Obtain an MBA in One Year and Get 3 Years of OPT? The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) MBA Program Allows You to Apply Without TOEFL/GMAT! | UP-STUDY Educational Center

After accumulating several years of experience in the workplace, many people choose to return to school for further education in order to pursue opportunities in middle to upper management levels, which drives the demand for MBA programs. Many are deterred by the high tuition fees and time costs of studying abroad for an MBA. After all, compared to regular master's programs, MBA tuition is often double the cost; moreover, the two years away from the workforce introduces various uncertainties, which can be intimidating.

To address this high barrier and adapt to the changing trends in the industry, the University of Illinois Chicago has designed a high-value, one-year MBA program that focuses on "short duration" and "lean" course planning, attracting students from all over the world.

UIC MBA Highlights

✨  Short duration, complete the degree in just one year

✨  Affordable, tuition fees at a public university are much lower than at private universities

✨  Diverse admission standards, replacing traditional TOEFL and GMAT exams with written and interview assessments

Sign Up for the School X UIC MBA Admission Information Session Fast, Click Here

University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) Introduction

The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) is one of the top 50 public universities in the United States and the largest research university in the Chicago area. It offers a range of colleges including the College of Business, Architecture and Design, Public Health, Medical School (the largest in the country), Pharmacy, Nursing, Dentistry, and Applied Health Sciences. Located in Chicago, UIC benefits from convenient transportation and is surrounded by a thriving economy, with industries such as finance, manufacturing, and education, providing ample job opportunities in a highly livable environment.

UIC Highlights

✨  Located in one of the top three U.S. cities, Chicago

✨  Tier 1 Research University

✨  Diverse student body with various cultural backgrounds

Extended Reading

◇ UIC University of Illinois Chicago Introduction

About the UIC MBA Program

Since 1994, the UIC College of Business has designed a one-year MBA program aimed at training mid-to-senior management professionals. Leveraging UIC’s strong research capabilities and the high-quality experiential learning provided by the College of Business, the program strengthens students’ business theory foundations while enhancing practical skills.

⭐Top Business School

· AACSB Business and Accounting Dual Accreditation: Less than 200 schools hold this honor

· HEED Award for Excellence in Diversity in Higher Education

⭐One-Year Program

Unlike most MBA programs that typically last two years, the UIC MBA program condenses the traditional two-year curriculum into 12 months, reducing the time investment and allowing students to complete their education and return to the workforce in the shortest time possible.

⭐Experiential Learning

UIC MBA students can apply their learning in real-world experiences through various channels such as global business competitions, entrepreneurship plan contests, marketing strategy simulations, and more, making learning beyond the classroom and embodying the MBA’s focus on training workplace leaders.

Further Reading

◇ Thinking about studying abroad? First, understand the trends in international MBA programs

UIC MBA Program Structure

Core Courses (7 courses, 26 credits):

Introduction to Financial Accounting

Microeconomics and Business Decision

Introduction to Corporate Finance

Introduction to Operations Management

Organizational Behavior

Enterprise Strategy

Introduction to Marketing

Elective Specializations (4 fields available, 28 credits)

Strategic and International Business Management

MBA course focusing on strategy and international business management.

It aims to develop an understanding of international business practices and cultures, as well as business core functions, while allowing students to develop their ability to apply knowledge and judgment in global business environments.

Financial Markets and Asset Management

MBA course focusing on financial markets and asset management.

It aims to strengthen students' understanding of financial markets, asset management, and the operation of financial institutions in the global economy, further promoting the career development of finance professionals. The course leverages Chicago's financial resources to provide the latest knowledge in financial markets and asset management theory and practice.

Commodities, Exchanges, and Derivatives

Provides rigorous theoretical training and industry exposure, giving students in-depth understanding of commodities, exchanges, and derivatives in each subfield. Chicago is home to the world’s largest futures exchange, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Group, and the world’s largest options exchange, the Chicago Board Options Exchange. This environment offers students many opportunities to interact with industry experts and familiarize themselves with the latest technology in the field.

Management of Healthcare

The healthcare management course aims to help professionals in the medical field develop their careers by enhancing modern management skills and cultural awareness. It addresses the trends in globalization, innovation in healthcare services, and provides new perspectives, making it an indispensable component for becoming a professional in healthcare. The course deepens students' understanding of U.S. public health policies, administration, services, and management practices, while further developing international students' expertise in both general business management and healthcare management. Students will have opportunities to visit hospitals in the U.S. and gain a deeper understanding of healthcare management knowledge and culture in Western settings.

Business Analytics [New field added in 2022]

Building on the strengths of UIC’s business analytics and management information systems programs, this specialization seamlessly integrates core business courses with data analytics courses. It helps students master knowledge in business operations and enterprise strategy, analyze cutting-edge information in technology and industrial production, and develop their skills in big data applications, familiarizing themselves with quantitative analysis methods such as big data analysis and machine learning. Students will also acquire practical skills in database management, programming, and statistical analysis.

UIC MBA Estimated Costs

UIC is a public university, and the tuition fees are relatively reasonable compared to private universities. Below are the estimated costs for the full program (in USD):

How to Apply for UIC MBA?

Application Requirements

✏ University degree or equivalent, recent graduates are eligible

✏ Good English communication skills

✏ After passing the preliminary review, UIC applicants must take both a written and oral test

* Applicants with certain TOEFL or IELTS scores may be exempt from the written test. Please consult with the school’s advisor for details

✏ Additional advantages

1-2 letters of recommendation

Relevant work experience

Admission Timeline

◾ Fall Intake [August Admission]: Admissions are typically held in April-May each year

◾ Spring Intake [January Admission]: Admissions are typically held in August-September each year

Note: The exact application deadline varies each year, please contact the school's study abroad advisor for the latest information

Application Process

◾ Contact the dedicated advisor at the school to understand the program details and application steps

UIC Business School MBA+MSBA/MSF Dual Degree

The UIC Business School MBA, along with the Business Analytics and Finance departments, offers a dual master’s degree pathway, allowing students who graduate from the one-year MBA program to directly pursue MSBA or MSF degrees after graduation. This provides an opportunity for two master’s degrees within two years and a 3-year OPT, enhancing students' academic and employment advantages.

✓ Two years for dual master’s degrees

✓ Credit exemptions for courses taken at the school

✓ Flexible options to choose whether to pursue the second master’s degree after enrollment

✓ Enhance employment competitiveness

✓ No background or prerequisite courses required

✓ No GRE/GMAT required

Up Academy X UIC MBA Information Session

How much do you know about MBA? High tuition fees? A long academic journey? These are common misconceptions about MBA programs, but did you know that pursuing an MBA can actually offer better options?

Join the Up Academy study abroad seminar and let Julie, the UIC MBA Taiwan representative, introduce you to the unique "One-Year MBA" program at the University of Illinois at Chicago!

Five Key Features of UIC MBA

 Earn an MBA degree in one year and quickly enter the workforce

Choose from four major fields, fostering versatile management talents

Located in Chicago, the U.S. financial hub, offering abundant internship and job opportunities

Dual degree collaboration with business school departments, allowing dual master’s degrees in one and a half years

AACSB dual accreditation in business and accounting, ensuring quality education

Who Should Attend This Seminar?

"I want to study abroad, but MBA programs take two years. Won't that be too long away from the workforce?"

Choosing to study abroad is a major decision, especially after working for a few years. It’s not easy to pause your career and return to school. However, studying abroad not only enhances your resume but also broadens your perspective. Experiencing learning and collaboration with people from different cultural backgrounds will reshape your thinking.

> UIC MBA allows you to complete your studies in just one year, condensing the essence of all business management courses so you can enhance your value in the job market without taking too much time off!

"I have good English skills, but I can't seem to show my true ability on the exams?"

Many students, despite months of preparation for TOEFL, IELTS, or GRE/GMAT exams, cannot perform to their true potential on the actual test day. We believe that a student's level should not be determined by a single exam score, and that a transparent and direct recruitment process better highlights a student's strengths!

> UIC MBA offers interviews and written exams, allowing applicants to directly demonstrate their abilities to the admissions team!

Sign Up Now! UP-STUDY Educational Center Study Abroad Seminar - "UIC MBA Information Session"

[Seminar Content]

◼ Introduction to the UIC MBA Program

◼ Introduction to the Business Analytics BA Specialization

◼ UIC Graduate Employment Development and Advantages

◼ Alumni Sharing and Q&A

[Seminar Time]

◼ 9/24 14:00 - 16:00 Taipei, UP-STUDY Educational Center

[Seminar Location]

◼ Taipei UP-STUDY Educational Center

11F, No. 2, Section 4, Zhongxiao East Road, Da'an District

[Registration Information]

This seminar is available both in-person and online. Students attending the seminar will receive exclusive offers!

In-person attendees can meet with school representatives face-to-face, discuss personal situations, and obtain limited brochures! Seats are limited, so please register early!

◼ In-person Ticket: Attend the seminar on-site and meet with the school's recruitment representative to learn about the UIC MBA program

◼ Online Ticket: Participate in the seminar via an online meeting, breaking the distance barrier!

Would you like to know more about the GMAT and TOEFL exempt courses?

Book a free consultation with UP-STUDY now!