Students who are interested in filling an entry-level position in the logistics field can complete a certificate program available at community colleges or technical/trade schools. Some programs allow students to specialize in areas such as management, inventory control or distribution and storage. With this education, students can become logistics professionals such as vendor managers or shipping/receiving managers who deal with operating, coordinating and planning procedures, according to DegreeDirectory.org. Undergraduate certificate programs can last two years. To get into this type of program, students typically must have their high school diploma or GED.
Graduate certificate programs in logistics also are available at the university level. Usually advanced degree-holders or graduate students who have a background in this field take advantage of these programs. To get into this type of program, students typically must be enrolled in or a graduate of a master's degree or Ph.D. program in a similar area, such as economics or business. These certificate programs also require students to have related work experience. With this certificate, individuals can coordinate and manage an entire enterprise's logistical functions.
Logistics certificate training programs prepare students to take a national logistics certification exam. Certification makes a professional in this industry much more employable and is available through the International Society of Logistics (SOLE) and the American Society of Transportation and Logistics (AST&L). A certification from AST&L lasts five years and is renewed by completing educational programs or working toward the organization's next certification level. An applicant must have completed a four-year degree or three years of work experience to be eligible for this certification. SOLE offers three levels of certification, and candidates need at least eight years of education and experience to be eligible.
Classes in a logistics certificate program might cover topics such as distribution and warehouses, marketing, managing purchasing, planning/scheduling and domestic/international transportation. Other courses might include supply chain operations and analyzing logistics systems. Students learn how to coordinate the timely transportation of goods and services from one spot to another and study business relations and industry changes. At the University of California Berkeley, graduate logistics certificate program classes focus on freight terminals such as ports and rail yards along with information management, transportation economics, business fundamentals for engineers and facilities design.
With a certificate in logistics, an individual can become a supply chain manager, logistics coordinator or logistics specialist. Individuals can work for various smaller operations at a company or be responsible for improving overall transportation and inventory efficiency, according to DiplomaGuide.com. The average salary for logistics managers in 2010 was $76,000, according to Indeed.com.