The Master of Industrial Distribution Program is designed for the working professional. The four-semester program is structured with online courses and a four-day residency, each August, on the Texas A&M University campus in College Station. You will begin with two online courses in the fall and spring semesters of year one, and then two courses and the Capstone Project in the fall and spring of year two. The program includes high-impact learning experiences such as Residency Experience, Global Distribution Experience, and the Capstone Project.
Overview
Campus Location: College Station, Texas
Length of Program: 21 months; study while working full-time
Degree Format:
- Two 4-day residencies in College Station, Texas
- Four 15-week online semesters
- Capstone presentation and graduation in College Station, Texas (3-4 days depending on graduation date and time)
Year 1 Program Schedule and Curriculum
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Residency Experience
Mid-August, 4 days on campusCourse Topics
Network with fellow students and professors; learn how to access your courses; Discover Texas A&M University's rich heritage and traditions; interact with guest lecturers; and discuss the latest trends and research in industry
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Fall Semester
Late August to mid-December, 15 weeks onlineCurriculum – IDIS 650 The Science of Distribution
Curriculum – IDIS 652 Digital Distributor
Course Topics:
Distribution Strategy • Sustained Competitive Advantage • Optimizing Distributor Profitability • Framework • Financial Framework • Opportunity & Capability • Value Added Services • Relationship Management
Course Topics:
Digital Transformation • Analytics Framework • Business Insights • Marketing/Branding • Omni Channel Experience • eCommerce • Social Media • Software Selection & Implementation • AI, Bots & IoTs
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Winter Break
Mid-December to mid-January, 3 weeks
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Spring Semester
Mid-January to early May, 15 weeks onlineCurriculum – IDIS 651 Distribution Customer Experience
Curriculum – IDIS 664 Distribution Profitability Analysis
Course Topics:
Customer Stratification • Customer Insights Pricing Science • Value Proposition Design • Value Creation • Market Intelligence • Digitizing the Sales Process • Changing Role of Sales Force • Customer Engagement
Course Topics:
P&L • Balance Sheet • Income Statement • Cash Flow • Internal Rate of Return • Time Value of Money • Net Present Value • Capital Investment Decisions • Mergers & Acquisitions • Risk Management
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Summer Break
Mid-May to early August, 10 weeks
Year 2 Program Schedule and Curriculum
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Residency Experience
Mid-August, 4 days on campusCourse Topics
Network with fellow students and professors; learn how to access your courses; Discover Texas A&M University's rich heritage and traditions; interact with guest lecturers; and discuss the latest trends and research in industry
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Fall Semester
Late August to mid-December, 15 weeks onlineCurriculum – IDIS 653 Distribution Operational Excellence
Curriculum – IDIS 657 Distribution Growth, Models, and Drivers
Course Topics:
Inventory Stratification • Forecasting • Purchasing Policies • Warehouse Mgmt. • Network Optimization • Transportation • Lean Distribution • Value Stream Mapping
Course Topics:
Market expansion • Growth drivers • Generating Growth • Managing Growth • Sustaining Growth • Sales & Marketing • Case Studies • OPTIONAL Global TripCurriculum – IDIS 660 Distribution Capstone Project (Part I)
Course Topics:
Distribution Transformational Project Problem Identification • Steering Committee Presentation • Background Research • Distribution Transformational Project Steering Committee Meeting • Data Collection/Analysis
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Winter Break
Mid-December to mid-January, 3 weeks
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Spring Semester
Mid-January to early May, 15 weeks onlineCurriculum – IDIS 656 Leading People and Managing Performance in Distribution
Curriculum – IDIS 654 Distribution Channel Development
Course Topics:
Performance in Distribution Culture • Talent Planning • Talent Acquisition • Talent Management • Talent Development • Talent Retention • Employee Engagement • High-Potential & Leadership Development
Course Topics:
Role of Distributor • Supplier Selection & Mgmt. • Channel Management Methodology • Design Channel Goals • Developing Channel • Value Proposition • Manage Channel Alignment • Adapting to Channel ForcesCurriculum – IDIS 665 Distribution Capstone Project (Part II)
Course Topics:
Distribution Transformational Project Problem Identification • Steering Committee Presentation • Solution/Recommendation Development • Mid-Project Critical Review • Distribution Transformational Project Final Recommendation • ROI Calculation • Final Steering Committee Presentation • Final Report • Graduation
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Capstone and Graduation
Early May, 3-4 days on campus