What to Expect From Your First Semester as an Online MS Student at UT

Supply chain management is becoming increasingly essential in our increasingly interconnected world. Job data confirms this: the US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 19 percent growth in the field by 2033, with nearly 22,000 job openings yearly. 

Supply chain management requires advanced expertise and training as supply chains and the technology that supports them grow more complex. A master’s degree in supply chain management can provide both, boosting your resume with a credential that employers notice.

Gartner ranked the University of Tennessee number one for graduate programs on its 2024 list of top 25 supply chain universities. You can earn your Master of Science in Supply Chain Management Online from the University of Tennessee and acquire the in-demand technical and leadership skills needed to positively impact this expanding global industry.

If you’re considering the MS SCM Online program at UT, you may wonder what to expect from the experience. What will your first semester be like? If, like many students, you continue to work full-time while you study, how will you balance your responsibilities? Knowing what to expect from your online program can give you the confidence to start your degree. Prepare for your first day before the semester begins and set yourself up for success—in the classroom and your career. This article can help you start that journey.

Getting Started: What Happens Before Classes Begin?

Once you have applied and gained admission to UT’s MS SCM Online program, staying current with upcoming due dates before classes start is essential. A checklist with the following to-dos can help:

• Complete the Intent to Enroll form through the application portal 
• Pay the Advanced Program Fee (enrollment deposit) of $500 to accept admission
• Submit official transcripts if you provided unofficial documents with your application
• Meet virtually with a student success coach; your coach will be your primary contact throughout your program

Student success coaches represent a valuable resource for students in the online supply chain management master’s program at UT Knoxville. They can assist with time management skills, organizational skills, academic confidence and self-motivation. Your coach can also answer questions about program requirements and the curriculum and serve as a conduit to university administrators when necessary.

Explore the Academic Structure of Your First Semester

Before classes start, familiarize yourself with UT’s master’s degree in supply chain management online. Start with UT’s informative website, where you can preview the online experience and curriculum and gain insights from Global Supply Chain Institute blog posts. 

UT’s MS SCM Online program consists of ten three-credit courses for a total of 30 credits. You can pursue the degree part-time or full-time, allowing you to adapt your course load to accommodate your professional, academic and personal needs.

For each three-credit class, students can expect to commit 10 to 12 hours per week, including three to five hours of live (synchronous) sessions and self-paced (asynchronous) instruction every week and seven hours of homework. Most synchronous courses meet virtually on weekday evenings (Eastern time) about six times per class each semester; two classes meet more frequently.

Many students find it easier to complete their work if they create a study calendar and designate a study space. We recommend you create your own time-management plan for attending classes and completing lessons and identify a physical study space with minimal distractions before your first term begins. 

Get to Know the Online Learning Environment 

The University of Tennessee MS SCM Online brings the classroom to you. Canvas, the program’s learning management system (LMS), provides a centralized hub for all aspects of your academic journey at UT.

Through Canvas, students can access asynchronous course content, syllabi and assignments and communicate with professors and peers. The program website includes step-by-step instructions and video tutorials.

Participation in the online program requires everything listed below. 

Hardware requirements:

• Laptop or desktop computer
• Microphone:  this can be part of your computer or an external device, such as a USB microphone or headphones 
• Webcam: most laptops have this built-in; if yours does not, you can connect an external one via a USB cable for video conferencing
• Internet: either commercially provided (e.g., Comcast, AT&T) or a wireless hotspot through your mobile phone 

Software requirements:

• Zoom: Synchronous classes typically use Zoom; download and connect online to Zoom by signing in with your NetID and password

As a virtual student, you are never alone: technical support is available every step of the way 24-7. If you need help, contact UT’s Office of Innovative Technologies.

Prepare for Your First Courses 

The UT Knoxville MS SCM Online program is built for mid-level managers with three to ten years of experience in supply chain management or a related field. Many participants hold a bachelor’s degree in business, economics, or engineering. Classes like Supply Chain Finance and Supply Chain Data Modeling and Analysis build on academic knowledge and career experience. Incoming students need working knowledge of college algebra; calculus, statistics, and Excel proficiency are also helpful. 

Flexible program start times enable you to begin academics in the fall, spring, or summer semesters. Fall and spring semesters are 16 weeks long. The summer session is shorter, typically running 12 weeks. Full-time students (rare in this program, as most students work full-time while earning their degrees) taking three classes a semester can expect to graduate within a year and a half. Part-time students can complete their master’s degree in supply chain management in about two years.

Set Yourself Up for Success in UT Knoxville’s Supply Chain Management Online Master’s Program 

With some preparation, you can expect a smooth transition into UT Knoxville’s MS SCM Online program. Familiarize yourself with the curriculum demands, time expectations and support systems available so you are prepared to achieve academically and meet the challenges of our growing global supply chains. 

Have more questions about what to expect in UT’s MS SCM Online program? Contact an enrollment advisor today.