Gies Online Programs at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign — Local services in Champaign

Earning my MBA has been a desire for many years, but having gone through the global recession in 2008 and still paying back student loans from undergrad, I’ve had a difficult time finding a program I thought would justify the investment. Programs were either expensive or I was concerned with quality and/or networking opportunities. I’m also married with a family, so leaving work to pursue a degree fulltime was not realistic. The University of Illinois has done incredible work with the iMBA’s format to make all of these non-issues.

The network you build is absolutely part of the value of a MBA degree, and this does look different in an online setting from an on-site program. However, the iMBA staff seems to focus on creating value in this aspect of the online format, and I’ve watched it grow dramatically over the year I’ve been enrolled. Group assignments are a requirement for every course, and because it’s a global program, you must adapt to the challenge of delivering assignments with a remote team across multiple time zones (this definitely has real-world implications). Facebook’s Workplace is used as a platform for more social interactions.

Beyond digital, there are networking events and meetups held regularly across the country (and globe) for opportunities to meet other Illini in person. There are also events held on campus, which provide opportunity to become more connected to other MBA students and the University.

All this to say, networking opportunities are abundant, and students can take advantage as much or as little as they want. I highly recommend taking advantage.

Now halfway through the iMBA program, I feel incredibly fortunate to have started this journey. I don’t think a better value exists for those looking to earn a MBA from a school as respected as the University...

The iMBA program at the University of Illinois sounded too good to be true (for the price) but I discussed the program with many people, both inside and out of the University and decided to apply. I'm halfway through the program now and am very thankful that I made that life-changing decision.

The program is challenging but very gratifying and fun to apply what I'm learning immediately at my job. I don't call it an online program, I call it a high-engagement distance program because we're given communication tools and groupings that help us all stay in contact and meet regularly through video chats and messaging chats for group assignments. We also have live classes and office hours each week through a video chat platform that lets all of us participate as if we were in-person.

The program is modular so that you can choose different focus areas (strategic innovation, digital marketing, analytics, global business, etc) after you finish your core business classes (leadership, economics, strategy, corporate accounting, etc).

Lastly, the program is constantly organizing meet-ups whether it be a trip to Apple headquarters in CA, trip to AT&T HQ in TX, or a 3 day event on campus. We have the opportunity to join global immersions each year. I was able to join the Brazil and Germany trips two years in a row and the experience was life changing. HIGHLY...

The iMBA at the University of Illinois has exceeded my expectations. Despite being a cost-effective option for seasoned professionals that otherwise would be considering an Executive MBA, the Illinois program does not economize and cut corners. The program has all the features I had initially expected such as great flexibility in terms of when and where to learn that allows for learning at home, in the office, or on business trips on the other side of the globe. Surprisingly, it also offers things I had assumed I'd be giving up by pursuing an online option such as building a strong professional network or receiving personalized attention. On the contrary, Illinois has alumni/ae everywhere and even before I started classes, I was invited to network and build relations with the folks right near my home in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Furthermore, the professors in each of my iMBA classes know more about me and customize their teaching approaches far more than any on-campus experience I have had in the past. If you're looking at this online option because you want an easy, low-key, anonymous experience, keep looking because you won't find it here. The iMBA at Illinois is every bit as intense and transformative as any of the higher priced "executive"...