Business Administration, MBA
Master of Business Administration
About this program
The Master of Business Administration gives you a broad foundation in business to prepare for leadership roles. You build skills in decision-making, communication, and teamwork. Learn to solve problems, lead with integrity, and adapt to change while developing a critical, global, and ethical mindset. You also explore how to use new technologies to drive innovation in today’s fast-changing business world. You can take electives to specialize in any of eight subject areas, including accounting, finance, information systems, marketing and more.
Program Curriculum and Requirements
Program Scope
Experienced faculty deliver a rigorous curriculum designed to prepare you with the skills to confidently resolve real-world business challenges. It’s no surprise the Lam Family College of Business is listed on Princeton Review’s Best Business Schools (2024 and 2021) in the country based on the high quality of our MBA program and student career outcomes. They also ranked our MBA program among the top 10 Best Green MBA programs (2024 and 2021) based on students’ assessments of how well we prepare students to address environmental, sustainability, and social responsibility issues in their careers.
We offer flexible schedules that work for part-time or full-time students:
- Most of our classes are delivered in a hybrid format so students can work full-time and attend classes in person once a week.*
- Most prerequisite courses are conveniently offered asynchronously online (with 1-3 synchronous in-person meetings), allowing students to take courses at any time of day or night, any day of the week.
*Hybrid format is 50% in-person and 50% online. Some elective courses may be offered completely in person.
Sample Schedule for Fall 2025
| MBA Flexible - Part-Time | |||
| FIN 819: Financial Analysis & Management | 5 - 6:15 p.m. | Tues. | Hybrid |
| MKTG 858: Innovation for Sustainability | 6:30 - 7:45 p.m. | Tues. | Hybrid |
MBA Programs Comparison Chart
This comparison chart of San Francisco State University's MBA program options provides an overview to help you select the program that best fits your needs.
| Graduate Business Program | Time Frame | Brief Requirements or Description | Estimated Program Cost* (Tuition & Fees) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MBA Flexible | 12-36 months |
| $49,000 (CA Resident) $64,000 (Non-Resident) |
| MBA Fast-track | as few as 12 months |
| $31,000 (CA Resident) $41,000 (Non-Resident) |
Note: * All tuition and fees are subject to change.
Program Learning Outcomes
Apply advanced knowledge across key business disciplines to develop, implement, and evaluate operational and strategic solutions in complex and dynamic organizational contexts.
Use qualitative and quantitative methods to gather, analyze, and interpret data, and make data-driven decisions that address the problem and enhance organizational performance.
Evaluate business challenges and opportunities in consideration of ethical principles, global perspectives, and sustainable business practices.
Communicate complex ideas clearly, persuasively, and appropriately in written, oral, and digital formats for diverse audiences and stakeholders.
Lead and collaborate effectively within diverse teams, demonstrating cultural competence, emotional intelligence, and respect for diverse perspectives.
Adapt to changing environments by leveraging emerging technologies, business models, and market trends to generate new and innovative ideas and solutions.
From Our Community
"Through SF State’s MBA program, I developed a genuine expertise in finance, my emphasis, that opened doors and enhanced my credibility in the marketplace.”
– Dean Shehu (MBA, ‘10), Global Product Manager, Life Technologies, Inc.
Admissions Information
You may enroll full-time or part-time in our MBA program. All undergraduate majors are considered for our MBA program. Applicants who have completed a four-year bachelor's degree in business from an AACSB-accredited school within seven years from the start date of the MBA program, with at least a 3.0 GPA in the last 60-semester or 90-quarter units of coursework, may waive all 700-level MBA courses. Applicants who have completed course work equivalent to any of the prerequisite courses at other institutions within the last five to seven years may be able to waive individual prerequisite courses.
The admissions committee reviews an applicant's overall qualifications and takes the following requirements into consideration.
Required for all applicants:
- Completion of a degree equivalent to a four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree from a recognized university
- Grade point average: final GPA of bachelor’s degree, or the last 60 semester units or 90 quarter units of college coursework completed, must be at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). Or earned a master’s degree with a 3.0 GPA. Applicants with a GPA between 2.75 and 2.99 may be admitted on an exceptional basis
- Resume
- Transcripts
- Statement of Purpose
Optional:
- Letter of Recommendation (LOR)
Not required:
- GMAT/GRE Test Score is not required. However, it is strongly encouraged for applicants with a GPA below 3.0.
Applicants who demonstrate outstanding professional experience but do not meet some of the above criteria may still be admitted into the program, conditional upon completing additional requirements that will be listed in the admissions offer.
English Language Proficiency Test
An English Language Proficiency Test is required of all applicants who have earned their undergraduate degree from a country where the official language is not English. Any of the following tests taken within the past two years are accepted:
- TOEFL Internet-Based Test minimum score of 88 (taken before January 2026) or 4.5 (taken after January 2026)
- IELTS score of at least 6.5
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) minimum academic overall score of 59
- Duolingo English Test minimum score of 120*
*Our admissions department strongly recommends that applicants take the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE English Test. Applicants should only submit Duolingo English Test scores if none of the other examinations are available to them.
International Student Admissions
Students who feel they may need additional English language skills training may consider studying first at San Francisco State University’s American Language Institute (ALI).
At ALI, students have the opportunity to improve:
- lecture listening
- note-taking
- oral presentation
- academic advancement in reading and writing skills
In addition, students become better oriented with the American educational system. Attending the ALI program is strongly recommended if students have not met the GMAT verbal or TOEFL requirements, or to improve their English proficiency and academic skills in preparation for graduate studies.
Applications for Spring 2027 open on August 1, 2026. The deadline to submit your application is October 15, 2026.
Graduate Business Programs Inquiry Form
We’re Here to Help
Questions about the program or how to apply? Don’t hesitate to reach out.
Graduate Business Programs Admissions
Give us a call, send an email, or visit our office: San Francisco State University Downtown Campus, 198 McAllister Street, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94102. Office Hours: Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Christopher Kingston
- Graduate Business Student Advising