UIC offers chance to complete bachelor’s degree

The University of Illinois at Chicago has launched a new program that will allow community college students to finish their bachelor’s degree on UIC’s campus. Starting in the fall 2019, students who qualify can earn a bachelor of business administration, or BBA, under UIC’s College of Business Administration.

UIC will continue offering its BBA completion program online.

“Making the BBA available both on-campus and online allows the college to more fully engage with Chicago-area community colleges, which are the primary pipeline for current BBA program students, as well as transfer students for campus-based programs,” said Angela Prazza Winters, assistant dean, UIC Business Student Services.

While a traditional bachelor of science degree focuses specifically on one field of study, the Bachelor of Business Administration Degree Completion Program centers on preparing students in all aspects of running a business, including economics, MIS, business strategy and operations.

“We hope to attract students who are completing their general education work at local community colleges who want a business education, but may not be interested in one of the bachelor of science degrees,” Winters said.

There is a need for a program that allows a student to gain business acumen and also be able to add additional areas of interest to their degree, Winters said. “The campus-based BBA students will also have the option to choose a minor within the college or in another UIC college.”

Winters said the BBA program may also appeal to people who have reached a ceiling in career advancement due to the lack of a completed bachelor’s degree, or to businesses that want a mechanism to offer employee development benefits.

Application deadline for the on-campus degree-completion program is March 1.

All business programs are accredited by AACSB, the top accreditation organization for business schools; only about five percent of the business schools worldwide — including about 30 percent of U.S. business schools — have this distinction.

ABOUT UIC BUSINESS

At UIC Business, we transform student potential into success and connect students to Chicago’s living classroom. Rated among the top 10 ‘Best Value’ universities according to the Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education. UIC Business utilizes our world-renowned research faculty and 35,000-strong alumni network to provide a proven business education to more than 3,200 undergraduates and 900 graduate students. UIC Business faculty empower students with real-world skills and professional experiences that add up to a high value return on investment. Find out more at business.uic.edu.