It’s All About Choices

Making a decision about where to attend an MBA program, or where to recruit from one if you are an employer, is critically important. The costs and risks of failure are high. On the flip side, the benefits of making the right decision can last a lifetime.

One of the greatest challenges faced by individuals living in a developed society in the 21 st century is, not that we have too few choices in life, but that we have far too many. Think of virtually any product or service you can imagine, and consider how many varieties, brands, and choices exist in the marketplace. Depending on your outlook, we are either blessed or cursed by abundance - or both. MBA programs are no different.

Let me give you some important reasons why you should consider the UT MBA.

Becoming the Best Leader You Can Be. At the end of the day, we know that you want to invest in yourself. You want an MBA program that will allow you to dig deep and learn as much about yourself as you learn about business. Your ultimate success will not be measured in dollars, but in how satisfied you are with the life you lead, the relationships you build, and the contributions you make to society. Our focus on leadership development is meant to transform individuals – not institutions. We want you to leave with the confidence and skills you need to manage the most precious asset you possess – yourself.

• Not “Me,” but “We.” Today’s businesses demand individuals who can work with others inside and outside their organizations. Teams and partnerships are the mantra. No individual or company has a lock on all of the skills that are necessary for success. That is why this program focuses on interdependency and integrationat the personal as well as the corporate level. The very core of our program is based on an integrated curriculum to help you learn, not just the functions of a business, but how all of those areas must coordinate with each other. We don’t just give you the puzzle pieces; we help you understand how to connect them to build the big picture for an organization.
• Cutting-Edge Skill Development. We designed this program with considerable input from two of our most important audiences – industry recruiters and student. We used their feedback to help sharpen the focus of the program content so that it is relevant, challenging, and perfectly suited to the dynamic, demanding global business environment that exists today. This includes an emphasis on how to manage technology, relationships, and resources as a member of a global value chain.
• Return on Your Investment. The UT MBA is a great investment of money and time. The reasonable financial cost is important, but we know that time may be more important than money. That is why our 17-month program will provide such a high return on your investment.

We hope you choose the UT MBA program. We are looking for bold, innovative applicants, for companies who are recruiting staff for today’s challenging global environment, and for alumni to continue partnering with us. On this website, you will each find a section targeted to your particular needs. If there is any way that we can help you make your important choice, feel free to contact us at mba@utk.edu.