iMSM Frequently Asked Questions
Will my degree say 'online'?
No, neither your diploma or your transcript will indicate the program was completed online. You will earn a Master of Science in Management from Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
What is the time commitment per week?
Most learners report spending 10-15 hours per class, per week. The course load is flexible – you can take one or two courses at a time, or skip a term depending on your capacity.
Should I apply to the iMSM or the iMBA program?
The iMBA offers a combination of practical business management mastery and theoretical knowledge typically over the course of 2-3 years. The average age of an iMBA student is 37 with an average of 11 years work experience. If you are in your career and desire a program that can be completed in one year, the iMSM will help you accelerate your career by providing a foundation of fundamental business management skills.
Admissions FAQs
Do I have to take the GMAT or GRE to apply?
A GMAT or GRE score is not required for admission to the Gies iMSM program. You may choose to submit a score as part of your application, but it is at your discretion, and you are not penalized if you choose not to do so.
Do I need to have an undergraduate degree?
In order to be considered for admission to the degree program, you must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in the United States or an equivalent degree from an accredited institution in another country.
If you earned your degree(s) from outside the United States, please refer to the Graduate College for academic requirements by country.
Learners who have not completed an undergraduate degree may apply for admission through our Performance-based Admissions Track. Applicants pursuing this pathway should address within their application why they are choosing to pursue a graduate degree vs. a bachelor’s and have strong work experience to support their request.
Is work experience required?
No, work experience is not required for the iMSM.
What if I don’t meet the minimum academic performance requirements?
If you’re concerned your profile might not be strong enough for admission, we encourage you to consider our Performance-based Admissions Track – a pathway program into the full degree.
Can course credits be transferred into the iMSM program?
If your coursework meets all of the following requirements, you may submit a transfer credit request form within your Gies Online application. A copy of the syllabus and transcripts must be included to be fully considered. Meeting the below requirements does not guarantee approval.
- Institution must be AACSB accredited
- Course(s) cannot have been previously applied toward a degree or other transcripted credential
- Course(s) must have been taken at the graduate level
- Course(s) must have been completed within the past 4 years
- Student must have earned an A- or better
- A maximum of 12 credit hours will be approved for transfer
Can somebody who is not a US citizen or permanent resident apply?
Yes, we welcome applicants from all over the world. In fact, more than 90 countries are represented across our online programs. Please note that we cannot sponsor your visa for a stay in the United States.
Do I need to do an interview?
All learners admitted into the iMSM program go through a synchronous Zoom interview with a member of the admissions team or alumni of the program. Once your application has been submitted, our team will complete an initial review and notify you via email if you have been selected for an interview.
Can the application fee be waived?
There is incentive to apply early during the priority 1 and 2 deadline periods where the application fee is waived. Reach out to us if you have a hardship or cannot provide the application fee during the final deadline period.
Do I need to take TOEFL or IELTS to apply?
If you are a non-native English speaker or do not meet one of the Graduate College’s English proficiency exemptions, you will need to upload your TOEFL, IETLS, or Duolingo scores directly to your application. If you do not have scores and do not meet an exemption, you may also upload an essay requesting an exemption. Please note that if your test scores fall within the limited status range, you will be admitted to the Performance-based Admissions Track (PAT) program to satisfy the English proficiency requirement.
Tuition FAQs
What are the tuition and fees for the iMSM degree?
When you register and take an iMSM course for the Fall 2024 - Summer 2025 Academic Year, you will pay the University of Illinois a tuition of $347 per credit hour effective Fall 2024. This would make a 4-credit hour course $1,388 and a 2-credit hour course $694.
Estimated Expenses for 2024 - 2025 Academic Year:
- Credit hours required: 36
- Cost per credit hour: $347
- Total tuition: $12,492*
The iMSM program is an approved cost-recovery and self-supporting program. Students in such programs are not eligible to receive tuition and fee waivers except statutory waivers.
*Annual inflation rate adjustments to tuition possible. Additional costs for case packets may be incurred. Student participation in immersion, alumni, and networking events are not included.
Will I be required to purchase textbooks and other teaching materials?
Most learning materials are included in the cost of tuition. Occasionally, you will need to purchase a text book or case study. If so, this will be indicated in the course syllabus.
Does the program offer fellowships or financial aid?
The iMSM program currently offers limited financial aid.
Domestic students may be eligible for federal financial aid. Many of our students have had success securing funding through a third party or through their employer.
Please refer to the Office of Student Financial Aid for more information.
How will I be billed for tuition payments?
You will be assessed tuition by the University of Illinois and receive a bill for tuition from the University. Please refer to the University Bursar for information regarding your options for tuition payment.
What if I cannot pay my tuition fee in one single payment?
The University of Illinois offers payment plan options. Please refer the University Bursar page for more information.
Program FAQs
Will I have to come to campus at any point for this degree?
No. This is a 100% online management degree. However, we do offer immersion, meetups, and company visits around the world that you are welcome to join.
How long does it take to complete the iMSM? The iMBA?
Students can complete the 36-credit-hour iMSM in as little as a year. However, the flexibility of the degree allows learners to self-pace and take up to 24 months. The iMBA is a two-year, 72-credit-hour program.
What is the average credit load per semester?
The average is 8 credit hours per semester - which is generally two courses. However, the course load is flexible – you can take one or two courses, or skip a term depending on your capacity.
How are iMSM courses different than typical Coursera MOOC courses?
iMSM credit-bearing courses consist of a high engagement component and a Coursera MOOC component. The high-engagement component for each iMSM course provides the ability for University of Illinois faculty to deliver weekly live classes during which you can ask questions and interact with your peers.
Moreover, Illinois faculty and teaching assistants provide feedback on submitted assignments, projects, and exams. The typical Coursera MOOC course, on the other hand, consists of on demand videos, reading materials, and basic quiz questions that are peer graded.
If I take iMSM courses for free on Coursera and then enroll either in the iMSM program or the for-credit iMSM course, will the coursework I took for free count towards credit?
No, if you take classes for free, we have no way of verifying your identity. As a result, your coursework will not count toward earning credit.
If I earn a verified certificate for an iMSM course on Coursera and then enroll in a for-credit iMSM course, will the coursework I took on Coursera count toward earning academic credit?
If you take iMSM coursework on Coursera with a verified certificate, your work will be transferred over and count towards the requirements of the for-credit portion of that particular iMSM course.
Do I have to take the Coursera MOOC courses and the high-engagement portion at the same time?
No. You can complete Coursera MOOC courses prior to completing the high-engagement course. Any assignments that were only peer or auto graded for the Coursera MOOC courses can be submitted later to the high-engagement component for consideration by the faculty and staff to satisfy the requirements of the credit bearing courses. (For traditional face-to-face courses, this is analogous to auditing a course and then later taking the course and handing in any assignments the student completed while auditing the course.)
What career options will I have with this degree?
By combining business management knowledge with a degree in the arts and humanities, social sciences, and other non-business majors, you can achieve greater earning power and gain a competitive advantage. Career opportunities include management, consulting, analytics, entrepreneurship, and other high-demand jobs.
Learn more about the potential career impact of the Gies iMSM.
