Undergraduate Majors and Your MBA

One of the most frequently asked questions that is fielded by the admissions team at UIC Liautaud is whether an applicant needs to have an undergraduate major in business or extensive on-the-job business knowledge. Our standard response to this question is…NO! In fact, we encourage people with varied backgrounds and interests to apply for and complete their MBA. The current student body at the school is comprised of some undergraduate business majors, but also many students who studied liberal arts, natural sciences, engineering, and many others. We have found that people who are passionate about what they studied in undergrad (whether business or not), typically make the best MBA candidates. The passion that these applicants show for their field translates to highly motivated MBA students.

Having said all of that, you might be wondering why you would want an MBA if you did not pursue an undergraduate major in business. Well, like it or not, business is a part of almost every career out there. Having a master’s level degree in business will not only put you in a position to advance in your current career track, but also impress potential employers in the future. We currently offer nine different degree concentrations that can be tailored to your interests and career aspirations.

I obtained my bachelor’s degree in biological sciences and chemistry and am currently an MBA candidate at UIC Liautaud. I consider my decision to get an MBA one of the best decisions I have made thus far. While biology and chemistry are two subjects that I have a real passion for, I felt limited in the career paths that were available to me with that degree. With my MBA I can still work in some capacity in the natural sciences, but I will have more versatility in the jobs and tasks that I am prepared for.

No matter what you decide to do, make sure that it is something you love and don’t be afraid to try new things. If you have any questions about applying to our programs with a non-business background, feel free to contact me here. If you would like to start your application today, click apply now!