Incoming Students

The Division of Graduate Studies at San Francisco State University requires all admitted students to submit an official sealed transcript from all universities and community colleges. All official transcripts (and international academic documents) should be submitted before the start of the semester, preferably before you register for your first semester classes.

Visit the Graduate Division Website for details on how and where to submit transcripts and academic documents. Students who have taken courses at SF State do not need to submit an SF State transcript.

Any international transcripts must include original transcripts plus a certified English translation. If your official transcripts do not show the degree received, then a copy of your diploma with a certified English Translation is also required. International students should also review the information about specific Admission criteria by Country.

Admitted students need to submit proof of having received all required immunizations before registering for classes. Please refer to the SF State Immunization Requirements.

The University will verify proof of immunization once they have been submitted. Students who have obtained an undergraduate degree from SF State do not need to submit proof since the immunization records should already be on file.

U.S. citizens and residents:

Visit the San Francisco State Financial Aid website if you are considering financial aid.

Email finaid@sfsu.edu or call (415) 338-7000 for questions about financial aid.

International students:

Please refer to Division of International Education Financial Information page for more information on available scholarships and loan information.

Your admissions letter will mention whether you were admitted Conditionally and will list if you need to fulfill either the Information Systems or Statistics pre-requisite for the MSBA program.

DS 776: Your admissions letter will mention if you have not met the MSBA statistics prerequisite requirement (previously taken a course equivalent to DS 776 at SF State with a grade of B- or better within the past 7 years).  Students who have not met this requirement should enroll in DS 776 (Data Analysis for Managers) during their first semester in the program.  

ISYS 782: Your admissions letter will mention if you have not met the MSBA information systems prerequisite requirement (previously taken a course equivalent to ISYS 782 at SF State with a grade of B- or better within the past 7 years).  Students who have not met this requirement should enroll in ISYS 782 (Information Systems for Management) during their first semester in the program. 

If your admissions letter mentions that you are required to complete either DS 776 or ISYS 782, but you feel that you have already completed an equivalent course (with a grade of B- or better within the past 7 years), please submit your proof of course completion to msba@sfsu.edu no later than December 1, 2024.  Both courses act as prerequistes to the majority of MSBA requirements, so students will need to have both classes completed prior to their priority registration date or plan to enroll in both classes during their initial semester of studies.

Students who have completed business courses within the past seven (7) years with at least a B- or better grade, may be eligible to waive equivalent SF State 700-level business courses. You may submit a waiver request any time before December 1, 2024, however we encourage you to submit the waiver form and required supporting documents as soon as possible to better plan your courses for your first semester. You will receive an email from our office with the decision from our faculty within two to three weeks of receipt of your request.

Note: If you have received an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from an AACSB-accredited school in the past seven years with a GPA of 3.0 or better in the last 60 semester/90 quarter units of coursework, you do not need to submit the form or any documents. You will automatically receive an approved waiver letter from our office by email before December 15, 2024. The letter will come at a later date if you are completing your undergraduate studies in Fall 2024.

Students must complete the following steps:

Step 1

Fill out the course waiver request form (pdf). A listing of our 700-level business course descriptions is found in the SF State Bulletin. 

Step 2

Submit a course syllabus or detailed course outline for each of the business courses you have taken in the past seven years at a college or university. Students who completed classes outside of the US will need to submit fully translated copies of syllabi or course outlines.

Step 3

Submit a photocopy of the transcripts from the university where you completed the business courses and circle the courses to be reviewed.

Step 4

Email your completed waiver form, copy of transcripts with courses highlighted, plus course syllabus for each class to mba@sfsu.edu. 

The following information will assist you as you plan your courses for your first semester. Use the SF State Class Schedule to find course offerings.

MBA Students

Refer to the University Bulletin for information about MBA course requirements and/or view the MBA course requirement chart (pdf).

MSA Students

Refer to the University Bulletin for Information about MSA course requirements and/or view the MSA course requirement chart (pdf). 

MSBA students: 

Refer to the University Bulletin for information about MSBA course requirements and/or view the MSBA course requirement chart (pdf).

Students Admitted as Conditional are Required to Enroll in BUS 714 (Elements of Graduate Business Writing)

All new students who are admitted conditionally (based on the writing score of the GMAT/GRE Analytical Writing Assessment or the LFCoB proctored writing exam) are required to complete BUS 714 (Elements of Business Writing) in their first semester at San Francisco State. If you are conditionally admitted and required to take this course, it will be stated on your admission letter. This 3-unit course is offered through the San Francisco State University College of Professional and Global Education. 

How to Register for BUS 714

Please keep in mind that you need to complete this course in your first semester, so you will have to plan your other courses around the BUS 714 class. Registration for this course will open starting Monday, January 6. For the upcoming semester, one section will be offered.  Instruction for the course will be mostly online asynchronous, however the course will have a mandatory in-person class meeting on Thursday, February 6 from 630-915p at the Downtown Campus. 

The class is offered through the College of Professional and Global Education and the course fee is US$1185, independent of the other courses on your semester schedule. Once you register for BUS 714, course payment is due within five calendar days. Students receive a credit/no credit grade upon completing the course.

The class does not currently appear in the online schedule of classes.  Once added to the schedule, take the following steps to search the class schedule for the BUS 714 Business Writing course:

1. Go to the Spring 2025 class schedule
2. Type BUS 714 under Subject
3. Select College of Professional & Global Education (CPaGE) under Session
4. Click on Quick Search. You should see the course listed.

Note: If you have been approved for financial aid, BUS 714 may not qualify as units towards financial aid, since it is offered through the College of Professional and Global Education. Please contact the Financial Aid office for more information.

Course Registration Period for New Graduate Students

Please refer to your student information page on the SF State Gateway to view your enrollment eligibility period and to register for courses.

• New Student Priority Registration Period: November 25, 2024 to January 16, 2025
   
• Open Registration Period: January 17, 2025 to January 26, 2025
   
• Tuition payment deadline: February 21, 2025

Graduate students can register for up to 16 units, but we recommend taking no more than 12 units.

Visit the Registrar's office website for details on registration.

See the Bursar's Office website for payment deadlines.

Graduate Business Programs Orientation

A required orientation will held online for new MBA, MSA and MSBA students on Date and Time TBD.  All newly admitted students received registration information for the orientation via email.

​SF State Graduate Studies New Student Events

The SF State Division of Graduate Studies will host a number of events for all new graduate students.  Visit the Graduate Studies website for more information.

Division of International Education Orientation

International students on F-1 visa are required to also attend a mandatory orientation organized by the Division of International Education (DoIE).  Visit the DoIE website for details and registration information.

Students can obtain their student ID from the University OneCard office. Visit the OneCard Office website for information on how to obtain a OneCard Gator Pass