DENTON, Texas (UNT) – The University of North Texas has tied for a sixth place ranking in Gartner, Inc.'s top 25 list of undergraduate supply chain programs in the U.S. The ranking is a big increase for the UNT Logistics and Supply Chain Management program, which was listed as 23rd in 2011.

"Industry-esteemed rankings like these are more than a number for us at UNT," said Terry Pohlen, associate professor of logistics and director for the Center for Logistics Education and Research. "With this external validation, college recruiters will come to UNT looking for top talent, business executives will see UNT as a resource for building relationships, new scholarships will be pegged for our students and we'll be better able to attract top students to the program."

The rankings from Gartner, a leading information technology research and advisory company, provide insights into the universities best preparing students for professional careers in supply chain management and logistics. In its assessment, it evaluates a program's overall industry value, scope and size. Also, Gartner's talent attribute model evaluates university curricula for 12 areas that help students understand and execute the ideal supply chain, such as new product design and launch, customer service, and strategy and change management. UNT was identified as the top performing program against the Gartner model.

Students enrolled in the UNT program get practical experience in logistics and learn how products and materials are created, packaged, stored and shipped along a supply chain to businesses and consumers. Additionally, in order to graduate, all program enrollees are required to complete an internship and to take courses that provide a broad understanding of how goods are moved from a beginning point to an end point. UNT was among the universities that scored highest for internships.

In addition to the ranking, UNT was highlighted as a top upstart for its "potent combinations of curricula and required internship participation," according to the report.

Note to media: To receive a copy of the report, contact Monique.Bird@unt.edu or 940-369-7782.