Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Master of Business Administration (MBA) For Professionals from International Settings

FROM THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR The MBA Program at the University of Illinois at Chicago: Where Theory meets Practice. Building on our strengths as a major research university and our location near the heart of Chicago s business district, the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at the University of Illinois (UIC) offers you the opportunity to learn the latest business theories in an environment where the application and practice of business are closely integrated into your studies. The City of Chicago provides not only a stimulating living environment, but also a living laboratory for the study of business. Students in UIC s MBA program engage in case studies, business simulations, and projects. They propose new companies and compete for venture capital support, including in UIC s own C2V event. They not only learn about business, they learn how to apply their knowledge to business. Since 1996 UIC s College of Business Administration has offered its MBA program in a time-efficient 12-month format tailored specifically for the needs of international managers from Asia. To date, more than 2000 individuals have earned their MBA degrees from UIC through this program, which combines the high quality educational and experiential components of the traditional program with a mission to advance international students understanding of western business practices and culture. Our alumni tell me that they return to their careers better able to bridge cultural divides and capable of understanding both Asian and Western business practices and thinking. They have grown both intellectually and personally. T he University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) is a major research university located in the heart of one of the world's greatest cities. Growing numbers of students are attracted to UIC, and they reflect the global character of Chicago. UIC's student body-approximately 60 percent undergraduate and 40 percent graduate and professional-is recognized as one of the nation's most diverse. In fact, more than one third of UIC students speak English as a second language. The university considers this diversity among its greatest strengths. UIC's hallmark is its Great Cities Commitment through which UIC faculty, staff and students engage in hundreds of programs with community, corporate, government and civic partners to improve the quality of life in Chicago and other metropolitan areas around the world. The UIC College of Business Administration (CBA) and Liautaud Graduate School of Business, accredited by the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), offer graduate programs in accounting, business administration, management information systems, and real estate. The curriculum provides a strong academic background in the functional areas of business and advanced courses in a variety of fields to CBA students, who go on to successful positions after graduation. The faculty members have degrees from elite colleges and universities. They are practitioners and scholars, executives and teachers, researchers and consultants; and they bring extensive business experience and knowledge to the classroom. The MBA Program for International Managers truly offers a world-class education in a world-class city. We welcome your interest and look forward to receiving your application. With my very best wishes, Shari Holmer Lewis, Ph.D. Assistant Dean and Director 2

FIRST-RATE EDUCATION The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) is one of three campuses of the University of Illinois and the largest university in the Chicago area. UIC is ranked among the top 50 American research universities, placing it in the highest one percent of the more than 4,000 colleges and universities in the United States. UIC s colleges of Business Administration, Engineering, Nursing and Urban Planning and Public Affairs all offer programs ranked among the top in the nation. UIC is among the first universities in the United States to offer an intensive, 12-month MBA program to carefully selected groups of international managers and executives from Asia. UIC Facts: Over 28,000 students, about 40 percent in graduate and professional programs Over 11,000 full-time faculty, administrative, professional, and support staff 15 colleges, including the nation s largest medical school 74 bachelor s degree programs; 77 master s degree programs; 60 doctoral programs $1.95 billion operating budget, plus annual research expenditures exceeding $290 million UIC Ranking High Impact Universities ranks UIC 53rd in the world The U.S. National Research Council (NSC) survey ranks UIC the top 60 in the U.S. Times Higher Education ranks UIC 72nd among U.S. universities and 191th worldwide Top 200 universities globally 50th in the U.S. in the 2013 QS World University rankings 3

College of Business Administration Master of Business Administration The College of Business Administration (CBA) at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), in collaboration with the Office of US-Asia Executive Development Program, offers a 12-month Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree program. The MBA degree is designed to give individuals a strong background in general management. In addition to having general knowledge and skills, managers need to be able to think strategically about the allocation of resources and to make decisions under conditions of uncertainty. The program comprises six core courses and a set of advanced courses. Core courses (26 credit hours) cover essential knowledge in the functional areas of business. They include: Introduction to Financial Accounting Microeconomics for Business Decisions Introduction to Corporate Finance Introduction to Operations Management Organizational Behavior Introduction to Marketing Enterprise Strategy Advanced courses (minimum of 28 credit hours) are customized based on the focus of each group. Three areas of focus are available: Financial Markets and Risk Management [FMRM] Banking Concentration [BKG] Strategic and International Management [IM] Experiential Learning At UIC, experiential learning opportunities and resources provide MBA students with knowledge and skills that they need to compete in the global marketplace. These experiences are the cornerstone of our curriculum. Students will learn through not only case studies and individual or team projects, but also business simulations, consulting projects, market research, role-plays, and business plan competitions. Examples of experiential learning include: Concept2Venture (C2V) is UIC s annual business plan competition in which students who choose to participate develop and grow new ventures based on either their own ideas and technologies or those developed by faculty and alumni. Winning teams go on to compete at national business plan competitions. Some teams even launched start-ups they created through the program. Consulting projects at the request of the Chicago business community, in which students gain specific skills and knowledge in the management of a real business. Business simulation programs are widely acclaimed by professionals and business schools around the world. Such web-based, international simulations, like Markstrat and the Stanford Bank Game, are incorporated into courses to provide students with insights into dynamic market realities and develop their skills in making a wide array of strategic decisions. CANDIDATE CRITERIA Bachelor s degree with satisfactory grades Strong English, analytical, and quantitative skills Professional experience (3+ years preferred) Study of calculus/statistics (preferred for FMRM program) Minimum criteria do not guarantee an offer of admission RANKINGS College of Business Administration ranked #1 for faculty scholarly output by The Chronicle of Higher Education Graduate finance program ranked 19 th by US News & World Report Graduate entrepreneurship program ranked Top 10 by Entrepreneur magazine and the Princeton Review 4

MBA in Financial Markets and Risk Management [FMRM] The MBA program with a focus in Financial Markets and Risk Management (FMRM) is designed to further the careers of financial professionals by enhancing their understanding of financial markets, risk management, and the operation of financial institutions in a dynamic global economy. Drawing on the resources of the financial community of Chicago, the program provides up-to-date knowledge in the theory and practice of financial markets and risk management. This program derives a unique advantage from its prime location in the city of Chicago, which is home to the world s largest options exchange, the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE); the world s largest futures exchanges, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Group (CME); and the third largest stock exchange in the United States, the Chicago Stock Exchange (CSE). In addition to these institutions, large multinational securities and futures firms all have offices in the city. This environment provides students with many opportunities to interact with leading experts in the industry and to become acquainted with the most advanced technology in the field. FMRM Advanced Courses are a minimum of 28 credit hours; representative courses include: Investments Portfolio Analysis Equities Futures Options Fixed Income Securities Risk Management Applied Portfolio Management Wealth Management Statistics for Financial Markets and Risk Management Business Ethics Financial Statement Analysis Managerial Communications Strategic Management MBA in Banking [BKG] The MBA program with a focus in Banking (BKG) is designed to enhance students understanding of financial the operation of financial institutions in a dynamic global economy. Drawing on the resources of the financial community of Chicago, the programs provide up-to-date knowledge in the theory and practice of financial markets, risk management, and banking. This program derives a unique advantage from its prime location in the city of Chicago, which is home to the Chicago Federal Reserve Bank, other major domestic and foreign banks, large multinational securities, and futures firms. This environment provides students with many opportunities to interact with leading experts in the industry and to become acquainted with the most advanced technology in the field. BKG Advanced Courses are a minimum of 28 credit hours; representative courses include: Business Law Commercial Banking Fixed Income Securities Human Resource Management International Marketing International Monetary System International Strategy Macro and International Economics Management Accounting Managerial Communications Negotiations Portfolio Analysis Risk Management Strategic Management MBA in Strategic and International Management [IM] The MBA program with a focus in Strategic and International Management seeks to foster an understanding of American business practices and culture together with knowledge of the core functional areas of business and to allow students to develop their judgment and ability in applying this knowledge in a global business environment. Ideal candidates for the MBA for International Managers program are young professionals who have already begun their careers and find it difficult to be away from the workplace for more than one year. IM Advanced Courses are a minimum of 28 credit hours; representative courses include: International Management International Marketing International Strategy Managerial Communications Business Ethics Commercial Transactions Entrepreneurship Global Leadership Human Resources Management Logistics Management Macro and International Economics Marketing Strategy Negotiation Strategy Strategic Management 5

Prime Location - Chicago As the third largest city in the U.S., Chicago offers Midwestern hospitality, cosmopolitan sophistication, and diversity. The city is known for its affordability, world-class cultural offerings, dining, and its role as one of the major financial centers in the U.S. QUALITY OF LIFE Affordable cost of living, lower than New York, Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Miami, and many other cities in the U.S. 33 beaches and 28 miles of scenic shoreline along Lake Michigan Accessibility to many outdoor activities in public parks World-renowned symphony orchestra, opera, theater and dance Over 40 museums and exhibitions open to the public 10 professional sports teams CENTRAL LOCATION World s 2nd busiest airport with an average of 2,400 flights per day Non-stop air to 148 U.S. and 57 international destinations Connections to more North American industry within 2-day drive Intersection of all six Class-One North American railroads World s 5th largest intermodal container port North American hub of fiber-optic telecom 6

STRONG AND DIVERSE ECONOMY Chicago generates an estimated annual gross regional product (GRP) of $500 billion, just ahead of Belgium and Sweden. It offers significant job opportunities in a wide range of industries. It is a leader in professional and business services, financial services, manufacturing, wholesale trade, transportation and warehousing, educational services, and religious, grant-making, civic/professional organizations. It is home to numerous corporate headquarters, including around thirty Fortune 500, ten Fortune Global 500, and ten Financial Times Global 500 companies FROM A PROMINENT ALUMNUS At UIC I learned the importance of the team in decision making.... I learned to understand the critical role of the market. UIC also made me a strong and confident person. It gave me the courage to move to the auto industry from the government. Mr. Fu Shoujie, MBA 2000, Chairman of Honda Guangzhou 7

Accredited by AACSB International The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business Less than 5 percent of the world s business school have achieved AACSB accreditation, which involves a process of rigorous internal review and evaluation plus external validation. An AACSB accredited MBA programs meets high standards of quality in the students they accept, in the faculty who teach, in the subject content of the curriculum, in the teaching techniques they utilize. Contacts: Corporate MBA Programs 815 W Van Buren Street, Suite 410 Chicago, IL 60607 Email: cmba@uic.edu 2013UIC Corporate MBA Programs All rights reserved