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MetroMBA’s Top MBA News Stories of 2013
The year 2013 has brought some fascinating developments in the business school world. From top schools announcing the release of open enrollment online courses to a new program that re-envisions the MBA to the launch of everyone’s favorite metro-focused MBA news site, this year has made many new options available for prospective business school students. On New Year’s Eve, we would like to reflect on the year 2013 by providing you with a list of the top stories we have covered this year.
1. Top business schools offer MBA courses online for free
In September, the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School announced that it would offer four new Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCS) , including Marketing, Corporate Finance, Operations Management, and Financial Accounting. These courses provide most of the core knowledge that students learn in their first year at Wharton. In October, business school news sites hinted that Harvard Business School was developing an initiative to offer online courses. In December, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Sloan School of Management followed suit, announcing that they would offer a popular data analytics course for free through MIT’s edX.
The latest MOOC offerings represent a great opportunity for potential business school students. Prospective students can try an MBA class to help determine if business school is right for them, or they can use the online classes to get back into an academic mindset before business school. The courses could also provide useful information for prospective students with weaker backgrounds in particular business school subjects.
Continue reading…
11 Months, 4 Continents, 5 Cities: The Quinlan IMBA
Many people travel to enrich their sense of culture; MBAs at Loyola University’s Quinlan School of Business travel to enrich their business savvy. Quinlan’s Intercontinental MBA allows you to earn the credentials needed to take your career to the next level.
The program carries a focus on emerging markets and uniquely combines online study with residencies on four continents over the course of an intensive, one-year, full-time cohort program. Throughout your travels, you’ll learn how business is conducted in Beijing, Chicago, Istanbul, New York City, and Santiago, while being able take your remaining courses online.
Here’s the program by the numbers:
- 100 days of travel
- 4 continents
- 5 cities
- 11 months
So if you are looking to differentiate your résumé in today’s competitive global marketplace and position yourself for employment (The 2012 NACE Job Outlook reported that 18.6 percent of employers plan to hire international business graduates) while expanding your horizons with travel to four continents, then register for the Fall 2014 cohort.
Graziadio MBA Awarded CSCMP Scholarship
Graziadio School of Business and Management student Toni Washington received a scholarship from the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP)-Southern California Roundtable. Founded in 1963, with more than 85,000 members, the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals is a worldwide professional association concerned with the advancement and dissemination of research and knowledge on supply chain management.
CSCMP awards tuition-supplementing scholarships annually to promising MBA students from Southern California colleges and universities who exhibit a particular expertise in supply chain management logistics, transportation, distribution, or a closely related field. This year’s prestigious award was valued at $3,000.
BusinessWeek Ranks Pepperdine MBA In Top 25
Executive Programs at the Graziadio School of Business and Management moved up from number 31st to number 23rd internationally in Bloomberg Businessweek’s biennial rankings of the best executive MBA programs.
BusinessWeek surveyed 2013 Executive MBA and Presidents and Key Executives MBA program graduates about their experience at Graziadio—everything from admission to graduation—and helped the school come in at number 17 in the graduate poll rank category, as well as an “A+” for curriculum, “A” for academic support and “B” grade for teaching.
The Fully Employed MBA program was also a first-time participant in Bloomberg Businessweek’s national ranking of part-time MBA programs. The Graziadio School earned the 12th place spot for the Western region and 50th place in the United States.
Much like the Executive MBA rankings, the publication also surveyed 2013 Fully Employed MBA graduates, taking into account “an academic quality measure that combines six school-reported data points—including average GMAT scores, class sizes, and completion rates—and a calculation of post-MBA outcomes.” The responses to these surveys awarded the Graziadio School a post-MBA outcome score in 15th place nationally. These rankings were gauged by looking at the percentage of student’s from each school that said their part-time MBA program was “completely” responsible for their having achieved career goals.
Meet The MBAs: Full-Time MBA Candidates from the Class of 2015
Just get accepted into DePaul University’s Kellstadt Graduate School of Business? First off, congratulations! Secondly, it’s time to meet your fellow MBAs!
When you become an MBA candidate at DePaul, become part of a unique group of students, all of whom are diverse, driven and dedicated to one goal: changing the world as we know it.
The Class of 2015 is no exception and is coming in with high expectations, with candidates enrolling from seven countries and representing fields as varied as mechanical engineering, marketing, accounting, finance and environmental anthropology. Your classmates have goals as vast as the horizon and are all vying to make a difference through careers that include health care management, sustainable business consulting, entrepreneurship and human resources. With an average of nearly five years of work experience, DePaul’s MBA Class of 2015 mixes real-world knowledge with academic achievement.
Driehous MBAs are set to use the university’s strong connections in the corporate America and share its business alumni network of more than 56,000 to help students reach their goals.
So welcome in the full-time MBA Class of 2015 and see some of their profiles here.
Kogod Set to Launch Revamped MBA Program in Fall ‘14
American University’s Kogod School of Business has redesigned its Full-Time MBA program for the Fall 2014 semester. The school has opted to revamp the program in light of the demands of business in the 21st century, while capitalizing on its location in Washington, DC.
“The idea [for the revised MBA] is to provide the opportunity for students to open themselves up to changing their mindset and to immerse themselves in new ways of thinking,” said associate professor Mark Clark, faculty program director for the full-time MBA.
Research: Kogod MBAs Find Corporate Boards Need More Women
Kogod School of Business MBA candidates Laura Denton and Danielle Hart spent nearly 4 months gathering and analyzing data on the demographics that make up 208 publicly traded companies in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. Their number crunching results found and noted how many women serve—or don’t serve—on each board.
With the guidance of Kogod professor Jill Klein and the Women in Technology nonprofit, the MBA candidates successfully described change in the region’s corporate structure and while also highlighting the need for more.
Marshall Student Groups Present MBA Diversity Conference
Last month, standout USC Marshall School of Business MBA alumni from all across American found their way back to Los Angeles to participate in the school’s first-ever MBA Diversity Conference. The event was presented by two student groups– the Black Graduate Business Leaders (BGBL) and the Latino Management Business Association (LMBA).
The Conference carried the theme of “Game Changers” and featured a series of interactive panels and networking events. This connected over 150 current and prospective students with resourceful alumni working at companies that embrace diversity as a crucial aspect of strategic business.
Follow Your Heart: Smith Students Network with Impact-Driven Professionals
While it’s safe to say that MBA students at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business are shooting for careers with big salaries, many also want a job that doesn’t compromise their values and supports a cause they feel passionate about.
During the Social Impact Career Workshop series co-hosted by Center for Social Value Creation, Office of Career Services, and co-founder of More Than Money Careers, Mrim Boutla, Smith students learned how to translate experience and education into a career path aligned with their moral compass.
$5 Million Donation to UCLA Anderson Supports MBAs
William M. Cockrum, a UCLA Anderson School of Management adjunct professor and Board of Visitors member, has donated $5 million to launch an endowment to support the school and the Harold and Pauline Price Center for Entrepreneurial Studies. $4 million of the gift will support fellowships for entrepreneurial MBA students, while the remaining $1 million will help fund fellowships for finance students in UCLA Anderson’s MBA program.
“It gives me great satisfaction to know that I am playing a vital role in supporting UCLA Anderson,” said Cockrum.
Lehigh Highlights MBA Experience of Prominent Alumnus
This past week, the Lehigh University College of Business and Economics‘s MBA Newsletter profiled alumnus Raveen Beemsingh, MBA’13. He is using his MBA education from Lehigh to launch a new venture, Hammerhead Navigation. Hammerhead Navigation is a navigation system for bikes that crowdsources bicycle routes from all over the world.
Beemsingh met the chief and founder of Hammerhead Navigation, Piet Morgan, at a hackathon at Lehigh while Beemsingh was still an MBA student at the school. Laurence Wattrus, Morgan’s biking partner, is also part of the team working on Hammerhead. After Beemsingh graduated from Lehigh, the team moved to Jersey City. After three months, hey had a working prototype, and they began a crowd funding campaign for it. They hit their stated goal, and then surpassed their stretch goal. They plan to ship their final product by June 2014.
While still working on his MBA, Beemsingh found many opportunities to explore the startup world. He participated in startup events in New York and Philadelphia. He won the 2013 HackPrinceton Hackathon, and he was a finalist at the Unviersity of Pennsylvania’s PennApps13, establishing his credibility in local startup scenes.
Beemsingh credits his education for his post-graduation success: “My Lehigh MBA courses helped me a great deal to reach this point in my entrepreneurial career.” He says that both the MBA core courses and Lehigh’s VENTURESeries courses gave him the foundation in business he needed to pursue this venture. VENTURESeries, the entrepreneurship track in the MBA program, gave Beemsingh an understanding of the market opportunity, legal, and financial considerations of new ventures. He says that the most important courses he took were MBA 402: Managing Financial & Physical Resources, GBUS 419: Financial Management, and MBA 403: Managing Information. The first two courses taught him about valuation, options, and real options, and he credits the last course with playing a vital role in his decisions while working on Hammerhead.
Just In: Visa CEO Charles Scharf to Deliver JHU Carey 2014 Commencement Address
Bernard T. Ferrari, Dean of Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, has announced that Visa Inc. Chief Executive Officer Charles W. Scharf will deliver the main address at the school’s graduation ceremony on May 21, 2014. Continue reading…
Babson Honored by National Society of Hispanic MBAs
Yesterday, Babson College announced that the Boston Chapter of the National Society of Hispanic MBAs (NSHMBA) had honored the school with its 2013 NSHMBA Educational Institution Award. The award recognizes institutions who provide a support network and policies to impact the students, faculty, and staff demographics. Katrina Fludd, the Manager of Multicultural Programs at Babson, and Lily Chryssis, the Associate Director for the Graduate Center for Career Development accepted the award on behalf of Babson College at the Boston NHSMBA Annual Fundraising Gala.
NSHMBA is a business organization dedicated to advancing Hispanic leadership. The organization encourages business schools to provide resources for Hispanic students, and helps Latino students pursue a graduate management education. The organization also fosters the professional development of MBAs after business school. NSHMBA has thirty nine chapters in the US and Puerto Rico, and has over 21,000 members. The NSHMBA offers several events for its members, including an annual Conference and Career Expo. The organization also offers career resources, a scholarship program, and publications.
As a partner of NSHMBA, Babson College recruits Latino students in business and fosters their development during their time in business school. Babson also pursues other non-profit educational initiatives to support Latino students.
Officials at Columbia and Stern Offer Winter Break Tips for MBA Students
In business school, Winter Break can offer a much-needed chance to catch up on sleep and relax. However, it is also a chance to take a few steps to make yourself a better candidate for interesting post-MBA jobs. Recently, Businessweek published an article of advice for business school students who want to capitalize on their Winter Break free time. To gather advice, Businessweek interviewed officials from the top business schools.
Regina Resnick, the managing director of the Career Management Center at Columbia Business School, recommends that MBAs make it known that they will be in a particular area and available to work on projects over Winter Break. Working on a project can give students the chance to explore industries of interest. Resnick says that students can work with a startup to help the company develop, do some freelance consulting work, or volunteer for a nonprofit to gain valuable business experience during their break.
Pamela Mittman, the assistant dean of Career Services and Leadership Development at New York University’s Stern School of Business, recommends connecting with people over break. It can be particularly valuable to visit previous employers to reconnect and leave the door open for future opportunities and recommendations. She also suggests inviting alumni in the area to have coffee or an informational meeting.
Officials from other business schools also had great ideas for making Winter Break productive. One recommended that students shadow a CEO in a local company, while another suggested that students start a blog or twitter feed to develop their social media presence and skills. Finally, another official observed that Winter Break provides students with time that they can use to read books and newspaper articles about their chosen field.
The experts provide several good ideas for Winter Break, but the general idea behind all of them is the same: take the time to increase your knowledge of your chosen field. Whether you read books about the field, talk to individuals already working in that field, or complete a project for a company, break is a time for taking a step away from business school to explore your future options.
Executive MBA
Northern Illinois University Executive MBA Program Structure
The Northern Illinois University Executive MBA allows you to earn your MBA 21 months after starting the program, with just 18 months of classroom time. The lock-step program, by which all students enter and experience the program together is designed to build effective partnerships and friendships amongst participants. The program is ideally suited for senior level management seeking to build leadership skills and consulting alliance experience.
Classes take place on Saturdays to avoid inconveniencing work and travel schedules. Typically, classes run from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. with a break in the morning, in the evening, and an hour for lunch. The Saturday-only 18-month program is offered on the Naperville campus and includes an international trip. There is one intake of students each year in August.
During the first year, Executive MBA students take four or five courses during both the fall and spring semesters. In May, an international seminar brings students on a nine-day study program abroad, allowing them to earn three semester hours of additional credit. Year two commences again with four courses generally taken in the fall and spring semesters, including a capstone case study to complete the degree.
Curriculum
The first-year curriculum focuses on the basic business tools of financial accounting applications, legal issues facing managers, economic forecasting, marketing management, financial management, and international business. The second-year curriculum moves on to cover managerial accounting controls, strategic marketing, building an effective organization, operations management, leadership development, financial analysis, and overall policy analysis.
A 9-day trip to an international destination takes place in May. Past destinations have included locations in Europe, Asia and Australia.
Class Profile
Average class size for the Northern Illinois University Executive MBA is 30-40. International students 3-5 percent. Men comprise 75-80 percent with women conversely 20-25 percent of the class. Average work experience is 15 years, the age range of students is 27 to 65, with an average age of 38.
The minimum GMAT score is 450. The GMAT may be waived on a case-by-case basis for applicants with ten or more years of professional experience.
The Executive MBA program is capped at 35 participants.
Careers
Professional career counselors are available to help students and alumni with all facets of the job search. The Career Resource Center holds a walk-in resume review and also offers access to an array of job search information and databases. Finally, there are a number of on-campus career fairs hosted throughout the year.
Tuition, Scholarships, and Financial Aid
Total program fees for students starting the program are $58,000. The program fees cover all books and course materials, meals on class meeting days, team building residency, and most costs associated with the international trip. Once a student is admitted to the EMBA program, fees are set and do not increase.
First-year fees are $29,000. Admitted students must post a non-refundable deposit of $2,500 to secure a seat in the class. The balance of the first-year fees is invoiced in the fall and spring semesters. The deposit is applied toward the fall semester’s fees. Fees for the second year will amount to $29,000. In year two, students are invoiced in the fall and the spring semesters.
Company sponsorship is expected. The candidate must submit a signed Sponsorship Form (included with the application forms) prior to admittance into the program.
Admissions
A completed Northern Illinois University Executive MBA application requires submitting the Application for Admission and a Goal Statement, Executive MBA supplemental information detailing professional experience, $40 application fee, two letters of recommendation, official transcripts from any post-secondary institutions where a degree was earned, and official GMAT scores. The GMAT may be waived on an individual basis if an applicant can demonstrate ten or more years of managerial experience.
Applicants must have a minimum of five years of workplace professional experience. Company sponsorship is expected. Applicants must also submit a signed Sponsorship Form to be admitted to the program.
Updated deadlines for the NIU EMBA program have not yet been released by the business school.
Evening MBA
Northern Illinois University Evening MBA Program Structure
The Northern Illinois University Evening MBA offers flexible scheduling at the Hoffman Estates and Naperville campuses. The program is ideally suited for mid-career MBA candidates and usually takes about three and a half years to complete. Students may enter the program at the beginning of either the spring, summer, or fall semesters. Classes run Monday-Thursday evenings.
The Evening MBA Program is divided into two phases. Phase One, which takes a minimum of 18 semester hours) is designed to make up for deficiencies in undergraduate course work or experience. This portion of the program is considered a prerequisite for the second program phase. Phase Two, a minimum of 30 semester hours, is exclusively graduate course work.
Phase One and Two take 48 semester hours plus the colloquium block. Phase Two only takes just 30 semester hours plus the colloquium block to complete. Phase One must be completed prior to enrollment in Phase Two courses and Phase One coursework cannot be used as Phase Two elective credit. Credit earned during the completion of Phase One does not count toward the 30 or 31 semester hour degree requirement of Phase Two.
All of the Phase Two requirements need to be successfully finished within six years of beginning the first Phase Two course. This includes work for which transfer credit is awarded.
Curriculum
Basic competency in computer, mathematics, and communication skills are expected of students entering the program. Successful completion of MATH 210, Finite Mathematics or a first calculus course is expected prior to entry and can be readily taken at undergraduate or community college programs.
Phase One consists of core business foundation curriculum, focusing on business tools like applications in financial accounting, legal issues facing managers, economic forecasting and quantitative analysis for decision making, and the concepts and theories of business disciplines like financial management, general management, marketing, and operations management. Phase One is considered required coursework unless:
1) A grade of C or better has been earned in a corresponding undergraduate course;
2) A grade of B or better has been earned in an equivalent graduate course elsewhere;
3) A “Pass” has been achieved on the first and only attempt of the Phase One exemption examination.
Phase Two is designed to build on the foundations provided in Phase One through participation in individual and group research and case study project work. Strategic thinking and critical analysis of business problems is emphasized in the curriculum. There is required coursework in financial and operations analysis, strategic marketing and management policy, organizational behavior, and information system technology management. Phase Two consists of four blocks of coursework: an organizational behavior block, information systems block, business functions block, integrative capstone block, and three MBA electives.
There is also colloquia requirement that must be fulfilled by attending any three non-credit colloquia at any time during the master’s degree program.
The curriculum includes an international component option, which can be used to satisfy one of the three electives required for the degree through participation in an MBA-approved study abroad program. Previous trips have gone to Southeast Asia, Europe, and China.
Class Profile
In the Northern Illinois University Evening MBA Program the mean student age is 32, with most students having had about 9 years of work experience. The average GPA is 3.17/4.0 and the average GMAT score is 542 in the program.
Careers
Professional career counselors are available to help students and alumni with all facets of the job search. The Career Resource Center holds a walk-in resume review and also offers access to an array of job search information and databases. Finally, there are a number of on-campus career fairs hosted throughout the year. Evening MBA candidates are welcome to make use of these resources as their schedules allow.
Tuition, Scholarships, and Financial Aid
Current in-state course charges are as follows:
For one semester hour courses total course cost is $895.72
For two semester hour courses total course cost is $1,791.44
For three semester hour courses total course cost is $2,687.16
Total in-state Northern University Illinois Evening MBA cost is $42,915.84 including Phase 1 (the program costs $26,822.40 excluding Phase 1 costs).
The international course charges are as follows:
For one semester hour courses total course cost is $1,252.72
For two semester hour courses total course cost is $2,505.44
For three semester hour courses total course cost is $3,758.16
Total out-of-state program cost is $60,051.84 including Phase 1 (the program costs $37,532.40 excluding Phase 1 costs).
Admissions
Northern Illinois University Evening MBA applicants are required to complete the online graduate school application, submit a $60 application fee, include two written recommendations from individuals who can reference your recent work achievements, a Goals Statement and an up-to-date skills-oriented resume. Additionally, all official transcripts from any associate, baccalaureate or other higher degree programs and official GMAT scores must be submitted. Transcripts from all relevant coursework is necessary for determining Phase One waivers and deficiencies, which determine and individual student’s program coursework.
Students may also need to submit TOEFL or IELTS when applicable (international students).
An undergraduate GPA of 2.75/4.0 and a GMAT score of at least 450 is required for admission. Business Information Systems and Business Statistics courses (or equivalents thereof) are also necessary for admission to the program. However, a GMAT waiver may be considered on an individual basis.
Any applicant whose native language is not English must submit either TOEFL or IELTS testing scores. For the IELTS a score of 6.5 or above is necessary to be admitted. Alternatively, scores of at least 80 on the TOELF igb or 213 on the 0-300 scale are required for admission.
Prospective students are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
Fall – July 15
Spring – December 10
Summer – June 1
Global MBA
Northern Illinois University Global MBA Program Structure
The Northern Illinois University Global MBA is a day-time, 12-month program in Barsema Hall on the DeKalb campus with required international experiences in Bordeaux, France or Murcia, Spain. Students attend classes Monday through Friday, during both the spring and fall semesters.
NIU’s Global MBA allows recent graduates with no prior experience to earn an MBA in just 12 months. The lock-step program, by which all students enter and experience the program together is designed to build effective partnerships and friendships amongst participants. Fast Trak students have the opportunity to earn a second Masters degree in International Management from IAE the Bordeaux University School of Management or a Master of International Management from the ENAE School of Business in Murcia Spain. The program begins with a mandatory orientation session in mid-August for all students.
The MBA portion of the program is broken up into five modules. Students take between two and four courses during these 5-8 week intensive class blocks. Dual-degree students also travel abroad for two three-week periods between modules 2 and 3 and 3 and 4.
Curriculum
Students have a dual international degree option of pursuing a Masters in International Management from ENAE Business School in Murcia Spain or Bordeaux University School of Management in France in addition to their MBA. The ENAE Business School offers classes in International Finance, Global Human Resource Management, International Trade Practices, EU History, Global Marketing, EU Business, International Negotiation, International Logistics, and Intercultural Management. The Bordeaux School of Management offers a similar curriculum with International Finance, Global Human Resource Management, International Business Law, International Trade Practices, Global Marketing, EU History, EU Commercial Relations, European Business Culture, International Negotiation, Wine Economics, International Logistics, and Intercultural Management courses available.
At NIU, the lock step curriculum is designed to provide the basic business tools of financial accounting applications, legal issues facing managers, economic forecasting, marketing management and financial management. The last three modules build on this foundation and include managerial accounting controls, strategic marketing, building an effective organization, operations management, leadership development, financial analysis, and overall policy analysis.
Modules 1 and 2, which cover business foundational principles are each 7 weeks long and run form the conclusion of orientation in late August through late November. Students pursuing the double degree option then travel for three weeks to either Bordeaux of Murcia to pursue coursework for their Master of International Management degree. Module 3 launches immediately after the New Year and runs for eight weeks, focusing on Management of Functional Areas. In early March, students journey abroad again for another three weeks of international learning. Module 4 then focuses on Master Business Strategy for eight weeks from mid-April until early June. Finally, Module 5 completes the degree with five weeks of Business Strategy work, including a capstone project, from early June to the beginning of August.
Students are assigned study groups that remain constant throughout the entire 12-month lock step program.
The Capstone Project is an important part of the curriculum. It places students in a hypothetical situation that forces them to assess real-life applications and interactions, challenging them to develop a business plan, which they present and defend to the company’s management team and business professionals and entrepreneurs.
Class Profile
Males comprise 60-65 percent of the program, while 35-40 percent of program students are female. Nine to 12 percent are international students. The average class size is 35-40 students. Students in the Global MBA Program come from a variety of undergraduate backgrounds with the following majors represented in the class: Accounting & Finance, Communications, Computer Science, Economics, Engineering, History, Management, Marketing, Mathematics, Political Science, Psychology, Public Health, and Sociology.
Careers
Northern Illinois University Global MBA students are enrolled in the Insight Program, which is specifically designed to help students learn about professional development, career planning, and leadership. Usually held on Fridays, the program offers developmental workshops, career coaching, E-Mentorship with a professional in an industry of interest, corporate visits and guest speakers.
Tuition, Scholarships, and Financial Aid
The approximate price of the Northern Illinois University Global MBA for U.S. students is:
• $32,000 (w/double degree)
• $26,000 (w/out double degree)
The approximate price of the Northern Illinois University Global MBA for international students is:
• $43,000 (w/double degree)
• $37,000 (w/out double degree)
Admissions
Applicants are required to complete the online application, submit a $40 credit card payment over NIU’s secure server, include two written recommendations, an up-to-date resume, and complete the Statement of Purpose form. Additionally, official transcripts from any undergraduate programs and official GMAT scores must be submitted. Students may also submit TOEFL or IELTS when applicable (international students). Finally, a face-to-face or telephone interview will be scheduled once all of the necessary application materials are received by admissions.
An undergraduate GPA of 2.75/4.0 and a GMAT score of at least 450 is required for admission. Business Information Systems and Business Statistics courses (or equivalents thereof) are also necessary for admission to the program.
Any applicant whose native language is not English must submit either TOEFL or IELTS testing scores. For the IELTS a score of 6.5 or above is necessary to be admitted. Alternatively, scores of at least 80 on the TOELF or 213 on the 0-300 scale are required for admission.
Prospective students are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
Fall July 15
Spring Dec. 10
Summer June 1
International students who seek to enroll in the fall semester need to complete their applications by May 1. Students who apply by June 1 have the opportunity to select their preferred international location for the Masters in International Management degree. Those who apply after are considered based on placement availability. It is strongly suggested that all candidates consider admission deadline dates when scheduling an appointment for GMAT and TOEFL testing. Early test-taking offers the candidate the best opportunity for admission into the program.
12 Month MBA
Northern Illinois University 12 Month MBA Program Structure
The Northern Illinois University 12 Month MBA Program accepts one cohort each winter. Classes begin in January and students finish course work in 12 months. Classes are offered at the downtown Chicago location, in the heart of the Loop; or at NIU Hoffman Estates. Attending class just two evenings per week, students earn their MBA in 12 months.
Students attend class every Tuesday and Thursday evening. A typical schedule runs from 6:15 until 10 p.m. with a 15 minute break for refreshments at 8 p.m. Additionally, classes are broken into groups of students and expected to meet up at least once per week outside of normal classroom hours.
Program fee includes a nine-day international trip, which is usually scheduled in February. These experiences generally include a combination of company visits, government briefings, and university lectures. Past trips have gone to Lisbon, Portugal and Barcelona, Spain.
Curriculum
The Northern Illinois University 12 Month MBA program is designed for working professionals who already have gained management and business understanding through either an undergraduate business degree or completing equivalent coursework. Students are expected to enter the program having taken the following courses or prerequisites: Business Information Systems, Business Statistics, Financial Accounting, Fundamentals of Financial Management, Graduate Survey of Marketing, Business Law Essentials, Principles of Management, Principles of Operations Management, and Survey of Business Economics (both Macro and Micro). These knowledge areas are considered prerequisites to entering the program and can be tested out of by passing a course-specific exemption exam.
The core curriculum includes managerial accounting, financial analysis, managing behavior in organizations, management of information systems technology, strategic management policy, and marketing and management, among others. In addition to the core curriculum, students are expected to complete three elective courses. These can be selected based on students’ professional working needs and interests. Some elective options include: a negotiation course, conflict management, a global integration course with an international experience, and a capstone experience that incorporates a case competition.
An international trip is included in the curriculum.
Class Profile
Class size is capped at 40 students. International students make up between 3 percent-5 percent of the class. The program is about 60 percent male and 40 percent female. Average student age is 33 with a range of 27-54. The typical student has, on average, about nine and a half years of work experience. The program is billed as a “mid-career” MBA option.
Careers
Professional career counselors are available to help students and alumni with all facets of the job search. The Career Resource Center holds a walk-in resume review and also offers access to an array of job search information and databases. Finally, there are a number of on-campus career fairs hosted throughout the year.
Tuition, Scholarships, and Financial Aid
The total cost of the Northern Illinois University 12 Month MBA program for the class is $39,000 for courses offered at NIU Hoffman Estates. This price includes the cost of books, fees, academic materials, international trip, and refreshment breaks during class meeting days. The schedule for payment is as follows:
Non-refundable Deposit: $2,500 – due on acceptance
First Payment: due January 31
Second Payment: due by July 31
Third Payment: due September 30
Admissions
As noted above, there is significant prerequisite coursework for the 12 Month MBA program. Students who have completed undergraduate business degrees or equivalent coursework (and received a grade of C or better at the undergraduate level, or B or better at the graduate level) should submit their transcripts for evaluation prior to the full application submittal.
Applicants are required to complete the online application, submit a $60 credit card payment over NIU’s secure server, include two written recommendations from professional associates, and complete the Statement of Purpose form. Additionally, official transcripts from any undergraduate programs and official GMAT scores must be submitted. Finally, for students with sponsoring employers a supervisor, manager, HR representative, or other company official must sign and complete the Sponsor Agreement form.
Applicants must submit the graduate application form and supporting documents by December 10. Classes begin in January.
