Program Overview: How UT Designed an Executive MBA for Senior Leaders

Are you a senior supply chain leader looking to advance your career? The University of Tennessee (UT), Knoxville’s Executive Master of Business Administration for Global Supply Chain (EMBA-GSC) program is designed for you. With a curriculum focused on developing global business acumen, business planning and supply chain innovation skills, the EMBA-GSC can help you build the competencies required to succeed in a global, multicultural environment.

What is an Executive MBA for Global Supply Chain?

UT Knoxville’s Haslam College of Business EMBA-GSC is an MBA degree tailored to experienced business professionals in global supply chain management-related fields. The program uses applied learning strategies to build critical management skills, including accounting, finance, logistics management and marketing. It then leverages these core competencies in supply chain scenarios.

The program targets senior leaders with between 15 and 20 years of professional work experience. To qualify for the program, you must be able to apply the EMBA-GSC curriculum in your daily work. You must also have the support of your employer. 

An emphasis on applied learning means students see immediate ROI in their careers. All students complete an Organizational Action Project (OAP). Your OAP will focus on solving a critical issue for your organization. OAPs can yield real-world gains. “In the first five months, my OAP provided almost a $15 million return to my organization. So, it has been extremely valuable,” said David McGill, class of 2022 graduate and Information Technology Procurement Manager at Pilot Travel Centers. 

Built for experienced business professionals  

Unlike a traditional MBA catering to early-stage professionals, UT’s EMBA is designed for experienced senior leaders. The following key features distinguish the program. 

Industry-informed curriculum 

UT’s EMBA-GSC curriculum evolves to match real-time industry trends, so students receive an industry-relevant education focusing on current challenges and emerging technologies. Haslam’s supply chain faculty meet with the advisory board of UT’s Global Supply Chain Institute twice annually to review and amend the curriculum, ensuring it is always current and relevant. Forty corporations comprise the advisory board; participants include Amazon, Dell, FedEx, Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble, and Pfizer.

Collaborative networking opportunities

UT’s EMBA-GSC program attracts high-ranking leaders from prestigious companies like IBM, Kimberly-Clark, Ajinomoto, SC Johnson, and Boeing. Most students enter the program with more than 17 years of managerial experience. As a UT EMBA student, you can network with peers and faculty experts to build professional relationships. Furthermore, you’ll also have access to the collective thought leadership available through the Global Supply Chain Institute. 

“This is a great way to get a quality education, learn from industry leaders academically, and also from a peer group that is outstanding,” said Chuck Wethington, director of operations at Brown Integrated Logistics and class of 2018 graduate. 

Efficient program structure 

UT’s EMBA-GSC is designed to accommodate the schedules of busy professionals; it

can be completed in one calendar year, with fewer than 30 days out of the office. Most learning occurs during four nine-day residence periods, two in the Knoxville area and two in international supply chain hubs in Europe and Asia. Students typically commit around 15 hours a week to asynchronous coursework and assignments over the remainder of the program.

EMBA-GSC students also have access to “white glove service” to assist with deadlines and other administrative obligations so they can focus on learning. Izabela Vandeest, program manager for the EMBA-GSC program, explains: “The goal of our white glove service is to ensure our EMBA-GSC students have all the support they need, be it registering for classes or acquiring books. Whatever needs to be done, we are happy to step in and assist.”

Career-focused projects 

During the program, students work on projects that directly impact their careers, enabling them to make a difference in their organizations while still studying. Each student designs their own OAP based on an issue of significant importance to their organization. This approach also provides employers (who often sponsor their employees’ studies) an immediate ROI. 

“I have already started to see a return on my investment from this program. One of the projects that I led as part of my OAP is going to deliver several million dollars of cost savings to my company at a time of inflation when margins really need to be boosted,” said Lisa Heseman, director of global procurement at SC Johnson and class of 2022 graduate. 

Is the Executive MBA for Global Supply Chain the right degree for you?

If you are a senior leader in a supply chain organization looking to fast-track your career, the EMBA in GSC from UT Knoxville’s Haslam College of Business could provide the boost you seek. This degree program is designed with working professionals in mind and aims to help you achieve your professional goals through relevant coursework and practical experience. It’s built on an impressive foundation: the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, ranks highest among U.S. graduate supply chain programs (Gartner). To learn more about the program, attend one of our virtual events or connect with an enrollment advisor for one-on-one support.