Illinois/Coursera Online MBA

pawar 9

1 2

Posted Nov 20, 2015 07:52

Can anybody add some information about the Online MBA from Coursera and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign? I am seriously considering doing this program because I need an MBA and don't have a lot of budget. Plus, it does not require the GMAT so that would be one less thing to worry about.

How does this program compare to other low cost MBAs? I have found affordable values at University of Louisiana Monroe, Ball State University, and the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, and even British schools like Bradford. The Coursera program would be around $20,000 in total, and these other programs are in this price range. The one in Louisiana would be less investment.

Would I have any career opportunities after this program? I don't have very much of a network and this is one thing that I need to develop in order to move forward in my career.

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Duncan

1.173 1.016

Posted Nov 20, 2015 10:35

Given the early stage, I don't think there's much more to add. The iMBA "involves active faculty involvement and other closely monitored interactions" so the educational support might be similar to those other programmes. Considering the much higher quality of the Ilinois MBA, it's a good investment.

I suggest you ask about career services. It looks as if all MBA students get the same access to services (https://business.illinois.edu/bcs/students/mba/) but in practice I imagine that the team will get no extra resources to help iMBA students and will want to limit them to online resources in I-Link.

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laurie

114 48

Posted Nov 23, 2015 10:17

This is an interesting experiment, especially since it includes hands-on case studies. It's not clear though what these entail - if they were with real businesses that would be a potential in with an employer.

Good suggestion from Duncan on asking the school about career services. My sense is that with this as with the other low-cost programs you mentioned, career resources will not be as robust as that offered for students in full-time MBAs.

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pawar 9

1 2

Posted Nov 25, 2015 11:29

Thank you. I will ask the school about career services.

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Andy_B

4 7

Posted Aug 08, 2016 20:56

how do you compare Bradford vs Illinois?
Bradford business school is ranked 42 in Europe while Illinois university is ranked ca 42 in the World. Which brand worth more in Continental Europe (for example, Germany) and which in the USA?

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donho199

27 24

Posted Aug 09, 2016 07:04

Illinois>>>Bradford, Illinois is a world-class university, Bradford is a regional England school

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Andy_B

4 7

Posted Aug 16, 2016 16:40

[quote]Illinois>>>Bradford, Illinois is a world-class university, Bradford is a regional England school[/quote]
Thanks for your answer.
Do you think that Illinois as a brand worth more in Europe then Bradford? I was wondering about which brad worth more in the eyes of "common citizen of Europe", so I have asked some of my friends from different countries within Continental Europe.
Typical answer: probably, one is average British University and other is average American.
But most value British educational system higher then American.
What do you think?

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duendemba

1 1

Posted Nov 12, 2016 20:21

Well, since I've been doing some of the business courses on Coursera and edX, I also got that iMBA email and really wanted to like it, but for some reason, after checking their YouTube channel and watching most of the videos relating to the program, I felt zero motivation towards it. Using that same approach, I found the Bradford videos on their channel to also leave a lot to be desired. Warwick, Imperial and Durham seem to have at least produced video presentations I liked. Not a very scientific approach, I know, but for me it has its importance.

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Duncan

1.173 1.016

Posted Nov 13, 2016 11:23

But Illinois is not an average US university. It's one of the Big Ten.

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Andy_B

4 7

Posted Dec 05, 2016 21:21

[quote]But Illinois is not an average US university. It's one of the Big Ten.[/quote]
Is it known in Europe?
I wonder if I go to interview and show them ranking where Illinois is on top, will it helps me to get a job?
Someone tell that ESCP is vel known in France but concidered only as "in top 20" in Germany

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Duncan

1.173 1.016

Posted Dec 07, 2016 02:23

In Germany you will also need to explain Bradford. Study at a German-region school if you want to work in Germany. That said the point about motivation is also important.

[Edited by Duncan on Dec 07, 2016]

In Germany you will also need to explain Bradford. Study at a German-region school if you want to work in Germany. That said the point about motivation is also important.

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Andy_B

4 7

Posted Dec 07, 2016 13:31

[quote]In Germany you will also need to explain Bradford. Study at a German-region school if you want to work in Germany. That said the point about motivation is also important.[/quote]
BTW, what would you say about quality of education at Illinois iMBA?

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Duncan

1.173 1.016

Posted Dec 10, 2016 01:57

Search the board.

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laurie

114 48

Posted Dec 13, 2016 18:40

[quote][quote]In Germany you will also need to explain Bradford. Study at a German-region school if you want to work in Germany. That said the point about motivation is also important.[/quote]
BTW, what would you say about quality of education at Illinois iMBA?[/quote]
To paraphrase from other insight here: it's still very new so relatively unknown, but it's a great school and the quality of the education should be very good. It's not clear what kind (if any) career support will be offered.

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