Graduate Programs Admissions

Complete the California State University Application. Visit the Cal State Apply website to submit your online application

• MBA or MBA: Wine Business Concentration are both located under the "Sonoma Graduate" header,

Supplemental Documents to be included with your application:

• Unofficial Transcripts
• Resume
• Statement of Purpose
• Up to two Optional Letters of Recommendation

The University Admissions Office will also require copies of your official transcripts to be sent directly to their office. Directions for doing so can be found at this link.

The following documents will be required after you've completed the application on CalState Apply.

• Official Transcripts: (Must reflect a 2.5 GPA or higher in your last 60 units of coursework and bachelors degree completion). Please send copies of all OFFICIAL transcripts directly to SSU's Admissions & Records Office. (Use this link for directions on how/where to send official transcripts.) Official transcripts must show proof of completion of a Bachelor's Degree and must have been issued within the last two years. Students with foreign transcripts must submit a Foreign Coursework Evaluation through a company such as WES or TEC. Students who studied at a foreign university must show proof of English Language proficiency and may need to submit official IELTS or TOEFL scores directly to the admissions office. Visit the International Admissions page for more details.
• Unofficial Transcripts: (Must reflect a 2.5 GPA or higher in your last 60 units of coursework and bachelors degree completion). You may upload a copy directly to your department file by using the prerequisite review form for a consultation with an Admissions Specialist. Note: this is for review purposes only and will not be considered as official transcripts for admissions.
• Current Resume: You may upload your resume, including name and contact information for two professional references, directly to your Cal State Apply application.
• Statement of Purpose:  Statement of Purpose: A one- to two-page, double-spaced essay (12 pt. font) describing your academic and professional background, your motivation for pursuing an MBA, and your career goals after completing the program. You may upload your statement of purpose directly to your Cal State Apply application.

An individual may apply for admission to the MBA program with or without an academic background in business administration, but must have achieved a 2.50 GPA in the prior 60 semester units (90 quarter units) attempted. In addition:

Applicants are no longer required to submit a Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) score or Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score. The department considers the candidate’s application, academic background, work experience, statement of purpose essay, and references in evaluating high promise of success in the program.  

MBA prerequisite courses provide the fundamental knowledge of business principles to prepare students for the study of business at the graduate level.

Prerequisites may be waived for some candidates:

• MBA: Waived for candidates with a business bachelor's degree. Candidates who do not have a business bachelor's degree may need to complete some prerequisites. See prerequisites list. Candidates may apply for admission to the program before completing prerequisite classes with the opportunity to be selected for "conditional" admission. Upon completion of needed courses, admitted students will then be updated to fully classified status. See prerequisite requirements here.
•  

Recommended for the MBA (wine business concentration)  

• Completion of 20 units of wine-related coursework, a major in wine in your undergraduate degree, 24 months of wine industry work experience, or any combination thereof.

Costs:

• MBA (purpose-driven or wine business concentration): the cost of the program is approximately $27,000 for in-state students and $36,000 for out of state/international students. Costs will vary depending on the track and program schedule chosen, as well as in-state or out-of-state status. See SSU's Student Charges and Fees page for details. 

Here are a few ways you can make financing the MBA program possible:

• Talk to your employer about tuition reimbursement.  
• See if you qualify to receive financial aid.
• Apply for a scholarship.

Financial Aid Application:

• Submit your studentaid.gov application for financial aid.
• Please be sure to select Sonoma State University as your preferred school.
• Students are encouraged to complete their financial aid applications by the March 1 priority deadline to ensure consideration for the widest range of aid and scholarship opportunities.

Our admissions specialist is happy to answer any questions you may have.​

• Attend an Information Session: This is a great way for you to be informed of the details of the program and ask questions directly to an Admissions Specialist.
• Fill out the program interest form: Our admissions specialist is happy to schedule a consultation with you directly.​

Please visit our International Students Admissions page for more information.

The degree conferred for all MBA programs is a Master in Business Administration.

• MBA (purpose-driven): degree conferred will be a Master in Business Administration
• MBA (wine business concentration): degree conferred will be a Master in Business Administration, Wine Business Concentration