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Master of Business Administration
A Flexible MBA That Fits Your Schedule
Accelerate your career on your own terms with our self-paced Master of Business Administration program. All classes are offered in the evening to accommodate your schedule; you can finish the program in as little as three semesters, or enroll part-time. Dedicated faculty bring academic expertise and real-life business experience to the classroom to ensure you receive a rigorous education that prepares you to meet your goals. Whether that's starting your own business, changing careers, or advancing in your current company, our personalized Career Services and extensive connections in the Sacramento area provide a valuable network you can leverage at every step.
Optimize Your Experience with One of Four Concentrations
Choose the classes that interest you and concentrate your MBA experience in one of the following areas:
An Evening Program Designed for Working Professionals
Apply Now for Fall 2021!
While the application for the Spring 2021 semester is now closed, we encourage you to apply for Fall 2021! See our "How to Apply" section below for details on the application process, or contact us via email at any time with your questions about our flexible program at mba@csus.edu.
Or check out the additional information on this page to learn about application requirements, minimum admission test criteria, how you can cater the program to your specific interests and schedule, and so much more!
Application Dates & Deadlines
The Sacramento State MBA program admits students for both the spring and fall semesters each year.
Fall 2021 - Application now open!
- Cal State Apply application available: October 1, 2020
- All application materials due: February 15, 2021
Spring 2022
- Cal State Apply application available: August 1, 2021
- All application materials due: September 15, 2021
To successfully apply for the program, you must submit both the Cal State Apply application and our internal MBA Supplemental Application, along with the required application documents (professional resume, statement of purpose, two (2) letters of recommendation, official admission test scores or approved waiver form, and all official transcripts). See the Application Checklist section below for more information and downloadable PDF instructions for each step.
MBA Recent Class Profile
| Criteria | Average |
|---|---|
| Age | 28 |
| Under-Represented Minority & First Generation Students | 60% |
| GMAT Verbal | 67% |
| GMAT Quantitative | 35% |
| GRE Verbal | 50% |
| GRE Quantitative | 45% |
| GPA | 3.33 |
| Years of Work Experience | 4.7 |
| Female Students | 30% |
Admissions Criteria
The following represent minimum academic qualifications and admission criteria. As the College of Business Administration receives a large number of applications each cycle, it reserves the right to admit fewer applicants than those who meet the minimum criteria.
Title V of the California Educational Code requires that MBA candidates must have earned a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA and an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution.
Unless a valid waiver is presented, applicants must also submit admission test and/or English Language Proficiency exam scores that meet the following minimum criteria.
Minimum Admission or Language Test Scores
| Test | Minimum Scores Accepted | Note |
|---|---|---|
| GMAT | 30% overall, 30% verbal, 30% quantitative | Scores valid for 5 years from test date. Test must be taken by the application deadline. Students are able to apply with pending scores, but must submit an official score report to be considered for admission. (GRE: use institution code of 4671 ONLY when requesting official score reports be sent to Sacramento State; do not use department code) |
| GRE (General Test) | 30% verbal, 30% quantitative | |
| TOEFL | Paper-based: 550 | Only applies to international students or students whose undergraduate degree was conducted in a language other than English. |
| Internet-based: 80 | ||
| IELTS | 7 |
GMAT/GRE Admission Test & Waiver Information
The GMAT or GRE admission test is required for applicants who do not meet one of our waiver standards. Both exams are currently being offered in an online, at-home format due to COVID-19. Both this version and the regular test-center exam will be accepted.
- Learn more about the GMAT at mba.com and download a free starter kit and two free practice exams.
- Are you a college student? Take advantage of GMAT's Undergraduate Discount ($100 off)!
- Learn more about the GRE general test at ets.org/gre and check out some free test prep materials.
GMAT/GRE Waiver
The admission test requirement may be waived for those who meet one or more of the following criteria after submitting an MBA Admission Test Waiver Request Form.
- Earned an undergraduate business degree at Sacramento State or another AACSB-accredited institution with an overall/cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher.
- Hold a graduate degree from an accredited institution.
- Currently a student in a doctoral program at an accredited institution.
- Currently licensed as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
- Credentialed as a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).
- Have 10 years of valid and documented professional and managerial work experience.
Curious about what's tested on the GMAT?
Click the image below to take our GMAT Mini Quiz to test your knowledge and get a feel for the exam.
MBA Curriculum & Foundation Courses
The MBA curriculum consists of 33-44 semester units depending on your academic background and professional experience.
The MBA foundation courses provide an academic background in basic business concepts, which the MBA curriculum will build upon. While they do not affect your admissibility and they are not required to be completed prior to matriculation into the program, they do take priority over the MBA core and elective classes. Thus they must be completed before you start the regular MBA coursework and with a cumulative foundation course GPA of 3.0. Foundation course waivers are available and are determined either at the time of admission or upon a request for waiver by the student after application.
| MBA Foundation Courses | ||
|---|---|---|
| ECON 204 | Business Economics (3 units) | Equivalent to Microeconomics and Macroeconomics |
| MBA 201 | Accounting (2 units) | Equivalent to Financial Accounting |
| MBA 202 | Business Communications (2 units) | Graduate-level writing course |
| MBA 203 | Legal Environment of Management (2 units) | Equivalent to Business Law |
| MBA 206 | Managerial Statistical Analysis (2 units) | Equivalent to an upper-division, statistical analysis course |
MBA Core & Elective Courses
All students in the program take five (5) Core classes, considered to be the backbone of the MBA degree. Core classes can be taken at any time, unless designated as a prerequisite for an elective course.
Elective courses provide students the opportunity to match their interests with their coursework, and are contained within four concentrations: Finance, Entrepreneurship & Global Business, Business Analytics in Healthcare, and General Management.
Your MBA career concludes with a Culminating Experience, taking the form of either the MBA 501 course in Business & Strategy, or a thesis or project.
| MBA Core & Elective Courses | |
|---|---|
| MBA Core Courses | |
| MBA 210 | Management Accounting |
| MBA 220 | Financial Management |
| MBA 230 | Behavioral Science Applications in Management |
| MBA 240 | Marketing Management |
| MBA 280 | Value Chain Integration |
| MBA Elective Courses | |
| Finance Concentration | |
| MBA 221 | Financial Markets |
| MBA 222 | Security Analysis & Portfolio Management |
| MBA 223 | Asset Valuation |
| MBA 224 | Advanced Investment Strategies |
| MBA 251 | Real Estate Finance & Investment |
| Entrepreneurship & Global Business Concentration | |
| MBA 235 | Management of Innovation |
| MBA 243 | Global Marketing Environment (not currently offered) |
| MBA 270 | Global Business Management |
| MBA 271 | Integrative Entrepreneurship Management |
| MBA 272 | Entrepreneurial Resource Management (not currently offered) |
| MBA 282 | Global Supply Chain Management |
| MBA 232 | Negotiation & Relationship Management |
| Businessss Analytics in Healthcare Concentration | |
| MBA 225 | Financial Aspects of Healthcare Administration |
| MBA 262 | Integrated IT in Healthcare |
| MBA 281 | Quality & Process Improvement in Healthcare |
| MBA 235 | Management of Innovation |
| MBA 260 | Management of Technology Intensive Enterprises |
| MBA 261 | Integrated Business Process Management (not currently offered) |
| MBA 263 | Project & Outsourcing Management |
| MBA 264 | Business Intelligence |
| General Management Concentration | |
| MBA 260 | Management Information Systems |
| MBA 270 | Management of International Operations |
| 9 units of elective coursework, including from any of the MBA concentrations or other non-business graduate classes. | |
| Culminating Experience | |
| MBA 501 | Culminating Experience Project in Business & Strategy |
| MBA 500A | Thesis |
| MBA 500B | Project |
How To Apply
MBA Application Checklist & Downloadable Instructions
Ready to apply? Below is a step-by-step guide that details how to apply to the MBA program. Be sure to download the instructions for each step for helpful tips that make the process easy!
While the application for Spring 2021 is now closed, we are currently accepting applications for the Fall 2021 term through February 15, 2021.
NOTE: You must complete both the Cal State Apply graduate application and the MBA Supplemental Application by the appropriate deadline to be considered an applicant to the program.
| Steps | Details | Downloadable Instructions |
| Complete the Cal State Apply Online Graduate Application | Complete the online application via Cal State Apply. You must pay the application fee of $70 and press the "Submit" button to officially complete the application. | California Resident Applicant Instructions International Applicant Instructions |
| Create a SacLink account and email address | An email will be sent to you approximately one week after you submit your Cal State Apply application. The email will come from the University Office of Graduate Studies and contains instructions on how to create a SacLink account and Sac State email address. | |
| Create your MBA Supplemental Application Profile | Create an account via the MBA Supplemental Application portal and then confirm your account creation though the email sent to you. Please check your junk folder in case it accidentally gets filtered. Complete the required information in all sections of your profile except the "Requirements" section (instructions provided to the right). Click the "Submit" button to submit your basic supplemental application profile WITHOUT uploading any of the supplemental application documents. | Instructions for MBA Supplemental Application |
| Request Letters of Recommendation | Applicants are required to submit two (2) letters of recommendation. These should be either professional or academic in nature; we will not accept personal references. Follow the instructions in the supplemental application portal to send recommendation invitations via email to your two recommenders. Note: The email invitation to your recommenders will be sent as soon as you enter their name and email address in the online application form, so please contact your recommenders before you complete this section. | Please see page 6 of the Instructions for MBA Supplemental Application document above for detailed instructions on the Letters of Recommendation process and a sample email of what will be sent to your recommenders. |
| Upload supplemental application documents to complete your application | Applicants are required to upload the following documents as part of their MBA Supplemental Application: 1) student copy of GMAT or GRE scores (or approved waiver form); 2) current professional resume; 3) 1-2 page statement of purpose (no specific prompt/question). Note: Complete your supplemental application profile and then click "Submit" prior to uploading all required documents. | Once you have completed your basic supplemental application profile, you will be able to access your Student Self-Service Center. From the "Applications" tab, click the "Summary" button. You will then see a summary of your MBA application, permitting you to see the status of your required documents and providing an upload option. Please use the Student Self-Service Center to upload your required documents and complete the remainder of your supplemental application. An email will be sent to you when any documents are received by Admissions and when your application is considered complete. |
| Submit two (2) copies of all official transcripts | You must send transcripts from ALL colleges and universities attended to both the MBA Program Services office and the Office of Graduate Studies. See the document to the right for the addresses and emails to use when requesting transcripts. Sacramento State current students or graduates: only submit transcripts not previously submitted to the university or from institutions attended after graduation. | Transcript Mailing/Emailing Instructions |
International Applicants
International students are encouraged to apply to the MBA program and are welcomed on our culturally diverse and globally engaged campus in Sacramento. Learn more about the application and admissions process on the International Programs & Global Engagement site.
International applicants must answer "yes" to the question, “Do you have a U.S. visa?” on the Cal State Apply application. This indicates that you currently possess, or you intend to obtain, a U.S. F or J visa.
U.S. Residents with international documents/transcripts AND international applicants must submit their transcripts for evaluation at least one month prior to the listed deadline. Additional Evaluation Information for Domestic Applicants with Foreign Documents.
Please submit your whole application package, including supplemental application documents (resume, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, admission test scores, and official transcripts) by the deadline. Additional materials may also need to be submitted for visa processing and to enroll in the program.
English Language Requirement
Students who earned a degree from an institution located in a nation where English is not the official language, or where the language of instruction at that institution was not English, must take the TOEFL or IELTS or PTE and receive a passing score.
Official English Proficiency Minimum Scores:
- TOEFL - Minimum of 80 internet-based (iBT), 550 paper-based (pbt), 213 computer-based (cbt)
- IELTS - Minimum of 6.5
- PTE - Minimum of 65
(Please Use Institution Code 4671 when sending official score reports)
MBA Program Costs
As part of the California State University system, Sacramento State offers the lowest available tuition and fees for an AACSB-accredited MBA program in the Sacramento region.
Total cost for the program when enrolled as a part-time California resident student (6 units/semester) is approximately $26,300.00 and can be completed in an average of 2½ years.
Academic Year Enrollment Fees
| Student | Detail | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| California Residents | 0 - 6 Units Per Semester | $2,920 |
| ≥7 Units Per Semester | $4,426 | |
| Graduate Business Professional Fee | $270 per unit | |
| Non-Residents & International Students | 0 - 6 Units Per Semester | $2,920 + $396 per unit |
| ≥7 Units Per Semester | $4,426 + $396 per unit | |
| Graduate Business Professional Fee | $270 per unit | |
| MBA Foundation Courses | Administered by the College of Continuing Education (CCE). Courses are either 2 or 3 units each. | $630 per unit |
Contact Information
Prospective Students & Admissions
Sophie Mills Duncan, J.D.
Recruitment & Admissions Coordinator
(916) 278-4501
Tahoe Hall - Room 1020
sophie.mills@csus.edu
Current Students & Academic Advising
Jeanie Williams, MBA
Graduate Coordinator & MBA Advisor
(916) 278-3354
Tahoe Hall - Room 1030
mps@csus.edu
Mailing Address
California State University, Sacramento
College of Business Administration - MBA Program Services
Tahoe Hall, Room 1020
6000 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95819-6088
