Fintech Micro-Credential

Frequently Asked Questions

The Fintech Micro-credential program is a 4.5 credit hour graduate-level program that provides introductory-level knowledge about the emerging technologies that organizations use to improve and automate the delivery of financial services.

The program is valuable for individuals at various career stages, including those who want to expand their skill sets for their current job, are contemplating a return to the workforce after an absence, are planning to make a career switch or preparing for a promotion, or those who are simply pursuing a passion.

The program covers technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and blockchain; in addition to mobile wallets and payment apps, crowdfunding platforms, cryptocurrency exchanges, stock trading apps, robo-advisors, mortgage services, insurance services, and credit monitoring apps.

The program is an online offering that will utilize a combination of synchronous and asynchronous online learning. Synchronous classes will take place virtually two weeknight evenings per week. Students will complete the program in one academic semester, with the two required courses occurring in the same term.

The information session dates for the program are October 26, 2023, November 9, 2023, and November 30, 2023. During these sessions, participants will learn more about the program curriculum, components, and application process from the Executive Education team.

The program will begin at the start of Ohio State University's regularly scheduled Spring semester kick-off date. For 2024, the program will begin on January 8, 2024. The program will run through the end of the Spring semester and conclude on April 30, 2024.

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

For Spring 2024, classes will take place online during the following days/times:

• Introduction to Fintech (1.5 credits)
  • Thursdays, 5:30 – 7:45 p.m., January 8 - February 23, 2024 (online)
• AI and Machine Learning for Business (3 credits)
  • Tuesdays, 6:15 - 8:15 p.m., January 8 - April 22, 2024 (online)

The program combines the following components:

1. A core curriculum that consists of four and a half (4.5) credit hours, across two (2) courses drawn from the Ohio State course catalog:

1. Introduction to Fintech (1.5 credits)
2. AI and Machine Learning for Business (3 credits)

2. There will be two projects that participants will need to complete as part of the Fintech Micro-credential, one for each course.

There will be two projects that participants will need to complete as part of the Fintech Micro-credential. One project will involve applying machine learning (ML) in finance, and the other project will involve using data to build ML models using the Orange data mining software.

In order to earn the Fintech Micro-Credential, after successfully completing both of the required courses students must pass a multiple-choice comprehensive certification exam that will be administered virtually during the Spring finals week. The exam will cover material from both Introduction to Fintech Fundamentals and AI & Machine Learning.

Those currently enrolled in an Ohio State University Master’s Degree program can earn a Fintech micro-credential in addition to a Master’s Degree by electing to take the two Fintech courses as electives as permitted by their current program.

Graduate non-degree students who wish to pursue transferring their credits to degree- or certificate-granting programs will need to complete the application and admissions process for their prospective programs. They are also subjected to the following maximums for non-degree credit hours that can be transferred to a larger credential:

• • Graduate degree: 10 credit hours
  • Graduate certificate: 4 credit hours

Jennie McAndrew is the Education Program Senior Specialist who can be contacted at mcandrew.28@osu.edu or 614-688-0853 for more information about the program.

All applicants must complete the pre-application. To be accepted to the university, graduate non-degree students must complete an additional application by December 15, 2023. You will receive a link to this application in your admission email if admitted.

For current Ohio State graduate students - You will be asked to:

• Answer a few questions about yourself

For those who plan to apply to be a graduate non-degree student - You will be asked to:

• Answer a few questions about yourself 
• List a professional reference 
• Answer two essay questions
• Attach a resume or curriculum vitae (CV)

The application deadline for the Spring 2024 program is December 1, 2023, and the decision date is December 6, 2023. Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited higher education institution.

For professionals seeking the Micro-credential and not currently enrolled at The Ohio State University, the in-state tuition is $4,486.96, and the out-of-state tuition is $4,686.96.

For students who are completing the Fintech Micro-credential as part of their degree- or certificate-granting program, the price per credit hour will be assessed at whichever is higher: their current program rate or the rate detailed above.

Current graduate students should consult directly with their main graduate program for information on scholarships and financial aid.

For graduate non-degree students, The Ohio State University has a variety of funding options, loans, employer programs and traineeships. For more information, please refer to the Graduate and Professional Admissions’ Graduate Non-Degree Funding page.

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.

Current graduate students should consult directly with their main graduate program for information on their policies.

For graduate non-degree students, if you need an F or J visa to study in the United States, your ability to be admitted to non-degree study at Ohio State is restricted. All international graduate non-degree applications are subject to a Graduate School review. For more information, please refer to the Graduate and Professional Admissions’ Graduate Non-Degree website.

Current graduate students should consult directly with their main graduate program for information on their policies.

Graduate non-degree students whose native language is not English must fulfill specific TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo exam requirements. Applicants who are citizens of or who have received a bachelor's degree or higher from one of the following countries are exempt from the English proficiency requirement: Australia, Belize, the British Caribbean and British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), England, Guyana, Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, Scotland, the United States and Wales. For more information, please refer to the Graduate and Professional Admissions’ Graduate Non-Degree website.

Current graduate students should consult directly with their main graduate program for information on their policies.

For graduate non-degree students, a GMAT/GRE score is not required.