Western Illinois University

Programme overview

Western Illinois University’s Master of Business Administration is a 33-hour graduate program delivered entirely online through the Western Online platform (D2L). The degree accepts applicants from business and non-business undergraduate backgrounds; students without prior business coursework may be assigned additional foundation classes in consultation with the MBA director. The program is AACSB accredited and uses 8-week online modules intended to let students take two non-overlapping courses per semester. Multiple entry points are available throughout the year.

What you'll study

The core MBA curriculum comprises 33 hours of graduate coursework. Specific preparatory or deficiency courses may be required for students who lack prior study in business; areas identified for possible additional work include accounting, finance, economics, and statistics. The program also offers concentrations in several areas, including analytics, finance, supply chain management, and health services administration. Courses are taught by faculty with both academic and business experience.

Entry requirements

Admissions decisions are based on academic record and professional experience. Applicants should apply online and request official transcripts to be sent to the School of Graduate Studies. A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is expected, or a 3.0 over the last two years of undergraduate study. Candidates with cumulative GPAs below 3.0 may still be considered if they provide additional materials demonstrating graduate readiness; acceptable supplemental documentation can include official GMAT or GRE scores, evidence of substantial relevant professional experience, or professional certifications such as CPA, CFA, or PMP. The program operates rolling admissions with five start terms: January, March, June, August, and October.

Career prospects

Graduates hold a variety of management and leadership roles across industries. Typical positions reported by alumni include Chief Executive Officer, Director of Operations, Finance Manager, Technology Director, Business Development Manager, Operations Manager, Project Manager, and Human Resource Manager, among others.

Scholarships & funding angle

The programme page does not list specific scholarships. Prospective students should consult Western Illinois University’s central financial aid and scholarships offices and the College of Business & Technology for available funding, graduate assistantships, or external scholarship opportunities to help offset program costs.