Business Administration, MBA

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The Master of Business Administration degree (MBA) for professionals is intended to prepare graduates for positions of management and leadership in organizational settings in both the private and public sectors. This evening program is designed primarily to meet the needs of the professional working student. MBA students have the option to choose the Wine Business concentration. Information on all MBA programs can be found on the School of Business Graduate Programs web page.

Program Learning Outcomes

Analyze quantitative and qualitative data to make strategic business decisions
Recognize and apply techniques for managing and motivating employees
Design purpose-driven business solutions that can contribute towards a more sustainable world
Navigate an ever-changing global environment

MBA Program Curriculum

The MBA program has been adapted to meet the ever-changing needs of today’s business world. It will equip students with business tools and strategies to deliver results in today’s transformational economy. It will teach students not just how to read financial statements, but how to apply that information to make decisions and shape strategy. It will help students learn not just the principles of marketing, but how to develop a brand, deliver transformational customer experiences, and integrate marketing communication across numerous outlets. Students will gain knowledge not just in business strategies, but in innovation, entrepreneurship, and data analytics. In addition, students will learn to view business from the perspective of purpose-driven practices with the goal of promoting a sustainable world. Each course will connect to the principles of purposeful business and leadership. Inside and outside of the classroom, students gain access to the deep knowledge of our regional business partners and to career support services. Also, during the program, students are required to develop and execute a professional development plan in order to increase their professional skills.

The MBA program is organized around a model that includes six core concept areas, distinct requirements for separate degree tracks, and one capstone course. The Core Areas of the MBA degree include: Financial Statement Literacy, Talent Management, Financial Management, Leadership and Ethics, International Business and Global Issues, and Contemporary Business Issues.

Classes are designed to easily fit into busy schedules, small class sizes allow students to make personal connections with classmates, and academic and professional instructors are committed to helping students reach their future business goals.

Students can select from our General MBA program, our MBA program with a concentration in Wine Business, or our MBA program with an Executive concentration. The General MBA program is beneficial for students seeking advanced business knowledge and skills for any work environment. The MBA program with a concentration in Wine Business provides advance business knowledge and skills for students seeking careers in the wine industry. For the Wine MBA program, a minimum of three of the Core Area courses need to be Wine Business courses. The MBA program with the Executive concentration is designed for professionals with significant work and management experience. The curriculum is aimed at students already in significant managerial roles and is focused around two related emphases: leadership development and strategic decision-making.

Grades

All courses applied to the program must be completed with an overall GPA of 3.00, and no course for which a final grade below C is assigned may be used to satisfy this requirement. Graduate programs must be completed in no more than 7 years, which is computed as 14 semesters.

MBA Prerequisite Courses (32 semester units)

All prerequisite courses can be completed through the Sonoma State University Extended Education office, at a Junior College (200-level courses only), or online through Coursera. Contact the Graduate Programs Office for more information about the prerequisites.

BUS 211 - Business Statistics Unit(s): 4
BUS 230A - Financial Accounting Unit(s): 4
AND
BUS 230B - Managerial Accounting Unit(s): 4
OR
BUS 501 - Foundations of Accounting Unit(s): 2-3
BUS 344 - Organizational Behavior Unit(s): 4
OR
BUS 504 - Foundations of Organizational Behavior Unit(s): 2-3
BUS 360 - Introduction to Marketing Unit(s): 4
OR
BUS 506 - Foundations of Marketing Unit(s): 2-3
BUS 370 - Introduction to Managerial Finance Unit(s): 4
OR
BUS 507 - Foundations of Managerial Finance Unit(s): 2-3
ECON 204 - Introduction to Macroeconomics Unit(s): 4
AND
ECON 205 - Introduction to Microeconomics Unit(s): 4
OR
ECON 501 - Foundations of Economics Unit(s): 2-3

The Sonoma MBA for Professionals program (31 units) consists of the following course sequence:

eMBArk Weekend
4 Core Courses
3 Theme Area Courses
2 Elective Courses
1 Capstone Experience

If students do not have an undergraduate business degree, there may be an additional foundation step of the program that needs to be completed (see MBA Foundation Courses below). Contact our office for a transcript review and/or assistance at (707) 664-3501.

eMBArk Weekend (1 Unit)

The Sonoma MBA experience begins with an experiential immersion that combines academic planning, teamwork development, and case analysis practice.

4 Core Courses

The MBA core courses are a cluster of graduate business courses that provide a base knowledge upon which other courses and theme areas build. In the first year, students complete the four core courses as a cohort, a group study model that builds relationships and mirrors a team workforce environment. Two courses are completed in the Fall Semester and two courses are completed in the Spring Semester. The four core courses, which are prerequisites for all other courses are:

BUS 580 - Business Intelligence Unit(s): 3
BUS 570 - Seminar in Managerial Finance Unit(s): 3
BUS 535 - Cost Analysis and Control Unit(s): 3
BUS 540 - Managing and Motivating Employees Unit(s): 3

3 Theme Areas (9 units)

Breadth of exposure and relevance to today’s workplace are ensured by requiring students to take one course in each of three thematic areas: Leadership and Ethics, International Business and Global Issues, and Contemporary Business Issues. A sample of possible courses in each theme area includes:

2 Elective Courses (6 Units)

Students gain depth in the areas of their interest by choosing two electives taken from any thematic area, or by setting up a special study experience, or an internship project.

All courses above plus:
BUS 595 - Special Studies in Business Administration Unit(s): 1-3
BUS 596 - Graduate Internship Unit(s): 1-3
BUS 563 - Strategic Branding Unit(s): 3
BUS 554 - Social Entrepreneurship In Theory and Practice Unit(s): 3

Capstone Course in Strategic Management

Students put it all together in a final business strategy course that requires them to develop a comprehensive case research project with an existing organization. To enroll in the capstone course, it must be the student’s last semester in the program and the student must have completed the 4 core and 3 theme area courses. Exceptions require the approval of the Director of MBA Programs.

BUS 591 - Seminar in Strategic Management Unit(s): 3

MBA Program with a Wine Business Concentration

A minimum of 3 of the Theme Area and Elective Courses need to be Wine Business Courses.

Take both of the following courses:
BUS 509 - eMBArk Unit(s): 1-2
BUS 580 - Business Intelligence Unit(s): 3
Take at least three courses in Wine Business:
BUS 545W - Global Wine Business Unit(s): 3
BUS 555W - Sustainability in the Wine Hospitality Industry Unit(s): 3
BUS 565W - Marketing and Sales Strategies for Wine Unit(s): 3
BUS 595 - Special Studies in Business Administration Unit(s): 1-3
BUS 596 - Graduate Internship Unit(s): 1-3
Take remaining units from Core Area Coursework options (listed above) or from the elective courses below:
BUS 554 - Social Entrepreneurship In Theory and Practice Unit(s): 3
BUS 582 - Advanced Business Analytics Unit(s): 3