Program Overview

Executive MBA – Strategic Leadership (EMBA-SL)

The Executive MBA – Strategic Leadership (EMBA-SL) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is designed for executives and entrepreneurs who value lifelong learning and strive to develop into more adaptable and transformational leaders focused on driving positive change.

Program Overview

In a marketplace of moving targets and evolving landscapes, the ability to create organizational agility and a clear path forward is key to success as a leader. The EMBA-SL program prepares students to make an immediate impact through coursework curated for executives, a horizontal program design that offers a holistic perspective on business competencies, and an approach to learning that encourages lifelong leadership development.

An MBA in One Year

The program is completed in under a year, with four residencies and distance learning. The average student has 20 years of professional experience and 14 years of professional leadership experience.

Applied Learning

Students earn their degree in a way that uses their workplace as a significant part of the educational experience, coupled with a cross-disciplinary, activity-based approach to projects and learning outcomes.

Immediate ROI

The program focuses on critical strategic leadership skill sets executives need to be successful, providing immediate personal and organizational return on investment with an 11-month long action project.

Accelerated Change

Each aspect of the EMBA is carefully designed to provide the tools needed to increase impact in organizations, professions, and communities.

Designed for Executives

The EMBA-SL is a graduate program designed for executives and entrepreneurs who value lifelong learning and strive to develop into more adaptable and transformational leaders. The program maintains an intimate cohort of around 30 students, allowing for meaningful and lasting relationships with peers, professors, and mentors.

Testimonials

Previous students have praised the program, citing its perfect balance of academics, business strategy, and leadership. The program has been recognized as a 2025 Veteran Ready Business, offering resources and guidance to support military members and veterans in achieving their educational goals.

Program Structure

The EMBA-SL program is designed to offer advanced leadership and business principles in a format conducive to the personal and professional demands of industry leaders. The program includes:

• Four residence periods, each lasting approximately nine days
• Distance learning sessions using the Zoom platform and Microsoft Teams
• An organizational action project (OAP) that addresses an issue of major importance in the student's organization
• A leadership development program with individualized coaching and peer-to-peer relationships

Residence Periods

The residence periods provide an opportunity for students to gain a deeper understanding of program principles and create valuable connections with faculty, mentors, and alumni industry leaders.

Academic Year 2026

• Optional Excel Bootcamp: January 16, 2026
• Residence Period 1: January 17-25, 2026
• Optional Human Centered Design Bootcamp: April 24, 2026
• Residence Period 2: April 25-May 3, 2026
• Residence Period 3: September 14-24, 2026 (International)
• Residence Period 4: December 3-11, 2026
• Graduation: December 11, 2026

Distance Learning

The program incorporates distance learning sessions to bring valuable course content to students in an accessible and interactive format.

Organizational Action Project

The OAP serves as a culmination of the advanced leadership and business principles explored in the program, with students working with their corporate teams to implement deliverables that serve the organization throughout the year.

Leadership Development Program

The program includes individualized leadership training with a dedicated executive leadership development coach, as well as peer-to-peer relationships and a series of robust diagnostics to develop an individual Leadership Development Plan.

Faculty

The Haslam College of Business faculty are internationally recognized for their cutting-edge research and innovation as consultants and practitioners. The strength of the EMBA-SL faculty is defined by their ability to translate abstract academic theories into an applied learning experience.

Faculty Members

• Randy Bradley
• Amy Cathey
• Larry Fauver
• Mike Grojean
• Jonathan Harvey
• Michael (Lane) Morris
• Angel Norman
• Georg Schaur
• Nancy Scott
• Wendy Tate
• Martha Weeks

Curriculum

The EMBA-SL curriculum is one of the most distinctive elements of the program, focusing on five core functions and 28 leadership competencies executives need to be successful in their organization.

Core Executive Functions

• Engage People
• Align Systems
• Focus on Results
• Create Agility
• Build Collaborations

Frequently Asked Questions

• How long is the program? The EMBA-SL takes less than a year to complete, starting in January and ending in December.
• What are the program's cost and payment schedule? The program fee for the Class of 2026 is $90,000, with payment options available.
• What does the program cost include? The program fee includes all university tuition and fees, books and materials, technical support, and local transportation to and from classes and special events during residence periods.
• What are the qualifications of typical applicants? EMBA-SL applicants should have significant professional work experience, a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, and business acumen to contribute actively to the learning process.

Key Dates

Applicants are considered on a rolling admissions basis, and candidates typically receive a decision within two weeks of submitting their completed application. The program starts in January, and applications are accepted until the first day of classes.