If you are interested in launching a career in the field of transportation, then you have come to the right place. Skim through this comprehensive guide to familiarize yourself with different transportation programs being taught in the United States.
What Is Transportation?
The movement of persons or goods from one place to another through different modes of transport is called transportation.
What Can You Do with a Transportation Degree?
After completing a transportation degree, individuals can start working with large corporations, government agencies, and the military. They can kick-start their careers in fields like Transportation Planning, Transportation Administration, Freight Forwarding, Port Management, Public Transit Operations, Warehousing, and International Trade.
This section will highlight some career options in this field and will share some interesting wage estimates. These figures have been taken from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Logisticians
These individuals coordinate and analyze an organization’s supply chain. They are responsible for examining logistical functions, identifying areas for improvement, and recommending strategies to decrease the time or cost required to transport different goods.
| Annual Median Salary, 2019 | Job Outlook, 2018-2028 | Annual Mean Salary, 2019 | State with the Highest Employment Level, 2019 | State with the Highest Salary, 2019 |
| $74,750 | 5% | $78,680 | California | 23,020 |
| District of Columbia | $95,870 |
Cargo and Freight Agents
The table below does not mention the job outlook figure for this career because it has not been published on the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
| Annual Median Salary, 2019 | Annual Mean Salary, 2019 | State with the Highest Employment Level, 2019 | State with the Highest Salary, 2019 | |
| $43,740 | $46,770 | California | 13,670 | |
| Washington | $54,720 |
First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors
These professionals coordinate and supervise the activities of material movers, laborers, and helpers. They also oversee the activities of vehicle operators. BLS has not shared the job outlook data for this category, therefore the table below only mentions the wage statistics.
| Annual Median Salary, 2019 | Annual Mean Salary, 2019 | State with the Highest Employment Level, 2019 | State with the Highest Salary, 2019 | |
| $55,060 | $57,840 | California | 50,040 | |
| Alaska | $73,020 |
What to Expect from a Transportation Program?
The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Transportation and Logistics Management program introduces students to a range of modules, some of which include, Transportation Economics, Supply Chain Management, Fundamentals of Intermodal Transportation, Logistics Management, Packaging, Distribution Systems, Advanced Business Logistics, Air Cargo Operations, and Security, Air Transportation, and International Logistics Management. Students enrolled in this program can specialize in various areas such as Reverse Logistics Management and Air Cargo.
The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Supply Chain, Transportation, and Logistics Management helps students explore several topics, such as global logistics management, inventory management, warehousing, procurement, and transportation. After graduating from this program, individuals can distinguish the weaknesses and strengths of different transportation modes and are able to apply information technology concepts and analytical models necessary for managing the supply chains.
The Master of Science (M.S) in Transportation is designed for individuals seeking career advancement opportunities in transportation administration and planning. To graduate from this program, students have to study several courses, including Introduction to Intermodal Freight Transport, Introduction to Transportation Planning, Environment and Energy, Transportation Policy & Administration, and Applied Techniques for Transportation Planners.
How to Choose a Transportation Program?
Before enrolling in a transportation program, applicants should take into account many factors. Some of these are the cost and duration of the program, the university/college rankings, the reputation of the teaching staff, and the accreditation status of the degree.
Transportation Program Admission Requirements
In order to get admitted to a transportation program, candidates have to submit an Application for Admission along with an application fee. They also have to submit official documentation along with the admissions application – some of these documents include:
- Official high school transcript
- College/university transcripts
- Personal statement
- Letter(s) of recommendation
The guidelines mentioned above are general and not specific to any program. Therefore, it is advised that you go through the school prospectus and program catalogs to familiarize yourself with the admission requirements of different transportation programs.