Study MBA in Illinois
Illinois offers many MBA programs that do not require the GMAT, making them well-suited for professionals who want to advance their careers without this testing requirement. These programs accommodate individuals from various professional backgrounds and offer options in fields such as business management, finance, entrepreneurship, and data analytics.
Many of these programs are designed to meet the needs of working adults, featuring part-time and online formats that enable you to continue your education while managing personal and professional responsibilities. Instead of relying on standardized test scores, these programs consider your academic history and professional experience when reviewing applications. This approach provides opportunities for career growth without the need for GMAT preparation.
In this guide, we will discuss some of the popular NO GMAT MBA programs in Illinois, detailing their benefits, admission processes, and specialized offerings. Understanding these aspects will help you select a program that aligns with your career objectives.
NO GMAT MBA Programs in Illinois
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering MBA programs without the requirement of GMAT in Illinois:
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Illinois Institute of Technology
- University of Illinois Chicago
- Aurora University
- Benedictine University
- University of Illinois Springfield
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale
- American Public University
- Southern New Hampshire University
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Online Master of Business Administration (MBA)
You have the opportunity to earn an MBA degree through the online MBA (iMBA) program at Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. This program provides the same academic rigor and instruction as an on-campus MBA while allowing you to complete your coursework online with flexibility. You have control over your learning experience by choosing how to structure your coursework:
- Create a course schedule that aligns with your objectives.
- Choose from multiple live lecture options each week.
- Begin your MBA program in January, March, August, or October.
- Complete your degree within 24-60 months based on your preferred pace.
- Pay for individual courses as you progress through the program.
This 72-credit-hour program can be finished in as little as 24 months, but you have up to 60 months to complete it based on your availability. Most students dedicate 10-15 hours per class each week. You can adjust your workload, take one or two courses at a time, or even pause for a term if necessary.
Your career objectives influence your learning path, so this MBA allows you to tailor your coursework. You may select from five Focus Area Specializations and over 18 elective courses to create a customized learning experience.
All iMBA students complete four Core Specializations to establish essential business knowledge:
- Strategic Leadership and Management
- Managerial Economics and Business Analysis
- Value Chain Management
- Financial Management
You may enhance your expertise by completing two Focus Area Specializations or one Focus Area Specialization and an elective path. These specializations may also be converted into a graduate certificate. Available Focus Area Specializations include:
- Digital Marketing
- Entrepreneurship and Strategic Innovation
- Global Challenges in Business
- Business Analytics
- Mergers and Acquisitions
You can further customize your degree to fit your career path by choosing from 18+ elective courses.
Each iMBA course consists of two components. The first part is self-paced and includes readings, pre-recorded lectures, quizzes, and assignments, which are hosted on the Coursera platform. The second part includes live sessions, group work, faculty-graded assignments, projects, quizzes, and exams to further expand your knowledge.
Every course ends with a final case presentation. Additionally, you must complete three capstone projects:
- Two Specialization Capstones focusing on specific business areas.
- One Program Capstone lasting four weeks, taken in your final semester.
Capstone projects involve working in teams to analyze real-world business challenges. Certain capstones may also be completed through experiential learning activities, such as immersions.
The business principles you study in class will be shown together with modern developments and real-world uses, including examples from your own work and that of your peers. This method makes ideas more engaging and helps you understand the concepts more completely.
You also have the choice to participate in a two-week immersion experience, either virtually or in person. During these immersions, you collaborate with businesses, engage in real-world case studies, and expand your understanding of global business. In-person immersions have taken place in locations such as:
- Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Munich and Frankfurt, Germany
- Mexico City, Mexico
- Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Singapore
For admission, you must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Additionally, you must have at least three years of managerial or operational experience.
The application process requires submission of transcripts, a professional resume, an academic statement, and short answer responses. Applicants stacking a prior Gies degree into the iMBA complete a stacking essay instead.
Two references are also required, with at least one preferred to be from a current or former supervisor. After submitting your application, you may be invited to a Zoom interview as part of the admissions process.
A GMAT or GRE score is not required but may be submitted if you choose.
If you wish to transfer credits, your courses must meet specific requirements, including being from an AACSB-accredited institution, taken at the graduate level, and completed within the last four years with a grade of A- or higher. A maximum of 12 credit hours can be transferred.
Illinois Institute of Technology
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
You have the opportunity to strengthen your strategic business skills and move forward in your career as an innovative manager and leader through the technology-focused in-person AACSB-accredited MBA program at Illinois Tech. This program is designed for professionals with busy schedules, offering weekend and evening classes in downtown Chicago. You may choose to study full-time or part-time.
This MBA program places you at the center of business, innovation, and technology, which drive success and impact in today’s competitive global business environment.
To complete the MBA at Illinois Tech, you must successfully finish 36 credit hours, which equals 12 courses. Both part-time and full-time options are available. Part-time students enroll in two courses per semester, including fall, spring, and summer.
Throughout the program, you will gain essential business strategies, advanced management skills, and knowledge in emerging technologies, preparing you for leadership roles across industries. Designed for working professionals, this in-person MBA. program includes interactive courses and practical learning through case studies and real-world projects.
You may complete your degree in two years part-time or in 12–15 months full-time, attending Saturday and weekday evening classes at the downtown Chicago campus. Additionally, you will expand your network and connect with professionals through our partnership with Chicago Innovation.
The core courses in this program include:
- Strategic Management: This course examines how companies achieve success in competitive markets. It focuses on creating and implementing strategies effectively. The course involves analyzing external and internal factors, developing business, corporate, and functional strategies, and evaluating performance. A business simulation game will allow you to manage a company, compete with others, and apply strategic management concepts.
- Financial Statement Applications: This course develops financial analysis skills by examining various companies and industries. You will use quantitative and qualitative tools to assess financial health and risk. Topics include credit analysis, investment evaluation, and advanced case studies.
- Analytics for Decision Making: This course introduces Microsoft Excel skills for business applications, teaching spreadsheet modeling, analytical tools, and decision-making techniques. It improves critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
- Leadership and Organization Design: This course explores how managers influence employee behavior and organizational performance. You will study leadership techniques, team management, cultural influences, and ethical decision-making.
- Financial Management: This course covers financial decision-making in a global setting. Topics include raising capital, valuing stocks and bonds, corporate governance, sustainability, and risk management.
- Marketing Strategy: You will study marketing methods that help businesses understand customer needs, competition, and market conditions.
- Operations and Process Management: This course focuses on improving business processes through analysis and structured implementation.
- Digital Transformation: This course is for leaders who want to introduce new ideas and align business strategies with technology. The course ends with a project where you create an action plan for a business challenge.
Apart from the core courses, you can choose any 3 courses from the following electives:
- The General Manager
- Negotiations and Strategic Decision Making
- Artificial Intelligence
- Blockchain
- Internet of Things
- Global Business Strategy
With this MBA, you will be well-prepared for leadership positions such as medical and health services manager, financial manager, and general manager.
Admission requirements for the program include:
- Two or more years of professional experience.
- Official transcript with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- No GMAT or GRE required.
- CV/ resume.
- Professional statement.
All graduate students at Stuart School of Business are automatically considered for financial aid based on merit and need.
University of Illinois Chicago
Online Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Earn a 100% online AACSB-accredited MBA from the University of Illinois Chicago and gain an advantage in the job market. Apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges and select from highly sought-after concentrations that provide access to career advancements and new opportunities. You can study while maintaining your job, and complete the program in just over a year.
The online MBA program at UIC consists of 42 semester hours, which include 26 hours of core courses and 16 hours of concentration courses and electives.
Core courses of the program include:
- Introduction to Financial Accounting: This course covers principles and concepts of financial accounting needed for preparing and assessing external reports and financial statements.
- Microeconomics for Business Decisions: In this course, you will learn how consumers, businesses, and government allocate resources efficiently. Topics include industry regulation, market structures, ethical considerations, social welfare, and balancing efficiency with equity.
- Introduction to Corporate Finance: Here, you will explore corporate finance principles, including financial goals, the time value of money, investment evaluations, net present value, capital markets, and financing decisions.
- Introduction to Operations Management: In this course, you will understand how to oversee operations in goods and services production and delivery. Topics include business process management, supply chain, inventory control, quality management, and project planning.
- Organizational Behavior: In this course, you will study the dynamics of organizations as social systems. Topics focus on leadership, group behavior, conflict resolution, motivation, and communication within organizations.
Introduction to Marketing: In this course, you will learn about consumer behavior and how businesses respond through planning, pricing, promotion, and product distribution.
Enterprise Strategy: This capstone course integrates previous coursework through problem-solving strategies that address business challenges and strategic decision-making.
You can choose from one of the following concentrations:
- Business Analytics: You will learn to make data-driven decisions to improve business operations, apply managerial strategies, and communicate insights effectively. This concentration also strengthens your foundation in marketing, accounting, and organizational behavior.
- Finance: You will focus on financial principles such as investment analysis, corporate finance strategies, and evaluating fixed-income securities. You will fain further expertise through electives in data analysis, decision science, and human resource management.
- Human Resource Management: This concentration aligns with topics recommended by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), preparing you for SHRM certification. Coursework strengthens your understanding of marketing, accounting, and organizational structures.
- Management: You will be prepared for leadership roles in management, business ownership, executive operations, and consulting. You can further expand your expertise with electives in corporate finance, human resources, and data analytics.
- Marketing: This concentration allows you to develop skills in market trend analysis, consumer behavior research, and strategy creation. This concentration prepares you for roles in advertising, digital marketing, brand management, and market research.
UIC MBA provides pathways into various industries, leadership positions, and business sectors. Graduates secure roles in corporations, startups, finance, marketing, accounting, HR, and operations. Common job titles among graduates include:
- Corporate Accounting Manager
- Assistant Vice President – Underwriting
- Project Manager
- Director of Business
- Business Development Manager
- Sustainability Manager
To apply, ensure you meet the following requirements:
- Undergraduate degree in any field.
- Minimum GPA of 3.00/4.00 or equivalent.
- Tests such as the GMAT or GRE are not required; however, you may submit either the GMAT or GRE.
- English proficiency test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE-Academic).
- Two professional letters of recommendation.
- Personal statement following provided guidelines.
- Resume or CV, with at least two years of professional work experience for MBA applicants.
- Experience may be waived for highly qualified candidates in the Accelerated MBA.
Aurora University
Online Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Earning a 36-credit online MBA from Aurora University can improve your career opportunities and increase your salary potential. Led by faculty members with industry experience, this one year program focuses on key business topics and prepares you to take on leadership roles in your field.
Flexible and convenient courses allow you to manage your studies alongside personal and work responsibilities, helping you complete your degree in as little as one year. Upon graduation, you will be ready to advance your career as a business leader or entrepreneur.
At Aurora University, you will be taught by faculty members who have direct industry experience. The online programs are structured for working professionals and designed to provide flexibility, ensuring you have the necessary support to balance education with a demanding schedule.
In an effort to reduce costs, instructors use open educational resources (OER) whenever possible instead of traditional textbooks.
The online MBA program at Aurora University focuses on essential business topics with courses covering marketing, organizational behavior, leadership, finance, and accounting. You will strengthen your ability to solve problems and work effectively in teams. Faculty members with real-world experience will guide you through the coursework.
Through this MBA program, you will earn a qualification that can prepare you for various industries and roles. The curriculum includes core topics such as leadership, research, marketing, finance, operations, and strategic management. Additionally, you will have 15 elective hours available to choose subjects that align with your career objectives.
Here are some career paths you may consider after earning your MBA:
- Advertising Executive: As an advertising executive, you will develop creative marketing strategies to promote a company’s products and services. This role involves conducting research, generating ideas, and implementing campaigns to maximize effectiveness.
- Brand Specialist: A brand specialist works on shaping a company’s identity. By refining branding strategies and using design principles, you will create a corporate image that connects with the target audience.
- Consultant: As a consultant, you will analyze business operations and structures to recommend changes that enhance efficiency and overall performance. This field can include specialties such as management and technical consulting.
- Entrepreneur: With extensive business training, you will have the knowledge to start and manage your own business. By identifying opportunities in the market, you can build a successful company.
- Marketing Analyst: A marketing analyst examines pricing and market conditions in specific areas to help businesses make informed decisions. This role involves analyzing large amounts of data from online sources, surveys, and reports.
- Sales Manager: As a sales manager, you will oversee a team that focuses on boosting company profits. Responsibilities include setting targets, evaluating performance data, and designing development programs for the team.
Upon completion of your MBA at Aurora, you will have essential skills for leadership roles including:
- Understanding of marketing, including traditional and digital approaches.
- Strong written and verbal communication abilities to improve organizational efficiency.
- Financial and accounting knowledge relevant to leadership positions.
- Problem-solving skills to address complex business challenges.
- Team-building strategies to support workplace collaboration and maintain a strong organizational culture.
Admission requirements include:
- Completed application.
- Professional resume.
- Official transcripts from all previously attended colleges/universities.
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Applicants with GPAs below 3.0 may be considered on a case-by-case basis and must submit a personal statement. Additional recommendation letters or an interview may be required.
Graduate course credit may be transferred for faster degree completion, provided that the credits were earned at a regionally accredited institution with a grade of “B” or higher.