Hello all. First off I apologize if this is in the wrong forum, I didn't see a place that would be correct for this thread. I'm applying to the part-time MBA program at NIU and was just wondering if any of the posters here have any experience with or knowledge of the program and how it stacks up against similar programs among other Chicago area institutions. I'm making the move from the city back to the suburbs in a month, Arlington Heights to be specific. The part-time program meets in Hoffman Estates which wouldn't be too far from me. Anyways, sorry again if this is the wrong place to post this and thanks for any advice/suggestions. I also look forward to football season, I hope to contribute to that aspect of this board as well. Go Huskies

I currently attend NIU's part-time MBA program, so far no complaints, take all my classes in Naperville. I also did my undergrad in finance at NIU, need only 10 classes to complete MBA given my undergrad was in business. Best bang for the buck in the western burbs.

I received my B.S. in Finance as well. I did my undergrad at SIU. I would also be able to skip the first phase of the program since I have a business degree. How many classes do you take a semester and how tough would you say it is to manage the program while also working?

I earned a MBA through NIU's part time program back in 2004. I took all my courses through the Naperville campus, which was great because it is where I work and live. I would recommend the program and say it is on par with any part time MBA program in the area (DePaul, IIT, etc.) It won't open the doors that an MBA from Kellogg or UofC might, but it is a solid program with good instructors.

I took two classes per semester which was manageable with work. However, I didn't have any kids yet. If I had to go through the program now with 2 kids (ages 6 & 3) it would have been difficult.

(07-29-2013 01:53 PM)Huskie359 Wrote:  I earned a MBA through NIU's part time program back in 2004. I took all my courses through the Naperville campus, which was great because it is where I work and live. I would recommend the program and say it is on par with any part time MBA program in the area (DePaul, IIT, etc.) It won't open the doors that an MBA from Kellogg or UofC might, but it is a solid program with good instructors.

I took two classes per semester which was manageable with work. However, I didn't have any kids yet. If I had to go through the program now with 2 kids (ages 6 & 3) it would have been difficult.

+1 completely agree

I finished the part time MBA program last August. I highly recommend it to anyone in the west/northwest burbs. I had a B.S. from NIU in finance and took 1 class a semester for 10 straight semesters. It is a great value. If you can afford it I would recommend taking a study abroad course. I went to China last May for 10 days. Best experience of the program.

What kind of doors did it open as far as networking and connecting to employers? It seems very convenient as I will be living in Arlington Heights and can take courses at the Hoffman campus. Another program I was looking into was DePaul. I saw a previous poster comment that this program is on par with theirs. This program seems to be a real bargain. I know NIU has a pretty solid business school.

A few things:
1. I've extended my network by being in the classroom from people in all different backgrounds. The MBA program is mostly group work so you will be involved and get to know them well. I still hang out with some of the alumni or converse with them on a regular basis. And, I know in the coming years I can use my network to my advantage when I'm in a position to hire or am looking for a job.
2. The students at NIU are mostly professionals who are early-mid part of your career so as far as getting a job by being directly hired by someone else in the program in the first few years out of the program is probably NIL as far as the part-time program goes. The executive MBA on Saturdays may be more of what you're looking for if you want that type of outcome. I started my degree after about 3 years of real-world experience and by the time I graduated I had over 6 years of work history (I'm about to turn 30).
3. That being said; after I finished the program I had a ton of interviews for jobs I actually wanted (because of work history and the MBA) and ended up taking one which I enjoy in corporate finance. I would say the best thing is it makes your resume stand out from others and gets you through the first screening. It's still up to you to WOW them and get the offer.
4. Just like with other things in life an MBA is what you make of it. You can skate by to a certain extent but if you don't put in the time the degree isn't worth anything.

A co-worker/friend of mine (we attended the Orange bowl together) and I both did our undergrad @ NIU and majored in Finance. I got an MBA from NIU, he went to DePaul. Our employer paid the going "state" tuition rate...meaning the only difference is my MBA cost nothing while his set him back at least $10K -15K+. I'm not taking anything away from the DePaul program, as everything I've heard about it is great and it is probably the "sexier" name, but it is certainly going to cost you more (if your employer isn't subsidizing), and I truly believe the only MBA program's worth that kind of coin in this state are Kellogg and UofC, otherwise they are basically all the same.

I think networking is what you make out of it. The greatest thing about any MBA program is your fellow students, as you are given opportunities to work with and collaborate with professional people with all sorts of backgrounds.

As numbersdontlie and Huskies said, from what I understand an MBA is what you make of it. I feel that way for your undergrad degree as well. The admission process isn't very tough at SIU but that doesn't mean you can't get a good education, you just have to want to. Anyone can skate by, go to class and pass with average grades. However I believe you'll really get the most of your money if you go out of your way outside the classroom to be involved as much as you can. The finance department at SIU was top 10 in the country when it came to research. They were ranked among schools like Harvard. You have these really smart and knowledgeable professors at your disposal, why not make the most of it? I held an undergraduate assistantship with the controller of the alumni association in which I completed projects dealing with their investments. This controller was also a phd student at SIU so he had good relationships with many of the professors that I had classes with. I often went to them for help or suggestions on my projects, or even just to help them out during office hours and try to tutor people in my classes that were struggling. I've yet to take a graduate course but from what a few of you have said it seems like it's really up to you to make the most of your MBA experience and maximize the money you're spending on it.