Elmhurst College

Programme overview

The Elmhurst Master of Business Administration is a 30-credit, cohort-based master’s degree offered on campus or online. The curriculum combines six core courses with four electives in a chosen specialization. Most students complete the program in 12–22 months while studying part time; courses run in eight-week terms with an accelerated four-week January term (J-Term).

What you'll study

Students complete six MBA core courses plus four elective courses in one of the program’s specializations. Specialization options listed by the program are:

• Computer Information Technology
• Data Science and Analytics
• Finance
• Generative AI for Business Transformation
• General Management
• Management of People
• Managerial Leadership
• Project Management
• Supply Chain Management

The cohort model emphasizes applied learning, fieldwork and interaction with faculty who have industry experience. On-campus sections typically meet one evening per week (about 6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.); online sections keep class sizes small for individualized attention. An MBA Option (a one-year pathway) is available for students who already hold an Elmhurst master’s degree in another field.

Entry requirements

Applicants submit official college transcripts, a 1,000-word statement of purpose, a current resume, and three professional letters of recommendation. GRE or GMAT scores are not required. Prerequisite coursework includes Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, and Business Finance; if these are missing, the program offers an eight-week preparatory course that can be taken before or during the first MBA term. Movement between on-campus and online cohorts is evaluated case by case.

Career prospects

The program is positioned for professionals from diverse backgrounds—about 40% of students do not hold business undergraduate degrees—and aims to prepare graduates for enhanced managerial, leadership and technical roles aligned with their chosen specialization. Faculty connections, applied projects and a professional cohort network are highlighted as resources to support career progression.

Scholarships & funding angle

The MBA totals 30 credit hours at a listed tuition rate of $920 per credit hour (program tuition $27,600); students should also budget for textbooks and other fees. Elmhurst provides typical graduate financial-aid resources and a program guide; applicants should consult the university’s financial aid office for scholarship, grant and loan opportunities and specifics about additional costs.