Master of Business Operational Excellence

Advance Yourself and Your Career

Transform the Way You Think About Business

Earn both a Master's Degree and Lean Six Sigma certification through this first-of-its kind, highly-selective program.

MBOE Program at a Glance

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8 four-day sessions

spread across 13 months for a master's degree

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Immersive industry exploration

visit select organizations to see operational excellence at work

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Blended online instruction

between on-campus sessions

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Lean Six Sigma

certification included

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Collaborative partnership

between executive sponsor, coach and student

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Capstone Project

directly connected to your organization's unique needs and challenges

Become an Expert in 4 Key Areas

Building Operational Excellence Systems

Driving Decisions with Data

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Creating and Sustaining Change

Making an Impact

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As a lean leader, I am committed to adding value to my teams by leading sideways, downwards and upwards. Above all, I am committed to helping others while improving myself as a lean leader, and the MBOE program is just what I need to make that happen.

MBOE Student, Class of 2020
Manufacturing Industry

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Is an MBOE Right for Me?

Operational Excellence is applicable to almost any career. Whatever your job role, background, or industry, an MBOE can equip you with the skills to make an immediate impact in your organization.

 

Our students have included line managers, C-suite executives, practicing physicians, attorneys, and working professionals from aviation, education, public service, finance, government, health care, insurance, and manufacturing, to name a few.

 

With backgrounds in finance, marketing, analytics, retail, IT, logistics, and sales, among others, our students bring a wealth of experience and insight beyond the siloed thinking that can deter organizations from discovering untapped value.

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Average GPA

3.2

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Percent female

50%

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Percent hold post-baccalaureate degree

19%

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Level in organization

  • President
  • CEO
  • VP
  • Director
  • Continuous Improvement Leader
  • Senior Manager
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Industries represented

  • Aviation
  • Education
  • Public Service
  • Finance
  • Healthcare
  • Innovation
  • Technology

Minimal Disruption to Your Daily Life

One of the most common questions we here from students is, "Will this fit into my schedule?" The MBOE program was designed specifically for working professionals with busy work and personal lives, with eight four-day sessions spread across 13 months.

ORIENTATION

December 1, 2020

UNDERSTANDING THE OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE PLAYBOOK

Session 1:  December 2 - 5, 2020

MANAGING PRODUCT AND PROCESS FLOWS

Session 2: January 13 - 16, 2021

ESTABLISHING STRATEGIC NORMS

Session 3: March 3 - 6, 2021

DAILY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

Session 4: April 21 - 24, 2021

BUILDING OPERATIONAL CAPPABILITIES FOR STRATEGIC ADVANTAGE

Session 5: June 16 - 19, 2021

SUPPLY CHAIN AND SYSTEMS THINKING

Session 6: August 4 - 7 2021 

PROCESS INNOVATION AND EXPLORATION JOURNEY

Session 7: October 13 - 16, 2021

PROCESS SUSTAINABILITY AND DESIGNING LEADER INNDEPENDENT SYSTEMS

Session 8: December 15 - 18, 2021

MBOE GRADUATION CEREMONY

December 18, 2021

OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT

December 19, 2021

Real Impact, Real Results

MBOE students begin making an impact at their organization from day one, delivering dramatic financial returns on the investment that they and their organizations have made in the program.

Customized Capstone Project

The Capstone Project offers a powerful return for both you and your organization, as you apply what you learn to an immediate challenge in your workplace.

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Improved the efficiency of mail delivery processes at a very large USPS distribution center resulted in an conservative savings of $2 million with a potential savings of up to $35 million upon expansion

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Total lead time for lab test results were reduced from 224 minutes to 59 minutes

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50% improvement in emergency transfer of pediatric patients in 7 months, resulting in reduced mortality rates

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$2.3 million in savings and 60% reduction in workforce turnover in a large chemical manufacturing facility

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Software developer reduced error rate by 84%

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Since 2015, our organization has sent four executives to the MBOE program who have all completed impactful capstone projects, to the tune of two million dollars each year. The capstone project had a direct impact on our ability to define a problem, work through a root cause, develop countermeasures and a sustainability plan.

Dr. David Rushlow
MBOE Class of 2015
Chief Medical Officer, Mayo Clinic

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Make an Impact from Day 1
MBOE for Social Impact

MBOE or MBA: Which Program Is Right for You?

If you're not sure which program is right for you, you're not alone! Many of our students in both programs had the same question. Compare programs below, and feel free to contact us to talk through your options.

Master of Business Operational Excellence Executive MBA Working Professionals MBA Full-Time MBA
Time to Complete 13 months 17 months 48 credit hours (typically 2.5 years) 2 years
Program Schedule 8 4-day sessions over 13 months once a month for 3 consecutive days twice a week from 6:15-9:30 p.m. or 4:30-6:00 p.m. days
Program Format blended blended in person in person
Can Maintain Full-time Work During Program yes yes yes no
Minimum Years of Work Experience 3 years 8 years 2 years 2 years
Average Class Size 38 students 38 students 95-120 students 70-100 students

Master of Business Operational Excellence Program Description

The MBOE program is an integrated, cohort-based program focused on preparing leaders  to design and manage at various levels within their organizations. Experienced project coaches and sponsors guide students to become experts in four areas: building operational excellence systems, driving decisions with data, creating and sustaining change, and making an impact.
Curriculum Focus Areas:
  • Building Operational Excellence systems
  • Driving decisions with data
  • Creating and sustaining change
  • Making an impact
Explore the Program  

Executive MBA Program Description

The EMBA program is designed for mid- to senior-level professionals who work full time while earning their degree. With backgrounds in finance, health care, marketing, retail, IT, sales and more, our students bring insight beyond the siloed thinking that can deter organizations from discovering untapped value. The profile of each cohort is taken into account when developing course material and planning experiential immersions.
Curriculum Focus Areas:
  • Establishing a leadership legacy
  • Fostering an entrepreneurial spirit
  • Magnifying a global perspective
  • Driving decisions with data
  • Creating and sustaining change
Explore the Program  

Working Professional MBA Program Description

The MBA for Working Professionals is one of the very best. Ranked as a top-10 program in the U.S., students in this program can complete their MBA by studying part time and taking up to nine credit hours per semester. Typically, students take no more than six credit hours per semester and complete the program in approximately 2.5 years while continuing in their current career. Classes are offered on weekday evenings and weekends.
Core Courses Include:
  • Accounting
  • Finance
  • Data Analysis
  • Leadership
  • Marketing
  • Operations
  • Strategy
To complete your degree, you can choose from a wide variety of elective courses.
Explore the Program  

Full Time MBA Program Description

The Full-Time MBA program provides high-caliber learning experiences that maximize the potential of each student. The program has been enriched with skills assessments, individualized coaching, a personalized curriculum and on-site opportunities to put theory into practice. The program is designed around you and cultivates career competencies that are highly sought by top employers.

Students chart their MBA journey with the help of success coaches to ensure their curricula, co-curricular, and career management activities and experiential learning help achieve their unique career goals. Students pick from an exhaustive list of courses that are designed to provide competence in a particular area or field. 

Explore the Program  
Master of Business Operational Excellence
Time to Complete
13 months
Program Schedule
8 4-day sessions over 13 months
Program Format
blended
Can Maintain Full-time Work During Program
yes
Minimum Years of Work Experience
3 years
Average Class Size
38 students
MBOE Program Description
The MBOE program is an integrated, cohort-based program focused on preparing leaders  to design and manage at various levels within their organizations. Experienced project coaches and sponsors guide students to become experts in four areas: building operational excellence systems, driving decisions with data, creating and sustaining change, and making an impact.
Curriculum Focus Areas:
  • Building Operational Excellence systems
  • Driving decisions with data
  • Creating and sustaining change
  • Making an impact
Explore the Program  
Executive MBA
Time to Complete
17 months
Program Schedule
once a month for 3 consecutive days
Program Format
blended
Can Maintain Full-time Work During Program
yes
Minimum Years of Work Experience
8 years
Average Class Size
38 students
EMBA Program Description
The EMBA program is designed for mid- to senior-level professionals who work full time while earning their degree. With backgrounds in finance, health care, marketing, retail, IT, sales and more, our students bring insight beyond the siloed thinking that can deter organizations from discovering untapped value. The profile of each cohort is taken into account when developing course material and planning experiential immersions.
Curriculum Focus Areas:
  • Establishing a leadership legacy
  • Fostering an entrepreneurial spirit
  • Magnifying a global perspective
  • Driving decisions with data
  • Creating and sustaining change
Explore the Program  
Working Professionals MBA
Time to Complete
48 credit hours (typically 2.5 years)
Program Schedule
twice a week from 6:15-9:30 p.m. or 4:30-6:00 p.m.
Program Format
in person
Can Maintain Full-time Work During Program
yes
Minimum Years of Work Experience
2 years
Average Class Size
95-120 students
WPMBA Program Description
The MBA for Working Professionals is one of the very best. Ranked as a top-10 program in the U.S., students in this program can complete their MBA by studying part time and taking up to nine credit hours per semester. Typically, students take no more than six credit hours per semester and complete the program in approximately 2.5 years while continuing in their current career. Classes are offered on weekday evenings and weekends.
Curriculum Focus Areas:
  • Accounting
  • Finance
  • Data Analysis
  • Leadership
  • Marketing
  • Operations
  • Strategy
To complete your degree, you can choose from a wide variety of elective courses.
Explore the Program  
Full-Time MBA
Time to Complete
2 years
Program Schedule
days
Program Format
in person
Can Maintain Full-time Work During Program
no
Minimum Years of Work Experience
2 years
Average Class Size
70-100 students
FTMBA Program Description
The Full-Time MBA program provides high-caliber learning experiences that maximize the potential of each student. The program has been enriched with skills assessments, individualized coaching, a personalized curriculum and on-site opportunities to put theory into practice. The program is designed around you and cultivates career competencies that are highly sought by top employers.

Students chart their MBA journey with the help of success coaches to ensure their curricula, co-curricular, and career management activities and experiential learning help achieve their unique career goals. Students pick from an exhaustive list of courses that are designed to provide competence in a particular area or field. 

Explore the Program  

Hear from Our Alumni

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In the course of one year, I've become a catalyst for change within my organization, transforming the way we think and do business. Through the 1:1 coaching I've received, I have successfully applied the valuable lessons learned in the classroom directly to the Capstone Project, reducing working capital by several million dollars within the first six months. These are incredible skills and tools to hold, especially during challenging economic times.

Robert Gregory
MBOE Class of 2010
Manager, Sourcing and Procurement
Impax Laboratories (Formally CorePharma)
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The OSU MBOE Program has undoubtedly changed how I bring value to my company and customers. The program has provided me with a deep foundation for systematically identifying opportunities with real and significant bottom-line results for everyone involved.

Robert D. Thompson
MBOE Class of 2010
Marketing – Product Manager
Firestone Building Products
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The comprehensive nature of the curriculum afforded me the opportunity to gain broad knowledge and understanding in the field of Operational Excellence in an accelerated manner.

Sherry Neubert
MBOE Class of 2012
Vice President and CIO
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.
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There's a Better Way Podcast Series

Explore how operational excellence principles can provide solutions in your personal and professional life.

All Episodes