School of Business MBA Program

Sonoma State University, School of Business MBA Program History

Sonoma State University, founded in 1960, is a public, coeducational institution. The 200-acre campus is located in a suburban area 7 miles south of Santa Rosa. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 7500.

The School of Business MBA Program was founded in 1976 and is located on the main campus. The basic educational approach is to prepare graduates for positions of leadership in organizational settings in both the private and public sectors by providing them with an understanding of the principles of management, finance, marketing, production, and management information systems.

Sonoma State University, School of Business MBA Program Academics

The MBA Program offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA). Other programs include internship programs.

Thirty total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 9 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Strategic Human Resource Management
• Financial Statement Analysis
• Seminar in Marketing Management
• Seminar in Managerial Finance
• Management Information Systems
• Seminar in Strategic Management or Entrepreneurship
• Seminar in Operations Management

Business students may take relevant nonbusiness courses in other departments. The minimum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time is 3 semesters; maximum, 7 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 6 semesters; maximum, 7 years.

There are 23 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate; there is 1 part-time faculty member. Faculty salaries are rated well above average for Category IIA institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 6; average business class size is 25.

Sonoma State University, School of Business MBA Program Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 700,000 volumes and 200,000 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 32,000 periodicals. Students have access to such databases and networks as Compustat, ABI/INFORM, Lexis/Nexis, JSTOR, Snapshots North America, and IMF. Other opportunities for research consist of a computerized interlibrary loan service.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. Available computer facilities consist of 8 labs with 94 Intel PCs and 78 Macs.

Career and Job Placement

Placement services are limited, since most students are already employed full time, and are available through the university placement office.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL and the written English Proficiency Test (WEPT). International students must score 500 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT) or 79 on the Internet-Based (iBT) version. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health, and proof of adequate funds to cover 1 year of study. The application deadline for fall entry is February 28.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 15 weeks long. Graduate programs are offered during the evening only.

Sonoma State University, School of Business MBA Program Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.5 and a GMAT score of 450. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (200 x GPA) + GMAT, or minimum 1050. Most important admissions factors are GMAT results, grades in upper-level courses, and academic accomplishments and ability. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 35; 22 were accepted. The average GPA was 3.45; average GMAT score was 570. Transfers are not accepted.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall and spring. To apply, students must submit an application form, 2 transcripts, GMAT scores, and a nonrefundable application fee of $55. The application deadlines are February 28 for fall entry; September 30, spring. Students are notified within 45 days of the admissions decision after having received all required documents. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is February 15.

Sonoma State University, School of Business MBA Program Financial Aid

In a recent year about 5% of graduate business school students received financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships. The FAFSA and the school’s own financial statement are required. The application deadline is March 2 for fall entry.

Tuition for in-state residents is $246 per credit. Nonresidents pay $339 per credit. Books and supplies cost approximately $300; and other fees, $2712 for residents and $4164 for non-residents. Graduate student housing consists of on- and off-campus facilities. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Sonoma State University, School of Business MBA Program Students

Seven percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 90% have had an average of 3 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students are from California (95%). Forty-seven percent are women, 15% are minorities, and 2% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 36; ages range from 23 to 55. Twenty percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 2% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 45%, business; 17%, liberal arts; 15%, math and science; 10%, social sciences; 7%, engineering; and 3%, economics. About 5% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 75% remain to receive their degree. In a recent year, 21 graduate business degrees were awarded.