impacting individuals, organizations and society. The course provides students with a set of leadership skills and competencies on which to build an individual model for effective leadership that can be tested over time.

This 16-week 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. 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. Capstone courses are NOT included in the university retake policy. All grades for any capstone attempts will appear on transcript and will be calculated in GPA