Coursera + University of Illinois = IMSM - MS in Management

[bjcheung77]

What caught my eye after looking at Coursera for their Master degree partnerships was this degree from U of Illinois!
They have several offerings such as their IMBA and so on, all of them are above $20K, this one is half price!
Basically, $10,872 - 1 year to complete, 10-15 hrs per week per class, 36 credit hours, Completely online

Here's a cut and paste from their FAQ here at the bottom under the overview: https://www.coursera.org/degrees/ms-management-illinois

Upon completion of the iMSM program, students receive an MSM degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign – the same degree conferred to on-campus students in the MSM program. At the end of their iMSM coursework, students will have the option to pursue an MBA if they so choose.

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, Gies College of Business is fully accredited through AACSB.  Yes, you can get started with Specializations and courses on Coursera to try out the asynchronous portions of iMSM coursework before or while you apply.

[nomaduser]

Yes, but this program is not too easy to get in. You'll need three letters of recommendations from legitimate employers. This means you have to get a managerial job position.
Also, a very strong personal essay is required.

[Dumber]

Yes, but this program is not too easy to get in. You'll need three letters of recommendations from legitimate employers. This means you have to get a managerial job position.
Also, a very strong personal essay is required.

Very unnecessary requirements especially if one is an immigrant or not privileged.

[bjcheung77]

Yeah, before I did the post, I thought I read about this before and also did a search for IMSM and even Illinois, only thing showing on this board was the IMBA. Anyways, this was in fact talked about before.... but on the sister board, lol. I knew I remembered something about this before... https://www.degreeinfo.com/index.php?thr...nly.57136/

[MNomadic]

Yes, but this program is not too easy to get in. You'll need three letters of recommendations from legitimate employers. This means you have to get a managerial job position.
Also, a very strong personal essay is required.

I'm not sure you're looking at the Illinois MS in Management that BJ posted. Here's the admissions page. 

3. Personal Statement
Your personal statement should answer the following questions:

• Describe your long-term and short-term career goals of earning an iMSM.
  
  
• Discuss why you think you are the ideal fit for this program.
  
  
• Tell us what you value most in your learning experience.
  

Please keep this to 1,000 words or less, and double-spaced.
4. References
Your two references should be from an academic and/or professional source, like a professor whose course you've taken or a supervisor/manager you've reported to in a role. An optional third reference may also be submitted.
6. Essay (Optional):

You can write an optional essay to elaborate on one of the following:

• If you do not believe that your test score or grades demonstrate your true capabilities of if there are any gaps in your academic career and work experience, which the Admissions Committee should know about.
  
  
• If would like to highlight something that you could not address in other areas of the application.
  

No where does it say you NEED to have 3 letters of recommendation from employers or that you have to hold management positions. Just 2 references and they can be from college sources or employment sources.

It requires a relatively short personal statement with an OPTIONAL essay.

---

Yes, but this program is not too easy to get in. You'll need three letters of recommendations from legitimate employers. This means you have to get a managerial job position.
Also, a very strong personal essay is required.

Very unnecessary requirements especially if one is an immigrant or not privileged.

What does being an immigrant or being privileged have to do with the admissions criteria?

[Dumber]

Yes, but this program is not too easy to get in. You'll need three letters of recommendations from legitimate employers. This means you have to get a managerial job position.
Also, a very strong personal essay is required.

I'm not sure you're looking at the Illinois MS in Management that BJ posted. Here's the admissions page. 

3. Personal Statement
Your personal statement should answer the following questions:

• Describe your long-term and short-term career goals of earning an iMSM.
  
  
• Discuss why you think you are the ideal fit for this program.
  
  
• Tell us what you value most in your learning experience.
  

Please keep this to 1,000 words or less, and double-spaced.
4. References
Your two references should be from an academic and/or professional source, like a professor whose course you've taken or a supervisor/manager you've reported to in a role. An optional third reference may also be submitted.
6. Essay (Optional):

You can write an optional essay to elaborate on one of the following:

• If you do not believe that your test score or grades demonstrate your true capabilities of if there are any gaps in your academic career and work experience, which the Admissions Committee should know about.
  
  
• If would like to highlight something that you could not address in other areas of the application.
  

No where does it say you NEED to have 3 letters of recommendation from employers or that you have to hold management positions. Just 2 references and they can be from college sources or employment sources.

It requires a relatively short personal statement with an OPTIONAL essay.

---

Yes, but this program is not too easy to get in. You'll need three letters of recommendations from legitimate employers. This means you have to get a managerial job position.
Also, a very strong personal essay is required.

Very unnecessary requirements especially if one is an immigrant or not privileged.

What does being an immigrant or being privileged have to do with the admissions criteria?

Everything, because the people who can least afford the expensive programs are now cornered into the more costly programs. It is why people of colour and underprivileged are not in many professions because they first have to gain employment (which is not easy for many for reasons beyond their control) and then be articled. This cheap program just disadvantaged many people who can least afford to be disadvantaged.

[ss20ts]

[quote pid='317766' dateline='1599657882']


Very unnecessary requirements especially if one is an immigrant or not privileged.

What does being an immigrant or being privileged have to do with the admissions criteria?

Everything, because the people who can least afford the expensive programs are now cornered into the more costly programs. It is why people of colour and underprivileged are not in many professions because they first have to gain employment (which is not easy for many for reasons beyond their control) and then be articled. This cheap program just disadvantaged many people who can least afford to be disadvantaged.
[/quote]

Huh? I know many immigrants who worked had for wha they have including their education. Same with people born in the US. For most people, we have to work to achieve success. Things aren't handed to the vast majority of us just because we were born into a family and walk around with certain name. There's only one Prince Harry in the world and he gave up his title. He's still rich as hell. The US doesn't bow down to him like the UK. Most people here don't care who he is and he needs to stand in line for an ice cream just like the rest of us. No cutting the line because he's Prince Harry. Same holds true for just about everybody. Sure, there are the elite who are handed the world. Doesn't mean they have a clue what they're doing nor does it mean they're successful and respected.

I live a few blocks from a well to do college. It's over $60,000 a year to attend - just the tuition not room & board. Most people who go there are legacies. They go because their grandparent or parent went. Typically, they're not bright enough or rich enough to get into Harvard. By rich I mean you can buy a library via donation when your kid is a moron and doesn't know how to rub 2 sticks together. Many of these kids aren't bright. THey're just average. Sure they come from money. Many actually don't want to follow in the family businesses. It's interesting to watch those try to stand on their own and make their way through life. Those kids tend to stay here after graduation. Many have created successful businesses here in town. Some have failed, but they learned from the experience. 

They do have a nice scholarship program for those who have the grades. Minorities are highly encouraged to apply. There aren't a ton of minorities, but it's not a large school either. They still need to pay for the rest of their tuition bill after scholarship and financial aid. Then there's room and board. Most people couldn't afford these schools even minorities who are valedictorian can't without a full scholarship. The school gives one high school senior a full scholarship every year. It's rarely taken by the valedictorian or salutatorian. Not even always someone in the top 10 takes it. The high school here is a minority majority school.

[MNomadic]

Yes, but this program is not too easy to get in. You'll need three letters of recommendations from legitimate employers. This means you have to get a managerial job position.
Also, a very strong personal essay is required.

I'm not sure you're looking at the Illinois MS in Management that BJ posted. Here's the admissions page. 

3. Personal Statement
Your personal statement should answer the following questions:

• Describe your long-term and short-term career goals of earning an iMSM.
  
  
• Discuss why you think you are the ideal fit for this program.
  
  
• Tell us what you value most in your learning experience.
  

Please keep this to 1,000 words or less, and double-spaced.
4. References
Your two references should be from an academic and/or professional source, like a professor whose course you've taken or a supervisor/manager you've reported to in a role. An optional third reference may also be submitted.
6. Essay (Optional):

You can write an optional essay to elaborate on one of the following:

• If you do not believe that your test score or grades demonstrate your true capabilities of if there are any gaps in your academic career and work experience, which the Admissions Committee should know about.
  
  
• If would like to highlight something that you could not address in other areas of the application.
  

No where does it say you NEED to have 3 letters of recommendation from employers or that you have to hold management positions. Just 2 references and they can be from college sources or employment sources.

It requires a relatively short personal statement with an OPTIONAL essay.

---

Yes, but this program is not too easy to get in. You'll need three letters of recommendations from legitimate employers. This means you have to get a managerial job position.
Also, a very strong personal essay is required.

Very unnecessary requirements especially if one is an immigrant or not privileged.

What does being an immigrant or being privileged have to do with the admissions criteria?

Everything, because the people who can least afford the expensive programs are now cornered into the more costly programs. It is why people of colour and underprivileged are not in many professions because they first have to gain employment (which is not easy for many for reasons beyond their control) and then be articled. This cheap program just disadvantaged many people who can least afford to be disadvantaged.

The admissions criteria are comparable to most graduate programs and are actually quite lenient by not requiring a GMAT or GRE. I still don't see how the program's admissions process has discriminated against less privileged people or immigrants. If anything, it is a great opportunity for that demographic. If someone hasn't acquired ANY employment, they may still use academic sources for their referrals and since this is a graduate program, they will have had an entire undergraduate education to build relationships with their professors or other academic sources in order to have references.

[posabsolute]

I had a look at that program before , maybe it’s me but the courses look boring and entry level.


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[tesu-acct-student]

This degree is for people who have no business experience. I didn't see anything saying that three professional letters are required.

The U of I business school has a TON of non-US based POC in their online programs.