Specializations & Minors

Accounting is the design and implementation of financial and cost accounting system, both budget and actual . Accountants monitor operations through assembling, analyzing and interpreting the essential dollars and cents information of the organization. It is the maintenance and analysis of records, to provide the planning, control and evaluation necessary to improve financial operations

Careers

What is Accounting? 

Accounting Curriculum

Accounting Specialization Sheet (New GE)

Accounting Specialization Sheet (Legacy GE)

Combined Undergraduate/Graduate Program

Undergraduate accounting majors at Fisher with grade point averages of 3.5 or higher may combine the graduate MAcc degree with their undergraduate degree and earn both degrees at the same time. This option allows top students interested in the MAcc degree to complete the two degrees jointly and count a number of graduate courses towards both degrees. Contact the Graduate Programs Office for more information. 

Winter "Busy Season" Accounting Internships

• View more information about Winter Accounting Internships

Extracurricular Opportunities

There are many ways for students specializing in Accounting to enhance their education beyond the classroom. You can choose from hundreds of Ohio State student organizations, in addition to other opportunities offered by Fisher. Including the following student orgs:

• Accounting Association
• Beta Alpha Psi
• National Association of Black Accountants

Learn more about Accounting through the Office of Career Management. If you are interested in completing the CPA exam for licensure in Ohio, please visit the following website for information on guidelines and requirements: CPA (Ohio Accountancy Board).

*Accounting specialization students must earn a C- or greater

Aviation Management students at Fisher will typically work for either an airline or airport in a business role. The Center for Aviation Studies works with Aviation students from Business, Engineering and Arts & Sciences and has great partnerships with the industry's most influential companies. This allows students to get valuable professional experience with an industry leader in the aviation field.

Careers:

What is Aviation Management?

Aviation Curriculum:

Aviation Management Specialization Sheet (New GE)

Aviation Management Specialization Sheet (Legacy GE)

Other information:

• Center for Aviation Studies

Learn more about Aviation through the Office of Career Management.

Extracurricular Opportunities:

There are many ways for students specializing in Aviation to enhance their education beyond the classroom. You can choose from hundreds of Ohio State student organizations, in addition to other opportunities offered by Fisher.

• Alpha Eta Rho
• Flight Team at the Ohio State University
• Women in Aviation, International

Business Management students register for and complete courses through Ohio State's Lima, Mansfield, Marion and Newark campuses.

Business Management Curriculum Sheet(New GE)

Business Management Curriculum Sheet (Legacy GE)

Upon completion of the curriculum requirements, students will receive the same undergraduate BSBA degree they would have received had they attended classes on the Columbus campus. Please note: business majors in regional campus programs may choose a specialization, but doing so requires completion of some courses at the Columbus campus.

Courses delivered to the regional campuses are designed to be equivalent to those offered on the Columbus campus. However, there are some differences in form because the regional campus Business Major program is offered partly online and partly in the classroom.

Undergraduate Business Minor at Ohio State Regional Campuses

The Business Minor offered through nationally-ranked Fisher College of Business offers Ohio State students the opportunity to enhance their selected field of study while making themselves more desirable job candidates. The minor is available at all four of Ohio State's regional campuses: Lima, Mansfield, Marion, and Newark.

More information on the Business minor

Economists develop theories to explain how components of an economy operate and interact with one another. They then gather statistical and empirical evidence to estimate the relationships among the various aspects of the economy. Using data, economists predict how different economic entities will respond to changes in policies and external forces. These predictions, in turn, help guide private and public decision-makers to form appropriate policies.

Careers: 

What is Economics? 

Learn more about Economics through the Office of Career Management.

Economics Curriculum:

Economics Specialization Sheet (New GE)

Economics Specialization Sheet (Legacy GE)

Extracurricular Opportunities:

There are many ways for students specializing in Economics to enhance their education beyond the classroom. You can choose from hundreds of Ohio State student organizations, in addition to other opportunities offered by Fisher.

• Undergraduate Economics Society
• Big Data and Analytics Association

Finance is the study of how to allocate scarce resources over time, so as to satisfy people's consumption preferences. The financial officer has responsibility in such activities as funds and cost analysis, investments, the formulating of credit and other financial operating policies.

Careers:

What is Finance?

Learn more about Finance through the Office of Career Management. If you are interested in certification, please visit the following website for more information on guidelines and requirements: CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)

Finance Curriculum:

Finance Specialization Sheet (New GE)

Finance Specialization Sheet (Legacy GE)

Extracurricular Opportunities:

There are many ways for students specializing in Finance to enhance their education beyond the classroom. You can choose from hundreds of Ohio State student organizations, in addition to other opportunities offered by Fisher.

• Common Cents Investment Group
• Buckeye Capital Investors
• Undergraduate Finance Association
• Fisher Futures Program

* Finance specialization students must earn a C- or greater

Human Resources is a general term used to describe a variety of functions aimed at effectively managing an organization's employees. HR oversees the people side of an organization including compensation and benefits, career development, training, and hiring. They assist organizations to meet their strategic goals by attracting and retaining qualified employees, and managing them effectively while ensuring that the organization complies with all appropriate labor laws. Job activities can involve writing job descriptions, interviewing and testing applicants, administering salary and benefit programs, staff training, dealing with rule violation and conducting research in employment problems.

Careers:

What is HR?

Learn more about Human Resources through the Office of Career Management.

Human Resources Curriculum:

Human Resources Specialization Sheet (New GE)

Human Resources Specialization Sheet (Legacy GE)

Extracurricular Opportunities:

There are many ways for students specializing in Human Resources to enhance their education beyond the classroom. You can choose from hundreds of Ohio State student organizations, in addition to other opportunities offered by Fisher.

• Human Resources Association

*Human Resources specialization students must earn a C- or greater

Information Systems is the art of applying information technology to enhance productivity, efficiency and effectiveness of business processes. Companies need the skills offered by information systems majors to help them design, implement and manage the systems that support their operations, management and decision making functions. Every area of business depends on technology; info systems can also be used to help increase revenue and provide a competitive edge. The objective is to enhance productivity by improving the efficiency and effectiveness of business processes. Computers and other information technologies are the technical foundations or the tools of information systems.

Careers:

What is Information Systems? 

Learn more about Information Systems through the Office of Career Management.

Information Systems Curriculum:

Info Systems Specialization Sheet (New GE)

Info Systems Specialization Sheet (Since Au 2022 with Legacy GE)

Info Systems Specialization Sheet (Before Au 2022 with Legacy GE)

** If you've completed CSE 2133, you are on the Before AU 2022 with Legacy GE curriculum. If you have not, you are on the Since AU 2022 with Legacy GE curriculum.

Extracurricular Opportunities:

There are many ways for students specializing in Information Systems to enhance their education beyond the classroom. You can choose from hundreds of Ohio State student organizations, in addition to other opportunities offered by Fisher.

• Information Systems Association
• Big Data and Analytics Association

Insurance is the study of methods used by organizations and individuals to manage activities whose outcomes cannot be forecasted exactly, such as measures taken to reduce the risk of damage to physical assets, exposure to legal liability, or injury to employees or customers. In organizations, the purpose of insurance is to enable the organization to progress toward its goals and objectives on a direct, efficient and effective path. Insurance is an element of virtually any area of management specialization. The program is designed to provide students with a firm foundation in general principles as well as familiarity with methods used by organizations and individuals to manage risks.

Careers: 

What is Insurance? 

Learn more about Risk Management through the Office of Career Management.

Insurance Curriculum:

Insurance Specialization Sheet (New GE)

Insurance Specialization Sheet (Legacy GE)

Extracurricular Opportunities:

There are many ways for students specializing in insurance to enhance their education beyond the classroom. You can choose from hundreds of Ohio State student organizations, in addition to other opportunities offered by Fisher.

• Common Cents Investment Group
• Buckeye Capital Investors
• Undergraduate Finance Association

*Insurance specialization students must earn a C- or greater

International Business (IB) prepares one to understand and participate in worldwide productions and distribution activities. Study of domestic, international, and foreign business environments and of business practices and problems related to them.

Careers:

What is International Business? 

Learn more about International Business through the Office of Career Management.

International Business Curriculum:

International Business Specialization Sheet (New GE)

International Business Specialization Sheet (Legacy GE)

Extracurricular Opportunities:

There are many ways for students specializing in International Business to enhance their education beyond the classroom. You can choose from hundreds of Ohio State student organizations, in addition to other opportunities offered by Fisher.

• International Business Club

*International Business specialization students must earn a C- or greater

International Experience Policy: Students must complete an international experience as part of the international business specialization. 

This must be an educational international experience, such as a study abroad, internship or professional experience abroad. Any program offered through Fisher’s Office of Global Business is accepted. For any other experience, please work with an academic advisor to ensure that the planned experience is meeting the below requirements:

• It is educational in nature. In most cases, an eligible experience would include academic course credit.
• The experience lasts at least one week.
• The experience takes place during your time as a college student (previous high school experience will not be accepted).

In general, vacation travel or mission trips would not be accepted to meet this requirement. Questions? Please contact an academic advisor. 

Logistics Management is concerned with the design and management of systems for the movement of products from points of production to points of consumption. Such systems typically encompass activities such as transportation, warehousing, materials handling, inventory planning, customer service, facility location, scheduling and purchasing.

Careers:

What is Logistics? 

Find Your Place In Logistics 

Learn more about Logistics through the Office of Career Management.

Logistics Management Curriculum:

Logistics Specialization Sheet (New GE)

Logistics Specialization Sheet (Legacy GE)

Extracurricular Opportunities:

There are many ways for students specializing in Logistics to enhance their education beyond the classroom. You can choose from hundreds of Ohio State student organizations, in addition to other opportunities offered by Fisher.

• The Logistics Association

*Logistics Management specialization students must earn a C- or greater

Marketing is the process of planning and executing the conception, pricing, promotion and distribution of ideas goods and services to create exchanges that satisfy individual and organizational objectives. Often the career path to top management is through marketing management because marketing products and services is how companies generate revenues. The conception, promotion and physical distribution of goods and services to satisfy the economic needs of society. 

Careers:

What is Marketing? 

Learn more about Marketing through the Office of Career Management.

Marketing Curriculum:

Marketing Specialization Sheet (New GE)

Marketing Specialization Sheet (Legacy GE)

Extracurricular Opportunities:

There are many ways for students specializing in Marketing to enhance their education beyond the classroom. You can choose from hundreds of Ohio State student organizations, in addition to other opportunities offered by Fisher.

• American Marketing Association

*Marketing specialization students must earn a C- or greater

Operations Management can refer to all the activities related to producing and managing an organization's goods and services. Operations takes various inputs (labor, materials, capital, information, time, energy) and transforms those into the wide array of outputs of goods and services. Companies recognize that the operations functions can be a competitive weapon to strengthen their position in today's market place as they seek to improve productivity while still providing a broad array of high quality products and services.

Careers:

What is Operations Management? 

Learn more about Operations through the Office of Career Management.

Operations Curriculum by track:

Students majoring in Operations Management may choose from one of two tracks: Purchasing and Operations. Please see the advising sheets below for each track. Students will need to declare which track they intend to pursue by contacting an Academic Advisor.

• Operations Management Specialization Sheet (New GE)
• Operations Management Specialization Sheet (Legacy GE)
• Operations Management- Purchasing Track Specialization Sheet (New GE)  

Extracurricular Opportunities:

There are many ways for students specializing in Operations to enhance their education beyond the classroom. You can choose from hundreds of Ohio State student organizations, in addition to other opportunities offered by Fisher.

• Buckeye Operations Management Society (BOMS)
• Purchasing and Supply Management Association

Real Estate involves working with all those who manage, buy, sell, rent, lease, or invest in residential and/or commercial property. Real estate and urban analysis also includes application of economic trends, business trends, zoning laws, financial services and knowledge of urban society as they meet the needs of people and businesses who need to buy or sell property.

Careers:

What is Real Estate? 

Learn more about Real Estate through the Office of Career Management. If you are interested in Ohio Real Estate licensure, please visit the following website for information on guidelines and requirements: R.E. (Ohio Real Estate Licensing)

Real Estate Curriculum:

Real Estate Specialization Sheet (New GE)

Real Estate Specialization Sheet (Legacy GE)

Extracurricular Opportunities:

There are many ways for students specializing in Real Estate to enhance their education beyond the classroom. You can choose from hundreds of Ohio State student organizations, in addition to other opportunities offered by Fisher.

• Fisher Real Estate Society

*Real Estate specialization students must earn a C- or greater

The Special Area Specialization is designed for students who have well-defined academic and career interests which are not represented by the twelve specializations offered by the BSBA program. Students must be self-motivated and willing to work in consultation with faculty to develop a cohesive and interdisciplinary area of study.

Special Area Specialization (SAS)

Special Area Specialization Sheet

Steps to declaring a Special Area specialization:

1. Complete a thorough search of University academic programs (majors and minors) to ensure that the idea for the SAS does not exist at Ohio State through another college or department.
2. Talk to faculty in different departments about the SAS and potential courses for the major to make sure the program is well thought out and the courses are at an appropriate level of depth for the major.
3. Schedule an appointment with an Academic Advisor in the Fisher Undergraduate Programs and Advising office to go over the SAS application and requirements.
4. Complete an application for the SAS that includes:
   • Applicant information, faculty signatures, and the title of the SAS
   • Motives and rationale for the Special Area Specialization
   • A list of specific courses (15-18 credit hours) that comprise the major.
5. Students must have a 3.0 GPA at Ohio State for the SAS to be approved and have completed a minimum of 30 OSU hours.

The Business Minor is designed to provide students in majors other than business with an understanding of the language and basic concepts of business. The minor consists of five courses, one each from the areas of accounting, finance, management and human resources, marketing, and operations management.

The Business Minor does not have an application process. Upon completing the curriculum requirements, a student need only to file the Business Minor Program Form with their college office. No approval from the Fisher College of Business is required.

Curriculum Requirements

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The Ford Motor Company provided financial support to help develop this program.

Designed with extensive input from industry interested in hiring individuals to work with “big data,” the Business Analytics Minor is an opportunity for students across disciplines to complement their major with skills in this fast-growing and important field.

What is Business Analytics?

Business analytics is the process of transforming data into insights for better business decisions. The Business Analytics Minor provides an understanding of how to extract patterns to predict behavior and other business outcomes as well as the ability to make informed decisions using a data-driven approach. A three-stage framework is used to build these skills:

Learning Objectives:

• Demonstrate an understanding of how data acquisition and analysis is done in organizations to meet a specified set of objectives
• Demonstrate critical thinking associated with: problem identification, decision making, assessing value propositions supported by data, and generating a logical synthesis of information from data
• Demonstrate an understanding of and ability to detect patterns in data, draw inferences and conclusions supported by the data, and communicate insights through visualization and written reporting
• Identify and assess ethical issues surrounding data-informed decision making

Extracurricular Opportunities:

There are many ways for students interested in analytics to enhance their education beyond the classroom. You can choose from hundreds of Ohio State student organizations, in addition to other opportunities offered by Fisher.

• Big Data and Analytics Association

Curriculum Requirements:

The Business Analytics Minor consists of 15 credit hours, including nine hours of required courses and six hours of elective courses.

Curriculum Requirements

The Undergraduate Entrepreneurship & Innovation Minor is offered through a collaboration of the following colleges: Fisher College of Business, the College of Engineering, and the College of Arts and Sciences (Department of Design).

Designed for capturing the economic value in creative ideas for commercially viable products and services, this educational program enhances a student’s understanding of and appreciation for entrepreneurship and innovation.

Curriculum Requirements

For students who have begun the Entrepreneurship Minor prior to Spring 2015, please speak to an Academic Advisor.

The minor is designed (1) to provide students with an opportunity to complement their major studies with a specialization in Insurance; (2) to engage students from different majors to create an interdisciplinary classroom experience; and (3) to prepare students for various employment opportunities in the rapidly growing field of insurance.

Why Insurance?

• Insurance is part of every business, every industry.
• Risk is a major driving force in business operations, and insurance is an extremely valuable tool to help managers mitigate risk.
• Insurance is an incredibly stable career. Whatever happens to the economy, people and businesses will always need insurance.
• Insurance companies offer top benefit packages and opportunities for continuing education and professional development.
• Insurance is a career where YOU can make a difference!!

Curriculum Requirements

The international Business Minors is designed to provide students with an opportunity to complement their major studies with a deeper understanding of how the global economy works, to develop a greater appreciation of business opportunities and risks associated with a more interconnected world, and to prepare students for working in cross-national settings.

The International Business Minors consists of 15 credit hours, including nine hours of required courses and six hours of elective courses. 

Curriculum Requirements

The Real Estate Minor provides an interdisciplinary introduction to core issues in real estate finance, city and urban planning and construction management and prepares students for the various employment opportunities in the field of real estate. While the minor draws on classes from three different departments (Department of Finance, Department of City and Regional Planning and Department of Construction System Management), students are free to select courses that best compliment their current major.

What is Real Estate?

The real estate industry offers a number of exciting career paths for students of different academic backgrounds. Depending on students’ personal interests, they can pursue careers in real estate investment, real estate development, property and asset management, consulting, marketing, commercial brokerage, construction, accounting, design, architecture, planning and many others. The real estate minor is designed to provide students with an overview of this vibrant industry and provide them with industry specific skills and knowledge.

Curriculum Requirements

The real estate minor consists of a total of 15 credit hours:

Prerequisite courses:

• College algebra (Math 1130 or 1148 or equivalent or higher) or math placement level M or L

• Microeconomics (Econ 2001.01 or equivalent) - Credits: 3

Required courses (15 total credit hours):

• BUSFIN 3400 – Introduction to Real Estate – Credits: 3

• 12 elective hours of your choice- see below.

Elective courses

Each student has to fulfill 12 elective credit hours. Students will be encouraged to take courses from each of the three disciplines represented, but it is not required.

• BUSFIN 4410 – Real Estate Finance – Credits: 3

• BUSFIN 4411 – Real Estate Management – Credits: 3

• BUSFIN 4412 – Real Estate Law – Credits: 3

• BUSFIN 4413 – Real Estate Planning and Development – Credits: 3

• BUSFIN 5402 – Real Estate Valuation – Credits: 3

• BUSML 4380 – Advanced Logistics Management – Credits: 1.5

• BUSML 4388 – Warehouse Operations – Credits: 1.5

• CRP 3400 – Planning for Sustainable Economic Development – Credits: 3

• CRP 3600 – Land Development – Credits: 3

• CRP 5010 – Historic Preservation Planning – Credits: 3

• CRP 5400 – Planning for Housing – Credits: 3

• CONSYSM 2205 – Introduction to Construction Project Management – Credits: 3

• CONSYSM 2310 – Electrical and Lighting Systems – Credits: 3

• CONSYSM 2345 – Mechanical Systems for Buildings – Credits: 3

• CONSYSM 5670 – Green Building and Sustainable Construction – Credits: 3

For more information about the minor and about other real estate related opportunities, please visit the Center for Real Estate.

Real Estate Minor sheet

Enhance your degree by incorporating global opportunities through the Global Option in Business (GO Business) program, a university approved micro-credential.

What is GO Business?

Learn the impact of global cultural diversity, the benefits of including global perspectives, how to navigate a different business culture, and the critical knowledge to bridge differences, you can develop as a dynamic global citizen and business leader! The requirements are designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and qualities to thrive in the global business world. Show your global academic achievements and your global mindset to future recruiters who are increasingly in search of candidates with global talent.

You are able to complete the program without adding time to graduation by selecting courses and experiences that are already a part of your business degree. 

Overview of Program Requirements:

To receive the Global Option in Business designation, students will complete the following requirements:

• A. Global Academic Courses (6 credits)
• B. Global Experience (1 experience)
• C. Culture and/or Language Courses (6 credits)
• D. Global Activity (2 activities)
• E. Global Competency Evaluation (ePortfolio + GPA Check)
• Complete sections A-D prior to your graduating term. Courses may overlap with your major, minor, honors curriculum, or general education requirements.
• Submit required forms to verify your participation in programs and/or activities
• Complete all required courses with a C or above grade to fulfill requirements
• Start your Global Option ePortfolio page upon starting the program and complete within one month of the start of your graduating term
• Enter your graduating term with an overall 3.0 or above GPA

Learn more

Leaders solve societal challenges, empower others, and elevate our quality of life. Start making a positive impact today by developing your leadership skills in the Dean’s Leadership Academy!

Why participate in the Dean's Leadership Academy?

Employers look to hire students who possess the following skills: teamwork (78% of employers), problem solving (77% of employers) and effective communication (75% of employers). By completing the DLA coursework, you will build these and many more.

Curriculum Requirements:

To complete the Certificate, you must complete five (5) of the courses listed below:

Required:

MHR 2210: Personal Leadership and Team Effectiveness (3 credits)

Electives:

1. MHR 4244: Negotiations (3 credits) 
2. MHR 3211: Leadership and Character (3 credits)
3. MHR 3220: Leadership Legacy (3 credits)
4. MHR 4228: Organizational Coaching (3 credits) 
5. MHR 4235: Developing Leaders through Practical Exercises (3 credits)
6. MHR 4236: Crucial Conversations (3 credits)

Learn more