iMBA Program

Welcome iMBA Students!

The iMBA team is available to assist you at all times. We recommend that you bookmark this page for future reference, as it will be very useful as you complete the program. If you have any questions or issues, please contact us at i-support@illinois.edu.







iConverge

iConverge is our annual on-campus networking and professional development event. It is a chance for students to see familiar friends, make new ones and develop professional relationships outside the classroom.

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Graduation

Gies College of Business grants degrees three times a year -- in May, August, and December. You need to submit an application for graduation in your final term in order to place your name on the degree list and receive your diploma.

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News and Events

Choose your Master of Science in Management path: residential or online

Jul 17, 2023, 08:37 by Lindsey Halfar
Both programs give you access to engaging curriculum, world-class instructors, and credit hours you can put toward our online MBA program. But there are some key differences to help you decide which path is right for you

Gies Business offers two paths to earning a Master of Science in Management: a residential Master's in Management (MSM) and an online Master's in Management (iMSM).

Both programs give you access to engaging curriculum, world-class instructors, and credit hours you can put toward our online MBA program. And both can set you apart in the workforce. But there are some key differences to help you decide which path is right for you.

Where you are in your career 

The residential MSM program is most useful for students who:

  • Just finished their undergraduate degree
  • Haven’t yet joined the workforce
  • Didn’t major in business as an undergrad but want to earn a business degree 
  • Have flexibility to extend their time at a university with another nine-month academic year

The iMSM program is most useful for students who:

  • Have been working for a few years
  • Want to level up or make a career move
  • Plan to continue working while earning their master’s degree over a period of one to five years
  • Don’t plan to live close to campus

Key differences in guiding your career

The residential MSM program gives you access to career advising and client-based projects to help prepare you for a successful career from the start.

The iMSM program is for people already in the workforce, so it doesn’t include the career advising and client-based project focus of the residential program. Instead, it gives you access to a large network of online learners who already have valuable work experience.

Tuition differences and scholarship availability 

We strive to make our programs affordable for as many people as possible. While tuition for our residential program is higher than for our iMSM program, there are more scholarships available for the residential program. See the cost comparison below.

Compare your options

Fast Stats

MSM*

iMSM**

Enrollment

75-85

663

Length of Program

9 months

12-60 months

Credit Hours

36

36

Electives Available

25+

9

Practicum Project

2

N/A

Career Advisor

Yes

No

Stacks into iMBA

Yes

Yes

Tuition (In-State/Out-of-State)

$33,772 / $44,432

$11,520

Scholarships

Available

Limited availability

F-1 Visa Eligible

Yes (36 months OPT)

No

Classes Start

August

January, March, May, August, and October

Demographics

  

Average Work Experience

10.5 months

9 years

Average Age

24

35

Placement Rates

98%

N/A

*Data Source: MSM Students, Incoming Fall 2023 Cohort
**Data Source: iMSM Students, Calendar Year 2022

Application Materials

Both programs require similar application materials, such as:

  • Online application
  • Unofficial transcripts
  • Resume
  • Essay
  • Letters of reference
  • Application fee
  • GMAT/GRE optional

To learn more, talk to an advisor or fill out this form for more information.