General

Q What is EMIL-SCS?

Georgia Tech’s Executive Masters in International Logistics program (EMIL-SCS) helps Fortune 500 companies, conquer global supply chain challenges. Our sponsors develop creative new solutions that improve supply chain efficiencies and reduce costs by grooming their supply chain executives. This unique 18-month masters program keeps key employees on-the-job while teaching them practical techniques for improving supply chain performance.

EMIL-SCS is the first advanced degree offered which combines the growing field of global logistics with business management. EMIL-SCS blends top-notch engineering faculty with world-class management faculty and best of breed industry practices to create a unique educational opportunity offering concrete business deliverables.

Q   Who started EMIL-SCS?

In 1998, Georgia Tech gathered a group of industry advisors to design a Master’s program that addressed their supply chain education needs. The result was EMIL-SCS, an international Master’s degree, taught in an Executive format, integrating business management, supply chain management and e-commerce.

Q   Is EMIL-SCS a full-time Master’s program?

No. The EMIL-SCS program uses an executive format. Our participants meet for two weeks of intensive courses per semester and participate through distance learning alternatives during the remainder of the semester.

Q   Is EMIL-SCS a real Master’s degree?

Yes. Successful completion of the EMIL-SCS program results in a regular Master of Science in International Logistics from Georgia Tech.

Q   Is it true that many EMIL-SCS participants already have an MBA/ Master’s degree?

Approximately 50% of all EMIL-SCS participants already have an MBA. In contrast to an MBA, EMIL-SCS incorporates engineering, technology and business management disciplines into its curriculum. Successful EMIL-SCS participants learn to improve supply chain efficiencies and then how to translate thoese efficiencies into bottom line financial results.

Q   Why EMIL-SCS and not an MBA?

You’ll stand out from the crowd because EMIL-SCS’s curriculum is:

• Relevant to industry: Designed by industry experts from companies such as Ford, Wal-mart, FedEX, Intel and 15 other Fortune 500 companies, EMIL-SCS’s curriculum is focused on critical supply chain challenges.
• International: An international curriculum from international venues. Over 18 months, EMIL-SCS holds class in Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Brazil, Miami, Belgium, France, Germany, The Netherlands and Atlanta
• Extended supply chain: Program covers issues across extended supply chain including demand management, procurement, e-Commerce, transportation, distribution facilities and manufacturing.
• Strategic: EMIL-SCS integrates engineering, technology and business management
• Designed to deliver results: Participants bring current business challenges into the classroom.

Q   How can I participate in EMIL-SCS and continue to work full time?

EMIL-SCS is a regular Master’s degree program delivered within an executive format over an 18- month period. During this time, the class meets every 3-4 months for two weeks of intensive classroom sessions and participates via distance learning alternatives between residences. In total there are five EMIL-SCS residences.

Q   I have 15+ years of work experience, is EMIL-SCS still for me?

Yes. EMIL-SCS participants have an average of 13 years of work experience and 50% are at the Director level or higher.

Q   What are residences?

Each semester, EMIL-SCS participants attend two weeks of intensive courses called residences. Residences are held in Atlanta, Europe, Latin America or Asia, depending on the semester.

Q   Where are classes held?

Each semester, EMIL-SCS participants attend two weeks of intensive courses called residences. Residences are held in Atlanta, Europe, Latin America or Asia, depending on the semester. Between residences class members participate via distance learning alternatives .

Q   Do I have to live in Georgia to attend EMIL-SCS?

No, EMIL-SCS participants live all over the world. In fact, the majority of our participants do not live in Georgia. Since residences are held on different continents each semester, there is no preferred home location.

Corporate Sponsors

Q   How will EMIL-SCS sponsorship make my company more competitive?

EMIL-SCS program sponsorship benefits your organization by

• Teaching participants how to create a truly global supply chain
• Increasing in-depth logistics knowledge
• Enhancing your network of global logistics contacts across industries
• Providing an immediate return on your investment

Q   What kind of results can I expect from EMIL-SCS sponsorship?

Our sponsors tell us that EMIL-SCS program provides results similar to hiring a logistics consultant, but with additional benefits, at a greatly reduced cost.

• EMIL-SCS participant will apply intense focus on course project
• Sponsor benefits from the vast knowledge resources of Georgia Tech
• Knowledge stays within the organization once the project ends.

For an in-depth look at actual program results, see our Case Studies.

Q   How can EMIL-SCS help our company with collaboration?

EMIL-SCS provides an incubator for collaboration by bringing together supply chain partners to work on their “real world” projects over an 18-month period. EMIL-SCS allows partners to develop the communication and relationships necessary for collaboration to succeed within a “think tank” environment.

Example "real world" collaboration facilitated by EMIL-SCS
An international retailer/manufacturer partnered with a domestic textile manufacturer to improve color quality of goods received from an Asian manufacturing operation. Today, products are manufactured in Asia in a neutral color and then dyed, using excess capacity, at the U.S. textile manufacturer before final delivery to stores in the U.S. The result is a more cost efficient supply chain for both organizations.

Q   How will EMIL-SCS help our company to reduce supply chain costs and improve efficiencies?

• Participants develop solutions to “real world” problems faced by their sponsor organization. • The Global Supply Chain Project allows participants to apply an intense focus on a key corporate project over 18 months
• EMIL-SCS’s curriculum combines aspects of engineering, IT and business strategy, including, demand management, finance, e-Commerce, Asian logistics, distribution facilities, manufacturing and European logistics.

Q   We need corporate resources to focus on critical supply chain projects, how will EMIL-SCS help us?

EMIL-SCS is structured to ensure participants focus on critical supply chain projects. For example, the Global Supply Chain Project allows participants to apply an intense focus on a key corporate project over 18 months.

Q   What companies participate in EMIL-SCS?

EMIL-SCS works with Fortune 500 companies, facing global supply chain issues, develop creative new solutions to improve supply chain efficiencies and reduce costs by grooming their supply chain executives. Companies who have participated in EMIL-SCS include:

• General Motors Service Parts Operations
• PaylessShoeSource
• Intel
• Ryder Integrated Logistics
• Siemens Dematic
• Ford Motor Company
• BellSouth Corporation
• PriceWaterhouseCoopers
• W.W. Granger
• Baxter Healthcare
• Kuehne & Nagel, Inc.
• Schenider Logistics Inc.
• Grupo Tical

Q   How do I ensure our company gets value from sponsoring EMIL-SCS participants?

Sending someone to the program is a major commitment by a sponsoring organization. To gain the most value from EMIL-SCS sponsorship you should:

• Select applicants with great care, making this investment only in individuals who have a very successful career to date and who have the potential to grow into a top management position. Applicants should have the capacity and curiosity to take advantage of this intense educational opportunity.
• Place a Senior Executive from your organization on the Industry EMIL-SCS Advisory Board.
• Institute a de-brief mechanism after each residence to ensure knowledge gathered within the program is disseminated throughout the organization and incorporated into supply chain initiatives.
  

Participants/Students

Q   What type of background do EMIL-SCS participants normally have?

You don’t have to be an engineer to succeed in EMIL-SCS! Our participants come from liberal arts, engineering and sciences backgrounds. Their responsibilities span the organization to include: Supply Chain Strategy, Operations, Logistics, Sales & Marketing, Material Handling, Manufacturing, Distribution, IT & Project Management. See Admissions for specific participant admissions requirements.

Q   What is the average experience level of EMIL-SCS participants?

EMIL-SCS requires a minimum of 5 years post-graduate work experience. However, on average, EMIL-SCS participants have 13 years work experience, 50% of EMIL-SCS participants are at the Director level or higher and the remainder are at the manager/supervisor level.

Q   How will EMIL-SCS help me advance my career to the next level?

Today, companies are looking for professionals who can manage their increasingly global supply chains. By earning a Master’s of Science degree in International Logistics, you can increase your job responsibilities, earnings and marketability by obtaining a truly international degree that incorporates the depth of supply chain engineering and the breadth of business strategy.

EMIL-SCS helps participants develop a global networkof contacts that includes numerous supply chain professionals. You will spend 18 months with your peers from international, Fortune 500 companies as well as meet with top executives from companies in Asia, Latin America, Europe and the United States.

Q   I am currently unemployed; can I still participate in EMIL-SCS?

EMIL-SCS was designed for participants who are working full time. EMIL-SCS assignments incorporate the expertise and issues faced by your company into class assignments.

Q   Will I have time to manage my normal job responsibilities during the residences?

Most days, EMIL-SCS classes are between 8am-6:30pm. However, there are often evening lectures and group assignments. Company sponsors should not count on participants being able to fulfill their regular duties during EMIL-SCS residences.

Courses & Curriculum

Q   Does EMIL-SCS focus on the entire supply chain or just logistics?

EMIL-SCS focuses on the extended global supply chain. Topics include procurement, reverse logistics, labor relations, manufacturing, freight management, distribution and warehousing.

Q   What is covered during each residence?

Residences focus on the regional influences shaping the supply chain in Asia, Europe, Latin America and the United States. In addition, topics such as reverse logistics, labor relations, freight management, procurement, manufacturing, distribution and warehousing are included.

Q   Can I participate through distance learning courses?

Yes and No. EMIL-SCS contains distance learning opportunities between residences. However, you must attend all five residences in person to receive an EMIL-SCS degree.

Q   What are EMIL-SCS classes like? Do I have to take tests?

EMIL-SCS residences are a mixture of traditional lectures, taught by faculty from Georgia Tech, Delft University, MIT or Oxford University, industry speakers from regional companies and government officials. EMIL-SCS assignments typically require participants to apply new concepts to supply chain concerns within their organizations. Participants develop cases studies, business cases and/or presentations suitable for presentation within their organization.

Q   What happens between residences?

Between residences, you can expect between 5-10 hours/week of distance learning coursework. This coursework is a mixture of on-line courses, group assignments and homework assigned during the previous residence.

Q   Does EMIL-SCS require a Master’s thesis?

Rather than pursue a traditional Master’s thesis, EMIL-SCS participants work in teams to complete an 18-month Global Supply Chain Project. Participants and sponsoring companies use this as an opportunity to apply an intense focus utilizing Georgia Tech’s vast knowledge resources to a critical supply chain concern. For more information please see, Global Supply Chain Project.

Q   What is the Global Supply Chain Project?

The parameters for the Global Supply Chain Project are flexible enough to ensure most sponsoring organizations that the project will greatly benefit the company’s overall supply chain strategy. Groups of two to eight class members, preferably from complimentary supply chain organizations, are formed. Groups representing a single company may also form a team.

The teams work together to identify opportunities across the global supply chain to remove costs, speed cycle time or enhance revenue. Projects are designed to extend beyond the participants current scope of responsibilities and preferably include sourcing, operations, and/or markets on at least two continents. Most projects provide a minimum savings of $1,000,000 and are designed to provide significant value to the sponsoring organizations. For more information please see, Global Supply Chain Project.

Q   Can I get an EMIL-SCS course catalog?

Yes. To receive a course catalog, program brochure or application, please go to Course Catalog.

Program Costs & Financial Aid

Q   How much does EMIL-SCS cost?

EMIL-SCS tuition is billed on a per-residence basis so that your costs are realized over an 18-month period. Tuition for the Georgia Tech’s EMIL-SCS Program is billed at $12,500 per residence for a total of $62,500.

Q   What is included in the EMIL-SCS tuition?

Please see the EMIL-SCS Tuition page.

Q   How does the cost of EMIL-SCS compare to other programs?

Please see the EMIL-SCS/Traditional MBA cost comparison.

Q   How do people normally pay for EMIL-SCS tuition?

80% of EMIL-SCS participants are partially or fully funded by their company. 20% of EMIL-SCS participants are self funded, usually supported by financial aid. If you are interested in the financial aid options available, please review Financial Aid.

Q   Is financial aid available for EMIL-SCS participants

Yes, The Federal Stafford Loan Program and CitiBank’s CitiAssist Loan Program are available to EMIL-SCS participants through the Georgia Tech Financial Aid office.

Q   Are research assistantships or grants available?

No. There are no grants, scholarships or assistantships available to EMIL-SCS participants. If you require financial assistance, you may be eligible for financial aid and should refer to Financial Aid for more information on these programs.

Admissions

Q   When does the next EMIL-SCS class start?

The next EMIL-SCS class begins Fall 2008. Please see the program format area.

Q   When is the application deadline?

Please see the admissions deadlines page.

Q   What are the admissions requirements for EMIL-SCS?

Please see the admissions criteria page.

Q   How Do I apply?

• Go to the Graduate Admissions website
• Choose "Apply Online Now"

Q   Do I need to take the GRE/GMAT?

A GRE/GMAT score is required unless:

• You have a master’s degree or
• You have 10 or more years of industry experience

Q   Do I need to submit a TOEFL score?

If English is not your native language, then you need to submit a TOEFL score unless you have received a degree from an English speaking country.