Experiential Learning & Extracurricular
Learning by doing is a cornerstone of Fisher's immersive, action-based Working Professional MBA (WPMBA) curriculum, and there are countless ways to engage with business leaders and organizations on real projects. We're a market leader in experiential learning innovation as part of our commitment to provide the best in management education for on-campus and online students.
Energize your MBA and resume
Global Applied Projects (GAP): As a Fisher signature program, GAP is an optional experiential learning capstone-like opportunity that turns theory into practice. Working directly with industry-leading multinational corporations, market-disrupting start-ups, mission-driven nonprofit organizations, or governmental agencies, students hone their business acumen, gain professional consulting experience, and develop increased global and cultural awareness while solving multidisciplinary and multifaceted strategic business challenges. As part of the course, students travel to their client-partner global location over spring break, spending a week or more on-site in another country. Recent GAP locations: Belgium, Bermuda, Germany, India, Italy, Portugal and many more.
Washington Campus: The Washington Campus is a non-profit, non-partisan, higher education consortium based in Washington, D.C. Consortium members and other partnering institutions include some of the world’s leading universities and business schools. The Campus’ mission is to ensure that executives and students alike can better understand the interactions of business, government, and public policy to enhance their effectiveness as organizational leaders. With various experiential programs and credit-granting courses, The Washington Campus is a unique organization that plays an essential role in management education. Washington Campus can be taken in a 3-day 1.5 credit or 5-day 3-credit format.
Global Business Expeditions (GBE): Global Business Expeditions (GBEs) are one- or two-week high-intensity global programs offered to graduate students during spring break or May session. Each program is designed and led by our faculty to integrate industry expertise with a global context via coursework, meetings, and small-scale consulting projects with local and global companies, and cultural immersion. Recent examples:
- International HR Global Business Expedition: Brazil
- Global Business Expedition: Ireland
- and more
1-Day, 1-Credit Weekend Workshops: As an alternative learning experience, the program is proud to offer day-long, one-credit seminars. These innovative seminars are typically held on Saturdays. Examples of past topics include:
- Angel Investing: The Devil is in the Details
- Deploying Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- The Day in the Life of a CEO
- Managing Multigenerational Diverse Teams
- Environmental Sustainability
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.
- Must be a Fisher Full-Time or Working Professional MBA student
- Must have at least one year of MBA coursework completed before travel
- Must have and maintain a 3.3 or above grade point average
Certificates, Badges & Microcredentials: Want to earn certificates and badges while also working on your MBA? Fisher continues to roll out stackable certificates and badges, on a variety of business topics. Look great on your resume or LinkedIn profile (for example, FinTech).
Speakers Series: Learning continues beyond the classroom. Whether hosted by the WPMBA program, the WPMBA student council, or our active alumni network, enjoy our ongoing speaker series from:
- Fortune 500 executives
- Emmy award winners
- Professionals engaged in entrepreneurship
- Thought-provoking conversations on diversity
- and more.
Centers of Excellence: Fisher is home to research centers of excellence providing many opportunities for graduate students to engage with the best thought leaders who are dedicated to exploring some of the most important industries and areas of business. Get engaged today:
- Charles A. Dice Center for Financial Economics
- Center for Innovation Strategies
- Center for International Business Education and Research
- Center for Operational Excellence
- Keenan Center for Entrepreneurship
- National Center for the Middle Market
- Nationwide Center for Advanced Customer Insights
- Ohio State Center for Real Estate
- The Risk Institute
WPMBA Student Council: One of the best ways to give back is by giving of your time and talents. The WPMBA program is led not just by faculty and staff, but by an elected student council. It’s a great way to stretch your leadership muscles. The student council has its finger on the pulse. It is vital to college leadership as events, electives, and program enhancements get changed/added as part of our continuous innovation initiatives.
Student Organizations: The Ohio State University has over 1,300 student organizations catering to virtually any interest. WPMBAs are welcome to join many of these, including the over 40 organizations at the Fisher College of Business. Explore Fisher graduate student organizations and opportunities to join orgs across Ohio State's campus.
Gemba Tours: The “Gemba” is the place where work is done. And we’re happy to offer WPMBA tours, hosted by a variety of local companies, large and small. Learn from local leaders, and extend cross-functional knowledge. Examples of recent GEMBA opportunities our students have had:
- Lululemon Athletica: led by Professor Steve DeNunzio
- Goodyear DC run by DHL: led by professor Ken Boyer
- Blue Label Packaging, led by Professor Claire Adams
WPMBA Gatherings/Meetups: With the launch of the WPMBA program’s online option, students now enjoy being Buckeyes from their homes worldwide (currently in 17 states). And so, the program has a series of social gatherings for prospective and current students, as well as alumni. Keep an eye on the calendar, and join us. Cities/venues in 2024 are Cleveland/Columbus/Cincinnati/Dayton, OH; Chicago, IL, San Francisco, CA; and New York, NY. We also engage our students and alumni through larger events around the country, such as Winter College (Naples, FL) and more. If you would like to suggest a location near you for activities, email us at mba@fisher.osu.edu.
In-person and Online Student Life: Whether you’re earning your WPMBA online, or in-person, you’d probably like to get to know your classmates. The program offers ongoing social & convenience programming, including: hot pre-class meals, virtual escape rooms, yoga classes, cocktail classes, and sporting events (like the Columbus Crew, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Columbus Clippers).