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Graduate Programs College of Business Administration

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Master of Business Administration

MBA Students at Orientation

A Flexible MBA Program 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 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:

Download the MBA Brochure

MBA Info Session January 22, 2020

Learn More at an Information Session

Join us for an Information Session to learn more about our flexible MBA program. Hear directly from the MBA Recruitment & Admissions Coordinator about admissions requirements and curriculum information and ask questions of a current student or alum.

(A free parking permit will be provided to registrants via email the day of the event)

MBA Class Profile

Criteria Average
Age  28
GMAT Verbal   35%
GMAT Quantitative  35%
GPA  3.22
Years of Work Experience   4.7
Female Students   38%

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 valid admission test and/or English Language Proficiency exam scores.

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 International Students only.
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.

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.

Download GMAT/GRE Waiver Request Form

Curious about what's tested on the GMAT?

Take our GMAT Mini Quiz to test your knowledge and get a feel for the exam.

Link to GMAT Mini Quiz

Applications & Deadlines

Fall 2020

  • Application available: October 1, 2019
  • Application due: February 15, 2020

Spring 2021

  • Application available: August 1, 2020
  • Application due: September 15, 2020

Application Checklist

Below is a step-by-step guide that details how to apply to the MBA program.

You must complete both the Cal State Apply graduate application and the MBA Supplemental Application to be considered an applicant to the program.

Steps Details  Additional 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  The MBA Supplemental Application for Fall 2020 can be found here. Create an account 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 except the "Requirements" section (instructions provided below). Click the "Submit" button to submit your basic supplemental application information 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. Follow the instructions in the supplemental application 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 do so.  
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; 2) current resume; 3) 1-2 page statement of purpose. 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 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. Sacramento State current students or graduates: only submit transcripts not previously submitted to the university or from institutions attended after graduation.  Transcript Mailing 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, headshot photo, 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)

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 $2,895
≥7 Units Per Semester $4,401
Graduate Business Professional Fee $270 per unit
Non-Residents & International Students 0 - 6 Units Per Semester $2,895 + $396 per unit
≥7 Units Per Semester $4,401 + $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 C. Mills, J.D.
Recruitment & Admissions Coordinator
(916) 278-4501
Tahoe Hall - Room 1020
mba@csus.edu

Current Students & Academic Advising

Jeanie Williams, M.B.A.
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 1030
6000 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95819-6088