Online MBA Programs in Illinois
Welcome to our in-depth guide to online MBA programs in Illinois. Whether you are considering an accredited MBA program online or another graduate program option, this comprehensive guide can help you get started with its collection of Illinois specific resources that focuses on providing a simple (but complete) collection of every online MBA in Illinois.
If you are aiming to move forward from your current position, you may be aware of the fact that an online MBA may help your chances. However, many people are not in a position to go to class every day or even on weekends. If you are such a person, consider an online MBA in Illinois. An online MBA can be as valuable as a traditional one as it both sharpen your business acumen and maximizes your professional value. Most online MBA Programs in Illinois even offer the same (or very similar) curriculum as traditional business schools in Illinois.
Below are the best online MBA Programs in Illinois options for prospective students considering going back to school.
(The below six online MBA programs in Illinois are listed in alphabetical order.)
Dominican University
Dominican University operates its MBA degree online through the Brennan School of Business. The concentration of this degree is general management, so it is best for business managers. The school’s full-time faculty also teach the online courses. DU is an AACSB-accredited school, and this online MBA covers 12 to 18 courses, depending on your undergraduate course work. A total of six foundation courses, nine core courses, and three electives are required to complete the degree. The program is an accelerated eight-week program with six sessions a year.
Eastern Illinois University
Eastern Illinois University will start its first completely online program in 2016. EIU is one of the few in the state accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The program can be completed in six consecutive semesters over two years. This entirely online MBA does not require students to attend live sessions. This allows you to choose when to study and attend classes depending on your schedule, as long as you meet the weekly deadlines. The course instructors are the same faculty who teach the traditional program. There are several modules, each with 25 to 40 hours worth of material.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Southern Illinois University offers a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) degree online through the Carbondale College of Business. SIU is an AACSB accredited institution and this program is also ranked a Best Value Online MBA Program on our 2017 list. The program will take you through a structured 23-month study with the same instructors who teach the on-campus classes. The MBA degree includes 16 eight-week courses, with only one class taken at a time and a one-week break between each course. In your application for the MBA, you should provide all details regarding your undergraduate studies, along with GMAT or GRE scores and letters of recommendation.
The University of Illinois at Chicago
The University of Illinois at Chicago is accredited by the AACSB and offers an online option through the Liautaud School. The Flexible MBA is an online program. Apart from the course material’s presentation and delivery, you will find little difference from the on-campus program. You will need at least two years of work experience to apply, but you need not require an undergraduate business degree. The online program at the University of Illinois at Chicago will allow you the freedom to study on your own time so that you can continue working without disrupting your schedule.
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University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The AACSB accredited University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign offers an online MBA in Illinois called the iMBA. This college operates on the block system, with each course representing one block. one block. Once you finish the full set of blocks, you will be eligible to receive your MBA degree. You can even include a low-cost massive open online course (MOOC) as one of your blocks should you choose to pursue the degree, consisting of six blocks, four core specializations, and two focus blocks. You will need a minimum of three years of work experience, provide three letters of recommendation, and have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. All students should take either the GMAT or GRE and pass those scores along to the school; international students will need to pass the TOEFL exam.
Western Illinois University
Western Illinois University is accredited by the AACSB and offers an online MBA program equal to their on-campus MBA. The online courses have the same course material and provide the same concentrations. The online program’s main advantage is that you get to choose when to study and take classes. While the approach is different, the workload remains the same. The WIU program is open to undergraduates from all subjects, including engineering and science. Depending on your previous undergraduate studies, you will need to accumulate between 33 and 54 credit hours to graduate. Applicants should have five years of professional work experience, a minimum GPA of 3.0, and GMAT scores above 500 or a GRE score of above 150. The average student at WIU had a 3.34 undergraduate GPA and a GMAT score of 525. International students will need a passing score on the TOEFL exam.
Additional Online MBA Programs (non-AACSB Accredited)
Accreditation is an essential factor to consider when choosing a business school, but it is also not the only thing that determines quality. While AACSB accreditation is a positive metric, only about 5% of the world’s online MBA programs have it. That means that many colleges and universities that are not accredited by AACSB also offer MBA programs, and some of those are worth considering. Following are some popular and well-known MBA programs in Illinois that have not been accredited by the AACSB.
(The six online MBA programs in Illinois listed below are in alphabetical order.)
1. Benedictine University
Benedictine University offers an online MBA degree for working professionals. There are two formats to choose from, the traditional one-course-at-a-time program and the fast-track MBA, with two classes at a time. If you have an undergraduate business degree, up to four foundation courses can be waived. No GMAT and GRE scores are required. Seven concentrations are offered, but you can also choose to build your own The college also gives you the option to start the program anytime you want by selecting one of six starting dates throughout the year.
2. Governors State University
The Governors State University offers an online MBA in Supply Chain Management. Supply chain management is one of today’s business environment’s most important branches, especially for entrepreneurs and those in the retail business. The degree is ranked by “The Best Schools” as the 15th best online SCM-MBA of the 20 best in the country. The program is accelerated and can be completed in 17 months. The online MBA operates through an interactive cohort format. The faculty is full-time and fully accessible to all online students.
3. Lake Forest Graduate School of Management
The Lake Forest Graduate School of Management offers a Leadership MBA program both online and on campus. The school is HLC accredited, and its Leadership MBA has a general management business focus. The program covers a wide range of business topics and helps students acquire the knowledge to assess challenges and work within today’s business environment confidently. Specializations include Marketing, Global, Healthcare, Finance, and Organizational Behavior. The program can be taken fully online and consists of 13 core courses and three electives. When complete, students will have not only earned an MBA but three graduate certificates as well. Students can take classes at their own pace and complete the program in as little as 18 months, but it must be completed within six years.
Admission is based on various criteria, including professional work experience, previous academic history, and an interview. A minimum of four years of work experience is also required.
4. McKendree University
McKendree University offers online MBAs in general management and HRM. The institution has been accredited by the International Assembly of Collegiate Business Education (IACBE) and the North Central Association (NCA). You do not need an undergraduate business degree to enroll at McKendree. The classes and coursework are offered completely online and must be taken over eight weeks.The program consists of 12 total courses. The HRM MBA is available only to online students and is not offered on campus.
5. National Louis University
National Louis University, which is accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE), offers an MBA program online focused on leadership. The program completely engages students, similar to a traditional on-campus program. If you prefer face-to-face instruction, there is a blended format available, through which you can meet with instructors in person. You will need to have an undergraduate degree to apply for this program and at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. International students must submit passing scores on the TOEFL exam.
6. University of St. Francis
The University of St. Francis offers an Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) accredited online MBA. There are eight concentrations to choose from in this accelerated one-year to 18-month program. If you already have a bachelor’s degree in business, you can skip some introductory courses and finish faster. You will need to complete a total of 36 semester hours, 12 hours of core subjects, 12 hours of competency subjects, and 12 hours of concentration subjects.