Master of Public Administration

at Shorelight Group - University of Illinois at Chicago USA

The Department of Economics offers a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Economics. The program provides instruction on economic institutions and a rigorous foundation in the analytical tools and applied areas of economics, relying on mathematical and statistical techniques. Students learn how the price system operates; how consumers, firms, and government institutions allocate scarce resources; and the determinants of national output, inflation, unemployment, economic growth, and international trade. Laws, regulations, and institutions that influence economic activity are also studied. After learning the basic tools of microeconomics and macroeconomics in the introductory courses, students go on to study various applied areas of economics in the more advanced courses.

The program provides a strong grounding for many careers in banking, data science, insurance, service and manufacturing firms, government agencies, and not-for-profit organizations. It also gives an excellent background to students who intend to continue their education. In particular, it provides a solid preparation for law school, an MBA program, and graduate studies in economics, business, public administration, and public policy.

Students are encouraged to contact the director of undergraduate studies of the economics department for further information on the field of economics and career options for economics majors.

A Bachelor of Science in Marketing from UIC Business prepares students for careers in advertising and social media marketing, marketing research, product management, retailing and sales leadership. Our classes, which are led by faculty with experience from both research and industry, provide both a theoretical foundation for understanding a range of marketing topics, as well as hands-on experiences to allow you to put your skills into practice.

The MA in Applied Economics program at UIC is designed for students who desire an MA degree in economics as either a stepping stone to a Ph.D. program or a career that requires such preparation, but have not extensively studied economics in an undergraduate program. We provide analytically rigorous training in economic theory and statistical analysis that is accessible to students with less preparation in mathematics than is required for enrollment in an Economics Ph.D. program. Importantly, we condense this accelerated program into three semesters, including summer, so that students can complete the entire program in ten months. This substantially reduces the cost and enables students to matriculate to a Ph.D. program or enter the job market after only a single year of study.

We have structured the program to meet the needs of and engage students with diverse backgrounds and interests. The core economic theory and statistical methods courses are analytically rigorous but do not require extensive training in mathematics and do not focus on mathematical derivations or proofs. However, students with the requisite training in mathematics may substitute courses from our Ph.D. program in place of the corresponding Applied MA course. This enables these students to engage the material at a more mathematically sophisticated level and demonstrate their knowledge to Ph.D. programs and employers.

The UIC Economics Department has historically been strong in applied research and econometric analysis, particularly in the areas of health and education economics and policy. Applied MA students have the opportunity to take elective courses with leading young scholars in these areas. Students also have the opportunity to take courses outside of the Economics Department or in other areas that fit with their interests, or to take additional mathematics coursework that may be needed as preparation for a future Ph.D. program. Finally, all students have the choice to write an MA thesis or to complete additional coursework.

Sociology is the study of social life, including individuals, groups, organizations, institutions, and societies. Sociologists investigate the social causes and consequences of human behavior and interaction, such as inequality, poverty, discrimination, and urbanization. While offering a general sociology curriculum, the program particularly focuses on how social inequalities are structured and legislated, how they are supported by cultural representations and hegemonic ideologies, and how people navigate and push back against them in their everyday lives. The program specializes in the study of race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality, organizations and the economy, global and transnational sociology, political sociology and social movements, and children and youth. Students learn multiple methodological approaches for the study of social life, such as ethnography, in-depth interviews, survey research, focus groups, statistical analysis of secondary data, and the use of comparative historical methods. Sociology majors in the program also explore how to actively use research-based evidence to increase the quality of life for the residents of Chicago, the state, the nation, and the world.

Sociology develops skills in analyzing, synthesizing, generalizing, and communicating information and knowledge. Courses stress both logical and data analysis as well as careful and thoughtful reading, discussion, and writing. Sociology’s subject matter includes relationships among economic, political, cultural, and social factors and explores the impact of such forces on individuals and society. This inclusive framework and general training lies at the heart of a liberal education for lifetime learning.

A major in sociology will prepare students to undertake graduate studies in sociology, and admission to other professional and graduate programs in medicine, health, law, urban planning, social work, education, and business. It is also an excellent preparation for a wide variety of occupations in business and industry, the justice system, community and social services, government, education, social justice, and research.

There is an explosive growth in supply chain and operations challenges, arising from globalization, big data, e-commerce, social media, mobile technologies and automation.

The UIC Business Liautaud Graduate School MS in Supply Chain and Operations Management Program is a STEM-designated program directed at meeting the growing demand for professionals in supply chain and operations. It will provide you with foundational knowledge in the areas of analytical modeling, enterprise systems, and analytic and business intelligence, all while developing your leadership skills with a global context.

Biological Sciences majors study living systems. Students and faculty pursue diverse programs of study, including, but not limited to, biochemistry, animal behavior, cell biology, development, ecology, environmental sciences, evolution, genetics, microbiology, molecular biology, neuroscience, paleontology, plant biology, physiology (cellular, organismal, and environmental), population biology, and urban ecology. Students completing a baccalaureate degree in Biological Sciences are prepared for a wide range of careers, including jobs in a variety of health professions, the veterinary or pharmaceutical sciences, public or private research, education, regulatory policy, conservation and wildlife biology, environmental professions, and agriculture.

The Department of Biological Sciences offers a program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences with a Major in Biological Sciences.

The Bachelor of Science in Accounting offers a proven business education that prepares students for accounting careers across the public and private sectors.

As an accounting major, you’ll be exposed to the latest research and theory, with plenty of opportunity for classroom practice and real-world application. The program will prepare you for careers in financial, managerial, governmental, nonprofit and international accounting, as well as auditing and taxation.

The Information and Decision Sciences program at UIC Business is grounded in a research-based curriculum and corporate-sponsored project courses that give students the proven experience firms are looking for. IDS majors explore the potential of new technology to alter business operations, analysis and strategy. Students leave our program ready to meet the growing demand for business technologists.

IDS students are in top demand because of the skills they learn here at UIC Business. Bridging the gap between technology and business, IDS prepares students to analyze, design and implement information technology systems.

Students gain conceptual knowledge in how information is used effectively throughout all areas in the business cycle. They also gain practical experience in more technological based courses such as Business Database Technology, Advanced Spreadsheet Analysis, Business Data Mining and Business Systems Analysis and Design. IDS students are given the tools to become proficient professionals, capable of putting their technical, analytic and critical thinking skills to use in a real-world setting.

At UIC Business, we help students find their dream careers. Some students may choose a “specialization” for their studies that lead to certain career paths in IDS. These include Management Information Systems; Business Analytics; and Operations and Supply Chain Management.

The Department of Art History introduces students to the study of both the built environment and the various forms of art and design. A major in Art History emphasizes visual as well as verbal and written literacy, which are critically important in a global society. A large selection of courses covers all periods of history and most of the world’s cultures. The study of Art History fosters skills that can serve as a foundation for careers in professions as diverse as law, medicine, and business. Alumni work in a variety of professions, including teaching, publishing, arts administration, museums, galleries, historic preservation, art libraries, journalism, advertising, and art conservation. Graduates from the program may consider a Master of Arts in Art History or Museum and Exhibition Studies at UIC or other prestigious universities.