Western Illinois University is dedicated to providing higher values in higher education. According to Washington Monthly, WIU is named a “Best Bang for the Buck.” The College of Business and Technology holds dual AACSB accreditation in business and accounting. The school is also accredited by the Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering, the Accrediting Council for Graphic Communications, and ABET. Students can enroll in classes at the main campus in Macomb or at the Quad Cities campus. Approximately 2,100 students are enrolled in the undergraduate business programs, and 200 students are pursuing a graduate business degree. Departments within the CBT include Agriculture, Accounting and Finance, Computer Science, Economics and Decision Sciences, Engineering, Engineering Technology, and Management and Marketing.
Education
Undergraduate COBT students have many choices of majors, including Accountancy, Agriculture, Business Analytics, Computer Science, Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Technology, Construction Management, Cyber Security, Economics, Finance, Graphic Communication, Human Resource Management, Information Systems, Management, Marketing, and Supply Chain Management. Students can also earn two degrees in five years through the integrated Bachelor’s/Master’s Programs. Degree options for this innovative, rigorous program include Business Analytics, Instructional Design and Technology, Educational Technology Specialist, Instructional Media Development, Online and Distance Learning Development, Technology Integration in Education, Workplace Learning and Performance, and Supply Chain Management. At the graduate level, students can pursue a master’s degree in Accountancy, Computer Science, Economics, Applied Statistics and Decision Analytics, Business Administration, Engineering Technology Leadership, and Instructional Design and Technology.
Student Life
Students have 34 options of student organizations within CBT. Popular choices include Beta Gamma Sigma, the CBT Student Organization Council, and Women in Business. Students can also attend the Professional Development series featuring sessions on topics such as networking, professional dress, leadership, dining etiquette, social media, resume building, and interviewing. Short study abroad programs open to business students include faculty-led trips such as Business Practices and Culture of Ireland, Economics in Developing Countries: Peru, and Ecuadorian Business. Semester-long exchange programs are available in France, Sweden, Japan, Canada, China, England, Germany, New Zealand, and Italy. Students in this exchange program will take classes from some of the world’s most premier universities.
Online Programs
In addition to the on-campus MBA program, a hybrid and online MBA are offered. Classes for the hybrid MBA are typically eight weeks long and will meet at the Quad Cities campus every two weeks on either a weeknight or a Saturday morning. Class sizes average just 16 students, to allow for more personalized instruction. Concentrations include Supply Chain Management, Accounting, Management, and Information Systems. The hybrid program can be completed in one year, and the online program typically takes two years to finish. The online MBA can be completed entirely online through the Desire2Learn platform. Concentrations for the online MBA include Management and Supply Chain Management.