Online Graduate Certificate in IT Business Strategy

Frequently Asked Questions

This program is offered completely online with no on-campus components. Classes will utilize a combination of synchronous (must be online at a certain time to participate in the class) and asynchronous (watch recorded lectures online at the time that works best for you) learning sessions.

The program will begin at the start of Ohio State University's regularly scheduled Autumn semester kick-off date. For the 2024 cohort, the program will begin on August 20, 2024. The program will run through Session 1 of Ohio State University's Summer semester. For the cohort beginning in Fall 2024, the program will conclude on June 13, 2025.

For additional information, please refer to Ohio State's academic calendar.

Classes will be offered weeknights in the evening, Eastern Time. The exact day of the week and the duration of the class will vary based on faculty availability and subject matter.

During the Autumn and Spring semesters, students will have online class meetings two evenings a week. During the Summer semester, students will have one online class meeting per week.

This program combines the following components:

1. Leadership development utilizing Fisher’s BUILD Leadership Assessment and Personal Development program: a pre-assessment, a personal development plan, support resources, individual coaching and a post-assessment
2. Capstone project: Each candidate will conduct a capstone project with approval and support from that candidate’s sponsor, from the start of the program to the conclusion. With insight from your corporate sponsors and the Fisher faculty team, application to real-time projects is embedded into the program structure. Experienced coaches will also provide project guidance and build confidence as learning is put into action.
3. A core curriculum that consists of thirteen and a half (13.5) credit hours, across seven (7) courses drawn from the Ohio State course catalog:
   1. Strategy Formulation and Implementation
   2. Developing High Performance Teams
   3. IT Discipline Fundamentals
   4. Predictive Analysis
   5. Accounting for Decision Makers
   6. Technology and Innovation Strategy
   7. Professional Development

The credits earned through this program can be applied to the Fisher College of Business Working Professionals MBA Program on a case-by-case basis. Please contact Jennie McAndrew at mcandrew.28@osu.edu for more information.

At the start of the program, students will identify an applicable project within their company that will become their capstone project, with approval from their employer. Work on the capstone project will commence at the start of the program and continue through to the program’s conclusion. As students progress through the program, experienced Ohio State University coaches will provide project guidance and personal leadership development.

Utilizing the BUILD Leadership Assessment, coaches will help students grow in confidence as learning is put into action. The conclusion of the project will consist of an oral presentation and defense of the project in front of the employer and select faculty from Ohio State. This presentation addresses three key dimensions: the strategy question, the implied/required organizational changes, and the resulting implied/required process changes. The outcome from each of these projects contributes real value to the student’s company, increasing the ROI that they receive from the program.

Created in 2017 by researchers at Max M. Fisher College of Business, the BUILD Leadership Model utilizes decades of research and behaviors that have been proven to increase leadership effectiveness.  

The BUILD Leadership Model measures 18 core leadership competencies to lead oneself, to lead groups and teams, and to lead organizations and communities. The BUILD Leadership Assessment is a behaviorally-based instrument designed to help leaders understand opportunities to improve their leadership skills through individual and observer ratings. Upon completion, each student will receive an individualized report that includes a breakdown of their results for each of the BUILD competencies along with recommendations to improve their leadership performance and effectiveness. 

Students will complete a BUILD Leadership Assessment at both the beginning and the end of the program to measure behavioral changes across the 18 competencies within BUILD. Over the course of this program, participants will engage in a robust debrief experience to interpret their results; receive 1:1 coaching to set a goal for their leadership development and to support their individual growth; and receive additional training on core leadership competencies throughout the curriculum. 

Learn more about the BUILD Leadership Model

Admission into a graduate level program at The Ohio State University requires the following of applicants:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited higher education institution before the program begins
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the last degree earned. 
• Completed program application, applicant interview and sponsor interview process

In addition, candidates applying for this program should have 5+ years of relevant business experience in Information Technology-related jobs, with increasing levels of experience, including management and project oversight responsibility. Candidates should also possess demonstrable skills and experience in implementing strategies and deployments within their discipline.

We highly encourage you to speak to our team before starting your application to discuss your qualifications, especially if you have any questions about the above requirements.

The following items are required through our online application process:

• Official college transcripts
• Resume/CV
• Two letters of recommendation
• Three essay questions
• Employer support letter

The admissions committee reviews completed applications based on application rounds. We will review and release decisions based on the timeline for each round. Below are the deadlines to plan for as you gather your application materials. If you are eligible for the Graduate Certificate in IT Business Strategy and are selected to move forward in the application process, you will need to complete a personal interview with the program's Admissions Committee. The Admissions Committee will also interview your project sponsor. 

In-state student tuition: $19,564

Out-of-state student tuition: $20,264

The program tuition includes all components of the program (BUILD Leadership Assessment, class fees and project coaching), along with course materials/readings/books. Tuition is subject to change in the event of an increase in The Ohio State University general fee.

Unfortunately, scholarships are not available for this program. However, students may receive financial support from their company. Please contact Jennie McAndrew at mcandrew.28@osu.edu for a Sponsor Information Form.

Yes, Ohio State employees and dependents are able to use tuition assistance benefits for this program. For additional information, visit The Ohio State University Human Resources Faculty and Staff Tuition Assistance website.

The Graduate Certificate in IT Business Strategy is an investment from both you and your employer. During this program, you will be learning new information, networking with other executives and industries, and generating new ideas and solutions that will provide immediate value to your company. We suggest you first talk to your direct supervisor about your desire to pursue your Graduate Certificate in IT Business Strategy.

Once you have the support of your supervisor, a great next step is to meet with your Human Resources department to see if there is already a formalized tuition reimbursement policy in place. Due to company tax incentives, more and more companies are providing this benefit to their employees. Bring forward the benefits of you participating in this program and the value this will be to the company.

If you would like additional reinforcement regarding the benefits for students who complete this program, please have your employer contact us here. 

Contact Jennie McAndrew at mcandrew.28@osu.edu for an Employer Support Form and a Sponsor Information Form.

Because this program is a hybrid of online synchronous and asynchronous sessions, and because the synchronous sessions (which are set in Eastern Standard Time zone) are mandatory, this hybrid model program is not advantageous to being completed in international time zones.

Proof of English proficiency is required for those applicants who have held the status of U.S. permanent resident for less than one year from the official first day of the autumn semester. Applicants who are a) citizens of or b) have earned a bachelor’s or graduate degree from a university in one of the following countries are exempt from the requirement: Australia, Belize, the British Caribbean and British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), England, Guyana, Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, Scotland, the United States of America and Wales.

Please visit https://fisher.osu.edu/graduate/international-applicants for more information on transcripts and testing.

No, GMAT/ GRE scores are not required to apply.

Several of the classes in the Graduate Certificate in IT Business Strategy are also required as part of the Fisher College of Business MBA program. Because of this overlap in curriculum, we do not recommend this program for MBA graduates.