Admission to the New MBA program in Wine Business

All documentation required for admission to the MBA program in Wine Business must be received by the University no later than the last day of the relevant application period.

The application periods are:

Fall semester: November 1 - March 30

Spring semester: August 1 - September 30

You can apply online at: http://www.sonoma.edu/ar/prospective/gs/apply.shtml

To be admitted to the MBA program in Wine Business, a candidate must meet the requirements of both the University and the Department of Business Administration.

University Requirements

The requirements for admission to graduate study (work beyond the bachelor’s degree) at Sonoma State University are in accordance with Title 5, California Administrative Code. For admission, applicants must:

1. Hold an acceptable baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association or have completed academic preparation as determined by an appropriate campus authority.

2. Have attained a grade point average of at least 2.50 (A = 4.00) in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units attempted.

3. Have been in good standing at the last college attended.

4. Have earned a minimum score of 550 on the paper version or 213 on the computerized version or 79 on the Internet version of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). This requirement is for applicants who have not spent at least three years of school at the secondary level (or beyond) where English is the principal language of instruction. Official TOEFL scores must be sent to the Office of Admissions and Records (address provided below).

Department of Business Administration Requirements

An individual may apply for admission to the MBA program in Wine Business with or without an academic background in business administration. However, all candidates for the MBA program in Wine Business must have completed either 24 units of wine-related coursework, or 24 months of wine industry work experience, or any combination thereof, to be admissable to the MBA program in Wine Business. In addition, the department considers the candidate's application, academic background, and performance on the GMAT in evaluating high promise of success in the program.

Candidates must have attained a grade point average of at least 2.50 (A = 4.00) in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units attempted.

Applicants will not be considered without a current Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) score (less than 5 years old). Applicants must have a minimum total score on the GMAT of 450, and a score on the quantitative portion of the exam at the 20th percentile or above, and either a score on the the verbal at the 20th percentile or above or at least a 4 on the analytical writing portion.

In addition, the department requires a minimum formula score of 1050 obtained from a combination of the total GMAT score and the grade point average for the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units attempted. The formula is calculated as follows:

Formula Score = (200 x Grade Point Average) + Total GMAT score

To illustrate, if a candidate has a 3.20 grade point average for the last 60 units and a total GMAT score of 500, the total formula score would be 1140.

Example Computation: 200(3.20) + 500 = 1140

In this case, the candidate would meet the minimum formula score required for admission.

A candidate with a minimum formula score of 1000 who otherwise demonstrates high promise of success in the program may be considered by the department for alternative admission into the MBA program. To be considered, the candidate must clearly demonstrate a record of at least five years of appropriate managerial experience since receipt of the bachelor’s degree.

A candidate who is not accepted may appeal to the Graduate Committee for admission reconsideration. Such appeals are not routinely granted.

Documentation Needed to Apply

The following documentation is required for consideration of acceptance into the MBA program in Wine Business. All documentation required for admission must be received by the University no later than the last day of the relevant application period.

1. A California State University Application for Graduate and Postbaccalaureate Admission. International students must submit the Sonoma State University "International Student Application for Admission-Readmission" (instead of the CSU standard form), and a copy of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score with a minimum of 550 on the paper version or 213 on the computerized version or 79 on the Internet version. For more information on applying, visit the Office of Admissions and Records online or in person.

2. One copy of official transcripts should be ordered from each college attended.  All community college and university transcripts that provide evidence of completion of MBA Foundation courses must be included.

3. An official copy of the GMAT score should be ordered from:
   
   GMAT
   Educational Testing Service
   PO Box 6101
   Princeton, NJ 08541-6101

Testing sites for the GMAT and preparation materials can be obtained at the side link above.

The documents detailed in items 1 and 2 above must be sent to:

• Office of Admissions and Records
  Sonoma State University
  1801 East Cotati Avenue
  Rohnert Park, CA 94928-3609

The GMAT score, item 3 above, should be sent directly to:

• MBA Coordinator
  School of Business and Economics
  Department of Business Administration
  Sonoma State University
  1801 East Cotati Avenue
  Rohnert Park, CA 94928-3609

Students who are currently eligible to enroll in classes at Sonoma State University in postbaccalaureate status may apply for admission to the MBA program directly to the MBA Coordinator. A current copy of the California State University Graduate and Postbaccalaureate Admission form will be required as well as a GMAT score.

Graduate Student Status

An applicant admitted into the MBA program will be admitted in one of two categories:

• Conditionally Classified Graduate status. A student admitted to the MBA program as a Conditionally Classified Graduate student can only take Foundation courses. This student may not take MBA Required or Elective courses without permission of the MBA Coordinator. A student who begins as a Conditionally Classified Graduate student will be eligible for advancement to Classified Graduate status upon successful completion of the Foundation courses. Such a request for a change in status should be submitted to the MBA Coordinator.
• Classified Graduate Status. A student admitted to the MBA program as a Classified Graduate student will have completed the Foundation courses at the time of admission. This student may take MBA Required or Elective courses.

Admissions Process

The Office of Admissions and Records performs the initial evaluation of the application and transcripts and determines eligibility for admission to the University. If the candidate is not eligible for admission to the University, the candidate is notified and the process stops.

If the candidate is eligible for admission to the University, the application and copies of the transcripts are forwarded to the MBA Coordinator for the department recommendation.  When the GMAT score is received, eligibility for admission to the MBA Program is determined and a recommendation for status of admission is returned to the office of Admissions and Records, which will notify the candidate of the results.

Students who have not taken the GMAT will not be accepted for entrance into the program.

Transfer credits

A maximum of 6 units of transferred graduate level work may be used to satisfy the 30 units needed for the degree plan. Transfer courses will usually only be accepted from AACSB accredited universities. Transfer courses must be approved by the MBA Coordinator. Be sure to get approval for transfer courses prior to taking them.

Eligibility for MBA Courses

Courses offered in the MBA program have restricted enrollment.

• For MBA Foundation courses, a student must be at least a Conditionally Classified graduate student in the MBA program, or a Classified graduate student in another graduate program at the University, or obtain written permission from the MBA Coordinator.
• For MBA Required or Elective courses, a student must be a Classified graduate student in the MBA program, or a Classified Graduate student in another graduate program at the University, or obtain written permission from the MBA Coordinator.

Readmission

Students taking more than one semester off must reapply and meet current admission standards as presented above. In addition the GMAT used to determine that admission can not be more than 5 years old. Students readmitted may have to recertify courses. Recertification is necessary for any course that will be more than 7 years old the semester the degree is granted.

Last modified 07.25.2007 . Tracy Navas