New Master of Science in Management Degree Program at Illinois

The Department of Business Administration in the College of Business at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign will launch a new Master of Science in Management (MSM) degree program with its first cohort to begin summer 2018. Applications are now open for this program, which will provide a valuable entry point in business for recent graduates, as well as those working in arts, humanities, and nonprofit sectors. “This program opens up business education opportunities to whole new set of students who may not consider going through the traditional MBA route,” said Jeffrey R. Brown, Josef and Margot Lakonishok Professor of Business and Dean of the College of Business at Illinois. “This MSM degree is another example of how the College of Business at Illinois keeps the needs of students and the business community at the forefront of our educational mission. It’s another way that the College is continually innovating ways to ensure that business education opportunities are available to all.” The MSM program was developed to meet particularly the needs of students from non-business and non-STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) backgrounds who want to enhance their competitive edge in the career marketplace. Lasting just under a year, the MSM degree program will enable students to complete their studies and enter the job market quickly. Each cohort in the MSM program begins in June and completes the degree the following May. “The university experience is about following your passion,” said Dilip Chhajed, executive director of master’s programs in the Department of Business Administration. “In-depth study of business or history or music or sociology make universities vibrant, active places of intellectual pursuit. For those without a business background who decide that they’d now like the skills and capabilities necessary for a successful career in business, the MSM helps achieve those goals. The MSM program will be experiential, providing regular exposure to hands-on and long-term projects that take the lessons from classroom and apply them to real problems in the real world. The program will build on the strong analytic and comprehension skills students gained as undergraduates, and it will provide them with access to unique opportunities at the University of Illinois. “Learning the language of business can open up many doors in the corporate as well as nonprofit enterprises. In addition, the program will be extremely useful for those who want to start their own business,” said Chhajed. “Having the resources for entrepreneurship opportunities across campus is something that really sets Illinois apart. Graduates of the MSM program at Illinois will come away with a global mindset coupled with strong critical thinking skills. They will be leaders with strong experience with entrepreneurial innovation, teamwork, ethics, and communication. They will have a deep appreciation for using business tools to make decisions, solve problems creatively, and formulate successful strategy. Graduates of the program will be well prepared to begin successful careers in a variety of functions—such as sales, analysts, and consultants—where a strong background as an innovator, collaborator, problem solver, and leader will be desired. Applications are now open for the Master of Science in Management program. To learn more or to apply, please visit business.illinois.edu/MSM.