Earning an M.B.A. degree and participating in the work force may be a difficult task, but now you can do both of these close to home through NIU’s M.B.A. program in the suburbs.

NIU has locations in Hoffman Estates, Naperville and Rockford that will be offering M.B.A. courses. Open houses have also been planned for students interested in obtaining M.B.A. degrees from NIU in the suburbs.

“The same courses are offered on campus as well as at the suburban locations,” said Sally Wakefield, Director of Graduate Studies in Business. “Because of an off-campus student’s work experience, usually the discussions are much richer.”

Wakefield said the work experience these graduate students bring to the classroom also helps them after they receive their graduate degree. “After a student obtains an M.B.A., there is less job placement for those who haven’t had work experience,” she said.

She added, “I would highly recommend that students have some work experience prior to getting their M.B.A. degree.”

Course charges vary from one location to another. For instance, the cost per credit hour for on-campus M.B.A. students is approximately $106, while the Hoffman Estates and Naperville off-campus costs per credit hour are $221, and the Rockford off-campus cost per credit hour is $109.

At the planned open houses, topics will be discussed that will give possible NIU M.B.A. students a clear view of the school. “The open house is a good place for people to gather information on the program,” Wakefield said. “There will be discussion on admission policies as well as course charges. Questions also will be asked concerning individual cases.”

You need not have an undergraduate degree in business to consider getting a master’s degree in business administration. “Many people may have gotten a technical undergraduate degree, and think that an M.B.A. will be helpful in business,” Wakefield said.

Wakefield said anyone interested in the NIU M.B.A. program in the suburbs should attend one of the open houses.

Open houses will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Sept. 13, 21, 29 and Oct. 7., at NIU’s Hoffman Estates Education Center, 5555 W. Trillium Blvd., in Hoffman Estates. Open houses also will be conducted from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Sept. 15, 23, 27 and Oct. 5 at Hewlett-Packard, 1200 E. Diehl Rd. in Naperville.

For more information call 753-1245, or write to the College of Business, Graduate Studies in Business, Wirtz Hall 323, NIU, DeKalb, Il., 60115-2897.