Apr 22, 2024  
2022-2023 General Catalog 
    
2022-2023 General Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Studying Away and Business


Sonoma State University students are encouraged to study away as a part of their academic experience!
Studying away is where a student takes academic courses in another location, either in another state or territory in the United States through the National Student Exchange program, or abroad through various SSU study abroad programs, including CSU International Programs. SSU students can choose from a variety of semester and yearlong study away programs across the globe while taking classes toward graduation and using their financial aid. For more information on programs and locations available, and for information on the application process to study away, students should contact the SSU Global Engagement Office.

Pre-business or other students wishing to declare Business as a major can study away their sophomore year to take Business major pre-requisite courses. Students who have already declared their Business major can take upper-division business courses their junior year. Business majors can study away the Fall semester of their senior year as well, but should keep in mind that they must complete their Business Senior Capstone Course at SSU. Below are two example four-year plans for pre-business/non-declared and business major students to study away while staying on track for graduating in four years.

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with Study Away Sophomore Year


Freshman Year: 33-34 Units


Avoid Upper-Division GE until junior year. Computer Competency Requirement should be met by the end of the first semester in the sophomore year, and is encouraged to be met in Freshman year for students intending to study away sophomore year. Select a lab with one GE Area B course; select an Ethnic Studies/Critical Race Studies course in GE Areas C, D, or E. Students interested in foreign language immersion study away programs or language minors/double majors should begin taking language courses as soon as possible, and a Freshman Learning Community (FLC) is encouraged. Students should also aim to take the American Institutions (GE Area D) and CA Government (POLS 200 - GE Area D) Overlay Graduation Requirements in their Freshman year.

Fall Semester (16-17 Units)


Spring Semester (17 Units)


Sophomore Year (Studying Away): 33 Units


Computer Competency Requirement should be met by the end of the first semester in the sophomore year. While studying away, students will often have the option to take language and cultural courses. These classes often count as GE courses, particularly Area C2.

Fall Semester (17 Units)


Spring Semester (16 units)


Junior Year: 30-33 Units*


Take the WEPT or enroll in a Writing Intensive Course (WIC).

Fall Semester (14-16 Units)


  • UD BUS Core**
  • UD BUS Core
  • UD GE  OR
  • Elective

Spring Semester (16-17 Units)


  • UD BUS Core
  • UD BUS Core
  • BUS Concentration
  • UD GE 

Senior Year: 30-31 Units


Apply for graduation at beginning of senior year.

Fall Semester (15-16 Units)


  • UD BUS Core
  • UD BUS Core
  • BUS Concentration
  • BUS Concentration
  • GE or Elective (if needed)

Spring Semester (15-16 Units)


Total Units: 120


*Completion of all Pre-Business requirements is the prerequisite for any upper-division Business class.
**Students should take BUS 344 in their first semester in the Business major if they are planning to complete the Management concentration; 360 first for the Marketing concentration; 370 first for the Finance or Financial Management concentration.
***BUS 491 is designed to be taken in the last semester of the program (prerequisites: all 300-level Business Core courses and submission of graduation application.)

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with Study Away Junior Year


Freshman Year: 33-34 Units


Avoid Upper-Division GE until junior year Computer Competency Requirement should be met by the end of the first semester in the sophomore year. Students interested in foreign language immersion study away programs or language minors/double majors should begin taking language courses as soon as possible.

Spring Semester (18 Units)


Sophomore Year: 30-32 Units


Select a lab with one GE Area B course; select an Ethnic Studies (i.e., Critical Race Studies) course for GE Areas C, D, or E Computer Competency Requirement should be met by the end of the first semester in the sophomore year.

Fall Semester (15-16 Units)


Spring Semester (15-16 Units)


Junior Year: 30-33 Units*


Students usually meet the GWAR graduation requirement in their junior year, and study away students will be able to take the WEPT online while studying away. Students could also take the WEPT or enroll in a Writing Intensive Course (WIC) their Senior year at SSU. Students should take BUS 344  in their first semester in the Business major if they are planning to complete the Management concentration; BUS 360  first for the Marketing concentration; BUS 370  first for the Finance or Financial Management concentration.

Fall Semester (15-16 Units)


Spring Semester (15-16 Units)


Senior Year: 27-32 Units


Apply for graduation at beginning of senior year.

Fall Semester (14-18 Units)


Spring Semester (13-14 Units)


Total Units: 120


*Completion of all Pre-Business requirements is the prerequisite for any upper-division Business class. Specific course requirements on study away programs can vary.
**BUS 491 is designed to be taken in the last semester of the program (prerequisites: all 300-level Business Core courses and submission of graduation application.)