Corporate MBA
World-Class Education in a World-Class City. Designed for international professionals who wish to further their careers by earning their MBA degree from a full-time, in-person AACSB-accredited program in the United States and completing the program within a year.
Why Choose UIC Business Heading link
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Best Value Our No.1 Best Value ranking in Illinois gives you a high-quality education with an affordable investment.
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Powerful Network Our convenient location and 52,000 strong network gives you access to the companies and alumni to help advance your career.
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Top-tier Research University Nearly $500M in annual sponsored research AND Chicago’s only public research university.
Degree-at-a-Glance Heading link
The Corporate MBA Advantages Heading link
- Time efficient: 1 year full-time study, yet full-scale MBA program
- Cohort based program: Builds community and deepens collaborative learning experiences through case studies, business simulations and projects.
- Chicago Location: Enjoy close access to major financial and corporate resources in one of the top ten economically influential cities in the world that serves as a living laboratory for business education.
Corporate MBA Focus Areas Heading link
Business Analytics
Students master the use of data and models for business decisions, and how to leverage ‘big’ data and analytics for competitive advantage. MBA students within the Business Analytics concentration are prepared to meet demand in one of the most rapidly expanding fields in business.
Sample of courses:
- Business Data Mining
- Data Visualization
- Social Media and Network Analysis
- Analytics Strategy and Practice
- Statistical Models and Methods for Business Analytics
Finance
Students gain a better understanding of financial assets and how to manage risks and investments.
Sample of courses:
- Corporate Finance
- Portfolio Analysis
- Financial Decision Making
- Risk Management
Human Resource Management
Aligned with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), this concentration is geared toward students interested in managing the people side of an organization.
Sample Courses:
- Human Resource Management
- Talent Management
- Compensation Administration
- Negotiation
Management
This concentration focuses on mastering the knowledge to lead people and organizations with an understanding of human resource management, strategic management, leadership, managerial skills and logistics.
Sample of courses:
- Competitive Strategy
- Human Resource Management
- Negotiations
- Organizational Design
Management of Healthcare
This track develops the skills needed for innovative healthcare management and cultural awareness to deliver advanced healthcare solutions.
Representative courses include:
- Strategic Management
- Healthcare Economics
- HR Management in Healthcare
- Business Data Visualization
Marketing
Students in this concentration develop a strong understanding of the entire marketing process in business from research and product development to communications planning and measurement.
Sample of courses:
- Marketing Communication and Promotional Strategy
- Marketing Channels Management
- Product Planning
- Services Marketing
Admissions Heading link
Ideal candidates for the CMBA degrees are international young professionals who want to advance their career with an MBA but find it challenging to be away from the workplace for more than one year or those who have newly graduated and are looking for a quality program to further their education.
To be considered for admission to the program, individuals should have:
- A bachelor’s degree with satisfactory grades
- Strong English language skills
- Analytical and quantitative skills and/or professional experience are preferred
- For the FMAM and CED focuses, prior study of calculus and statistics is highly recommended
- For the BA focus, prior study and/or work experience in business, science, engineering, technology or related fields are preferred
These minimum criteria only qualify a candidate for consideration and do not guarantee an offer of admission.
Vivian Ding, CMBA SIM graduate Heading link
“Studying at UIC helped me acquire a wealth of knowledge and skills related to my job, and moreover, the critical thinking and professionalism I learned there have been a real treasure in my life.”
| CMBA SIM graduate
Eugene Chang, CMBA FMAM graduate Heading link
“I strongly recommend the UIC CMBA program, which helped me not only acquire the latest professional skills but also expand my knowledge, establish business contacts, and pursue new opportunities for development in my life.”
| CMBA FMAM graduate
Chi-Hao Chen, CMBA CED graduate Heading link
“With six years of working experience in the futures industry…this program’s systematic training has indeed equipped me with a solid foundation in the core aspects of finance and management. I really enjoyed the CED track and believe the CMBA degree will benefit my future career.”
| CMBA CED graduate
Ya-Ting Yang, CMBA FMAM graduate Heading link
“I acquired up-to-date financial and management skills through UIC’s one-year CMBA program, which greatly enhanced my career and opened up new opportunities.”| CMBA FMAM graduate
Corporate MBA Degree FAQ Heading link
Program Structure
Courses for the CMBA degree are scheduled in a number of modules varying in length over a one-year period. There is one major vacation break at the end of December.
Coursework in the CMBA degree is scheduled to allow students to complete degree requirements within one year. The coursework is tailored to the collective needs of the students.
How do I apply?
Students can apply through the online application portal under UIC admissions, instructed by a sponsoring organization or corporation working in partnership with UIC. Individual applicants should contact cmba@uic.edu
How is it possible to complete the degree program in one year?
The relatively shorter timeframe for the CMBA degree is achieved by making the program somewhat more intensive than the traditional full-time MBA programs and by greatly reducing the amount of vacation time. Instead of four terms of study spread over 16 to 21 months in a typical 2-year program, our program requires a slightly more demanding course load: all degree requirements are met within the one-year program.
Am I eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) after completing my CMBA degree?
CMBA graduates can apply for one-year OPT after the study as long as they have valid F-1 student visa status. For those pursing a joint degree program (ex. CMBA-MSF joint degree), students can apply to receive up to 3-year OPT after graduating from the joint program.
Faculty Voices Heading link
Our faculty not only teaches comprehensive financial theories but also connects them to the current trends in the financial world, ensuring that students are well-prepared to navigate today’s dynamic financial landscape.
| Clin Assoc Prof of Finance
The Corporate MBA degree offers students a tremendous opportunity to learn in a live classroom from excellent faculty and among bright and interesting students from Asia and the US. In addition to receiving a strong educational foundation, students are enriched by the vibrancy of the classroom, their classmates, and the great city of Chicago. The Corporate MBA transforms lives forever.
The CMBA is a special contract-partnership-based MBA program. Students come to our business school with very diverse international backgrounds and rich working experience. They work hard inside and outside the classroom, enriching themselves with business courses, English, American culture, and entrepreneurship. Most then swim back to their home country to serve their communities in pride with our UIC CBA ink.
| Assoc Professor, Managerial Studies Dept