KNOXVILLE, TN – The Aerospace & Defense MBA program at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, kicked off its sixth class this month as 21 leaders from across the aerospace and defense industry came together to begin the 2009 program.

Students in the 2009 class come sponsored by government and private industry employers. The 2009 class includes students from the U.S. Air Force, Defense Logistics Agency and seven private companies serving the aerospace and defense industry.

Students in the program earn a Master’s in Business Administration degree with a curriculum that is custom designed for the aerospace and defense industry. The unique, applied-learning focus of the program ensures near-term return on investment for sponsoring employers.

The program’s innovative scheduling helps attract students from all over the industry and all across the country. The 2009 class includes students from the District of Columbia and 11 states, including Utah, Nevada, Colorado, Louisiana and Maryland. The diverse backgrounds and experiences of the students fuel powerful student-to-student learning, explained program director, Andy White.

The program includes a leadership development program customized for the needs of each student. It also includes an international residence period in which students travel and study-abroad to look at opportunities and challenges of international trade.

The 2009 class will study in Japan during July. Past classes have gone to China, Australia, and Western Europe.

The Aerospace & Defense MBA program is offered within the University of Tennessee Center for Executive Education, housed within UT’s College of Business Administration. The center offers numerous full-time and executive MBA programs; non-degree and custom programs in lean, leadership, supply chain/logistics, and process improvement; and training and research for industry and government. The center’s programs include numerous offerings tailored for the aerospace and defense industry.