Business Administration, MBA - Online (iMBA)

for the Master of Business Administration in Business Administration (online)


Gies College of Business currently offers an online degree program leading to the Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)  The residential MBA and Professional MBA programs are no longer accepting applications. The MBA requires 72 hours of credit.

The Online MBA (iMBA) features a flexible program format. During each course, virtual study teams are created that are designed to draw upon the diverse academic and professional backgrounds of the class. The iMBA caters to a segment of the population that values mobility, convenience, and believes that online programs better fit their learning styles and life circumstances.

Admission

Applicants to the Online MBA (iMBA) program must have completed an undergraduate degree and have a minimum of 3 years full-time, rich work experience. Two letters of recommendation and essays are also required. Applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOFEL) or the IELTS.

Scholarships/Financial Aid

Scholarships are generally not available for the iMBA.

for the Master of Business Administration in Business Administration (online)


The goal for the iMBA program at Illinois is to deliver a high-quality program that is accessible to global audiences. A mirror of the EMBA curriculum, the online MBA (iMBA) uses a flexible program format. During each iMBA course, virtual study teams are created that are designed to draw upon the diverse academic and professional backgrounds of the class. The program caters to a segment of the population that values mobility, convenience, and believes that the online programs better fit their learning styles and life circumstances.

For additional details and requirements refer to the department's curriculum overview and the Graduate College Handbook.

Required Core Courses48
BADM 508Leadership and Teams4
BADM 509Managing Organizations4
BADM 520Marketing Management4
BADM 544Strategic Management4
BADM 567Operations Management4
BADM 572Stat for Mgt Decision Making4
ACCY 500Accounting Measurement, Reporting, and Control4
ACCY 503Managerial Accounting4
FIN 511Investments4
FIN 570Corporate Finance4
FIN 571Money and Banking4
FIN 574Microeconomics for Business4
MBA 590Specialization Capstone (must enroll twice)0
MBA 597Program Foundations0
MBA 598Program Capstone0
Focus Area Requirement 1:
Complete one of the following Focus Areas:12
Digital Marketing
Digital Marketing Analytics
Digital Media & Marketing
Marketing in Our New Digital World
Global Challenges in Business
Global Marketing
Global Strategy
Multiculturalism in Management and the Marketplace
Entrepreneurship & Strategic Innovation
Strategic Innovation
Fostering Creative Thinking
Entrepreneurship: From Startup to Growth
Business Analytics
Introduction to Applied Business Analytics
Introduction to Business Analytics: Communicating with Data
Data Toolkit: Business Data Modeling & Predictive Analytics
Data Analytics Applications in Business
Mergers and Acquisitions
The Finance of Mergers and Acquisitions
Applications of Investment Banking Concepts
Accounting for Mergers & Acquisitions and Other Complex Transactions
Healthcare Innovation, Design, and Entreprenueurship
Identify—Healthcare Ecosystem and Need Identification
Innovate—Healthcare Innovation Process
Implement—Healthcare Business Strategy and New Venture Implementation
Focus Area Requirement 2:
In consultation with a Gies program advisor, choose a focus area or set of elective hours, which will consist of one of the following options: complete an additional focus area from the list above, or 12 hours from the following courses, or an approved Graduate Certificate from a partnering unit.12
Digital Marketing Analytics
Digital Media & Marketing
Marketing in Our New Digital World
Global Business Horizons
Global Marketing
Global Strategy
Multiculturalism in Management and the Marketplace
Strategic Innovation
Fostering Creative Thinking
Entrepreneurship: From Startup to Growth
Introduction to Applied Business Analytics
Introduction to Business Analytics: Communicating with Data
Data Toolkit: Business Data Modeling & Predictive Analytics
Data Analytics Applications in Business
Infonomics
Financial Statement Analysis for MBAs
Accounting for Mergers & Acquisitions and Other Complex Transactions
Identify—Healthcare Ecosystem and Need Identification
Innovate—Healthcare Innovation Process
Implement—Healthcare Business Strategy and New Venture Implementation
Risk Management and Innovation
The Finance of Mergers and Acquisitions
Applications of Investment Banking Concepts
Project Management
Total hours72

Entering with Gies MS Management degree

Required Core Courses24
ACCY 500Accounting Measurement, Reporting, and Control4
BADM 509Managing Organizations4
BADM 572Stat for Mgt Decision Making4
FIN 511Investments4
FIN 571Money and Banking4
FIN 574Microeconomics for Business4
MBA 590Specialization Capstone (must enroll twice)0
MBA 597Program Foundations0
MBA 598Program Capstone0
In consultation with a Gies program advisor, choose a focus area or set of elective hours, which will consist of one of the following options: complete an additional focus area from the list below, or 12 hours from the following courses, or an approved Graduate Certificate from a partnering unit.12
Digital Marketing
Digital Marketing Analytics
Digital Media & Marketing
Marketing in Our New Digital World
Global Challenges in Business
Global Marketing
Global Strategy
Multiculturalism in Management and the Marketplace
Entrepreneurship & Strategic Innovation
Strategic Innovation
Fostering Creative Thinking
Entrepreneurship: From Startup to Growth
Business Analytics
Introduction to Applied Business Analytics
Introduction to Business Analytics: Communicating with Data
Data Toolkit: Business Data Modeling & Predictive Analytics
Data Analytics Applications in Business
Mergers and Acquisitions
The Finance of Mergers and Acquisitions
Applications of Investment Banking Concepts
Accounting for Mergers & Acquisitions and Other Complex Transactions
Healthcare Innovation, Design, and Entrepreneurship
Identify—Healthcare Ecosystem and Need Identification
Innovate—Healthcare Innovation Process
Implement—Healthcare Business Strategy and New Venture Implementation
Total hours36

Entering with approved non-management Gies graduate degree

Must enroll in the following required courses
MBA 590Specialization Capstone (must enroll twice)0
MBA 597Program Foundations0
MBA 598Program Capstone0
Complete 48 credit hours from core and elective course offerings list
500 level coursework to be chosen in consultation with advisor to compliment and build on previously completed coursework to ensure all core requirement and learning objectives are met without duplicating coursework
Total hours48

Other Requirements (may overlap)

Course substitutions may be approved by the Department of Business Administration.
Minimum Hours Required Within the Unit: 72, 48 or 36 depending on entry
Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall: 72, 48 or 36 depending on entry
Maximum Hours From Outside Gies College of Business: 12
Minimum GPA: 2.75

for the Master of Business Administration in Business Administration (online)


By the end of the program, students will be able to:

  1. Critical and Analytical Problem Solving: Employ appropriate analytical models and apply reasoning to evaluate evidence, select among alternatives, and generate creative solutions for real-world business problems.
  2. Teamwork: Work well in teams and to assess the contributions made by themselves and by their peers.
  3. Effective Leadership: Leadership: Apply leadership skills to organize and engage others, to work more effectively together, and to set an achieve organizational goals. 
  4. Effective Management: Apply management tools, techniques, and behaviors to demonstrate effective management skills.
  5. Communication: Demonstrate the ability to listen and to read attentively, and to express ideas with clarity in both oral and written communications, and to communicate effectively in diverse business settings

for the Master of Business Administration in Business Administration (online)


Department of Business Administration

Head of Department: Carlos Torelli
Associate Dean of Graduate Programs: Nerissa Brown
iMBA program website
Business Administration Department website
Business Administration Department faculty
515 East Gregory Drive, Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 300-2481
giesonline@illinois.edu

Gies College of Business

Gies College of Business website

Admissions

Graduate College Admissions & Requirements
Gies College Admissions & Requirements