Master of Science in Management (iMSM)

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign logo

Master of Science in Management (iMSM)

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Final Summer Deadline: March 6

Start your application or request more info.

Apply

Accredited diploma

Offered by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Taught in English

Engage in group discussions with professors and peers

12-24 months

9 courses total, 36 credit hours of graduate coursework, 10-15 hours per week, per course

100% online

Hands-on learning from anywhere, no travel required

under $13,000

Total cost of the program. Learn about your payment options

Earn a master’s degree in management from the University of Illinois and build fundamental business skills.

As an iMSM student, you will take a series of fundamental management classes covering subjects such as leadership and teams, marketing management, strategic management, and process management, as well as foundational classes in accounting and finance. You will then have the opportunity to customize your degree by taking elective courses focused on business value and project management, global business challenges, or business data management and communication.

iMSM students earn the same education and learn from the same top faculty as on-campus students. Achieve fundamental business knowledge, gain lifelong leadership skills, and build a global network as you work alongside fellow students and faculty.

The iMSM, which is open to students from any undergraduate major, continues the Gies Business tradition of building highly engaging, flexible online programs. The Gies approach offers innovations unique to online learning. Curriculum, content delivery, and engagement are tailored for maximum positive impact for students in ways that go well beyond simply moving an existing residential program online. The hallmarks of Gies’ online programs – including its popular iMBA – are highly engaging online classrooms and skilled, experienced faculty who deliver leading-edge course material.

The iMSM is from Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a historical land-grant public research institution founded in 1867 and acknowledged leader in online education.

Summer/Fall 2025 Deadlines:

  • Summer Deadline: March 6, 2025
  • Fall Priority 1 Deadline: April 3, 2025
  • Fall Priority 2 Deadline: May 1, 2025
  • Fall Final Deadline (August start): June 5, 2025
  • Fall Final Deadline (October start): August 7, 2025

Upcoming Events:

  • Lunch and Learn | February 7, 2025 at 12 PM CT - Register here
  • iDegree Webinar | February 12, 2025 at 5 PM CT - Register here
  • LinkedIn Live with Gies Online | February 14, 2025 at 12 PM CT - Register here

Have questions?

Please contact Gies College of Business at giesonline@illinois.edu.

Upcoming Events

The full Gies Online Events Calendar can be found here.

Final Summer Deadline: March 6

Start your application or request more info.

Apply

Accredited diploma

Offered by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Taught in English

Engage in group discussions with professors and peers

12-24 months

9 courses total, 36 credit hours of graduate coursework, 10-15 hours per week, per course

100% online

Hands-on learning from anywhere, no travel required

under $13,000

Total cost of the program. Learn about your payment options

Accredited diploma

Offered by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Taught in English

Engage in group discussions with professors and peers

Earn a master’s degree in management from the University of Illinois and build fundamental business skills.

As an iMSM student, you will take a series of fundamental management classes covering subjects such as leadership and teams, marketing management, strategic management, and process management, as well as foundational classes in accounting and finance. You will then have the opportunity to customize your degree by taking elective courses focused on business value and project management, global business challenges, or business data management and communication.

iMSM students earn the same education and learn from the same top faculty as on-campus students. Achieve fundamental business knowledge, gain lifelong leadership skills, and build a global network as you work alongside fellow students and faculty.

The iMSM, which is open to students from any undergraduate major, continues the Gies Business tradition of building highly engaging, flexible online programs. The Gies approach offers innovations unique to online learning. Curriculum, content delivery, and engagement are tailored for maximum positive impact for students in ways that go well beyond simply moving an existing residential program online. The hallmarks of Gies’ online programs – including its popular iMBA – are highly engaging online classrooms and skilled, experienced faculty who deliver leading-edge course material.

The iMSM is from Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a historical land-grant public research institution founded in 1867 and acknowledged leader in online education.

Summer/Fall 2025 Deadlines:

  • Summer Deadline: March 6, 2025
  • Fall Priority 1 Deadline: April 3, 2025
  • Fall Priority 2 Deadline: May 1, 2025
  • Fall Final Deadline (August start): June 5, 2025
  • Fall Final Deadline (October start): August 7, 2025

Upcoming Events:

  • Lunch and Learn | February 7, 2025 at 12 PM CT - Register here
  • iDegree Webinar | February 12, 2025 at 5 PM CT - Register here
  • LinkedIn Live with Gies Online | February 14, 2025 at 12 PM CT - Register here

Have questions?

Please contact Gies College of Business at giesonline@illinois.edu.

Upcoming Events

The full Gies Online Events Calendar can be found here.

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Stack your way to an MBA.

Your work in the Master's of Management can stack directly into the iMBA. Upon completion, you'll be eligible to apply all 36 credit hours to the 72-credit-hour iMBA, allowing you to continue building on the knowledge you already gained in the iMSM.

Depending on your career goals, you can continue learning and transition into the iMBA, or you can return at a later time to advance your education. The program's stackability empowers you to grow and build on critical business skills anywhere in your career journey.

Learn more about the iMBA

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Affordable Master's Degree In One Year

  • $11,952 USD tuition total Earn a degree from a top-tier university with the option to later stack into the iMBA.
  • Pay-as-you-go You pay tuition only for courses you're enrolled in. If a scheduling conflict arises, you are free to take a term off and won’t be charged during that term.
  • Financial aid & scholarships Gies College of Business and Coursera have partnered to offer a limited number of competitive scholarships covering 70% of tuition for select students. If you’re a U.S. resident, you may also qualify for student aid.

Advance your career with a master's degree in just one year

  • Build core business skills to help you take that next step in your career whether you're looking to advance in your organization or switch between industries.
  • The iMSM is designed to be versatile where you can pick electives that will pave the path towards your career goals.
  • Throughout the program, you'll build strong communication, management, and problem-solving skills that you can immediately apply in the workplace.

Advance your career

94% overall program satisfaction

In our annual survey, 94% of iMSM graduates rated their educational experience as "Excellent" or "Good," highlighting the program's paramount quality.(2023)

95% use degree learning in their career

iMSM students often tackle real job challenges in projects, seeking advice from peers and faculty. Graduates overwhelmingly report applying their learning effectively in professional settings.(2023)

Average one year completion time

Our flexible iMSM program allows students to set their graduation pace, with most completing their degree in about one year on average.

Versatile degree for all business fields

The Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded 88% of students to end in these business fields, with management and general business making up 48% of the share.

  • Business Management and Administration

  • General Business

  • Accounting

  • Finance

  • Marketing and Marketing Research

Build toward a degree

These courses are part of the degree program. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.¹

¹Successful application and enrollment are required. Eligibility requirements apply. Each institution determines the number of credits recognized by completing this content that may count towards degree requirements, considering any existing credits you may have. Click on a specific course for more information.

News

Embracing Lifelong Learning: Steve's Journey Leads to the University of Illinois

"You're never too old to learn, and never stop learning," Steve advises. Read about his journey with the University of Illinois on Coursera.

December 18, 2024

Illinois Gies Takes Stackability to the Next Level

Gies has masterfully designed a suite of stackable educational degrees, where students can take a course and then apply...

November 11, 2024

Elliott Leading Gies Business Into a New Era of Purpose

W. Brook Elliott becomes the first woman to hold the position as dean of the University of Illinois' Gies College of Business.

November 4, 2024

Paving the Way to a Management Career in One Year Through Gies

Karl Galko made a lasting impact with the short commitment of the iMSM.

May 13, 2024

Frequently asked questions

By combining business knowledge with a degree in the arts and humanities, social sciences, or 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.

Yes, you can start with Specializations and courses on Coursera to try out the asynchronous portions of iMSM coursework before or while you apply.

Upon completion of the iMSM program, students receive a Master of Science in Management degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign – the same degree conferred to on-campus students in the MSM program.