Program Overview

Graduate Pathway in MBA with Business Background

About the Program

The Illinois State University MBA Graduate Pathway program prepares students to enter their next semester of a master’s degree program at Illinois State University. Upon successful completion of the Pathway program and meeting university requirements for graduate admission, students may enter their next semester of study at Illinois State University.

Key Information

• A Pathway program provides academic, language, and cultural support to succeed at a US university.
• Students benefit from fully integrated classes with both domestic and other international students on campus while learning from highly trained university instructors and tutors.

Program Details

Graduate Pathway in MBA with Business Background

• Duration: 1 Semester, 2 Semesters
• Start Dates: 2025//27

Entry Requirements

Age Requirement

• 17 years old

Academic Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent with background coursework in business, with a 2.5 GPA out of 4.0.
• Background in the following coursework required:
  • Business Law Essentials
  • Business Math and Statistics
  • Fundamentals of Economics (to include micro- and macroeconomics)
  • Financial Accounting
  • Managerial Accounting
  • Principles of Management
  • Principles of Marketing
  • Corporate Finance
• Note: All Business Law course completions will be honored, regardless of when they were completed.

English Language Requirements

• TOEFL 79, IELTS 6.5, PTEA 53, Duolingo 105, or TOEFL Essentials 8.5.

Important Dates

2025 Fall Start (August)

• Program start date: August 11, 2025
• Program end date: December 12, 2025
• Semester 1 fall: August 11, 2025 - December 12, 2025

2026 Spring Start (January)

• Program start date: January 5, 2026
• Program end date: May 8, 2026
• Semester 1 spring: January 5, 2026 - May 8, 2026

Sample Classes

Semester 1

• MBA 421 or MBA 430: Analysis of Organizational Behavior or Advanced Marketing Management (3 Credit Units)
• IDS 401: Advanced Writing for Graduate Students (3 Credit Units)
• MBA 416: Applied Tools for Business Decision Making (3 Credit Units)
• MBA 411: Fundamentals of Strategic Decision Making (3 Credit Units)
• Total credit units: 12 Credit Units

Progression

Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) - STEM

• 3.0 GPA, No grade below B.
• English level %: No grade below B
• Additional Requirements: Placement option available, Study abroad option available