Program Structure
The full-time or part-time curriculum is comprised of 31.5 semester credit hours of coursework, distributed as follows:
- 31.5 total credit hours
- 10.5 credit hours for business foundation coursework, consisting of four courses: Managerial Economics, Accounting and Financial Analysis, Statistics and Data Analysis, and Leadership and Organizational Behavior.
- 12 credit hours of course work in Data Management, and Descriptive, Predictive, and Prescriptive Analytics.
- 4.5 credit hours for a Pre-Capstone (1.5) and Analytics Management Capstone (3) using real corporate partner data.
- 4.5 credit hours of electives from an approved list of analytics-focused or discipline-specific courses
Choose what is best for you.
Full-Time Curriculum (10-months)
Semester 1 (Autumn)
Term one (7 weeks)
- Data Management for Analytics - BUSOBA 7250 (3 credits)
- Accounting and Finance for Analytics - BUSFIN 6230 (3 credits)
Term two (7 weeks)
- Statistics and Data Analysis - BUSOBA 6400 (3 credits)
- Managerial Economics - BUSML 6243 (3 credits)
Are you looking for a course description? Search the course number in the Syllabus Directory.
Semester 2 (Spring)
Term one (7 weeks)
- Descriptive Analytics and Visualization - BUSOBA 7331 (3 credits)
- Pre-Capstone - BUSOBA 7248 (1.5 credits)
- Elective (1.5 credit hours)
Term two (7 weeks)
- Predictive Analytics - BUSOBA 7332 (3 credits)
- Prescriptive Analytics - BUSML 7243 (3 credits)
Are you looking for a course description? Search the course number in the Syllabus Directory.
Semester 3 (Summer)
Term one (8 weeks)
- Leadership - BUSMHR 7270 (1.5 credits)
- Elective (3 credit hours)
- Analytics Management Capstone - BUSOBA 7249 (3 credit hours)
- Learn how your Analytics Management Capstone is integrated throughout the curriculum.
Are you looking for a course description? Search the course number in the Syllabus Directory.
OR
Part-Time Curriculum
Semester 1 (Autumn)
Term one (7 weeks)
- Data Management for Analytics - BUSOBA 7250 (3 credits)
Term two (7 weeks)
- Statistics and Data Analysis - BUSOBA 6400 (3 credits)
Are you looking for a course description? Search the course number in the Syllabus Directory.
Semester 2 (Spring)
Term one (7 weeks)
- Descriptive Analytics and Visualization - BUSOBA 7331 (3 credits)
Term two (7 weeks)
- Predictive Analytics - BUSOBA 7332 (3 credits)
Are you looking for a course description? Search the course number in the Syllabus Directory.
Semester 3 (Summer)
Full term (8 weeks)
- Leadership - BUSMHR 7270 (1.5 credits)
- Elective (1.5 credit hours)
Are you looking for a course description? Search the course number in the Syllabus Directory.
Semester 4 (Autumn)
Term one (7 weeks)
- Accounting and Finance for Analytics - BUSFIN 6230 (3 credits)
Term two (7 weeks)
- Managerial Economics - BUSML 6243 (3 credits)
Are you looking for a course description? Search the course number in the Syllabus Directory.
Semester 5 (Spring)
Term one (7 weeks)
- Pre-Capstone - BUSOBA 7248 (1.5 credits)
- Elective(s) (3 credit hours)
Term two (7 weeks)
- Prescriptive Analytics - BUSML 7243 (3 credits)
Are you looking for a course description? Search the course number in the Syllabus Directory.
Semester 6 (Summer)
Term one (8 weeks)
- Analytics Management Capstone - BUSOBA 7249 (3 credit hours)
- Learn how your Analytics Management Capstone is integrated throughout the curriculum.
Are you looking for a course description? Search the course number in the Syllabus Directory.
Syllabus Directory: Search course numbers and view details
Three synchronous classes every seven weeks.
Combine your online asynchronous instruction with rich on-campus or live-streamed Saturday coursework to complete each class. The synchronous portion of each 3-credit hour course occurs over three Saturdays (on-campus or live-streaming) during a 7-week term (four during the summer) with distance-learning asynchronous content and support in-between. The Saturday classes are delivered as 3.5-hour blocks, with classes beginning towards the end of August. Download the latest SMB-A plan of study/calendar.
Note: The SMB-A program can be completed 100% online for those not within a 50-mile radius of campus.
Class dates data in an accessible format
The live coursework is on Saturday via on-campus classes or via live streaming. The Morning block is from 8:30 a.m. to Noon ET. The Evening block is from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. ET. Full-time students attend both blocks, while part-time students attend one. The block varies for part-time students based on the class schedule.
Class dates:
- August 29, 2026
- September 12, 2026
- October 3, 2026
- October 31, 2026
- November 21, 2026
- December 5, 2026
- January 23, 2027
- February 6, 2027
- February 20, 2027
- March 13, 2027
- April 3, 2027
- April 17*, 2027
- May 15, 2027
- May 29, 2027
- June 12, 2027
- June 26**, 2027
*SPRING DATES are TENTATIVE and are confirmed NO EARLIER than December. April 17 may move to April 10th or 24th, depending on the OSU Spring Football game.
** Capstone presentations
Questions? I'm here to help!
Hello! My name is Amanda Willenberg, a graduate recruiter for the Specialized Master in Business-Analytics (SMB-A) program at Ohio State. Whether you’re just starting your exploration or ready to apply, I’m here to provide personalized support. Please don’t hesitate to contact me—I look forward to helping you achieve your goals!
Schedule a Meeting
Contact Fisher's Graduate Programs Office directly to schedule on-campus activities such as in-person meetings, class visits and campus tours. We will do our best to accommodate your request in-person or virtually within university guidelines.