Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)

2 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Illinois Chicago

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) Degree Completion Program at University of Illinois Chicago is designed for students who have already completed at least 60 college credits and want to finish a broad business degree online or in person, typically within 2–3 years. The 60-credit curriculum develops practical knowledge across accounting, finance, marketing, management, information systems, statistics and business strategy while building critical-thinking, problem-solving and leadership skills for a range of business careers.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 / Initial Stage:
Students build their core business knowledge through subjects such as ACTG 210 – Introduction to Financial Accounting, ACTG 211 – Introduction to Managerial Accounting, and FIN 300 – Introduction to Finance. They also develop quantitative and technology-related capabilities through IDS 200 – Intro to Management Information Systems and IDS 270 – Business Statistics I, creating a foundation for understanding business operations and data-informed decision-making.

Year 2 / Advanced Business Study:
The next stage broadens students' understanding of how organizations operate and compete through MGMT 340 – Introduction to Organizations, MGMT 350 – Business and Its External Environment, and MKTG 360 – Introduction to Marketing. Students also study IDS 355 – Operations Management and ECON 220 – Microeconomics: Theory and Applications (or BA 330 – Analysis of Firms, Markets, and Industries for Business Decision Making), while completing selective coursework that can be shaped with a BBA advisor.

Final Stage:
Students bring their knowledge together through BA 300 – Advanced Managerial Communications and the 16-week BA 495 – Business Strategy capstone, where they use knowledge from different business functions to develop and implement business strategies through case analysis, which may include simulation. The program's prescribed sequence is delivered mainly in eight-week courses, with BA 300 and BA 495 taken concurrently during the final semester.

Focus areas

Accounting, finance, marketing, management, organizational management, information systems, business statistics, operations management, economics, business communication, strategic management, business decision-making

Learning outcomes

Critical thinking, problem-solving, leadership, business communication, strategic decision-making, quantitative analysis, understanding of business operations, organizational awareness and the ability to adapt to technological and global changes in business.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The BBA is an AACSB-accredited Bachelor of Business Administration. UIC Business describes the program as being offered through a research-based, AACSB-accredited business school, providing an externally recognized quality framework for business education.

Reputation (employability rankings)

UIC Business states that more than 250 companies recruit UIC Business students, while its alumni network includes approximately 53,000 alumni. UIC Business also reports that 91% of graduates gained experience through internship, part-time and full-time work, based on its Business Career Center information.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The BBA combines broad business coursework with practical exposure through strategic case analysis, computer-based work, career programming, employer engagement and access to UIC's Chicago business network. The BA 495 – Business Strategy capstone specifically requires extensive computer use and applies knowledge from multiple business areas through case analysis, while UIC Business also provides access to internships, career advising, employer events and industry experiences.

Students can develop practical business skills through:

Business Strategy case analysis: BA 495 requires students to apply knowledge from accounting, finance, management, marketing, information systems and other business areas to formulate and implement strategies; the course may include simulations.
Computer-based business work: BA 495 includes extensive computer use, giving students practical experience applying business concepts digitally.
Business Career Center: Students have access to personalized career exploration, professional-development workshops, employer engagement opportunities and career advising.
Internship opportunities: UIC Business connects students with internships and careers, and its catalog also lists professional business internship opportunities designed to provide practical work experience.
Industry visits: UIC Business students have participated in corporate experiences such as a 2026 visit to the DHL Americas Innovation Center, where students explored technologies and strategies used in global supply chains.
Corporate engagement: A 2026 visit to Medline Industries gave UIC Business students exposure to corporate leaders, alumni panels, recruitment professionals, company operations and networking opportunities.
Library and research resources: UIC provides online library resources, electronic reserves, research materials, online tutorials, research guides and librarian assistance to support course-related work.
Chicago business environment: UIC Business highlights its location near Chicago's business district and its network of employers and alumni as an important part of the student experience.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BBA is designed to prepare graduates for business operation, leadership and a range of functional business roles, while also providing a foundation for further business study. UIC Business specifically highlights opportunities across areas such as accounting and finance, marketing, organizational management, information technology and statistics/data analysis, with more than 250 companies recruiting UIC Business students.

Typical career roles include: Business Analyst, Financial Analyst, Marketing Specialist, Operations Coordinator

Career development and progression opportunities include:

Business Career Center: Students receive career exploration, professional-development workshops, employer engagement and individualized career advising, with access to UIC Handshake for career opportunities.
Employment experience: UIC Business reports that 91% of graduates gained experience through internships, part-time or full-time work.
Employment and salary: UIC Business's online BBA page reports 89% employed within six months of graduation and an average starting salary of $73,000; another UIC Business transfer page reports 89% employed within six months and an average starting salary of $61,000. Because these figures appear on different official UIC pages and may represent different reporting populations or reporting periods, they should not be treated as interchangeable.
Industry connections: UIC Business states that more than 250 companies recruit UIC Business students. Employers specifically listed for BBA graduates include Aon, BP, CVS Health, Discover Financial, MetLife, Northern Trust, Prudential Financial, Publicis Media, Shirley Ryan, US Foods and Wesco.
Corporate partnerships and engagement: Recent UIC Business activities include collaboration with DHL through its Americas Innovation Center and a corporate partnership/industry visit with Medline Industries, providing students with exposure to executives, alumni and professional environments.
Alumni network: UIC Business highlights a network of approximately 53,000 alumni, providing an additional professional network for students and graduates.
Accreditation value: The BBA is AACSB-accredited, giving graduates a business degree awarded through an internationally recognized business-school accreditation framework.

Further Academic Progression: Students who complete the BBA can use the degree as a foundation for advanced study in business; UIC explicitly states that the credential can serve as a launching pad for an advanced degree in business.