Program offers new flexibility to students seeking graduate degree

As part of its commitment to connecting professionals with greater access to a graduate business education at The Ohio State University, the Max M. Fisher College of Business has created a new online component to its Working Professional MBA (WPMBA) program.

The new offering provides students with even more flexibility in how they access Fisher’s highly ranked WPMBA curriculum and experiences. Now, students can enroll in the program entirely on campus, online or a mix of both.

“This is a new opportunity to meet our students where they are. The Working Professional MBA is already ranked among the nation’s best at meeting the needs of our working students,” said W. Randy Smith, Ohio State’s vice provost for academic programs. “The new online opportunities will continue to help Ohio State meet the workforce demands in Ohio and beyond.”

The addition of the online component represents the newest enhancement to a program that for years has been a leader in the part-time MBA space. The Online WPMBA builds on the program’s continued emphasis on creating a graduate-level educational experience that is personalized, experiential and transformational. These differentiators have established Ohio State’s WPMBA program as an industry leader, with U.S. News & World Report ranking the program No. 10 nationwide, No. 5 among public universities and the No. 1 part-time program in Ohio.

“The option is a mirror image of our WPMBA program with the added flexibility of being online,” said Anil K. Makhija, dean and John W. Berry, Sr. Chair in Business. “We’ve created a new modality that draws directly from our existing WPMBA program, one that is highly ranked and offers students unparalleled intimacy and interactivity. It’s the latest step in our efforts to continuously innovate to meet the needs of business and its leaders.

“We’re excited by the momentum this new option has generated as we explore launching other online programs, such as a new supply chain management program, and collaborating across the university on convergent research and thought leadership initiatives, including FinTech. As a college, we remain committed to finding new and creative ways to meet the needs of a dynamic marketplace and workforce.”

The Online WPMBA option was created to reflect business as it is happening now. Students electing online or hybrid delivery will have the same access as in-person students to the hallmarks of Ohio State’s MBA program, including: premier faculty and industry experts; a rigorous, hands-on curriculum; wide-ranging electives, including specializations; award-winning one-on-one career coaching, mentorship and professional development; and personalized academic advising.

The result is an expanded WPMBA delivery model that provides professionals the learning flexibility that fits their schedules while keeping them connected to their cohort and Ohio State’s Columbus campus.

“The Ohio State University and Fisher College of Business are excited to be bringing this offering to our students,” said Steve DeNunzio, academic director of the Online WPMBA. “We look forward to providing the same program excellence, with added flexibility and convenience.”

WPMBA recruitment is currently underway, with the program accepting applications for Spring and Autumn 2022.