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For most executives already deeply entrenched in their careers, returning to school to pursue an executive master’s degree in business administration is not feasible. Established business schools have now branched out of the strict degree-seeking curriculum of the past and into non-degree, short-duration, open enrollment courses and custom-designed programs that allow business executives with limited time to continue their professional growth. And these programs aren’t just for the individual executive or manager. Extensive programs operating under their own umbrellas within university business schools offer both personal and organizational development to individuals and groups within companies. Subject matter ranges from logistics and supply chain management, lean enterprise, growing your business, finance and accounting, marketing leadership, operational excellence to innovative strategies for business growth.

At the University of Tennessee’s Center for Executive Education, Dean Alex Miller is proud of the range of executives and companies that come to U.T. for continuing education. “Of the firms listed in Industry Week as the top 50 manufacturing firms, we have worked with 18 of the top 20 of those nationally and internationally ranked firms. In the last few weeks alone, we have won contracts with several global firms.”

John Riblett, director, concurs. “There is a richness and perspective that comes from the diversity in companies that utilize the Center for advanced development. When Tennessee executives or companies come to a class, they get the experience and expansive knowledge that comes from association with world business leaders. This adds up to a richer learning environment.”

The Center offers open enrollment programs with four areas of specialty: lean thinking and enterprise systems design; statistical thinking and process study and improvement; supply chain management and logistics; and the management of technical employees. A “Black Belt Certification in Process Improvement” (Six Sigma) is offered, as well as a Supply Chain Management Certification. In addition to open enrollment courses, U.T.’s Center for Executive Education specializes in custom programming of coursework for companies, including designing a curriculum from the ground up, modified for a company’s unique circumstances. With custom programming, U.T. faculty members immerse themselves in an organization to gain understanding of its products, services, strategies, culture and competitive environment. “Half of our work is custom work,” Miller says.

“We have gone through a name change,” Riblett says, “but we’ve been around since 1972.” According to Riblett, 85% of the Center’s clients come from word-of-mouth recommendations or repeat business. “Because of the value we deliver to our customers,” Riblett says, “when previous clients land at new work locations, they call us.”

Vanderbilt University offers its Executive Development Institute (EDI) programs through the Owen Graduate School of Management. Tami Fassinger, the associate dean of executive programs, says the EDI is an alternative to the executive MBA degree. “For the person that doesn’t have time for a huge commitment of time and resources, we offer courses that provide a ‘snapshot’ of what you learn in an MBA program,” Fassinger says. The Executive Development Institute at Vanderbilt has longstanding relationships with executives and managers across the country and worldwide.

Courses in leadership, finance, accounting, marketing and innovation are offered in short, open enrollment courses that accommodate limited time and tight schedules. In Fassinger’s words, these short courses build executive skills and reflect the quality of the Vanderbilt MBA curriculum without the cost and time constraints of a traditional program. “These courses are offered à la carte, or you can take four and earn the Vanderbilt Certificate of Completion. This gives people the ability to take one course when needed, or work towards something comprehensive,” Fassinger says. “We are always looking for the best tools that help people better manage and move their organizations forward.”

In addition, the EDI also provides custom corporate executive development programs working one-on-one with a company. “This is where we solve high-level business problems that are consistent across an organization within its management team,” Fassinger says. “We work closely with client companies and faculty to come up with exactly the right plan of education, from half-day programs to multi-week programs. With that kind of advanced education, we can help bring an entire organization onto the same page.”

In an effort to establish relationships with the business communities they serve, both U.T.’s Center for Executive Education and Vanderbilt’s Executive Development Institute offer development out- reach programs. At U.T.’s Center, Miller says they bring companies and executives together for the purpose of networking through their forums that are designed around specific topics such as supply chain management, sales forecasting, maintenance and liability, and lean management. “We mix it up with faculty, students and business leaders,” he says.

Vanderbilt’s EDI offers a Boardroom Breakfast Series, co-sponsored by North Highland Co., a management consulting firm based in Brentwood. “Once a quarter, we select a topic that we know is of interest to people at that level—the areas of business that top leaders are concerned about,” Fassinger says. “We don’t advertise it, but we have developed a list of over 400 people with interest in this kind of activity. Our Boardroom Breakfast Series shows that even CEOs of major companies have concerns they want to talk about—and areas they want to learn more about as well.”

Non-degree university executive development courses and programs can range from $1,500 to $15,000 and are often paid for by companies willing to help their management team members develop and advance. “The Center for Executive Development at U.T. got its start because of input from local businesses,” Riblett says. “They came to U.T. and expressed a need for programs for executive education, so our program has really been Tennessee-funded and driven.”

Fassinger agrees with Riblett that it is the needs of the business community that drive non-degree programs such as that offered by Vanderbilt’s Exec- utive Development Institute. “The second we think we know everything there is to know, we’re in trouble,” she says. “Executive development is always a goal—never a destination.” feedback: ruble@businesstn.com

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