Undergraduate Programs
Specializations
The Fisher College of Business has 12 options available for specializations. Each specialization provides students with in-depth classes to enhance the general business program. Please consult with a Fisher College of Business Academic Counselor if you have questions regarding the old and new GEC and which curriculum you should be following.
Second Specialization Policy
Only one area of specialization is required to fulfill requirements for the BSBA degree. Second specializations are optional. Students should have a clear rationale for how a second specialization will enhance their program of study and career goals. Academic advisor and career service counselors may be able to assist students in this regard, especially since pursuing a second specialization may increase time in earning the degree. Students who choose to pursue a second specialization are not guaranteed enrollment in course work for the second specialization. "M" sections can only be used for the primary specialization courses and are not open to students' second specialization courses. All intended specializations should be indicated on the application for degree. If required courses for a second specialization are completed satisfactorily, second specialization will be noted on the transcript.
Accounting
Accounting is the analyzing and recording of financial transactions, the summarizing of financial data in financial statements and reports, the interpretation of financial data for decision making, the development of budgets for future planning, the determination of taxes and tax planning, the auditing of records and development of systems to verify financial activity, and the internal control of the activity being examined. [career exploration, powerpoint]
Aviation Management
The Aviation Management Special Major is designed to prepare students for professional positions in the aviation industries. The Fisher College of Business recognizes the need to effectively organize human and material resources in a world of rapid social, economic and technological change.
Economics
Economists develop theories to explain how components of an economy operate and interact with one another. They then gather statistical and empirical evidence to estimate the relationships among the various aspects of the economy. Using this data, economists predict how different economic entities will respond to changes in policies and external forces. These predictions, in turn, help guide private and public decision-makers to form appropriate policies.
Finance
The finance major is designed to prepare students for the increasingly important area of financial management in all types of businesses, firms, and financial institutions. The financial officer has responsibility for activities such as raising and allocating funds, cost analysis, forecasting and budgeting, investment management, and formulating financial and credit operating policies. [career exploration, powerpoint]
General Business
Compared to the other specializations that allow focused study in a particular area of business, the general business major is designed to provide an understanding of business from a broad perspective. This major would be particularly beneficial for individuals who wish to pursue careers in small to medium sized companies, in government, or non-profit organizations in general management positions or in positions which have multiple functional responsibilities. It would also be useful for entrepreneurs wanting to start and run their own businesses.
The general business major is available only on the regional campuses at Lima, Mansfield, Marion and Newark, making it ideal for anyone who desires to complete their degree near home in a small campus environment. The admissions standards and curriculum requirements are the same as they are for any specialization leading to a BSBA. The unique difference is that students may fulfill all the requirements of this specialization without attending the Columbus campus. This is possible because the core and specialization requirements are taught by Fisher faculty and combining distance-learning technologies with traditional classroom instruction.
Generic Specialization
(No Description)
Human Resources
Human resources is the study of the role of the human element in the work environment. It analyzes the policies and techniques implemented for improving people’s effectiveness in the organization, as well as for increasing satisfaction levels achieved from these roles. [career exploration, powerpoint]
Information Systems
Information systems emphasizes the application of information technology in business and other organizations. Computers and other information technologies are the technical foundations or the tools of information systems. However, both technical skills and knowledge of business processes and practice are needed to be able to properly envision, design, implement, integrate, evaluate, and manage computer-based solutions to business problems. [career exploration, powerpoint]
International Business
International business is the study of business transactions that cross national boundaries. It includes the study of international trade in tangible and intangible goods and commodities; the study of banking, insurance, marketing, and other international service transactions; and the analysis of direct and portfolio investments made outside the domestic market. Ancillary topics such as economic growth and development and ethics in international business are also generally covered. Transactions of both private and public entities are studied with a special focus on the operations of multinational corporations. [career exploration, powerpoint]
Logistics Management
Logistics (or distribution) is a term describing the many functions related to the movement of an item from the place where it was made or grown to the place where it is used or consumed. The Ohio State University’s program is highly ranked. All of the activities involved in moving goods to the right place at the right time can be described under the broad term logistics. The act of supervising or managing this far-reaching activity is generally known as logistics management. [career exploration, powerpoint]
Marketing
Marketing is the management of exchange processes which satisfy individual and organizational objectives. The study of marketing thus includes the process of planning and implementing the conception, pricing, promotion, and delivery of the ideas, goods, and services involved in these exchanges. Specific topics of inquiry include market segmentation and targeting, customer behavior, customer service, marketing research, new product development, channels of distribution, logistics, communications, and sales force management. [career exploration, powerpoint]
Operations Management
Operations management is the systematic direction and control of the processes that transform inputs into finished goods and services. The operations function comprises a significant percentage of the employees and physical assets in most organizations. Operations managers are concerned with each step in providing a service or product. They determine what should go into an operating system such as equipment, labor, tools, facilities, materials, energy, and information and how these inputs can best be obtained and used to satisfy the requirements of the market place. Managers are also responsible for critical activities such as quality management and control, capacity planning, materials management, purchasing, and scheduling. [career exploration, powerpoint]
Real Estate and Urban Analysis
Real estate is an applied discipline that utilizes management, economics, marketing, and especially finance principles in the study of real estate valuation, development, brokerage, and finance. Many areas of the financial services industry–loan origination and servicing, portfolio investment and advising–require extensive real estate knowledge. [career exploration, powerpoint]
Risk Management and Insurance
Risk management and insurance is the study of methods used by organizations and individuals to manage activities whose outcomes cannot be forecasted exactly, i.e., measures taken to reduce the risk of damage to physical assets, exposure to legal liability, or injury to employees or customers. In organizations, the purpose of risk management is to enable the organization to progress toward its goals and objectives on a direct, efficient, and effective path. As such, risk management is a central management function, devoted to the management of uncertainty and its effect on the organization’s progress toward its mission. Risk management is an element of virtually any area of management specialization. [career exploration, powerpoint]
Special Area
The Special Area is designed for the student with a cumulative point hour ratio of 2.5 or higher who has a well defined interest which is not represented by the 12 other specializations provided by the BSBA program. Examples might be administrative positions in the performing arts, public relations, professional athletics, or other highly functionalized organizational forms. Since such programs usually result from unique student interests and past experiences, and since there are no existing programs to accommodate such interests, the student is free to select upper-division courses from any department in the university so long as there is cohesive purpose in the group of courses selected and approved. No basic degree requirements are waived for those pursuing special areas. Areas which are represented by graduate degree programs are not subject to becoming special undergraduate majors nor are existing minor programs in other colleges which the BSBA student could take along with another business specialization.
Any student having an interest in this area should seek further guidance with one of the academic counselors in the Undergraduate Program Office, by making an appointment (614) 292-2715 or stopping by 120 Schoenbaum Hall.