Courses

551 Executive Core I (12 credit hours). Integrated course with substantial reading, study and analyses during off-site periods. Integration of major business functions through strategic and business process perspective. Application of functional knowledge to tactical and strategic issues. Development of purpose of firm as delivering value to customers and other stakeholders. Ethical Issues. Financial and accounting principles. Economic and regulatory environment of business. Human resource and organizational behavior topics in context of business systems and objectives. Personal development for leadership: individual personal skills of communication, negotiation, leadership, and motivation. Customer Value and systems management. Case simulations and exercises. Prereq: Admission to aerospace program of MBA.

552 Executive Core II (12 credit hours). Continuation of 551. Financial and accounting principles. Application of functional knowledge to tactical and strategic issues. Economic and regulatory environment of business. Human resource and organizational behavior topics in context of business systems and objectives. Personal development for leadership. Systems management. Strategic management issues at functional business unit and corporate leve. Format includes international study. Prereq: 551.

553 Executive Core III (12 credit hours). Continuation of 552. Financial and accounting principles. Application of functional knowledge to tactical and stragegic issues. Economic and regulatory environment of business. Human resource and organizational behavior topics in context of business systems and objectives. Personal development for leadership. Systems management. Strategic management issues at functional business unit and corporate level. Prereq: 552

561 Management Project I (3 credit hours). Company project. Preliminary investigation of significant strategic issue (new initiative, program or significant organizational change to enhance organization effectiveness) in sponsoring organization. Work within firm under guidance of faculty to develop proposal which defines issue and scope of project. Proposal to be approved by company and faculty. Prereq: Admission to Aerospace MBA Program and cooperation of sponsoring organization. Coreq: 551.

562 Management Project II (3 credit hours). Company project. Continuation of 561. Diagnosis and analysis of strategic issue. Work within firm under guidance of faculty member. Prereq: 561. Coreq: 552.

563 Management Project III (3 credit hours). Company project. Continuation of 562. Completion of analysis and presentation of report to senior management in sponsoring organization. Work within firm under guidance of faculty member. Prereq: 562. Coreq: 553.

Your Personal Development Plan

It is rare that a true business leader rises to his or her position without guidance. At The University of Tennessee, we want to ensure that the business knowledge you gain is matched by an in-depth analysis of your strengths, creativity and interpersonal skills.

Before and during the first residency period, you will complete a comprehensive assessment using pen and paper and observed assessment techniques. Management psychologists specializing in such assessment techniques will review your results with you and provide you with a confidential report. They will also work with you in creating a personal development plan to address your greatest opportunities for improvement throughout the year. You will then meet periodically with your personal development coach to track your progress and address any issues that might arise. This process is a key part of assisting you in the transition from technical expert to business leader.

Best Practices Research Report

You will work under the direction of a faculty advisor to identify and research a success or a failure in applying a best-practices concept covered in the curriculum. First, you’ll do more in-depth research on exactly what the practice entails. Then you’ll go to the field to document a success or failure in its application. Finally, you’ll discuss key reasons for the success or failure and draw managerial and organizational recommendations based on your analysis.

Value-Stream Application Project

This is the largest single project you’ll undertake in the program. In it, you’ll work with your company sponsor to identify a problem or opportunity of strategic importance. You’ll be encouraged to seek out topics that cut across industry supply chains. Having classmates across the aerospace industry affords an opportunity to team up to do joint projects of mutual benefit to your respective companies – a unique opportunity you will not find in any other MBA program. Every project is overseen by a faculty advisor assists every project with expertise and experience of particular relevance to the specific topic.

See our current example projects.