These programs differ in many ways regarding curriculum, admissions requirements, and schedules. Students in the Sonoma Professional MBA will gain technical business skills with a management focus. We recommended that students have at least two years of full-time work experience prior to the start of the program, as well as complete a series of business prerequisite courses. The GMAT/GRE exam is optional. Students in this program will be in class two nights per week (7pm-9:45pm) for about 2 years. The schedule is flexible and students may take more or fewer classes depending on their work schedule. (Students who wish to attend full-time may do so with approval from the Executive Director, Soo Haylett.)
Students in one of our Executive MBA programs will gain leadership development and strategic management skills during the course of the program. They will need at least eight years of professional, progressive work experience prior to the start of the program. Applicants for this program are not required to take business prerequisite courses or the GMAT exam, if they meet the minimum work experience requirement and have at least a 2.5 GPA as an undergraduate. The schedule is not flexible, and the program is a cohort model, where all students take the same classes together for the entirety of the program.
Applicants of our Wine MBA programs are required to have at least two years of wine industry experience. Those who do not have the minimum years required can enroll in the Wine Business Institute's Online Certificate in Wine Business Management. Successful completion of the Foundation and Intermediate courses fulfills the two-year industry experience requirement.
Yes. In fact, we prefer that you are working so that you have context for the information you learn in the classroom. We focus on engaged, hands-on learning in all of our MBA programs. The skills you are practicing in the classroom should be directly applicable to your real-life work.
Currently, we offer a wine-focused MBA program in three formats:
If you studied business as an undergraduate, you most likely have completed all of the needed courses: Micro and Macro Economics, Financial and Managerial Accounting, Statistics, and Finance. Options are available that allow students to quickly finish any needed prereqs online through Coursera. For details, please use this prerequisite review form to upload your unofficial transcripts for review.
MBA applicants can complete their applications before they finish the prerequisites with the opportunity to be selected for “conditional” admission.
Please use our prerequisite review form to upload a copy of your unofficial transcripts. If needed, our admissions team can offer some convenient online options to allow you to complete any missing courses before the August cohort begins.
The Sonoma Executive MBA and the Sonoma Executive Wine MBA programs cost $49,500 – all-inclusive. Tuition, books, parking passes, and costs for the travel are included in that cost.
The Global Executive Wine MBA program costs $49,500. This price includes tuition, all course materials, all in-country transportation, and food. It does not include the cost of lodging and flights.
The Sonoma Professional MBA and the Sonoma Professional Wine MBA programs are priced per unit. The average cost for in-state tuition for either program is $25,000. Out of state tuition is around $35,000.
Scholarships for the Wine MBA programs are available through the Wine Business Institute. View available scholarships here.
Scholarships for non-wine MBA programs may be available through the University Scholarships Office.
The majority of our students utilize Federal Student Aid. Visit the official studentaid.gov website.
Our Financial Aid Office on campus can help you once you have been accepted into a program.
Absolutely! We have a wonderful network of alumni and are happy to introduce you to prospective students.
The Sonoma Executive Wine MBA classes are held online on Wednesday evenings from 7-9 pm and in person at the Wine Spectator Learning Center at Sonoma State University every other Saturday from 8-5. New cohorts begin each January.
All applications go through our Department Graduate Application.
Application windows:
- Sonoma Professional MBA: October 1st – April 30th
- Sonoma Professional Wine MBA: October 1st – April 30th
- Global Wine Executive MBA: January1st – June 30th
- Sonoma Executive MBA – August 1st – September 30th
- Sonoma Wine Executive MBA: August 1st – September 30th
If you have questions or want to schedule an appointment, please use this Calendly Link to find a time that fits your schedule. Our admissions team can help you decide which program is best for you, and answer any questions about pending applications.
Sonoma State University
1801 East Cotati Avenue
School of Business and Economics
Graduate and Executive Programs
Wine Spectator Learning Center
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Nicole.Orser@sonoma.edu | 707-664-3547