As global trade continues to grow, so does our reliance on the complex network of global supply chains. Supply chain hindrances like the recent Baltimore bridge collapse and port closure can adversely affect local and regional businesses and even the national economy. They cause shipping delays, inventory shortages, higher inflation, higher prices for goods and shipping, and reduced employment.

In a 2022 manufacturing supply chain study, 80 percent of manufacturing executives surveyed experienced significant disruptions over the previous 18 months. In the same study, 90 percent reported an increase in the frequency of these disruptions over the past decade. Skilled supply chain executives can devise and implement measures to minimize these costly disruptions.

The Executive MBA for Global Supply Chain (EMBA-GSC) program at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, equips senior executives with the global business acumen and supply chain management competencies to become successful leaders in this critical field. Is it the right degree for you? Continue reading to learn more.

Get to Know UT’s Executive MBA for Global Supply Chain

The EMBA-GSC helps supply chain professionals transition to senior leadership through a curriculum focusing on applied learning. The program, informed by input from supply chain senior executives on the advisory board of UT’s Global Supply Chain Institute (GSCI), encompasses the core competencies needed in the next generation of supply chain leaders. 

Through asynchronous coursework and an Organizational Action Project, students address real-world challenges by evaluating company finances, interacting with corporations and governments, studying global supply chains, learning about cultural and regional nuances, and gaining international business experience.

The residency periods (RPs), which convene at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and international supply chain hubs in Europe and Asia, bolster global leadership skills by immersing students in ethical, sociological, environmental, political and regulatory issues related to the specific organization, industry, culture and region.

Throughout the program, students gain a solid understanding of global business and the supply chain’s crucial role in business operations, all of which they can immediately apply in their current roles. They also learn about the latest supply chain innovations to help their organizations adapt to changing technology and receive comprehensive support from faculty and staff. 

If the EMBA-GSC curriculum matches the skills you want to acquire, continue reading to determine whether this program serves your career objectives.  

UT’s EMBA-GSC Equips Leaders With Vital Knowledge for Uncertain Times

Complete Your Degree in One Year With Minimal Time Out of the Office

Assess Your Global Supply Chain Career Goals 

Reflect on your current career trajectory and aspirations to understand the path you need to take to reach your goals. Begin by identifying specific career goals, the skills you want to gain or enhance, and whether industry recognition drives your motivation. 

The EMBA-GSC program can support your goals by offering a flexible, highly respected program that delivers results. Smita Davis (EMBA-GSC ’21), director of strategic sourcing, Center of Excellence, Brink’s Inc, found the program’s flexibility and emphasis on applied learning appealing. “It was so clear on the website that what I worked on in the program was going to be directly connected to my real work at my company,” she said. Davis received two promotions after her OAP transformed her organization and produced significant savings. “The impact of my time in the program is showing now in my current role,” she said.

Consider the Executive MBA for Global Supply Chain’s Design and Format 

Senior-level professionals lead busy lives and must consider how a graduate degree program will accommodate their schedules. The EMBA-GSC caters to working professionals by incorporating asynchronous coursework with in-person components that integrate the global element and add value to their current employer. Students spend an average of 15 hours weekly on readings and assignments, finishing their degrees in just one year, with less than 30 days out of the office. 

After considering your ability to balance the demands of a degree program with your personal and professional responsibilities, evaluate the financial commitment and your readiness to return to school. Make sure to consider all potential financial assistance sources, including your employer.

Explore the Network Benefit of the Global Supply Chain Institute 

Earning your EMBA-GSC from UT offers unique benefits from its affiliation with the GSCI, a hub for global supply chain thought leadership and talent development. With its extensive network of industry leaders, the GSCI shapes and informs the future of supply chain management through innovative research. EMBA-GSC students can learn, network and connect with supply chain professionals through the GSCI. The Supply Chain Forum, hosted by the GSCI, offers students the opportunity to connect with industry professionals from over 80 companies.

Barbara Melvin (EMBA ’18), president & CEO of South Carolina Ports Authority, found significant value in UT’s vast network. “If you’re tapping into the UT network and Global Supply Chain Institute partners, you’re linked to everybody that’s relevant within our industry, which is a true benefit of the Institute and being an alum of UT, because the university is just so widely respected,” she said.

These connections can benefit your future employment prospects, career trajectory and ability to tackle global supply chain challenges collaboratively and innovatively.

Take Your Next Step with Confidence: Connect with Our Team

While the EMBA-GSC from UT’s Haslam College of Business offers numerous benefits, prospective students must consider their personal and professional responsibilities, financial situation and readiness to return to school before determining whether the EMBA-GSC fits their needs. If you still have questions after evaluating these factors, contact the enrollment team. They can answer your questions and walk you through the program research and application process, enabling you to step toward an executive-level supply chain degree confidently. If you’re ready to commit, submit an application.

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Explore UT’s EMBA-GSC for Senior Leaders

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