Illinois Gies Online MBA (iMBA)

The Online MBA program at the University of Illinois Gies College of Business, known as the iMBA, takes between 24 and 60 months to complete. Students in the Gies iMBA program complete all courses online through Coursera and through the University of Illinois. The program courses feature case studies and individual and group assignments. The fully online MBA program has both synchronous and asynchronous components. There are no travel requirements during any part of the program, making it one of the few AACSB-accredited Online MBAs in the world that is 100 percent digital.

The Gies iMBA program is broken down into four separate core elements: Strategic Leadership & Management; Managerial Economics and Business Analysis; Value Chain Management; and Financial Management. Within these four core elements, students complete three individual courses and a capstone project. Within the program, students must choose a specialization out of the following five options: Digital Marketing; Entrepreneurship & Strategic Innovation; Business Analytics; Global Challenges in Business; and Mergers & Acquisitions. Generally, students spend about 10-15 hours per week per class to attend class and complete coursework. The program is flexible as far as how many courses students take per term.

The 4,898 students currently enrolled in the Gies iMBA program have an average of 11 years of work experience and an undergraduate GPA of 3.22. 79% of the students in the program come from the United States and 33% of the students identify as Female.

Gies iMBA Students can take advantage of iConverge, an annual event for online Gies students to spend time on-campus at networking and professional development events, including discussions, campus tours, and faculty lectures.

The total cost current tuition cost of the Gies iMBA program is $24,984 (72 credits times $347/credit). Federal and private loans may be used to fund one’s education.

In order to apply to the Gies iMBA program, students must have completed a four-year undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university while maintaining a GPA of at least 3.0. Applicants must have at least three years of prior full-time work experience. GMAT/GRE scores are not required.

In addition, applicants must submit:

• An online application
• Academic transcripts (official transcripts are required following acceptance into the program; unofficial transcripts are accepted for the application process)
• One essay & 2-4 short answer questions (students applying with a Graduate degree from Gies College of Business may submit a stacking essay instead of the essay and short answer components)
• Two letters of recommendation
• Resume
• TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo test scores (for international applicants)
• GMAT/GRE scores (optional)
• Scholarship applications (optional)
• Application fee

The Gies iMBA program begins each January, March, August & October.  The Gies iMBA deadlines are as follows:

Final Deadline (October Start) September 5, 2024