Program: Professional Studies, Manufacturing Supervision, (B.P.S) - University of Memphis - Modern Campus Catalog™

Jun 26, 2025

2025-2026 UNDERGRADUATE CATALOG

The Bachelor of Professional Studies degree (BPS) with a concentration in Manufacturing Supervision offers career and advancement opportunities in the manufacturing industry.

The interdisciplinary focus on manufacturing supervisory skills will assist students in advancing their manufacturing careers for those already working in the industry.

Students will learn skills in project planning and evaluation, work design improvement, production control, facility design, occupational safety, and statistical quality control. In addition, they will learn principles of supervision and other management skills.

Those currently in the industry also have the opportunity to use existing work experience for college credit through prior learning.

General Education (35-41 hours)

See University General Education Program for the University General Education Program requirements. Students who have completed one year of American History in high school are exempted from the six credit-hour History General Education Program requirement; otherwise, students will have to meet the History requirement.

Coordinated Study (24-30 hours)

Many upper-division (3000/4000-level) courses have prerequisites that must be met prior to being permitted to register for those courses. You are responsible for knowing and satisfying all course prerequisites. Some (not all) prerequisites are listed below. For specific information about courses and the prerequisites they may have, please view course descriptions at: Course Descriptions

Many courses also require permits from the department that teaches the course. For example, SWRK and CJUS courses will always need permits from those respective departments. College of Professional & Liberal Studies staff cannot issue permits for courses taught in other departments. ALL 3000/4000 level classes taught by the College of Business (ACCT, ECON, FIR, MGMT, MKTG) require a permit; students must request a permit online at: https://fcbeacad.memphis.edu/permits/

Students should choose either the Manufacturing Technology Supervision Field of Study or Management Services Field of Study.

Manufacturing Technology Supervision (30 hours)

MATH 1710 College Algebra
TECH 1010 Computer Applications in Tech
TECH 3386 - Safety Engineering Credit Hours: (3)
TECH 3440 - Project Plan/Cost Evaluation Credit Hours: (3)
TECH 4236 - AutoID Solutions Credit Hours: (3)
TECH 4381 - Principles of Supervision** Credit Hours: (3)
TECH 4460 - Work Design/Improvement Credit Hours: (3)
TECH 4462 - Quality Improvement Credit Hours: (3)
TECH 4464 - Production Control Systems Credit Hours: (3)
TECH 4466 - Facility Design Credit Hours: (3)

Management Services (24 hours)

Administration and Supervision (3 hours)

Choose one three hour course from below:

MGMT 3110 - Principles of Management** Credit Hours: (3)
PADM 3601 - Public Admin** Credit Hours: (3)

Organizational Systems (3 hours)

Choose one three hour course from below:

MGMT 3215 - Management of Human Resources ** Credit Hours: (3)
MGMT 4420 - Organizational Behavior in Business** Credit Hours: (3)
PADM 4226 - Intro Nonprofit Organizations Credit Hours: (3)
PSYC 3508 - Indust/Organizatnl Psyc Credit Hours: (3)

Marketing and Public Relations (3 hours)

Choose one three hour course from below:

MKTG 3010 - Principles of Marketing ** Credit Hours: (3)

Team and Organizational Relations (3 hours)

Choose one three hour course from below:

COMM 4011 - Communication in Organizations ** Credit Hours: (3)
COMM 4342 - Small Group Communication Credit Hours: (3)
COMM 4373 - Interracial Communication** Credit Hours: (3)
COMM 4375 - Intercultural Communication ** Credit Hours: (3)
COUN 4621 - Human Interactions Credit Hours: (3)
COUN 4781 - Strategy/Crisis Intervention Credit Hours: (3)

Written Communication (3 hours)

Choose one three hour course from below:

ENGL 3601 - Technical and Profess Writing ** Credit Hours: (3)
ENGL 3602 - Professional Editing ** Credit Hours: (3)
ENGL 3603 - Engineering Communications Credit Hours: (3)
ENGL 3604 - Persuasive Writing ** Credit Hours: (3)
PBRL 3421 - Intro to Strategic Writing Credit Hours: (3)

Social & Cultural Context (3 hours)

Choose one three hour course from below:

CJUS 4180 - Corporate/White Collar Crime ** Credit Hours: (3)
COMM 3003 - Television and Culture** Credit Hours: (3)
SOCI 3422 - Racial/Ethnc Minorities ** Credit Hours: (3)
SOCI 3432 - Gender & Society** Credit Hours: (3)
SOCI 3831 - Families in Society** Credit Hours: (3)

Political & Economic Context (3 hours)

Choose one three hour course from below:

ACCT 3130 - Legal/Social/Political Environ ** Credit Hours: (3)
HIST 4824 - Business History Credit Hours: (3)
POLS 4508 - Theories Internatl Relations** Credit Hours: (3)
POLS 4510 - Politics of Global Economy ** Credit Hours: (3)

Technology & Culture (3 hours)

Choose one three hour course from below:

HIST 3035 - Technology/Culture Am History** Credit Hours: (3)
JRSM 3900 - Visual Media** Credit Hours: (3)
PHIL 3512 - Science/Technology/Human Values Credit Hours: (3)
PHIL 3514 - Biomedical Ethics ** Credit Hours: (3)

College Requirements (9 hours)

Thematic Studies (6 hours)

College of Professional & Liberal Studies thematic studies course(s) are designed to broaden a student’s knowledge of significant themes in social, political, and religious history. Review a complete list of courses: https://www.memphis.edu/cpls/resources/thematic_studies.php.

Required for Manufacturing Technology Supervision: UNIV 3540 Ethics and Professionalism

UNIV 3540 - Ethics & Professionalism ** Credit Hours: (3)

Senior Project (3 hours)

The senior project is a student’s culminating experience or capstone designed to synthesize and integrate the content of a student’s program of study. The senior project is completed during a student’s final semester. Students will be assigned to a specific section based on their concentration. Approved co-ops or internships are allowed.

Choose one of the following:

UNIV 4995 - Senior Project** Credit Hours: (3) (completed during the final semester)

TECH 4940 - Engineering Technology Practicum

TECH 4999 - Engineering Tech Projects

TECH 4940 - Engineering Technology Practicum Credit Hours: 3
TECH 4999 - Engineering Tech Projects Credit Hours: (1-3)
UNIV 4995 - Senior Project** Credit Hours: (3)

Electives (40-52 Hours)

May be chosen to bring the total number of hours to 120 with a minimum of 42 upper-division hours.

The following courses are suggested for Manufacturing Technology Supervision:

MGMT 3032 - Communication and Career Readiness for Business Professionals Credit Hours: 3
MGMT 3110 - Principles of Management** Credit Hours: (3)
MGMT 4481 - Teamwork/Group Dynamics in Organizations Credit Hours: (3)