Working Professional MBA
Experiential Learning

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 organizations near and far on real projects. We're a market leader in experiential learning innovation as part of our commitment to provide the best in management education.
Note: Any university suspension on travel may impact offerings with travel such as GAP or GBE, depending on when any such suspension starts/ends.
Make an impact. Global Opportunities.
Along with building a business foundation in courses from leadership to strategy, differentiate yourself as a leader with opportunities to get involved in signature programs such as Fisher’s Global Applied Projects Program (GAP), Global Business Expeditions (GBE), Going to the Gemba, and The Washington Campus, Fisher's part-time MBA students participating opting for additional action-based learning create new depths of experience through partnerships with corporations, non-profit organizations, The Ohio State University, and Fisher College of Business' global alumni.

Fisher's Global Business Expeditions (GBE) are optional short-term, 1-2 week, faculty-led business and cultural immersion opportunities bookended by pre- and post- coursework. It's a chance to work on real-life situations and issues you'll only find at Fisher.

Global Applied Projects (GAP) prepare students for international business through an experiential learning course and an immersive, hands-on business consulting experience in a location outside of the USA. If a working professional can fit this into their plans, it is an amazing experience. Competencies developed include: gaining project management, industry and cultural expertise; practicing leadership, global communication, and teamwork skills; honing data collection and analytic skills; synthesizing information to draw relevant conclusions and make actionable recommendations; and crafting compelling presentations. Explore the links and videos below.
RECENT GLOBAL APPLIED PROJECT PARTNERS
Abercrombie | Aditya Birla Group | Barclays | BHW Bank / Deutsche Bank | Chemical Abstract Services |
Caster | Cerradinho Bioenergia | Columbus Industries | CVG | DHL |
DSW | Engie | Global One-Health | Global Water Institute | Greif |
Health in Harmony | Hilton Hotels / Hilton Supply Management | ID-Pal | Indian Hotels Company Limited | Interxion |
JobsOhio | Kraft | Lee World | Mecc Alte | MES |
Momentive | Monsanto | Natixis | NetJets | North Highland Consulting |
OSU Brazil Gateway | OSU China Gateway | OSU India Gateway | Philips Health Care | PKP - Polish State Railways |
R.G. Berry | Roche | Scotts MiracleGro | StrateSphere | Tata Steel |
Tech Rubber | TravelSky | TRC | Visagio | Western Digital |
GET CONNECTED. STAY CONNECTED.
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WPMBA Action-based Curriculum and Opportunities
By enrolling in the Working Professionals MBA (WPMBA) program, online or in-person, you’ll join a network of diverse classmates with varied perspectives and professional experience at organizations such as Abbott, Amazon, Battelle, Cardinal Health, JPMorgan Chase, Deloitte, Nationwide, P&G, Ohio State and the U.S. military. Opportunities to grow your network include connecting with Fisher alumni as well as with more than 100 of the college’s world-class faculty. Here are a few ways we've put networking and action-based learning at the forefront:
- Impressive peers with an average of 6.3 years of work experience to help you build a life-long network
- Connecting with engaging alumni and 100+ world-class Fisher faculty that support your goals.
- Intentionally small class sizes create collaborative engaging classrooms for transformational growth
- Case competitions, corporate partnerships, executive luncheon series, mentors and live projects
- Unique opportunities to energize your resume (GBE, GAP, Social Impact Challenge, Washington Campus)
- Global Business Expeditions (GBE)
- Global Applied Projects (GAP)
- Social Impact Challenge
- The Washington Campus
- Student Investment Management (SIM) stock trading and portfolio management course
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Student-run Organizations
Fisher Board Fellows (FBF) is a student-run organization within Fisher College of Business. FBF brings together the Columbus community and the college by selecting Fisher MBA candidates and placing them on boards of area non-profits as non-voting members for 18-month terms. Fellows, mentored by a board member and with the full support of the non-profit executive director and board chair, contribute to their non-profit organizations by attending all board and assigned committee meetings. In addition, Fellows complete a strategic, board-level project that harnesses the Fellow’s business expertise and adds long-term value to the partner organization.
FisherServes is student-run organization committed to connecting students with organizations and causes that strengthen communities by facilitating consulting projects for nonprofits, as well as single-day commitment service projects. FisherServes is committed to promoting awareness of civic and social responsibilities and to connecting the Fisher College of Business with the surrounding community by leading service-based initiatives throughout the Columbus area.
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Certificate Programs
Certificate Programs
Fisher offers certificate programs to allow students to further development their knowledge and experience in a specific discipline. Most certificate programs involve activities with industry tools and/or work specifically in the area of study that complements the academic curriculum.
MBA Six Sigma Program
MBA students are indoctrinated into Six Sigma methodology through a series of classroom experiences and online training from MoreSteam.com. The series culminates with a commissioned project from an actual company, which benefits students and participating businesses alike.
Six Sigma is ideal for anyone in manufacturing, health care, retail, logistics, finance, or consulting services and everyone who wants to be involved in process improvement.
Certificate Requirements: Students work in four-person teams for 15 weeks. They devote an average of 10 hours per week to the project under the coaching of Fisher team members.
For more information, visit Fisher's Center for Operational Excellence.
Certificate in Enterprise Sustainability Management
Students that complete course requirements for the Enterprise Sustainability career track with an average grade of B or higher, and that complete two of the following four requirements, will be awarded a Certificate in Enterprise Sustainability Management.
Certificate Requirements:
- Five courses beyond the career track's list of courses
- 40 hours of volunteer service in a non-profit organization working on matters that have a relationship to sustainability
- A summer internship involving sustainability
- An independent study on a sustainability topic approved in advance by the faculty member
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Centers & Initiatives
Ohio State Fisher Centers & Initiatives
Many of the nation's most forward thinking companies turn to Fisher faculty for new ideas and business solutions. Take advantage of our research centers, which support teaching, research and development and provide a professional forum for exchange between faculty, students and the corporate community.
Centers & Partnerships
- Charles A. Dice Center for Financial Economics
- Center for Innovation Strategies
- 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
Initiatives
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The Washington Campus
Strategic Leadership: Business and the Public Policy Process
Fisher College of Business is a member of The Washington Campus, a consortium of business schools that host seminars designed to equip students with the understanding necessary to anticipate, influence, and respond intelligently to government initiatives.
This seminar is an intensive, one-week course in Washington, D.C., providing participants with first-hand exposure to the political process and its impact on business leadership.
Preparation
Several weeks prior to the seminar, students will be mailed a packet of brief readings that prepare for the vigorous class discussions and presentations during the time on The Washington Campus.
Class discussion is led by a faculty member, joined by guest lecturers from government, politics, business, and the media. At the end of the seminar, students will take a two-hour exam to receive credit toward their MBA degree.
Contact Us
Whether you already have a potential project in mind or are simply looking to learn about the various ways organizations find value in partnering with students, we look forward to exploring how a team of Fisher MBA students can engage with your organization on a real-world business challenge or opportunity.
Due to COVID-19, on-campus activities (in-person meetings, class visits, campus tours) are temporarily unavailable. Prospective students should contact the Graduate Programs Office virtually to meet with a graduate student ambassador, admissions, or a program-specific recruiter to learn more.
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2100 Neil Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210