IT Business Strategy Graduate Certificate
July 30, 2026
August 25, 2026
Overview
The IT Business Strategy Graduate Certificate, offered by the Fisher College of Business, provides training in the core elements of an MBA degree, while teaching professionals to apply these elements contextually to meet modern IT challenges and ensure business-IT alignment in their organizations.
This cohort-based program is designed for IT professionals with a four-year bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of relevant business experience in IT. This includes CIOs who aspire to lead their organization into a new strategic direction. You may also apply 100% of credits earned in the certificate program toward the Master of Business Administration for Working Professionals program from the Fisher College of Business.
This 100% online (synchronous and asynchronous) graduate-level business certificate includes a program-long capstone project, during which an assigned faculty advisor will act as a coach for the project. Professionals also receive leadership coaching, leveraging the highly regarded BUILD Leadership Assessment© tool to benchmark pre-program leadership skills and after the program, validate newly acquired and strengthened leadership skills. After the pre-program assessment, you will receive an individualized report that includes a breakdown of your results for each of the BUILD competencies, along with recommendations to improve your leadership performance and effectiveness. At the end of the program, you will be re-assessed to validate the growth of your leadership skills and provide feedback of areas still in need of strengthening.
The curriculum includes a mix of both synchronous and asynchronous learning to best meet the needs of working professional students – while allowing for meaningful engagement and interaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 100% of credits earned in the certificate program count toward the MBA for Working Professionals program from the Fisher College of Business.
Applicants should have a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited higher education institution and 5+ years of relevant business experience in Information Technology-related jobs.
We do not recommend this certificate for MBA graduates as many of the classes overlap with those required for the MBA for Working Professionals.
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Academic Calendar
The IT Business Strategy Graduate Certificate admits students once-per-year for the Autumn semester. This cohort-based program is designed to be completed in 10 months.
Academic Calendar
The IT Business Strategy Graduate Certificate admits students once-per-year for the Autumn semester. This cohort-based program is designed to be completed in 10 months.
Admission Criteria
Admission into the IT Business Strategy Graduate Certificate program is based on the following requirements:
- The equivalent of a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited higher education institution before the program begins.
- A minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale or equivalent) for the last bachelor’s or advanced degree earned.
- Candidates should have 5+ years of relevant business experience in Information Technology-related jobs, with increasing levels of experience including management and project oversight responsibility.
The Ohio State University participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
SARA is a national initiative that increases student access to distance education courses and programs while maintaining compliance with state regulations. Institutions participating in SARA can offer educational opportunities in all 49 SARA member states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico without seeking individual approval in each state.
California is not a SARA member state, however, OSU may offer online courses and programs to students located in California under the California Private Post-Secondary Act of 2009.
The Application Process
Once you understand your program’s admission criteria, please note the application deadline. You’ll need a quiet space and a variety of materials for your application. To learn more, please see our Admissions page for the full process. Ready to Apply? Find your application here.
Career Outlook
The IT Business Strategy Graduate Certificate is designed to elevate the career of IT professionals and increase overall business acumen. This certificate can lead to various Information Technology roles.
Top Occupations by Median Income
What They Do
Plan, initiate, and manage information technology (IT) projects. Lead and guide the work of technical staff. Serve as liaison between business and technical aspects of projects. Plan project stages and assess business implications for each stage. Monitor progress to assure deadlines, standards, and cost targets are met.
Work Activities
Manage project execution to ensure adherence to budget, schedule, and scope. Confer with project personnel to identify and resolve problems. Monitor or track project milestones and deliverables.
Wage Range
- Entry Level: $52,650
- Mid Level: $108,970
- Senior Level: $176,800
Job Outlook
Bright
Related Careers
- Computer and Information Systems Managers
- Computer Systems Analysts
- Management Analysts
- Project Management Specialists
- Software Developers
Job Sectors
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Computers and Electronics
- Administration and Management
- Engineering and Technology
What They Do
Develop and oversee the implementation of information security procedures and policies. Build, maintain and upgrade security technology, such as firewalls, for the safe use of computer networks and the transmission and retrieval of information. Design and implement appropriate security controls to identify vulnerabilities and protect digital files and electronic infrastructures. Monitor and respond to computer security breaches, viruses, and intrusions, and perform forensic investigation. May oversee the assessment of information security systems.
Work Activities
Assess the quality of security controls, using performance indicators. Conduct investigations of information security breaches to identify vulnerabilities and evaluate the damage. Coordinate documentation of computer security or emergency measure policies, procedures, or tests.
Wage Range
- Entry Level: $52,650
- Mid Level: $108,970
- Senior Level: $176,800
Job Outlook
Bright
Related Careers
- Computer Network Support Specialists
- Computer Systems Analysts
- Information Security Analysts
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators
- Penetration Testers
What They Do
Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. Assess system vulnerabilities for security risks and propose and implement risk mitigation strategies. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.
Work Activities
Develop plans to safeguard computer files against accidental or unauthorized modification, destruction, or disclosure and to meet emergency data processing needs. Monitor current reports of computer viruses to determine when to update virus protection systems. Encrypt data transmissions and erect firewalls to conceal confidential information as it is being transmitted and to keep out tainted digital transfers.
Wage Range
- Entry Level: $69,660
- Mid Level: $124,910
- Senior Level: $186,420
Job Outlook
Bright
Related Careers
- Computer Systems Analysts
- Digital Forensics Analysts
- Information Security Engineers
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators
- Penetration Testers
Job Sectors
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Engineering and Technology
- Telecommunications
What They Do
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.
Work Activities
Direct daily operations of department, analyzing workflow, establishing priorities, developing standards and setting deadlines. Meet with department heads, managers, supervisors, vendors, and others, to solicit cooperation and resolve problems. Review project plans to plan and coordinate project activity.
Wage Range
- Entry Level: $104,450
- Mid Level: $171,200
- Senior Level:
Job Outlook
Bright
Related Careers
- Computer Systems Analysts
- Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
- Information Security Engineers
- Project Management Specialists
- Software Developers
Job Sectors
- Computers and Electronics
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administration and Management
- Engineering and Technology
- English Language
What They Do
Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.
Work Activities
Analyze problems to develop solutions involving computer hardware and software. Apply theoretical expertise and innovation to create or apply new technology, such as adapting principles for applying computers to new uses. Assign or schedule tasks to meet work priorities and goals.
Wage Range
- Entry Level: $80,670
- Mid Level: $140,910
- Senior Level: $232,120
Job Outlook
Bright
Related Careers
- Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
- Data Scientists
- Mathematicians
- Operations Research Analysts
- Software Developers
Job Sectors
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics
- Engineering and Technology
- English Language
- Administration and Management
National occupational information in Ohio State Online’s Career Outlook tool is sourced from O*NET Online and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The median annual wage displayed to the right of each occupational title above is based on the BLS Employment Projections program. Outlook and percent change indicate projected growth or decline over the next 10 years.
Curriculum
The IT Business Strategy Graduate Certificate utilizes a combination of courses across various areas of business such as accounting, finance, and critical thinking, to provide a comprehensive understanding of business principles. 100% of credits earned in the certificate program can be used toward the MBA for Working Professionals program from the Fisher College of Business.
Focus on establishing a working knowledge of key accounting principles which in turn assists in sound financial decision-making.
Professional development and skill set enhancement in the areas of leadership, self-awareness, team-based work and ability to adapt to work life in the context of different organizational and global cultures.
Focus on the determination of the strategic direction of the firm and the management of the strategic process.
Groups and teams are becoming a way of life in organizations. This course will teach the theory and processes of group and team behavior so that you can successfully manage groups and work effectively in a variety of group settings. It is intended for students who seek greater understanding of teams and wish to increase their competence in managing and working effectively in these contexts.
Business Analytics is the process of transforming raw data into insights and predictions. This course provides an introduction to core predictive analytics concepts and techniques as well as hands-on experience in applying these techniques to practical real-word business problems.
How technology strategy may lead to creation/persistence of competitive advantage. In contrast to core strategy course, provides series of strategic frameworks for managing high-tech businesses.
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Program Faculty
In the IT Business Strategy Graduate Certificate program, you will learn from the Fisher College of Business faculty comprised of world-class scholars and industry experts who bring together theory and practice to grow your business acumen and get your seat at the table.
Dr. Lori Kendall
Academic Director
Dr. Kendall has over 30 years as a serial entrepreneur and technology executive for venture-backed and publicly traded firms in B2B software, hardware, and networking. Dr. Kendall has held VP and senior leadership responsibilities for new product development, portfolio management, and cloud services. She concurrently serves as faculty at The Ohio State University and is an operating partner at Orchid Black. At Ohio State, Dr. Kendall teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in entrepreneurship, leadership & professional development, and experiential learning problem solving. At Orchid Black, she advises early stage and mid-stage firms on strategy, growth, and innovation. Previously Dr. Kendall held executive leadership positions for voice and video communications and contact center industry leaders and co-founded several firms, including a multiple award-winning call center technology company.
Dr. Kendall’s consulting and research centers on firms undergoing dynamic shifts in business contexts, such as entrepreneurial ventures and firms undergoing strategic pivots. She is a mixed-methods researcher focused on organizational dynamics in innovation and sensemaking. Her publications include works on entrepreneurial cognition, relational dynamics influencing contextual ambidexterity, and mental model shifts driving paradigm change with social benefit firms. She was the 2021 Recipient of the Fisher College of Business Pace Setters Daniel Westerbeck Graduate Teaching Excellence Award.
Formerly as Distinguished Fellow at the Weatherhead Fowler Center, she led researchers on behalf of the Goi Peace Foundation to show performative shifts in the evolution from shareholder models towards becoming positive impact firms.
"As technology has rapidly evolved, IT is no longer seen as a support unit, but is the engine that drives most companies’ strategy."
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Tuition Fee Overview
Investing in your future with a higher education degree is one of the best investments you can make for your future success. At Ohio State, we know understanding your program’s cost is an important part of your decision-making process. Below are the tuition fees you can expect with your program. Estimates are based on the expenses typical of an Ohio State Online student, who would take 6 credit hours each semester as a part-time student. Actual costs may vary.
| Tuition and Fees | Per Credit Hour (Unless Otherwise Noted) | Part-Time – Estimated Cost Per Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Instructional Fee | $1,397.00 | $8,382.00 |
| General Fee | $32.63 | $195.78 |
| Distance Learning Fee | $100.00 (per semester) | $100.00 (per semester) |
| Non-Resident Surcharge (if applicable) | $200.00 (per semester) | $200.00 (per semester) |
Tuition fees are subject to change. The table above serves as a guide and not an official bursar’s bill.
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