NOTE: Degrees are evaluated AFTER an application is received. We do NOT pre-evaluate any degree before receiving an application.

Three-year undergraduate degrees or technology degrees cannot be used to substitute for a four-year degree.

Pre-Requisites Courses

Principles of Macroeconomics, Principles of Microeconomics, and Business Statistics are pre-requisites courses for our MBA programs. Faculty teaching in our MBA-One program have expressed concerns about students' economics and statistics foundations, so we are strongly encouraging MBA-One applicants to complete the pre-requisite courses before the MBA-One classes begin in late August. We are asking applicants to plan accordingly for completing these courses by August even though we cannot guarantee admission for anyone at the time of application.

The pre-requisite courses can be waived for individuals who have completed them within the last seven years with a grade of B or better. Individuals who have taken these courses more than seven years ago (and received a grade of B or better) can satisfy the pre-requisite requirements by taking an on-line tutorial refresher course. Applicants who have never taken the pre-requisite courses, or who have not achieved at least a B in them, are encouraged to complete them before enrolling in our MBA-One program. Successful completion of the pre-requisites will be made a condition of admission for such applicants who are admitted to our MBA-One program.

The pre-requisite courses can be taken in a variety of ways, including the home country of our International applicants. For local applicants, courses can be taken at community colleges. Each summer (June and July), we will offer two ways to complete the Macroeconomics and Microeconomics requirement by taking one course. In our on-campus program, we will be offering Bus 200 in traditional lecture mode, and we will help you sign up for this course through Open University.

The SJSU Economics Department will be offering a version of Bus 200 each summer in an on-line format, and International students can enroll in this course from their home countries through Open University. Details are still be worked out.

The MBA-One program moves rapidly and the faculty demands that each MBA-One student learn as much as possible to maintain the high level of quality throughout the cohort. As such, the fundamentals acquired in the pre-requisite courses support the learning process and minimize gaps in the knowledge base of the cohort members. If a number of years have passed since you have taken Macroeconomics or Microeconomics, you might consider taking Bus 200 on campus or its on-line equivalent during this coming summer.

Personal Statement

To gauge the background and orientation of those applying to the MBA-One program, we require that each applicant submit a Personal Statement as part of the application process. The intent is to understand the applicant’s motivation for applying to our program as well as his/her career goals and aspirations. The Personal Statement is an excellent way for us to gain insight into each candidate's skills, abilities, and motivation and will help us construct the best qualified cohort that we can.

Although the CSU Mentor application allows for an electronic version of personal statement that is limited to a maximum of 500 words, the MBA-One Personal Statement is to be submitted along with your other documentation directly to the Lucas GSB office. While there are no precise guidelines or word limits for this statement, we are looking for aspects of your goals, motivation, background, and previous experience that will allow us to make the best decision possible about your appliation to the MBA-One program.

Work Experience

While diversity in the classroom adds a richness to the cohort experience, too great a disparity in the business or career backgrounds of the cohort members can create uneven learning among the students and limit the effectiveness of faculty teaching.

To promote excellent graduate business education, we are looking for MBA-One students who have at least two years of "relevant" business experience.

We require that each applicant to the MBA-One program provide a description of his or her work experience with an explanation of why this experience is relevant to the MBA-One program. We also ask that you submit a copy of your most recent resume along with the other documents we require.

Since MBA program graduates are expected to move into management positions, relevant business experience involves significant responsibilities within a business organization, whether a large or small business, or a public or private organization. We would be happy to discuss your background if you have any questions about this requirement.

Interviewing Applicants

In many cases, the documentation submitted with you application, including your personal statement, resume, and description of your work experience, will be sufficient for the Lucas GSB office to make a decision about whether to admit you to the MBA-One program. However, in some cases, we may need more information and we may want to talk to you directly. In these instances, we will arrange to interview the applicant either in person in our office or over the telephone if necessary.

Have Questions? If you have questions about the MBA-One program after reading this, click on the Contact Us button above, and we will provide the answers that you need.

Click Here for GMAT and TOEFL test requirements.