Spears School of Business at Oklahoma State University

The Spears School of Business at Oklahoma State University prepares our students in an environment where personal connections are paramount, and academic excellence is strengthened by interpersonal prowess. Our graduate programs in business are consistently recognized for their excellence in the classroom, producing a job placement rate of more than 97 percent for MBA graduates. The school’s online MBA program is regularly ranked as one of the nation’s best in top media rankings. Our Hospitality and Tourism Management program is well known for its quality and excellent placement rates, ranking as a top 25 program in the world.

Empowering students

to follow their own dreams

The Spears School of Business prepares students for success by empowering them to live and learn in an environment where personal connections are paramount and academic excellence is strengthened by interpersonal prowess.

This is why students choose us, why employers choose our graduates and why we make business personal.

With an emphasis on people

we ensure our students are just as real as they are ready.

Every student can make a significant contribution to society. To help students reach their full potential, Spears Business houses a variety of centers, institutes and other resources to engage students in impactful research and community engagement initiatives that provide them with opportunities to work closely with faculty and gain hands-on experience.

Our mission

Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business exists to prepare people to make a difference in the world by teaching essential interpersonal skills alongside a high-quality business education backed by impactful research and outreach.

We live in a world where business is personal.

Companies rise and fall based on the strength and success of the relationships they forge.

The Spears School of Business at Oklahoma State University prepares our students in an environment where personal connections are paramount, and academic excellence is strengthened by interpersonal prowess.

We take business seriously.

We take soft skills seriously. We study business collaboratively. We use technology to include and never to exclude.

Community isn’t just a byproduct of what we do. At Spears, we empower students to follow their own dreams, not the dreams we have for them. Because the purpose of business isn’t just individual gain but a gain for every individual.

With an emphasis on people and community, we ensure our students are just as real as they are ready. In a rapidly changing world, the only constant is people. This is why students choose Spears, why employers choose our graduates and why we make business personal.

Our values

At Spears Business

we ensure our students are as real as they are ready.

In a rapidly changing world, the only constant is people. This is why students choose Spears Business, why employers choose our graduates and why we make business personal.

Embrace diversity

Celebrating differences in people and their perspectives is an important value that Spears School of Business embraces. We strive to create an inclusive environment that allows us to provide the tools for our students need to prepare themselves for the business world.

Apply for Visa

NOTE: This section has information only applicable to Graduate Students.

10 Tips to Remember When Applying for a student Visa.

All OSU International Students should enter the United States on F-1 or J-1 visa. B-2 visas are no longer considered acceptable for studying at OSU. B-2 visas with a "Prospective Student" stamp may be considered as the only exception to this rule. F-2 visa holders may only pursue a part-time course of study of a recreational or vocational nature.

It is entirely your responsibility to obtain the correct visa and maintain your immigration status while you are in the United States. Read the conditions of your visa on page 2 of form I-20 or form DS-2019 before you sign it.

How do I obtain a VISA?

This information is for a nonimmigrant that plans to enter the United States for the first time to study. For information on bringing dependents to the US, returning to continue studies, or renewing your visa, or for more details on how to apply for a student visa, refer to the SEVIS Website below.

Step 1

Contact your local U.S. Consulate or Embassy to ask about how to get an F-1 International student visa.

Step 2
After you receive a Form I-20 from Oklahoma State University, follow the US Embassy/Consulate’s instructions to schedule an interview for your F-1 student visa. It is important to apply for your student visa as far in advance as possible. Many consulates recommend that appointments be made no more than 90 days from the intended date of travel, but some can make earlier arrangements for interviews. It is important for you to plan to start the process well in advance in case of delays while obtaining your visa.

Step 3
Complete the following forms:

• DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form

Step 4
Pay the visa application fee by following instructions on your local US embassy or consulate’s web site.

Step 5
If your Form I-20 is marked for "initial" attendance (see #3 on your Form I-20), you will need to pay the $350 SEVIS fee.

Step 6
You will need to participate in a visa interview.​

• The VISA interview
• You should schedule your visa interview as soon as possible after you receive your I-20/DS-2019, but no more than 120 days prior to the start of your academic semester. Give yourself as much time as possible to get your visa and make your travel arrangements.
• These are the documents you will need for your interview!

1. Valid passport
2. I-20 or DS-2019
3. Evidence of acceptance at OSU (Certificate of Admission)
4. Evidence of your financial ability to pay for your education (bank statement)
5. SEVIS fee receipt ($350 for F-1, $220 for J-1)
6. Other documents that can show that you are NOT planning to immigrate to the U.S. An F-1 and J-1 visa are non-immigrant visas, so it is important to show that you have connections in your home country and that you intend to return upon completion of your studies. Bring any evidence that you think shows that you plan to return to your country. This kind of evidence includes:

• Family photos
• Degree certificates
• Documents showing ownership of property
• Photos of your home
• Letters of reference (from an employer, for example)
  • Family photos
  • Degree certificates
  • Documents showing ownership of property
  • Photos of your home
  • Letters of reference (from an employer, for example)

1. Any other documentation your embassy/consulate requires—check their website before you go. THESE DOCUMENTS PLUS THE VISA ARE THE DOCUMENTS YOU NEED TO BRING WITH YOU FOR ENTRY TO THE U.S.
   1. Valid passport
   2. I-20 or DS-2019
   3. Evidence of acceptance at OSU (Certificate of Admission)
   4. Evidence of your financial ability to pay for your education (bank statement)
   5. SEVIS fee receipt ($350 for F-1, $220 for J-1)
   6. Other documents that can show that you are NOT planning to immigrate to the U.S. An F-1 and J-1 visa are non-immigrant visas, so it is important to show that you have connections in your home country and that you intend to return upon completion of your studies. Bring any evidence that you think shows that you plan to return to your country. This kind of evidence includes:

• Family photos
• Degree certificates
• Documents showing ownership of property
• Photos of your home
• Letters of reference (from an employer, for example)
  1. Any other documentation your embassy/consulate requires—check their website before you go. THESE DOCUMENTS PLUS THE VISA ARE THE DOCUMENTS YOU NEED TO BRING WITH YOU FOR ENTRY TO THE U.S.

• You should schedule your visa interview as soon as possible after you receive your I-20/DS-2019, but no more than 120 days prior to the start of your academic semester. Give yourself as much time as possible to get your visa and make your travel arrangements.
• These are the documents you will need for your interview!

1. Valid passport
2. I-20 or DS-2019
3. Evidence of acceptance at OSU (Certificate of Admission)
4. Evidence of your financial ability to pay for your education (bank statement)
5. SEVIS fee receipt ($350 for F-1, $220 for J-1)
6. Other documents that can show that you are NOT planning to immigrate to the U.S. An F-1 and J-1 visa are non-immigrant visas, so it is important to show that you have connections in your home country and that you intend to return upon completion of your studies. Bring any evidence that you think shows that you plan to return to your country. This kind of evidence includes:

• Family photos
• Degree certificates
• Documents showing ownership of property
• Photos of your home
• Letters of reference (from an employer, for example)
  • Family photos
  • Degree certificates
  • Documents showing ownership of property
  • Photos of your home
  • Letters of reference (from an employer, for example)

1. Any other documentation your embassy/consulate requires—check their website before you go. THESE DOCUMENTS PLUS THE VISA ARE THE DOCUMENTS YOU NEED TO BRING WITH YOU FOR ENTRY TO THE U.S.

You may not have time or be required to show everything that you bring, but it is better to bring everything that might be useful rather than being sorry you forgot an item. Be prepared to present your information quickly. In a busy embassy, the visa officer may have only a few minutes for each interview. Present your most important documents first and have the other things ready to show if you are given enough time.

What is the SEVIS fee?

SEVIS is the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. It is an internet-based system that maintains data on foreign students and exchange visitors before and during their stay in the United States. It is administered by the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The SEVIS fee is a one-time fee that MUST be paid by all new students entering the country on an F-1 or J-1 visa. The revenue from the fee is used to support the SEVIS program.

Who has to pay the SEVIS fee?

You do not need to pay the $200 SEVIS fee if you are transferring schools, extending your program, applying for an F-2 dependent visa, or have paid this fee and been denied a visa within the last twelve months.

How to pay the SEVIS fee?

You must have a complete and accurate Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 to complete the Form I-901 online and to pay the SEVIS Fee. If you choose to pay by check or money order, you must be able to print the Form I-901 payment coupon when you complete the form online. Ensure a printer is connected and working before continuing. Students from Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Gambia will not be allowed to pay by credit card online. Students from these countries must pay by Western Union.

SEVIS Fee Payment Options:

• Electronically, by completing Form I-901, Fee Remittance for Certain F, M, and J Non-immigrants, through the Internet (www.FMJfee.com) using a credit card.
• Through the mail, by submitting Form I-901, together with a check or money order drawn on a U.S. bank and payable in U.S. currency.
• School/Sponsors/Third party payments are allowed.

Effective July 31st, 2013, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) will no longer mail I-797C receipts. The payment confirmation that can be printed from the FMJFEE website will replace the I-797C mailed receipt. The payment confirmation can be printed anytime by clicking on the “Check I-901 Status/Print Payment Confirmation” button.

Immigration documents

International students and scholars should be aware of the immigration documents that may apply to their legal status to live or study in the U.S.

Don't hesitate to contact ISS if you have any question. Do NOT risk your immigration status. ISS has professionals to answer your question and assist you with immigration issues. 

Spears Business is among the top five percent of schools offering business degrees. Since 1958, all academic programs in Spears Business have been accredited by the AACSB International, considered the highest standard for quality in business education. More than 835 business institutions in more than 55 countries and territories have earned AACSB accreditation, but only 189 institutions – including Spears Business – hold the additional, specialized AACSB accreditation for their accounting programs.

• Spears Business undergraduate programs ranked 73rd out of more than 500 programs in the 2022-23 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings
• No. 5 ranking of the 10 Best Online Bachelor’s in Business (OnlineSchoolsGuide.net)
• No. 21 ranking of the Best Online Undergraduate Business Programs 2023 (CollegeConsensus.com)
• No. 1 ranking of the Best Online MBA in Sustainability Programs (BestColleges.com)
• No. 13 ranking of the 50 Best Online Business Schools (SuccessfulStudent.org)
• She was ranked fifth among the 20 Best Business Schools for Avoiding Massive MBA Debt (StudentLoanHero.com).