Center for Global Engagement provides international students and professional groups unparalleled access to pursue rigorous academic education, cutting-edge professional development, and enriching cultural exploration at an American university. San Francisco State University (SF State) is committed to providing innovative, high-quality undergraduate and graduate programs for students, as well as continuing and professional educational opportunities. SF State educates 30,000 students, including 1,800 international students from over 100 countries each year. 

San Francisco is known as "America's Favorite City," famous for its great beauty and tremendous mixture of people from so many cultures.  San Francisco is also the center of the technology world with multinational corporations, start-up ventures and social media companies such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Uber, Yelp, Pinterest, Airbnb, Zynga and many more nearby.

Center for Global Engagement offers you multiple programs:

1. Academic Certificate Programs
   • Hospitality and Tourism Management
   • International Business
   • Paralegal Studies
   • Pre MBA
2. English for Academic Preparation
   • Conditional Admission
3. San Francisco Discover

HOSPITALITY & TOURISM MANAGEMENT

The Certificate in Hospitality & Tourism Management is designed to meet the needs of international and non-matriculated students to learn specific concepts and skills in hospitality management within two semesters. Semester option is available.

The certificate is focused on food service, lodging, recreation/resort business, and is also practically oriented toward skills and occupations. The Certificate in Hospitality & Tourism Management is proof of completing a coherent set of required courses and related work at an acceptable level of academic accomplishment.

The Certificate in Hospitality and Tourism Management takes two semesters to complete. To earn the certificate complete eight courses* from the list below:

• Introduction to Hospitality and Tourism Management 
• Hospitality Tourism Management Revenue and Cost Control 
• The Business of International Tourism
• Food, Wine and Culture in California
• Tourism Management
• Restaurant Operations
• Hotel Operation Management
• Meeting Planning and Convention/Event Management

*Not all courses are available each semester.

Certificate Application Deadlines*

Fall Semester: May 15
Spring Semester: November 15

*Applications may be accepted after the deadline on a space-available basis only.

Program Fees - $13,400 + Living expenses

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

The Certificate in International Business is designed to offer international students and non-matriculated U.S. residents the opportunity to acquire competencies in international business in two semesters. Semester option is available.

The program consists of core courses that focus on conceptual, theoretical and practical skills to prepare students for a career or advancement in international business. Additionally, more than 15 different electives are offered on a rotational basis. Electives focus on entrepreneurship, innovation, doing business in different countries and regions, leadership, cultural competencies, human resource management, business negotiations and management.

The Certificate in International Business takes two semesters to complete. To earn the certificate, complete the following five core courses and your chosen three electives for a total of eight courses*:

• International Business and Multicultural Relations 
• International Environmental Analysis
• Import-Export Management and Small Business Operations 
• Global Strategic Management
• Seminar in Comparative Management
• Example of three electives: Doing Business in Greater China, Legal Environment of World Business, Global Entrepreneurship

*Not all courses are available each semester.

Certificate Application Deadlines*

Fall Semester: May 15
Spring Semester: November 15

*Applications may be accepted after the deadline on a space-available basis only.

Program Fees - $13,400 + Living expenses

PARALEGAL STUDIES

The Certificate in Paralegal Studies provides American Bar Association approved instruction in practical legal skills and substantive law. Courses are conducted at the upper-division level and are taught by attorneys and paralegals, all of who have practical experience in the field. This program is a member of the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE), which requires that all of its member programs be in substantial compliance with nationally recognized guidelines. It is also accredited through SF State by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), the official regional accrediting body for academic institutions in the western part of the country. 

The primary goal of the Paralegal Studies certificate program is to educate students for positions as paralegals as a means of improving the quality, accessibility, and affordability of legal services.

To earn the certificate, complete five core courses and your chosen five electives, for a total of ten courses:

• Introduction to Law/Civil Procedure
• Legal Research and Writing
• Communication Skills and Legal Ethics
• Pleadings and Motions
• Investigation, Discovery and Trial Preparation
• Example of five electives: Employment Law, Family Law, Trademarks and Copyrights, Real Estate Practice, Corporations Law

Certificate Application Deadlines*

Fall Semester: May 15
Spring Semester: November 15

*Applications may be accepted after the deadline on a space-available basis only.

Program Fees - $8,990 + Living expenses

PRE MBA

The Certificate in Pre-Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) is designed for international university students with 3 years of courses in business and related majors.

By earning the certificate, students can complete their undergraduate career and prepare for their graduate career at the same time. The program focuses on essential business administrative skills, enabling students to bypass the GMAT and directly apply for the accelerated MBA degree offered by the Lam College of Business. 

The Certificate in Pre-MBA takes two semesters to finish. Students must complete a total of 8 courses:

• Introduction to Financial Accounting
• Business Statistics
• Operations Management
• Principles of Marketing
• Introduction to Management and Organizational Behavior
• Business Communications for Professionals
• Business Finance
• Information Systems for Management

Certificate Application Deadlines*

Fall Semester: May 15
Spring Semester: November 15

*Applications may be accepted after the deadline on a space-available basis only.

Program Fees - $13,400 + Living expenses

ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC PREPARATION

The English for Academic Preparation (EAP) program will give you the skills and strategies you need to succeed in an American university. The American Language Institute (ALI) of SF State is one of the oldest and most respected intensive English programs in the country. Since 1961, the ALI has been helping thousands of students improve their English to reach their academic and personal goals. ALI teachers are very well-prepared and enthusiastic about teaching and they really love their students.  Every week, you will learn:

• reading and writing strategies to help you write effective essays and read and analyze articles
• listening and speaking strategies to help you understand university lectures, give presentations, and participate actively in class discussions
• grammar that will improve your speaking and writing
• content in electives such as Business English, American Culture, and American Literature

The Center also offers supplemental TOEFL Preparation courses on Fridays for a small fee.

Qualified students can receive special TOEFL waivers for admission to SF State undergraduate programs.  All students receive substantial assistance in applying to colleges and universities from the advisors.

Multiple options of English for Academic Preparation per year.