Graduate Programs

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are admitted to one of our graduate programs, you will need to accept your admission. You will be prompted to pay a deposit* when accepting admission at buckeyelink.osu.edu. Tuition deposits are non-refundable. You won't be able to register for classes until you accept your admission offer. Once you register, it will show up on your statement of account.

Note: If you haven't already done so, you will need to set up your OSU ID at my.osu.edu  to access buckeyelink.osu.edu.

Tuition deposit amount by Fisher graduate program (subject to change):

• Full-Time MBA: $1,000
• Working Professional MBA: $250
• Specialized Master in Business-Analytics: $500
• Master of Accounting: $250
• Master of Human Resource Management: $250
• Specialized Master in Finance: $500
• Master of Supply Chain Management: $500

There is no minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) requirement. Typically, eighty percent of our incoming class fall in the 3.0 to 3.7 range, with the average GPA for each program around 3.4. We take a holistic approach to reviewing your application and consider more than just your GPA.

No. Only students enrolled in a graduate degree-seeking program at the university may request permission to take a graduate-level elective course. Core courses are only open to students enrolled in that respective Fisher program, pending space availability and instructor/department permission.  Questions or permission requests can be sent to fishergrad@fisher.osu.edu.

The Fisher College of Business does not accept transfer credits from other institutions or non-Fisher programs at Ohio State.

If you received your undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University, you will not need to order transcripts, provided that all of your coursework was completed at Ohio State.

If you received a graduate degree from the Ohio State Graduate School, you will need to submit a Transfer of Graduate Program form in addition to the online application. More information on this process is included once you begin the online application.

We will review your application with unofficial copies of your transcript. These copies may be scanned, faxed, or mailed. Final official hardcopies of the transcript(s) will be required if you are admitted and choose to enroll at Ohio State.

Due to the volume of applications, we are unable to provide specific feedback.

All of Fisher's graduate programs can accept the GMAT or GRE as part of your application for admission consideration. Some of Fisher's graduate programs have the GMAT or GRE standardized test as a required application component. In contrast, most others are test-optional or offer test waivers based on specific conditions. Use the links below to review the requirements for each program. If your program of interest allows you to opt-out or request a waiver, those options will be available to you inside the online application. 

• Full-Time MBA (waivers available)
• Working Professionals MBA (waiver available) (also accepts EA)
• Master of Accounting (not required/optional)
• Master of Human Resource Management (not required/optional)
• Specialized Master in Finance (required)
• Specialized Master in Business-Analytics (not required/optional)
• Master of Supply Chain Management (not required/optional)

GMAT and GRE scores are valid for 5 years.

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

The TOEFL will be waived if you have earned a degree from a U.S. university. Applicants who are citizens of, or who have received a bachelor's degree or higher in one of the following countries are exempt from the TOEFL requirement: Anguilla, Antigua, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Caicos Islands, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, England, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Liberia, Montserrat, New Zealand, Scotland, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks, United States, and Wales.

The TOEFL score is valid for 2 years.

Please send a notarized copy of your graduation certificate along with your application. You will be required to bring us the original certificate upon acceptance into the program.

Class Time

Fisher's Full-Time MBA program is a bit more rigorous than the Working Professional MBA requiring 60 credit hours to complete instead of 48.  Because our Full-Time MBA students are not working, the program has a different curriculum and involves a more structured daytime core class and experiential learning schedule (Business Labs, Capstones, Social Impact Challenge, Max Problem Solving, Integration Sessions, etc.). Also, unlike working professionals, your summer internship plays an important part in your leadership development. This also means that coaching and assessments will play an even bigger role than they would for a working professional that might not utilize these services until later.

Full-Time MBA students DO have plenty of opportunities to customize the degree through electives/pathways, including our new STEM MBA specialization.

Time to Completion

The Full-Time MBA program is two years, while part-time students in the working professional program can take anywhere from 2 - 6 years depending on their pace (2.5-3 is by far the most common).

Work Experience

The Full-Time MBA program places a greater emphasis on undergraduate academic record and a little less emphasis on work experience, as students have 3-4 years of incoming work experience on average.

The Working Professionals MBA program places a greater emphasis on post-baccalaureate work experience than the FTMBA program, as students on average have 7 years of incoming work experience. We do require a minimum of 2 years of work experience for the WPMBA program.

How does the Admissions Committee look at work experience:
On average, MBA students at Fisher have 3 to 5 years of post-baccalaureate work experience. Students find that having work experience as a frame of reference enhances classroom learning. Equally important, recruiters view pre-MBA work experience as an asset, which maximizes your career opportunities after school. We do look at quality over quantity, however. Applicants should highlight skills developed, contributions they have made to organizations, and leadership roles.

We understand the concerns about using a current employer. College professors, clients, and other supervisors can be used as references if you are uncomfortable with requesting one from your current employer. Your reference should know you and your work well enough to tell us about your abilities and address the areas indicated on the reference form.

Yes. As a graduate student of The Ohio State University, you are eligible to enroll in graduate level courses outside of Fisher as long as there are no restrictions or prerequisites that you have not met.

There is no minimum score required to apply. If you would like to see the 80% range of scores for each program, visit the class profile page.

Yes! Full-Time MBA students can pursue the STEM MBA specialization, which provides career opportunities and technical skill development. International students can also remain in the U.S. for an additional two years of Optional Practical Training (OPT). 

• 30 of 60 credit hours must be STEM
• 18 are already in the required core classes
• Choose 12 credit hours from select electives

Learn more about Fisher's STEM MBA 

Admitted students who declare their interest in pursuing the STEM MBA during the application are placed in the specialization upon matriculation. Enrolled students looking to move into or out of the STEM MBA specialization work directly with their MBA advisor, who will contact Graduate Registration Services to request the manual switch.

 Questions? E-mail us at mba@fisher.osu.edu.

Class Time

The Working Professional MBA (WPMBA) at Ohio State's Fisher Max M. College of Business is the only part-time MBA program in central Ohio ranked among the nation's best. Students earn the same degree as our rigorous full-time MBA, but with the flexibility to balance work, life and educational needs without leaving their job behind. We've recently added the ability to complete the program 100% online! The new Online Working Professional MBA seamlessly integrates into Fisher's on-campus Working Professional MBA program.

Whether you're enrolled entirely online, on-campus, or a mix of both, you won't compromise quality for convenience.

Working Professional MBA students also have access to career services, coaching and optional experiential learning opportunities beyond the action-based curriculum, including Global Applied Projects, Global Business Expeditions, Washington Campus, etc.

Time to Completion

Working Professional MBA students can complete the program in as little as two years or as many as six. The average (recommended) time to graduation is a bit less than three years (8 semesters) at 6 credit hours per semester. You can adjust the pace to fit your schedule. In fact, our WPMBA students can even take a semester off.

The Full-Time MBA program is two years with an internship in-between.

Yes! We now offer an Online Working Professional MBA program that is seamlessly integrated into the on-campus experience. The WPMBA program can be completed 100% online. You will earn the same degree as full-time and part-time students taking classes on-campus, but with the flexibility to do it from anywhere.

In-person or virtual, it's one Working Professional MBA program. You'll choose from 2-3 sections of each core course taught in-person with students on-campus, hybrid with the instructor in the classroom and students in-person and virtual, or distance with both the instructor and students online. Students can expect courses that are a synchronous and asynchronous mix and are supported by video modules and recorded class sessions. Self-paced, asynchronous content is accessible 24/7, providing greater flexibility that fits your schedule while keeping you connected to campus.

Each core class consists of two to three sections, with at least one delivered online (synchronous/asynchronous). Online electives are also available based on sections offered and timing.  Students learning online have sufficient courses to complete their required 48 total credit hours entirely online.

The Working Professional MBA program is transformational, with these hallmarks of Fisher’s globally recognized MBA degree:

• Premier faculty and industry experts
• Unforgettable experiential learning
• Engaging, hands-on curriculum
• Wide-ranging electives, including specializations  
• Award-winning one-on-one career coaching, mentorship and professional development
• Personalized academic advising and guidance
• Recruiting events, networking, job fairs and speakers

The Working Professional MBA (WPMBA) program places a greater emphasis on post-baccalaureate work experience.  Students on average have 6-7 years of incoming work experience. We do require a minimum of two years of work experience for the WPMBA program. We can make admission exceptions for a handful of students currently unemployed or actively seeking employment to return to the workplace. Use your application to highlight your work experience, certificates, military experience, etc. We take a holistic approach when looking at what you have submitted.

Note: The Full-Time MBA program places a greater emphasis on undergraduate academic record and a little less emphasis on work experience, as students have 3-4 years of incoming work experience on average.

If Working Professional MBA students enroll in the standard 6 credits per semester during the autumn, spring and summer semesters, they will complete the program part-time in eight semesters, or just under 3 years. Students are allowed to take up to 9 credits per semester, and would then complete the program in as little as 2 years. Students can also take reduced credits or take semesters off as needed, as long as they graduate within the maximum of 6 years. The program requires 48 credits to graduate, 27 of which come from the 11 core courses, with the remaining 21 credits as electives.

There is no minimum score required to apply. If you would like to see the 80% range of scores for each program, visit the class profile page.

Fisher's Working Professional MBA program offers some great alternatives to those looking to skip the GMAT or GRE.

1. We can consider your application WITHOUT a standardized test. Check your eligibility to waive out of taking the test here. It's a great way simplify the application process.

OR

2. Consider taking the Executive Assessment (EA) instead of the GMAT or GRE. It requires less time to study and is geared towards working professional.

Students applying the Working Professional MBA program can enroll in Spring or Autumn semester. This is different than our Full-Time program which only has an Autumn enrollment. Both options are very popular times to enroll with over 400 students in the program at any time. Start your application.

Admission to the Fisher MAcc program is open to graduates with the equivalent of an accredited four-year U.S. bachelor's degree in virtually all areas of study: liberal arts, business, engineering, and other.

In addition to an undergraduate degree, the Fisher MAcc program has some specific prerequisite course requirements for admission:

• Principles of Financial Accounting
• Principles of Managerial Accounting
• Intermediate Financial Accounting I
• Intermediate Financial Accounting II
• Intermediate Managerial/Cost Accounting

It is possible to successfully apply with just Principles of Financial Accounting and Principles of Managerial Accounting at time of application.

The MAcc Admissions Committee will review scanned copies of official transcripts uploaded in your application for evaluation purposes. If you are admitted to Fisher, you will be required to submit final official transcripts. International credentials should include certified educational records and degree certificates or diplomas in the original language with English translations.

NOTE: Applicants who earned or are in process of earning degrees from universities outside of the United States must also have a course-by-course evaluation of their transcripts by an approved credential evaluator and have that report sent to our admissions office directly from the evaluation center. Currently, the Fisher MAcc program accepts credential evaluations from ECE or WES.

Yes, you will have the option to complete an internship in spring semester if you are interested. If you pursue this option, you will graduate at the end of summer term in August. Please note, this option is for our domestic students only. International students are required to go through the program as a full-time student and graduate at the end of Spring semester.

There is no minimum score required to apply. Remember, submitting a GMAT/GRE score is optional. If you would like to see the 80% range of scores for each program, visit the class profile page.

Yes, the Master of Accounting program (MAcc) is offered 100% in-person and on-campus. The program is not offered online or in any hybrid formats.

Because all the courses are offered in the evening, the Fisher MHRM program can be completed on either a full-time or part-time basis.

View the MHRM curriculum

Full-time MHRM students complete their degrees in 18 months (3 semesters), taking classes four nights per week.

Part-time MHRM students complete their degrees in three to six years, taking classes one to three nights per week. 3 years is typical.

View the MHRM curriculum

Current part-time students will continue to follow course work as planned and could be impacted by the reduced program requirement of 39 credits (instead of 43.5 credit hours).  Before scheduling next semester’s courses, work with Ashley Kontras to talk through your specific circumstances.

No, the Fisher MHRM program does not require applicants to have specific coursework completed prior to enrollment. Fisher MHRM students come from a variety of backgrounds including but not limited to psychology, communications, sociology, English, business, etc.

The MHRM program does not require the GMAT or GRE. If you choose to opt-out of submitting GMAT or GRE scores as part of a complete application, the rest of your application will be weighed more heavily.

Students pursuing the program part-time need to complete the internship/thesis requirement. However, we are fairly flexible with what we can consider for this requirement. Many students who are not currently working in HR do find ways to complete this requirement without leaving their full time employment.

No, international students entering Fisher’s MHRM program on an F-1 visa are required to maintain full-time enrollment status.

Though the content and eligibility requirements for each of these certifications vary, both will require a combination of education and HR-related work experiences. The MHRM program should not be viewed as a preparation course for the HRCI (PHR) or SHRM (SHRM-CP) certification examinations—however, following the completion of your degree, the MHRM curriculum will have tested your knowledge of Human Resources in a similar way as these certifications are both expected to.

There is no minimum score required to apply. Remember, submitted a GMAT/GRE score is optional. If you would like to see the 80% range of scores for each program, visit the class profile page. This can help you decide if you should submit your scores.

Yes, the Master of Human Resource Management program (MHRM) is offered 100% in-person and on-campus. The program is not offered online or in any hybrid formats.

We expect most of the applicants to have a prior degree in finance or business or a related field, such as accounting, economics, mathematics, computer science, engineering, physics, etc. Applicants without prior studies in finance or business (including accounting) are expected to have strong quantitative and analytical skills. Interested applicants who do not fit this profile are encouraged to consider a general management degree, such as an MBA.

Yes, the SMF degree is a STEM program.

Fisher’s Specialized Master in Finance degree is for individuals with a strong interest in a professional career in finance. Most MBA graduates have had adequate exposure to graduate finance coursework. Moreover, graduates of the SMF program will seek positions as entry-level financial analysts, which may not be suitable for someone with an MBA degree typically seeking experienced hire employment opportunities.

Students in the SMF program will be strongly encouraged to pursue a professional designation, such as the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) or Financial Risk Manager (FRM) certifications. Through the program’s required and elective coursework, you will be well prepared to take the CFA Level I or II exams or the level I exam of the FRM program. You will be encouraged to take these exams at the end of your studies (June for the CFA exams and May for the FRM exam).

Required courses will be taken with other Specialized Master in Finance students while electives will be taken together with MBA students specializing in Finance or students from other programs in Fisher College, such as the Master of Accounting. SMF students will benefit from collaborating with students from various backgrounds and experiences. In addition, there will be joint activities with MBA and other students interested in finance, such as speaker events, employer forums, etc.

The Specialized Master in Finance curriculum is designed to offer training across a broad range of finance areas, but also allow students to pursue a specialization among four available tracks. By contrast, programs in Financial Engineering or Mathematical Finance limit students to specializing in one area and are viewed as "focused" as opposed to "general" degrees.

No. The SMF degree is a terminal degree for students interested in a professional career in finance. Students should not expect to be considered by the Department’s PhD program upon completion of the SMF program.

There is no minimum score required to apply. If you would like to see the 80% range of scores for each program, visit the class profile page.

Yes, the Specialized Master in Finance program (SMF) is offered 100% in-person and on-campus. The program is not offered online or in any hybrid formats.

Yes, the Specialized Master in Business-Analytics (SMB-A) program is a STEM-designated degree. The full-time program takes 10 months to complete (2-year, part-time optional available). International Applicants: Due to the online format, the SMB-A program is unable to accept international applications for those with or seeking an F-1 or J-1 visa.

The SMB-A program is open to all students. Unlike traditional evening programs where students study on a part-time basis, this program is a full-time program* delivered over two-and-a-half semesters. Classes (75% online / 25% in-person or live-streaming) meet approx. every other Saturday to accommodate the needs of busy working professionals, while also being accessible to non-working professionals. An understanding of math is required (ideally having taken a calculus class)

*Part-time option available - email FCOB-smb-a@osu.edu

We allow students to complete the degree 75% online or 100% online. It is one cohort of students no matter which delivery method is selected. Here's how that works: Each class in the SMB-A program is 75 percent online asynchronous learning with the remaining 25% being on-campus or online streaming Saturday classes. This flexibility is at the heart of the program's blended-learning model. We recommend the 75% online option for those within driving distance. Our 100% online option is great for those living further away or with unique circumstances. A blended delivery adds diversity to our classrooms and allows anyone in the United States to earn a world-class Ohio State graduate degree. Learn more here.

There is no minimum score required to apply. Remember, submitting a GMAT/GRE score is optional. If you would like to see the 80% range of scores for each program, visit the class profile page.

At Ohio State's Fisher College of Business, we see immense value in earning your graduate degree within a school of business, taught by industry-leading faculty, connected to corporations and supported by its own Office of Career Management. We're focused on your individual success and applying what you learn in the classroom to the real world. No matter what path you choose, It's always a good choice to become a Buckeye, or Double Buckeye.

Here's a great article and comparison chart for SMB-A and MTDA

Also, here's some testimonials from Fisher's SMB-A students.

The Analytics Management Capstone is an experiential learning opportunity integrated throughout the SMB-A curriculum, which exposes you to leading organizations' real-world analytics challenges. You'll realize the full potential of the analytical skills acquired throughout the program, gain experience managing a small team and showcase your business expertise to a professional audience. Learn more about the Capstone course.

The 33-credit-hour, online curriculum for the Master of Supply Chain Management program can be taken part-time, which takes six semesters (24 months), or at an accelerated full-time pace, spanning four semesters (15 months). We recommend the part-time path for busy working professionals and the full-time path for those not currently working or those who are able to handle a more rigorous schedule.

Read more about the curriculum

The MSCM program is test-optional, meaning we allow you to opt out of submitting GMAT/GRE test scores to be considered for admission. Applying to the MSCM program as test-optional does not guarantee a favorable admission decision, and your application will be reviewed holistically. 

As part of the MSCM curriculum for both full-time and part-time students, three on-campus experiential learning sessions will be mandatory. Each session will be held on the main campus in Columbus and include a mini-course, company facility tour, and Capstone project discussion or presentation. The first two sessions are each two days, while the third and final sessions is a three-day experience. 

More information

As an MSCM student, you'll have a dedicated academic advisor and career coach supporting you throughout the program. While many of our working professional MSCM students seek advancement within their current companies, you have access to Fisher's nationally-prominent career services not found at other institutions. Our award-winning Office of Career Management is dedicated solely to supporting Fisher students and alumni so you can leverage the breadth of resources available at Fisher and The Ohio State University.

The Master of Supply Chain Management Capstone Project is an experiential learning opportunity integrated throughout the MSCM curriculum, which exposes you to leading organizations' real-world supply chain challenges. MSCM students work on a real-world business challenge facing their employer or a challenge facing one of Fisher's partner companies and present tangible solutions.

Learn more about the signature capstone project