Contemporary Management and Operations Research Graduate Programs: A Review, Recommendations, and Integration

Abstract

In the United States today there are over 1,000 graduate programs offering master's degrees in management and operations research. Many of these programs, including those offered at 1st-tier schools, are based on models developed in the 1960s and 1970s. Although they continue to attract a greater number of students each year, industry professionals have been critical of such programs. In this article, the authors discuss the development and characteristics of graduate programs in management and operations research, critically assess them, and offer recommendations for integrating these 2 disciplines so that their continuous improvement and revision can meet both student and business needs.