One of the questions that advisors in Gies College of Business often get from parents is, “Would business grad school be a good investment for a recent undergraduate?”
Based on the experience of Gies students, the answer is yes. We have many alumni who came to our programs with undergraduate degrees in areas such as psychology, political science, and biology who are now working in a variety of fields in major companies across the country.
And you don’t need to have a business undergraduate degree to look to Gies Business for graduate school. In fact, for students from non-business degree programs who are unsure of what they want to do – or if they want to switch careers – business programs can provide options.
At Gies Business, our Master of Science in Management (MSM) program provides fundamental business skills that build upon an undergraduate education. Students can specialize in highly sought-after areas like data analytics, marketing, global business, and finance. Our Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) is designed for students of all academic backgrounds – an undergraduate accounting degree is not required. Students develop skills to excel in a competitive job market.
Either of these programs can be taken either on campus in a traditional residential format, or completely online.
Gies Business offers a number of other residential programs that are designed for students from a variety of backgrounds, including an undergraduate degree in business. These programs can enhance students’ business skills in such areas as accounting, business analytics, finance, and technology management.
Many of these programs can be completed in a year or less. Students can develop the skills they need to really stand out in the job market while they investigate their career options. The strong career services students receive helps them target their career path and ensures they put their best foot forward in all their job search efforts. And we have a wide array of scholarships available.
All in all, a graduate degree in business provides several distinct benefits for recent graduates:
- More job opportunities in high demand fields
- An extra year of intensive career services support and real-world experience to hone professional interests
- Strong placement, and high salaries, demonstrating a strong return on the education investment
- A more competitive edge in the job market
- Business degree will complement their non-business UG degree
Parent Webinar
Whether your student is graduating in 2021 or still has a few years left, it is not too early to learn more about their options. Join us for an informational webinar on Tuesday, February 16, at noon US Central Time. We will share information about graduate education and its value to your student’s career.
Learn more at go.gies.illinois.edu/ParentWebinar.
Questions? Contact us at grad@business.illinois.edu, and one of our staff will get back to you. And be sure to visit us at giesbusiness.illinois.edu/grad to learn more.