Program Overview

Introduction to the Supply Chain Management Ph.D. Program

The University of Tennessee’s Supply Chain Management Ph.D. program is designed for ambitious scholars seeking to make a profound impact in academia, industry, and policy. With a focus on rigorous training in theory, quantitative methods, and cutting-edge research, our program prepares students to tackle complex global challenges.

Program Overview

The Haslam College of Business’ supply chain Ph.D. is a five-year program designed to cultivate top scholars in the field. The program cuts across all facets of supply chain management, including logistics, procurement, and operations.

Faculty and Research

Our faculty is renowned within the field, and Haslam’s supply chain programs are regularly ranked in the top five nationally by SCM World, Gartner, and U.S. News and World Report. Faculty consistently and extensively publish their research in top academic supply chain journals and are active in industry research.

Admissions

The supply chain Ph.D. program is kept small to provide students with close interaction with our faculty and fellow students. Candidates must apply through UT’s Graduate School. Competitive applications are welcomed between September and January prior to each admission period.

Requirements

• Undergraduate Degree: All accepted
• Master’s Degree: MBA or other master’s preferred
• Average GPA: 3.5
• Average GMAT: 640-740 (GRE accepted, but GMAT preferred)
• Work Experience: Industry experience preferred
• English Language Proficiency:
  • IELTS: 6.5
  • TOEFL: IBT 80, CBT 213, PBT 550
• Personal statement and resume are required.

Financial Aid

Students accepted into the program are granted assistantships with competitive stipends and full tuition waiver. The tuition waiver does not cover some university fees and departmental fees. Assistantships require students to either work 20 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters as a research assistant or to teach sections of a class per semester.

Key Dates

Applications are accepted starting in August, and decisions are generally made in late February or early March of each year. The priority deadline is February 1.

Academic Information

The following is a sample curriculum demonstrating some of the key courses most of our doctoral students take. Haslam’s supply chain Ph.D. is not a lockstep program, and room exists for specialization and flexibility.

Curriculum

Year 1

• Theoretical Foundations
• Logistics/Inventory (biannual)
• Analysis of Variance
• SCM Interfirm Relationships (biannual)
• Multiple Regression
• Qualitative Methods
• Teaching Prep Seminar
• Summer Research

Year 2

• Operations/Procurement (biannual)
• Research Tools Choice
• Minor
• Analytic Methods (biannual)
• Research Tools Choice
• Minor
• Comprehensive Exams

Year 3

• Research Tools Choice
• Minor
• Dissertation Proposal Defense

Year 4 & 5

• Dissertation

Testimonials

Several alumni have shared their positive experiences with the program, highlighting its ability to prepare them for successful careers in academia and industry. They praise the faculty’s guidance, the program’s emphasis on research, and the opportunities for specialization and flexibility.