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MBA Research Option

Develop advanced business research skills through faculty mentorship, quantitative and qualitative methods, and a substantial research project. This MBA option supports students considering doctoral study or research-focused careers.

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MBA Research Option

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Degree Level
Master of Business Administration
Delivery
In Person
Time to Degree
3 Semesters
Credit Hours
33 Total, 33 in Major
Careers
Executives, Officers, General, Managers
MBA Research Option students at EIU

Why Study MBA Research Option at EIU?

  • Designed from the ground up for students who want to go deep into research methodology
  • Structured around genuine mentorship and collaboration with faculty researchers
  • Build a well-rounded research toolkit valuable across academia, consulting, and industry
  • Positioned as preparation for doctoral study, not just a terminal master's degree
  • Build connections that extend beyond the classroom into their future research career
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"From the moment I stepped onto campus, every professor, staff member, and student I encountered treated me with such genuine warmth and respect, as if I were already a valued member of their community. Despite not having officially joined the EIU family, I immediately felt a deep sense of belonging. The atmosphere was one of comfort and inclusivity, where everyone seemed genuinely invested in my success and well-being."
Abbey McCord
MBA Research Option | Class of 2025
Abbey McCord, MBA Research Option at EIU

Hands-On Experience

  • Complete a genuine, hands-on capstone research project, not just a final exam or paper
  • Get real practice designing and defending a research proposal, mirroring doctoral-level expectations
  • Hands-on training in quantitative and qualitative research techniques, applied rather than purely theoretical
  • Ongoing, applied exposure to research practice that goes beyond standard lecture-based courses
  • Collaborate with faculty researchers amd gain real experience contributing to active scholarly work rather than working in isolation
Hands-On Experience, MBA Research Option students at EIU

What You'll Learn

The MBA Research Option combines advanced business study with focused preparation in research design and analysis. It is a fit if you are considering a Ph.D., an academic career or research-intensive work in consulting, industry or public organizations, and you want to go deep into research methodology.

View in Catalog
$95,880
Median Salary for These CareersMedian salaryThe median is the middle value: half of the people counted earn more and half earn less. It is an estimate for a typical graduate, not a promise of what you will earn. Pay varies by employer, location, experience and the specific job.

Career OutcomesCareer outcomesThese are example careers that graduates of this program often pursue, taken from the U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET occupation list. They are examples, not job guarantees, and many graduates work in other fields.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

  • Chief Executives
  • Chief Sustainability Officers
  • General & Operations Managers
  • Sales Managers
  • Administrative Services Managers
  • Facilities Managers
  • Security Managers
  • Industrial Production Managers
  • Quality Control Systems Managers
  • Geothermal Production Managers

Career Insights

Job Outlook ★ Bright Outlook Bright OutlookBright Outlook careers are ones with a promising future. They're expected to grow quickly, to have lots of job openings, or to be brand new and emerging. A career earns the label if it meets any one of these: projected growth of 5% or more, at least 75,000 projected openings, or New & Emerging status.
Openings: Employers are expected to need at least 75,000 people for this career over the next several years. That count includes new jobs created by growth and spots opened when workers move on.
Grow Rapidly: Jobs in this career are expected to grow 5% or more over the next several years, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics projections.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor Openings / Grow Rapidly
Preparation Needed Considerable (4/5)Job Zone 4: Considerable preparationMost of these careers require a four-year bachelor's degree. They also tend to build on several years of work-related experience or training.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor
Personality Fit EnterprisingEnterprising interest typeYou like business and leadership. This type of work includes managing, selling, marketing and leading, including in politics or law.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

Financing Your Degree Under the 2026 Rules

Federal graduate lending changed on July 1, 2026 - Grad PLUS loans ended for new borrowers and new federal borrowing caps now apply to graduate students. Here's why the math still works at EIU:

Estimated total for this degree: ~$16,665 (tuition and fees)

  • ✓ That's only about 17% of the new $100,000 lifetime graduate borrowing limit - leaving room for whatever comes next in your career.
  • ✓ A typical full-time year here runs about $9,090 - well under the new $20,500 annual federal loan limit. Annual limits are reduced in proportion for part-time enrollment.
  • ✓ Working? If your employer offers it, they can provide up to $5,250 per year tax-free toward your education.

Estimates use 2026-2027 Illinois-resident tuition and fees and typical full-time enrollment. Your actual costs and aid depend on your program, enrollment, FAFSA, and prior borrowing. Students who borrowed for the same program before July 1, 2026 may have different limits.

Talk to EIU Financial Aid → Read about the 2026 federal aid changes
17% of lifetime limit

$16,665 total, just 17% of your $100,000 federal graduate borrowing limit

Connect With Us

Nichole Hugo
Professor Hospitality and Tourism, Graduate Coordinator of Sustainability, MBA Graduate Coordinator
nhugo@eiu.edu
3625 Lumpkin Hall
217-581-8595
Nichole Hugo Message Nichole

Message Nichole

or email nhugo@eiu.edu directly
Candra Chahyadi
Professor of Finance
cchahyadi@eiu.edu
3016 Lumpkin Hall
217-581-6367
Candra Chahyadi Message Candra

Message Candra

or email cchahyadi@eiu.edu directly
Billy Panther
Head of Panther Pride
Old Main
217-581-2223
Billy the Panther Message Billy

Message Billy

or email billy@eiu.edu directly

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