Pre-MBA Program for Partner Universities
Prepare to earn an MBA at SFSU. The Pre-MBA program is designed for international students from partner universities, interested in pursuing a business certificate. This one-year program is ideal for students who have completed a minimum three years of university courses and wish to pursue a stand-alone certificate in Business Administration, with the possibility of leading to a fast-track MBA degree (in as few as 12 months) through the Lam Family College of Business at SFSU. If you are not from a partner university, please see the Business Administration Certificate.
Curriculum
Pre-MBA program courses
MBA Admission
SF State MBA eligibility and requirements
How to Apply
Application instructions
About the Pre-MBA Program
Overview
The program focus is on helping create a stronger conceptual and practical foundation for students who wish to pursue an MBA degree on 3+1+1 model. All Pre-MBA students are required to enroll in and pass all required courses in the Business Administration certificate to meet the MBA foundation requirement.
Students who pass all courses in the program and maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA, plus earn a bachelor's degree from their home university, meet minimum eligibility requirements for SF State's Lam Family College of Business MBA program.
Students can enroll, free of charge, in A U 110: Living in San Francisco to learn more about and experience the City of San Francisco.
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Optional Practical Training (OPT) offers international students the opportunity to work up to one full year in the United States after nine months of full-time study. Please confirm eligibility for OPT with the admissions coordinator.
Lam Family College of Business
The Lam Family College of Business at San Francisco State University is a leading institution of business education in the San Francisco Bay Area, with an emphasis on preparing students to succeed in an economy that is global in nature. The college's commitment to sustainable business, diversity, social justice and global partnerships echoes their core philosophy of responsible leadership. As one of the top-ranked public universities, they have been recognized worldwide for their investments in diversity, social responsibility and visionary academics.
Cost and Length
Cost
Students starting Fall 2025: $13,740, students starting Spring 2026: $14,040
Length
2 semesters
When to Start
Fall, Spring
What Students Say
“After completing three years of undergraduate study at Shih-Chien University in international trade, I enrolled in the International Business certificate program at SFSU. While taking the inspiring Global Entrepreneurship course, I realized that I lacked some professional skills and knowledge needed to become an entrepreneur and a leader. I believe I can gain these skills through an MBA degree. I am excited to transfer to the Pre-MBA program, a path for the international student to gain the foundation needed to pursue a fast track MBA degree.”
Jin-Wei Lin, Taiwan
International Business Certificate Student, 2019
Pre-MBA Program Student
AACSB Accredited
The College of Professional & Global Education offers this certificate program in partnership with the Lam Family College of Business, which has been accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International since 1964. The Lam Family College of Business provides a high-quality business education to a diverse learning community through innovative teaching, research and support. The college is one of just five percent of all business schools worldwide that meet the rigorous standards for this accreditation.