Sofia University's DBA Program: A New Day 1 CPT Option

At a Glance

• Sofia University offers a new DBA program, which is a 3-year, 54-credit full-time program.
• The DBA program is an ideal option for CPT students for three reasons: job relevance, reasonable progression of educational advancement, and additional H-1B opportunities. 
• Sofia University offers convenient on-site locations: Palo Alto (1-hour drive from San Francisco) and Costa Mesa (1-hour drive from Los Angeles).

Sofia University is one of the most popular Day 1 CPT universities in the West Coast. Located in Palo Alto close to San Francisco and Costa Mesa near Los Angeles, Sofia University has attracted many international students seeking Day 1 CPT to continue their career development in the United States. Previously, the university offered only three Day 1 CPT programs: MBA, STEM MBA, and MS in Computer Science. It is exciting news that Sofia University is now offering an additional option for Day 1 CPT students: the DBA (Doctorate of Business Administration) program.

Why is DBA an Excellent Choice for Day 1 CPT Students?

Sofia University’s DBA program is a 3-year, 54-credit full-time program. This program is designed for business leaders who aim to use academic methods to solve real-world problems, encouraging the adoption of global perspectives and creative solutions. It provides excellent opportunities for honing students’ skills in leadership, management, and problem-solving. 

The DBA program is particularly suited for the needs of Day 1 CPT students for three reasons:

• First, the versatility of a DBA degree makes it applicable to a broad range of careers. To use Day 1 CPT, it is crucial to ensure that your employment directly integrates with your academic training. Since a DBA program covers a vast array of topics and skills relevant to many sectors, it can be easily related to various job positions. For example, if you are a software engineer, you may want to gain new knowledge about management by getting a DBA. If you work as a consultant, you may learn from the program about skills in communication and problem-solving. 
• Second, a DBA is a higher degree than an MBA, providing an option other than getting multiple Day 1 CPT master’s degrees. For students who already obtained an MBA degree but are interested in technology subjects, attending a DBA program is a more ideal path. The progression from MBA to DBA would appear reasonable for USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services).
• Third, enrolling in a 3-year DBA program provides you with 3-4 more opportunities to join the H-1B visa lottery. By attending a DBA program, international students are able to maintain their employment and legal presence in the U.S. without securing an H-1B visa. 

Need more guidance on school selection? See Selecting a Day 1 CPT School by Program.

Location and On-Site Policy

Sofia University adopts a hybrid teaching model, while requiring students to attend on-site classes once per month. As a DBA student, you can choose either Palo Alto in Northern California or Costa Mesa in Southern California as your on-site location.

Palo Alto is about 1-hour drive from San Francisco, while Costa Mesa is 1.5-hour drive from Los Angeles. The golden locations of Sofia University makes its on-site requirements more manageable for those who are trying hard to balance coursework and job duty. 

The on-site sessions are scheduled on Saturday. Students will need to attend 6-hour classes on the day, which allows for a day trip.

For the importance of location in choosing a school, see Selecting a Day 1 CPT School by Location. 

CPT Policy

Sofia University provides Day 1 CPT only for students who already studied at another post-secondary educational institution for one academic year. You may not be eligible for Day 1 CPT if you don’t have any American education experiences. 

To get CPT, you will need to fulfill the following requirements:

• Have a good academic standing (GPA 3.0 or above)
• Enroll in a 1-credit internship course
• Submit a CPT agreement or employment letter
• Pay tuition fees

Course Structure

To receive the DBA degree from Sofia University, students must complete 54 credits. The program is divided into three phases: (1) Global Business & Transformational Leadership Engagement (18 units); (2) Business Value & Global Leadership (18 units); Leadership Responses to Global Business Challenges (18 units). Each phase is correspondent to coursework of one academic year. 

There are four quarters each year, with each quarter being 10 weeks long. In each quarter, students need to take two core courses and an extra 1-credit internship course. 

Tuition and Scholarship Opportunities

The annual tuition for Sofia University’s DBA program is $17,100. Based on the 3-year format, the total cost would be $51,300. 

For scholarship opportunities, check the website of Sofia University. 

Important Dates

Sofia University offers four enrollment windows per year: January, April, July, and October. It is advisable for F1 students to apply 6 weeks prior to the program start date and for other visa holders to apply 3 months prior to the program start date.

Conclusion

Sofia University's new DBA program provides a great option for Day 1 CPT applicants who need a doctoral degree to make their educational trajectory more reasonable. If you have further questions about Sofia University or Day 1 CPT, please feel free to book a free consultation with us. We can assist you in navigating the application process and help you waive the application fee!