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Students who are currently earning a master’s degree at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign outside of Gies College of Business can receive a second graduate degree from Gies Business in conjunction with their primary degree. In as little as nine months, you can combine your passion for academic disciplines like engineering, human resources, law, advertising, architecture, healthcare, and social work with your interest in business.

Students who apply for the Gies+ scholarship are eligible to receive a $10,000 tuition discount once they are admitted into one of the participating Gies Business programs.

Gies+ Participating Programs

MS in Business Analytics (MSBA)

In the STEM-designated MS in Business Analytics program, students develop key skills through a strong integration of business application area expertise such as finance, information systems, and accountancy, and data science skills. Graduates will leverage business analytics methods and tools to solve complex business problems. This is a nine-month program.

MS in Management (MSM)

The STEM-designated MS in Management is designed for any major including non-business/non-technical majors. This degree helps students learn the fundamental business management skills with specializations in areas like data analytics, marketing, global business, and finance. This is a nine-month program.

MS in Technology Management (MSTM) 

The MS in Technology Management is a STEM-designated degree that prepares graduates and professionals with the skills to manage technological change and enhance business performance. This is a business degree, not a technical degree. This is a one-year program.

Gies+ Benefits

  • $10,000 tuition discount
  • No application fee
  • Reduced application requirements - No GMAT/GRE* or letter of reference required

*The GMAT or GRE is not required for any of these applications, however, submitting a score if you are applying to the MSBA or MSTM programs does give us better insight into your potential success in the program and can strengthen your application. Please note that the admission committee reserves the right to request GRE/GMAT reports if we are unable to make the admission decisions based on what you have submitted.  

Gies+ Scholarship Requirements

  • You must be currently enrolled in another master’s degree (outside of Gies College of Business) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
  • Students can complete the two degrees one of two ways: (a) Suspend their primary program (if approved by that program) for the year it takes to complete one of these Gies Business degrees, or (b) complete the primary program and then enroll if admitted. Degrees will be conferred separately.
  • The Gies Business graduate degree must be earned during or immediately following the completion of the primary master’s degree. Candidates who leave the university and come back are not eligible for this discount.

How to Apply

  • Email grad@business.illinois.edu to request the “Gies Plus discount application fee waiver code.” Make sure you list this code in your application before submitting in order for the fee to be waived.
  • Apply to the MSBA, MSM, or MSTM program
  • For letters of references, please list the following people as references. Here is the information needed:
    • Lorena Nicholas, 217-244-6550, lorenan@illinois.edu, Director, Business Grad Programs; Relationship - referrer
    • Jia Xing, 217-333-2886, jiaxing2@illinois.edu, Associate Director, business Grad Programs; Relationship - referrer
    • Myra Kaufman, 217-244-7602, grad@business.illinois.edu, Associate Director, Business Graduate Programs; Relationship - referrer
  • You only need to complete the personal statement and upload your résumé. No other essays are required. If the system prompts you for extra essays, you can upload a blank Word document.

Questions?

Contact us at grad@business.illinois.edu. We are here to help you make the most of your career!

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