Leading your teams and organization through unforeseen challenges demands more than theoretical understanding; it requires practical business knowledge and actionable leadership skills. UTK’s online MBA program is uniquely designed to meet students where they are—in their careers and their lives—and provide the agile skills they need to move forward and confidently impact their world.
Is the online MBA from the University of Tennessee’s Haslam School of Business the right program for you? Learn more about this unique degree from current students, including why they chose UT, what they have learned, and how they are preparing to become future business leaders.
An MBA Designed for Working Professionals
Move Your Career Forward With a Business DegreeÂ
An MBA Program Designed for Working Professionals
Natalie Copeland was an IT program manager at Ingersoll Rand when she decided to return to school for her master’s degree. She chose the online MBA program at UT because “the Haslam College of Business has a strong reputation, and I was looking for an online program that would complement my work experience.”
That work/school synergy began immediately, enabling Copeland to apply what she was learning directly to her career. “I have applied the business modeling tools, Excel advanced skills, and improved communication skills to my current role.” After graduation, she hopes to move into a director-level role in information technology, project management, or data analytics and management.
For Jonathan Tillman, a cybersecurity analyst at Leidos, UT gave him “the ability to get my MBA completely online while still having the traditional school feeling of going to classes.”
In the classroom, Tillman is building his leadership skills and technical knowledge and transferring those lessons to the field. “Being able to show my teammates all the different things they can do…has increased our productivity.” Tillman plans to transfer his skillset into a management role in his company after graduation.
“When you are trying to work full-time and manage your personal life, the kind of support [provided at UT] is invaluable.”
—Cara Waters
As EEDS’s eco-energy director of corporate operations, Cara Waters finds UT’s support system instrumental in balancing her career and school. “My classmates and professors are nothing short of helpful…. Our support coach and the OMBA team are great about keeping us informed and on task.”
Waters chose UT for its reputation: “Since UT is the land-grant university for Tennessee, I knew it would be recognized as a premier degree,” she says. She looks forward to leveraging the strategy and business skills she is learning to transition into a vice presidential position at her company. However, Waters is not waiting for graduation to make an impact at work; she has already applied statistics skills learned at UT to help her team reduce employee turnover.
When searching for a master’s program to support working professionals, Waters, Tillman, and Copeland each found the right fit in the University of Tennessee Haslam’s School of Business MBA program. The program delivers essential business skills while enabling students to engage with knowledgeable and hands-on faculty and benefit from a robust support system. These students also appreciate UT’s reputation and the program’s online flexibility.
Business-Ready Skills
In UT’s MBA program, Waters quickly benefited from learning new skills and immediately applying them at work. “Financial Accounting from our first semester truly helped me understand the monthly P&L statements our financial services group provides me. I used to only look at our costs, but now I look at the whole picture. That was just in one semester.”
Waters has honed her problem-solving skills throughout her classes and applied classroom lessons to her position at EEDS. “Instead of going on just my experience or gut, I am using the skills being taught to us to determine what is truly an issue and what is ‘noise.’ As a result, I am more effective when we are problem-solving, which is always necessary in an operations job.”
Copeland has also worked to build a professional skill set that sets her apart. “As a program manager, I wanted to gain an understanding of the inputs and outputs to make key strategic decisions. This program has trained me in both financial and execution management processes. I have used tools I gained in classes like Managerial Accounting, Financial Analysis, and Business Modeling, to name a few.”
In addition to business lessons, online classwork helps develop valuable soft skills. For Waters, that includes team-building skills. “[In class,] we have had several assignments in which we must work together, divide and conquer, and trust that each person will do their part. Is it perfect? No, but it has completely changed my management style. I delegate more and trust my team to get tasks done, even if it is not how I would do them.”
For Tillman and Copeland, learning to see business from different perspectives has been invaluable. Tillman explained, “As a cybersecurity analyst, I don’t always get to see the business side of our company. Since starting the MBA program, I am able to understand problems from both the technical side and the business side.” Copeland added, “The program offers me a chance to learn about marketing and understand global economics, which are skills that I have been exposed to in my career.”
Professors Who Engage
“Make sure you participate in class just like you would if sitting in the classroom. You will only get out of it what you put in.”
—Natalie Copeland
Haslam School of Business faculty are more than just professors; they are award-winning researchers and experts with in-depth industry experience. Engaged and dynamic, these educators bring the curriculum to life and push their students to achieve at the highest level.
This inspiring and accessible faculty goes beyond the syllabus to connect with their students. Senior lecturer Angel Norman motivated Tillman to advance his Excel skills, which enabled him to speed up processes and accomplish goals at work. Accounting Chair Terry Neal worked with Waters outside of the classroom to help grow her accounting knowledge. Assistant Professor Alan Amling shared anecdotes about his extensive work experience to help Copeland and her classmates better visualize supply chain management concepts. With their guidance, UT OMBA students deepen their understanding and engagement.
A diverse collection of fellow students further enhances the classroom experience. Vibrant discussions and collaborative group work help build teamwork and grow a network of peers that should continue long after graduation.
“The connections and friendships I’ve made while attending the University of Tennessee are probably what I value most and will value most post-graduation. I feel like this differentiates the MBA program at Tennessee from other universities that offer MBA programs.”
—Jonathan Tillman
Support for Online Success
“The Student Support Team truly wants you to succeed to the best of your ability, and they work to make sure that happens.”
—Jonathan Tillman
At the University of Tennessee, students are never alone. In addition to the support of faculty and peers, UT’s student support coaches serve as liaisons to students, providing information to support their academic success. This safe and supportive service helps students with time management, organization skills, academic confidence, and self-motivation to promote personal growth and development.
“Our support coach has been engaging and available to answer any questions. I have not had any conflicts come up yet, but I know she has walked some of my classmates through some personal things that were impacting school.”
—Cara Waters
An MBA that Gives You More
“I value the level of learning I am receiving from the faculty at UTK and the ability to manage my schedule via the online courses.”
—Natalie Copeland
For these three students, and many others, Haslam’s online MBA delivers a robust education that challenges them to think critically, act strategically and lead with confidence. The formula—a flexible online format to help balance work, school, and life; actionable skills directly applicable to today’s challenges; and a diverse and supportive network of faculty and peers—offers a unique combination that delivers personal and professional accomplishment.
Earn Your Online MBA from UT
Haslam’s online MBA is the perfect fit for Jonathan, Natalie, and Cara. Are you seeking a program that develops the business tools you need to make an impact today? Earn a business degree designed for working professionals with an online MBA from UT’s Haslam College of Business.
Reach out to an enrollment advisor for more information or start your application today.