UT Haslam’s New M.S. in Supply Chain Management (Global) Prepares Students for International Business Careers

In an uncertain business climate, it can be difficult for new graduates and seasoned professionals alike to land secure, well-paying jobs in an expanding field. Participants in a new program, however, can acquire highly sought-after expertise to become an indispensable asset to any organization, regardless of circumstances. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Haslam College of Business’s Master of Science in Supply Chain Management (Global) (M.S.-SCM-Global) will equip students with the valuable skills and networking lifelines that will help them stand out in a crowded, competitive marketplace, all in less than a year. The program begins in September 2025, with the first cohort graduating in May 2026.

A Transformative Program

This new, comprehensive international master’s program — the only nine-month program of its kind — takes an interdisciplinary approach to global supply chain management. By integrating economics, operations, logistics, risk management, leadership and information technology, the program equips students with a multifaceted understanding of the field. Through hands-on exposure to international commerce, regulatory systems and diverse global business practices, students will graduate prepared to navigate the complexities of today’s interconnected supply chains.

According to Thomas Goldsby, head of the program and the Dee and Jimmy Haslam Chair of Supply Chain , the new degree option will bring the world to its students, thanks to Haslam’s Global Supply Chain Institute (GSCI), a hub for supply chain thought leadership and talent development. With an international network of supply chain professionals and corporate partners, GSCI publishes multiple white papers each year on supply chain best practices. It also connects students with more than 300 supply chain professionals from 75 companies twice a year at its Supply Chain Forums.

“Through our Global Supply Chain Institute, we can leverage our network of peers around the world, bringing international experts to the classroom to give our students a first-person introduction to the intricacies of international supply chains,” Goldsby says.

Goldsby adds that even straightforward supply chain transactions are complex, and the complexity grows exponentially when international boundaries are crossed.

“It’s the equivalent of going from a lap pool to the deep blue ocean, and we are going to prepare our students to swim in that ocean confidently and capably,” he says.

A Team Approach to Problem Solving

To prepare students for the team-oriented makeup of most modern businesses, Haslam’s M.S.-SCM-Global is cohort-focused, with students pursuing academic and co-curricular activities as a coordinated unit. From face-to-face classroom instruction, interacting with supply chain leaders during GSCI’s forums and studying abroad in Panama or Vietnam to gain international perspective, together, cohort members will develop the collaborative mindset, cultural competence, professional networks, and leadership skills essential to managing complex global supply chains.

A significant benefit of this M.S. program is the yearlong, immersive capstone project. Through this initiative, GSCI’s corporate partners provide students with global business challenges involving complex, evolving, international supply chains. Students accrue real-world supply chain experience and have the chance to both apply and demonstrate the knowledge and skills they have gained in the program.

To deliver solutions for the capstone project, students will use essential soft skills learned in the program, such as teamwork, project management, communication and public speaking. During formal presentations that cap the challenge, students present their findings on the business problem to representatives of these companies, honing their presentation skills and building confidence in interacting with leaders from different corporate cultures.

Supply Chain Education Destination

Haslam is recognized as one of the top supply chain programs in the U.S., with Gartner, Inc. ranking its graduate supply chain programs No. 1 in North America for a second time in 2024. The college is also known for supplying highly qualified supply chain professionals to some of the world’s largest, most influential organizations, like Amazon, Nissan, Pfizer and Procter and Gamble. Corporations from around the world regularly visit Haslam to recruit its graduates.

Further, Haslam’s graduate programs offer a supportive environment with faculty and staff attuned to students’ needs. Mary Goss, executive director of graduate business programs, says program staff are focused on ensuring students graduate with more than academic tools to succeed professionally.

“While our faculty work with students to ensure they excel in their chosen disciplines, we also offer multiple services to help students enhance their professional qualifications,” Goss says. “From interview preparation, resume building, career workshops, one-on-one coaching, professional development exercises and more, our program strives to support our students’ overall success.”

A Degree Built for Career Acceleration

Despite the flux in the current business environment, the supply chain field continues to grow more critical as businesses become more internationally integrated. Increased demand for products means greater supply chain volume and operational complexity, which require more supply chain professionals to manage the flow, from warehouse floor supervisors to senior executives. Haslam’s M.S.-SCM-Global prepares students to step into management roles, ready to immediately contribute to their organizations’ success.

For those seeking a strong career foundation with significant advancement potential in the rapidly growing field of supply chain management, the Haslam M.S. in Supply Chain Management (Global) offers a comprehensive path forward. Program details—including admission requirements, enrollment deadlines, tuition, and financial aid—are available on the program’s website.

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CONTACT:

Scott McNutt, senior business writer/publicist, rmcnutt4@utk.edu

Contact

Scott McNutt

Business Writer/Publicist

rmcnutt4@utk.edu

Haslam College of Business - UT Haslam’s New M.S. in Supply Chain Management (Global) Prepares Students for International Business Careers