Industrial Distribution Major
This new innovative degree blends technical expertise from the Crossland College of Technology with industry-focused training from the Kelce College of Business, equipping you to manage logistics, distribution, and supply chain operations effectively. The program provides two focused pathways—technology or business—depending on your career goals.Key Components of the Industrial Distribution Major:
- Interdisciplinary Curriculum: Combines technology and business foundations by integrating courses from the Crossland College of Technology and Kelce College of Business. Students take core courses in industrial distribution fundamentals, supply chain management, operations, marketing, and quality management.
- Hands-On Learning & Internship: Includes a required professional internship (3-6 credit hours) to gain real-world experience in industrial distribution or supply chain roles. Practical, activity-based courses involving robotics, simulators, CAD, manufacturing systems, and safety.
- Flexible Academic Pathways: Offers students the choice to focus on the technical aspects of industrial distribution through the BST degree or pursue a business-oriented BBA in Supply Chain Management. Electives in technology or business allow students to tailor their education to career goals.
- Strong Industry Connections & Regional Relevance: Located in a historical transportation hub with local companies like Watco Rail, Walmart suppliers, and Pitsco Education providing internship and employment opportunities. Prepares students to meet a growing regional and national demand for supply chain and industrial distribution professionals.
- Robust General Education Foundation: Covers essential communication, math, science, humanities, and social sciences courses to support broad professional skills.
Choose between Technical Sales or Logistics, tailoring your degree to your career goals.
Connect with leading companies through internships, co-ops, and professional networking events.
Apply classroom knowledge in state-of-the-art distribution, logistics, and supply chain labs.
industrial distribution job openings currently available in Kansas, many located near PSU’s alumni base (Indeed.com, 2024).
Median annual salary of $79,400 for distribution managers in Kansas, with senior supply chain managers earning a median of $109,057 nationally (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics & Salary.com, 2024-2025).
projected job growth for logisticians and supply chain managers nationally from 2021 to 2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Only one of three regional four-year campuses in Kansas currently offers industrial distribution or supply chain degrees.
Industrial Distribution Careers
With global supply chains evolving rapidly, demand for skilled distribution and logistics professionals is soaring. Kansas, in particular, lacks regional four-year degrees in this field—making this program both timely and highly valuable to local and regional industries.