Experiences Matter
Ohio State’s Fisher College of Business is a market leader in experiential education. Committed to providing the best in business management education, Fisher’s innovative MBA curriculum includes several required and optional courses that challenge students' ability to think creatively, collaborate with colleagues, and manage complex, real-world projects.
In addition to term and semester-long projects with industry partners, all MBA students participate in a variety of live case competitions. These fast-paced, sprint-like case competitions challenge students to think critically while under pressure; efficiently analyzing the current situation as presented by the host company and providing sound strategic recommendations that are implementable, drawing on available information, personal experiences and informed assumptions where necessary.
Fisher leverages partnerships with local and global corporations and non-profit organizations to ensure an array of relevant business challenges from across industry sectors.
Hands-On: Local, National & Global
Experiential Learning Embedded in the Full-Time MBA Curriculum
- First-Year MBA Fall/Winter Case Competition: Apply newly acquired knowledge as you compete in core teams against your fellow Fisher colleagues to provide recommended solutions to a business challenge presented by a sponsoring company
- Business Lab Challenge: Tackle hands-on projects for Columbus-based companies
- Career & Industry Immersion Academies: Delve deeper into industries of interest through case analysis, corporate site visits, networking events, and a speaker series
- Max Problem Solving: Examine significant social issues and recommend steps businesses should take to contribute to positive changes/resolution (corporate social responsibility)
- Global Applied Projects (GAP): Apply your knowledge and leadership skills in an international business setting through this capstone-style course
- Global Business Expeditions (GBE): Tackle small-scale consulting projects for global companies in this high-intensity global program
- Student Investment Management (SIM): Navigate management of a multi-million-dollar investment portfolio in this stock trading and portfolio management course
- The Washington Campus: Explore first-hand the intersections between the political process and its impact on business leadership through a one-week, intensive seminar course in Washington D.C.
- Student Exchanges: This is a two-week summer academic program at one of our partner universities in Vallendar, Germany. Study abroad and learn how business is conducted in the European region
Did you know? Some of our global experiences may already cover flights and accommodations. We also have the Fisher Global Grant for eligible students. Funding FAQ
Academic case competitions test your analytical savvy while helping you hone your presentation skills and prepare to take on challenges in the business world. In addition to sending teams to business competitions around the country, Ohio State is host to several competitions.
Fisher Invitational Case Competition: Established by Fisher College of Business in 1992, this competition invites MBA student teams from across the country to pit their skills against each other in friendly competition at a professional level.
CIBER MBA International Business Case Competition: Held at the University of Wisconsin Madison, this international business case competition brings together teams of MBA students from nine domestic and international institutions to compete with a focus on an international business strategy case. Ohio State's CIBER is located in the Fisher College of Business and is also a resource for our students.
Ohio State Business Plan Competition: Open to the community at large, teams must include at least one Ohio State student or alumnus/alumna. The focus is on the creation of a new business plan, and teams prepare through participation in a series of workshops such as developing a business plan, creating a new venture management team, evaluating the market potential of technologies, making financial projections, and legal issues in new venture creation.
- FinTech Micro-Credential: FinTech is a dynamic and rapidly scaling field presenting endless opportunities. The Fintech micro-credential program is comprised of two graduate-level courses (4.5 units), two projects, and a certification exam.
- MBA Six Sigma Program: Become certified in Six Sigma process improvement methodology through a series of classroom experiences and online training from MoreSteam.com. The series culminates with a commissioned project with a company in which students work in teams on client deliverables. For more information, visit Fisher’s Center for Operational Excellence
Learning happens when one puts into practice theories studied in the classroom. Participating in The John Molson International Case Competition and other experiential learning opportunities has been invaluable within the Fisher MBA program and, ultimately, my life journey.