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Admissions & Application
The following represent minimum academic qualifications and admission criteria.
Admission Criteria
2.25 Minimum Cumulative GPA
Title V of the California Educational Code requires that MBA candidates must have earned a minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA and an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution. Foreign undergraduate degrees must be evaluated as equivalent to a 4-year, U.S. bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA on a U.S. 4.0 scale.
MBA Interviews
No admission interviews are currently required.
GMAT / GRE Exams
No exams required for admission (GMAT or GRE not required).The College of Business has waived the admission test requirement for ALL applicants to the MBA degree. You do not need to submit a valid GMAT or GRE score as part of your application nor to be admitted to the program. The waiver is automatic; no waiver form is required.
Application Dates & Deadlines
The MBA Program admits students for both Spring and Fall semesters each year.
Spring 2026
- Application Opens: August 1, 2025
- Application Closes: September 15, 2025
Fall 2026
- Application Opens: October 1, 2025
- Application Closes: Febuary 15, 2026
How To Apply
Ready to apply? Below is information to help you thought the application process.
Applying begins with starting your Cal State Apply application. Once you create an account, you may enter, update, and save your information at any time. Please click "submit" once you are done. Your application must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on the day of the deadline.
You must pay the application fee of $70 and press the "Submit" button to complete the application. Incomplete applications will not be considered, and the portal will close promptly at 11:59pm on the deadline date.
We’re looking for authentic, thoughtful responses that help us get to know you better. There is no single correct answer to your personal insight. While you should answer each question thoroughly, please do not exceed the specified lengths indicated in the application. Upload all essay responses as a single document and attach it to your application.
To review the progression of your career, we ask that you upload a current resume through the online application. Please include your work history, military status, educational background, and any honors, awards, or recognitions. Limit your resume to two pages and upload it as a PDF document for easy viewing.
We require two(2) professional letters of recommendation and strongly encourage you to include one from your current direct supervisor. Recommendations are submitted through the Cal State Apply application portal and help provide us with valuable insights into your leadership potential and the impact you’ve made in your professional roles.
If you are a recent graduate, you are welcome to provide one letter of recommendation from a professor and one professional reference. If you have been working professionally for several years, we recommend submitting two professional letters of recommendation.
Once you enter your recommenders’ information in the application, an email will be sent to them with instructions on how to submit their letter and details about the information we are requesting.
Attach unofficial transcripts from all colleges and/or universities attended to your Cal State Apply application. Photos of transcripts (i.e files listed as .jpeg or .png) will not be accepted by the Office of Graduate Studies. Please use PDF formatting for your unofficial transcript submission(s).
Official transcripts are required upon admission into the program.
Note: Transcripts are considered unofficial if they are electronically sent directly from the applicant's personal email address OR if a physical transcript arrives via mail that is not in an Official University sealed envelope.
Note: If you completed your Undergraduate coursework at Sac State, we do not need you to send us your official transcripts again.
Please Note: Applicants who received their degree (bachelors, masters, or doctoral) from foreign institutions are required to submit transcripts that have been evaluated by a third-party agency.
See the Applicants with Foreign Documents webpage for further details.
Application Tips Workshop and Recording
Need help with your application or have questions about the process? Start by downloading our How to Apply guide, which includes easy, step-by-step instructions. You can also watch the helpful how-to videos below.
MBA Bootcamp
The Bootcamp provides an academic background in basic business concepts, which the MBA curriculum will build upon and helps participants prepare for the academic rigor of the program.
Participation in the MBA Bootcamp is required for all students admitted to the program, regardless of prior academic preparation or professional experience. No modules may be waived. Failure to attend the MBA Bootcamp will result in ineligibility to begin the MBA program.
The Bootcamp is held in person the weekend before classes start (Friday & Saturday 8am - 5pm) and covers the following four topics:
- Statistics
- Finance
- Accounting
- Economics
**Note: The cost of the MBA Bootcamp is a flat fee of $1,300. Applicants are not able to use financial aid to cover this cost.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, most of our students who work full-time take two classes each semester and find the course load very manageable. You can always drop down to one class each semester if you choose.
Yes, you will need to upload all unofficial transcripts to the Cal Apply application even if you graduated from Sacramento State.
You will only send us your official transcripts if you are accepted into the program.
No, if you are accepted into the program, we will pull your official transcripts.
No, there are no prerequisite courses required for the MBA program.
The MBA bootcamp is an admissions requirement and is mandatory for all graduates to attend. If you miss the bootcamp, you will not be allowed to start the program and will need to reapply for the next start term.
Yes, you can transfer up to 6 units of MBA coursework from an accredited (AACSB) program that aligns with our current MBA offerings. We would need to perform an audit of your classes to confirm if they will transfer.
Unfortunately, if you have already completed an MBA degree, you are not eligible to apply for our MBA program.
No, there is no requirement to have an undergraduate degree in a business-related field. We accept applicants from any undergraduate focus from an accredited college or university.
Yes, as long as your undergraduate degree is completed prior to starting the MBA program, you can apply.
If your cumulative GPA is slightly below the 2.5 minimum, we still encourage you to apply. The admissions committee considers additional factors such as work experience, letters of recommendation, and your personal journey when making a well-informed decision regarding your potential acceptance into the program.
However, please note that admission is not guaranteed for applicants below the minimum GPA requirement. If admitted, your acceptance may be subject to additional conditions.
Meet your Admissions Team
We’re a team of people who are passionate about Sacramento State and graduate business education. Whether you’re applying now or just exploring your options, we’re excited to connect with you and share more about our amazing program!
Our admissions advisors are here to help and are available by email or phone, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time. We look forward to hearing from you!
