ROHNERT PARK, USA

Brief information

Founded in 1960 as a center for teacher education, Sonoma State College was accepted a year after its founding into California ‘s largest university system: the California State University federation. Sonoma State University then received its official university status in 1978. After moving to the current campus in 1966, new faculties and facilities quickly spread across the campus, most recently the Green Music Center, which has received multiple awards for its architecture and engineering 2012

For a long time now, Sonoma State University (SSU) has consistently been ranked among the best regional universities in the western United States by US News & World Reports. In addition, SSU is currently the only university in the CSU system to be a member of the prestigious Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges, which promotes excellent university education in the liberal arts and sciences.

According to AbbreviationFinder, SSU bills itself as a “Student-Focused Campus”. Small class sizes enable an intensive mentoring relationship between lecturers and students. SSU is also known for its friendly and open campus community. More than 150 student organizations, including a student radio station and a student newspaper, ensure a high level of group cohesion.

Sonoma State University is organized into seven different faculties, including Arts and Humanities, Business and Economics, and Science and Technology. International students can spend a semester abroad at SSU or take a language course.

• Sonoma State University website

University facts

Year of foundation: 1961

Type of university: State university

Number of students: total 9100, international 120

Accreditations:

• AACSB International (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business)
• WSCUC (WASC Senior Association of Schools and Colleges)

Academic year:

At Sonoma State University, the academic year is divided into two semesters, the Fall Semester and Spring Semester.

Study programs

• Academic gap year
• semester abroad
• bachelor’s degree
• Master’s degree
• language courses

International students can spend a semester or two at SSU through the Semester at Sonoma program. For the selection of their courses, students can choose from almost the entire range of courses in the Bachelor’s area – only the area “Nursing” is unfortunately not accessible to semester students for capacity reasons.

Some of the most popular majors include Business Administration and Management, Health and Physical Education, Liberal Arts, Psychology, and Sociology.

Unlike at many of our other US partner universities, course selection and course registration at SSU takes place well before the start of the semester, so that program participants have planning security at an early stage.

• Sonoma State University semester program

Fees

• Fall semester 2022

Tuition

$5160.00

Health Center Fees

$180.00

application fee

$125.00

The tuition fees include the occupancy of 12 units. This usually corresponds to 4 courses. There is also the option of taking another course for an additional charge of US$ 295 per unit.

The Student Health Service Center Fee is US$165.

• Sonoma State University Tuition

Financing options

Participants in the “Semester at Sonoma” program have the opportunity to apply for BAföG abroad . This includes a supplement to travel expenses, health insurance and living expenses. In addition, a subsidy for tuition fees is granted, which can be up to EUR 4600.

Requirements

In order to be able to apply for a semester abroad at Sonoma State University, German students must have successfully completed their Abitur or advanced technical college entrance qualification.

Basically, the “Semester at Sonoma” program is primarily intended for applicants who have already started their studies in their home country and have completed a year of study at the beginning of their semester abroad. If you have less study experience or apply directly after graduating from high school, you must submit an additional letter of motivation with your application.

In addition, international students at SSU need a sufficiently good knowledge of English, which they can demonstrate using a standardized language test such as the TOEFL. Alternatively, the DAAD language certificate is also accepted.

The language skills can be proven by one of the following test results or documents:

	Undergraduate
DAAD language test	B2 level in all areas
IELTS	6.0
TOEFL (internet based)	61

The language certificate cannot be submitted later.

• Sonoma State University Application Requirements

Degrees/Courses

Degrees/Courses in English – Undergraduate

• Bachelor of Arts in American Multicultural Studies
• Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology
• Bachelor of Arts in Applied Statistics
• Bachelor of Arts in Art – Art Studio
• Bachelor of Arts in Art History
• Bachelor of Arts in Biology
• Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry
• Bachelor of Arts in Chicano and Latino Studies
• Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies
• Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies
• Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Studies
• Bachelor of Arts in Earth Science
• Bachelor of Arts in Economics – International Economics
• Bachelor of Arts in Economics – Labor and Public Economics
• Bachelor of Arts in Economics – Managerial Economics
• Bachelor of Arts in English – Creative Writing
• Bachelor of Arts in English – Literature
• Bachelor of Arts in English – Secondary Teaching Preparation
• Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies – Education and the Environment
• Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies – Energy Management and Design
• Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies – Environmental Conservation and Restoration
• Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies – Outdoor Leadership
• Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies – Planning (City and Regional Planning)
• Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies – Water Resources Management
• Bachelor of Arts in French
• Bachelor of Arts in Geography
• Bachelor of Arts in Geography – Biophysical Environment
• Bachelor of Arts in Geography – Environment and Society
• Bachelor of Arts in Geography – Geospatial Techniques
• Bachelor of Arts in Geography – Globalization and Cultural Identity
• Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies – Asia
• Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies – Europe
• Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies – Global Environmental Policy
• Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies – International Economic Development
• Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies – Latin America
• Bachelor of Arts in History
• Bachelor of Arts in Human Development
• Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies (Ukiah)
• Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies – Blended Program
• Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies – Interdisciplinary Studies
• Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies – Multiple Subject (Pre-Credential) Preparation
• Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics
• Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics – Bidisciplinary
• Bachelor of Arts in Multicultural Studies – Africana Studies
• Bachelor of Arts in Music – Liberal Arts
• Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy
• Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy – Pre-Law and Applied Ethics
• Bachelor of Arts in Physics
• Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
• Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
• Bachelor of Arts in Spanish
• Bachelor of Arts in the Special Major
• Bachelor of Arts in Theater Arts – Acting
• Bachelor of Arts in Theater Arts – Dance
• Bachelor of Arts in Theater Arts – Technical Theatre
• Bachelor of Arts in Theater Arts – Theater Studies
• Bachelor of Arts in Women’s and Gender Studies
• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Studio – Painting
• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Studio – Photography
• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Studio – Printmaking
• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Studio – Sculpture
• Bachelor of Music – Applied Music
• Bachelor of Music – Jazz Studies
• Bachelor of Music – Music Education
• Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry
• Bachelor of Science in Biology – Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
• Bachelor of Science in Biology – Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Physiology
• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Accounting
• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Finance
• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Financial Management
• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Marketing
• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Wine Business Strategies
• Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
• Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies – Energy Management and Design
• Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies – Water Resources Management
• Bachelor of Science in Geology
• Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology – Adapted Physical Education
• Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology – Exercise Science
• Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology – Lifetime Physical Activity
• Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology – Physical Education
• Bachelor of Science in Mathematics – Applied Mathematics
• Bachelor of Science in Physics
• Bachelor of Science in Physics – Applied Physics
• Bachelor of Science in Statistics
• Bachelor of Science in the Special Major
• Minor in American Multicultural Studies
• Minor in Anthropology
• Minor in Applied Arts
• Minor in Applied Statistics
• Minor in Art History
• Minor in Art Studio
• Arts Management Minor (Career Minor)
• Minor in Astronomy
• Minor in Biology
• Minor in Business Administration
• Minor in Chemistry
• Minor in Chicano and Latino Studies
• Minor in Computer Science
• Minor in Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies
• Minor in Early Childhood Education
• Minor in Economics
• Minor in Electrical Engineering
• Minor in English
• Minor in Environmental Studies and Planning
• Minor in Film Studies
• Minor in French
• Minor in Geography
• Minor in Geology
• Minors in German
• Minor in Gerontology
• Minor in Global Studies
• Minor in Health Systems Organizations (Career Minor)
• Minor in History
• Minor in Integrative Studies
• Minor in Jewish Studies
• Minor in Kinesiology
• Minor in Latin American Studies
• Minor in Linguistics
• Mathematics minor
• Minor in Mathematics for Teachers
• Minor in Music
• Minor in Native American Studies
• Minor in Paleontology
• Minor in Philosophy
• Minor in Physical Sciences
• Minor in Physics
• Major in Political Science
• Minor in Psychology
• Minor in Queer Studies
• Minor in Sociology
• Minors in Spanish
• Minor in Theater Arts
• Minor in Women’s and Gender Studies
• Minor in Women’s Health (Career Minor)
• Special minor in Interdisciplinary Studies

Campus

The campus of Sonoma State University stretches out at the foot of the Sonoma Mountains, in the midst of the idyllic wine-growing region of Sonoma in northern California. The university in Rohnert Park is embedded in a multifaceted landscape, consisting of small lakes, old redwood stands and vast pastures.

Students at SSU gravitate to the nearby cities of Santa Rosa and San Francisco and miles of beaches along the Pacific Coast. A retreat on campus is the 130,000m² Student Center, which has several restaurants and cozy common rooms. In addition, thanks to its energy-efficient construction, it is considered a flagship project in terms of sustainability throughout the country.

The 100 hectare campus of Sonoma State University is also one of the “greenest” university locations in the USA. In addition to the five university gardens, there is a 16 km² wildlife park area outside the campus, which is used by sciencestudents for research purposes.

SSU’s library ranks among the largest libraries within the California State University system. Here, students can access over 750,000 books, journals and electronic resources. Study rooms, workstations, a digital lab and a large number of computers make everyday study life easier for students.

• Sonoma State University campus maps

Housing

For semester and language course students, there are various housing options on campus, but also outside the university campus. The SSU Housing Service offers support in finding private apartments and rooms in shared student accommodation.

By the way: The US university ranking of the ” Princeton Review ” found the housing options at SSU to be very good and awarded it a top position in a nationwide comparison of state universities.

The following accommodation options are available:

• student residence
• Apartments on campus
• Private apartments / hotels
• guest families

The university town of Rohnert Park

With around 43,000 residents, Rohnert Park is the third largest community in Sonoma County in northern California. Located between the Pacific Coast and San Francisco, the city is in the second largest wine-growing region in the United States. The approximately 4000 km² natural landscape with its rivers, lakes, wooded mountain slopes and old sequoia trees invites you to many outdoor activities.

The area of ​​what is now Cotati, Rohnert Park and Penngrove was originally inhabited by the Miwok Indians, the largest Indian tribe in central California. From the 19th century, the area known as Rancho Cotate changed hands several times. Part of the ranch, Rohnert Seed Farm, thrived under businessman Waldo Emerson Rohnert and his son and became a success story for the entire county’s agricultural sector. Rohnert Park finally came into being in 1957. The city is one of the first planned cities in the USA.

Today, the city proudly overlooks Sonoma Mountain Village. It is the first neighborhood community in the United States to be powered by solar power and has committed to a “zero waste” mentality.

Rohnert Park is also home to the renowned Green Music Center, a premier concert venue on the Sonoma State University campus. The city also attracts with large shopping centers. In and around Rohnert Park, visitors can expect a variety of recreational opportunities, ranging from surfing and kayaking to golfing and horseback riding.