Sofia University, Accredited Day 1 CPT School in Silicon Valley For Engineers

Sofia University Overview

The California Institute of Advanced Management (CIAM), founded in 2011 by Dr. William A. Cohen (President Emeritus) and Ms. Jennie Ta (President), has flourished with the support of philanthropist Mr. Minglo Shao, the institution's principal benefactor. Mr. Shao, who is also the founder of the Peter F. Drucker Academy in China and Hong Kong, has played a significant role in advancing educational initiatives, particularly in preserving Drucker’s management legacy.

Located in Alhambra, California, near major freeways and just 15 minutes from downtown LA, CIAM offers a prime location for students. The university’s campus at 1000 South Fremont Avenue is easily accessible, being only a 30-minute drive from Los Angeles International Airport.

The university maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 1:12 and, as of January 2020, boasts an impressive graduation rate of 84.6%. CIAM emphasizes practical learning over traditional academic pressures, adopting a stress-free academic approach with no exams, focusing instead on practical skills and real-world experiences. This approach is enhanced by CIAM’s partnerships with leading companies like Universal Studios and Coca-Cola, offering students hands-on consulting opportunities.

CIAM’s accreditation reflects its commitment to high standards in education, being accredited by several prestigious bodies including the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE), the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE), the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), the Distance Education Accreditation Commission (DEAC), and the National Education Related Accreditation (NERA).

With a focus on practical skills, real-world consulting experiences, and a unique academic approach, CIAM stands out as a dynamic and student-centered institution dedicated to preparing graduates for success in the global marketplace.

Academic Policy

Sofia University operates on a quarter system, featuring four quarters each year, with each quarter spanning 11 weeks.
A minimum of two 3-unit courses plus is one 0-unit CPT course are required for each quarter.

CPT Policy

CPT Application: students must submit an offer letter from a potential employer along with a CPT agreement, signed by a supervisor or an HR representative.
Alternatives such as Employment Verification are acceptable. Contact us for more information.
CPT requires renewal every quarter. There is no gap between CPT authorizations.

Onsite Policy

Sofia University's courses use a hybrid model that includes one online course and one onsite course.
Onsite course attendance is mandatory for F-1 students; failure to attend may result in the termination of F1 student status.
The university requires students to participate in classes on campus once per month (a total of three times per quarter).
Onsite classes are generally held from 10 AM to 5 PM on Saturdays or Sundays.
⚠️During the first semester of the MS CS program, students are required to come to campus twice a month.

Vacation Policy

Students have the option to take a break for one quarter after finishing three consecutive quarters.
During this break, they are also eligible to engage in full-time CPT employment.

Tuition and Scholarship

Tuition Fee

Programs	Credits	Total tuition fees (excluding CPT)	Annual tuition
MS Computer Science	42	$24,000	$12,000
MBA - Data Analytics	48	$28,000	$11,200
MBA	36	$24,000	$12,000
DBA	54	$51,300	$17,100

Other Fees:
- Application Fee (Contact us to get a full refund upon admission) - $75
- Acceptance Fee: $200
- Orientation Fee: $50
- I-20 Processing Fee: $100
- CPT Fee for 0-Unit Course: $500 per quarter
- Student Services Fee: $290 per quarter
- Digital Badge Fee (paid by all MBA and MSCS new students): $50
- Graduation Fee (participation in commencement is included): $175

Scholarships:

Sofia University provides scholarship opportunities for all admitted students, and scholarships are applied and approved on demand. (Contact us, we can provide you with scholarship application assistance!)

The scholarships are usually issued in each quarter to deduct tuition fees. Students can apply for more than one scholarship at a time, but they are usually selected for only no more than one of them.

- Community Engagement & Social Advocacy Scholarship - $2,000
  - Requires a personal statement that describes how you are engaging with yourself, others, and your larger community.
- Entrepreneurship Scholarship (for students interested in entrepreneurship) - $2,000
  - Requires a personal statement that describes how you will grow your current business or how you will overcome challenges for your future business.
- Moving Humanity Forward Scholarship (for new students) - $2,000
  - Requires a personal statement that describes how you envision your study at Sofia will help you move humanity forward.
- Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Scholarship - $4,000
  - This scholarship is for students of disadvantaged backgrounds and minorities.
- International Students Scholarship (for international students) - $2,500
  - All F-1 students are encouraged to apply. Requires a personal statement that describes what you hope to obtain from education in the U.S.
- Leadership Accelerated Scholarship (for DBA students) - Year 1: 30% tuition reduction; Year 2&3: 10% tuition reduction
  - Requires a personal statement that identifies your interest in accelerating your leadership to address global and local business challenges. 
- Merit-Based Scholarship - $5,000
  - Requires a personal statement explains why you are applying and what you hope to accomplish. Only offered in Fall and Winter.

Sofia University

Day 1 CPT Programs

Master's programs:

Requires completion of 36-48 credits;
Typically finished in an average of 18-30 months, with the option to extend up to a maximum of 3 years for graduation;
Can provide up to 2-3 additional opportunities for H1B lottery.

DBA program:

Requires completion of 54 credits;
Typically finished in an average of 3 years;
Can provide up to 4-5 additional opportunities for H1B lottery.

MBA

This program, emphasizing work integrated learning, offers students a thorough grounding in essential business principles and strategic decision-making. It prioritizes the cultivation of self-awareness and emotional intelligence, which are significant for managers in diverse business scenarios. This program aims to equip graduates with the expertise, abilities, and a broader perspective essential for promoting a values-driven, data-informed business culture in a globally competitive landscape. Students need to complete 7 core courses (21 units), 4 advanced required courses (12 units), and 1 capstone course (3 units).

7 core courses (21 units):

- MBA2001 Personality and Motivation

- MBA2002 Positive Psychology for Business

- MBA2003 Decision Science

- MBA3002 Finance

- MBA3005 Operations

- MBA3006 Business Law and Ethics

- MBA3008 Marketing

4 elective required courses (12 units)

- MBA4302 Organizational Psychology

- MBA4401 Technology Innovation and Product Management

- MBA4601 Marketing and Consumer Psychology

- MBA4602 Sustainability and Global Leadership

1 capstone course (3):

- MBA4001 Capstone

MBA - Data Analytics [STEM]

This program features an advanced curriculum centered on Data Analytics. As a STEM program, this program not only equips students business insights but also technical skills that are central to the contemporary business environment.

Students must complete 48 credit, including 36 units from MBA courses and 12 units from the Data Analytics concentration.

7 core courses (21 units):

- MBA2001 Personality and Motivation

- MBA2002 Positive Psychology for Business

- MBA2003 Decision Science

- MBA3002 Finance

- MBA3005 Operations

- MBA3006 Business Law and Ethics

- MBA3008 Marketing

4 elective required courses (12 units):

- MBA4302 Organizational Psychology

- MBA4401 Technology Innovation and Product Management

- MBA4601 Marketing and Consumer Psychology

- MBA4602 Sustainability and Global Leadership

1 capstone course (3 units):

- MBA4001 Capstone

4 courses from the Data Analytics concentration (12 units):

- MSCS 2401 Data Science

- MSCS3019 Data Visualization

- MSCS3020 Mining Massive Data Sets

- MSCS3805 Statistical Analysis for Computer Science

- MSCS3809 Advanced Data Science

- MSCS3807 Data Modeling in Python and R

MS Computer Science [STEM]

This Program offers a up-to-date graduate curriculum. It lays a solid groundwork in fundamental computer science concepts while delving into the latest specialized areas within the field. The program not only covers the theoretical aspects of computer science but also provides practical and relevant insights across a spectrum of applied and advanced subjects. This is all set within an innovative STEM-focused WIL setting that seamlessly blends theory with hands-on experience. Students need to complete 8 core courses (24 units), 4 concentration courses (12 units), 1 elective course (3 units), and 1 capstone course (3 units).

8 core courses (24 units):

- MSCS 2103 Systems Programming

- MSCS 3801 Data Visualization

- MSCS 3802 Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science

- MSCS 2401 Software Engineering

- MSCS 2202 Data Science

- MSCS 2101 Machine Learning

- MSCS 3804 Automata, Computation, Complexity

- MSCS 3019 Cyber Security and Information Assurance

4 concentration courses from one concentration of your choice:

(1) Artificial Intelligence

- MSCS 3805 Statistical Analysis for Computer Science

- MSCS 2201 Artificial Intelligence

- MSCS 3008 Introduction to Robotics

- MSCS 3806 Advanced Topics in AI and Machine Learning
(2) Cybersecurity and information assurance

- MSCS 3920 Cyber Security: Defense

- MSCS 3921 Cyber Security: Forensics and Attack Analysis

- MSCS 3922 Applied Cryptography

- MSCS 2219 Advanced Threat Analysis
(3) Data Science

- MSCS3020 Mining Massive Data Sets

- MSCS3805 Statistical Analysis for Computer Science

- MSCS3807 Data Modeling in Python and R

- MSCS3809 Advanced Data Science

1 elective course (3 units)

- A total of 3 units of electives in the computer science, psychology, or business programs must be completed.

1 capstone courses (3 units)

- MSCS 1022 Technical Writing and Analysis for Computer Scientists: Capstone

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

This 3-year DBA program offers an immersive, integrated experience for business leaders interested in applying academic research methods to address real-world challenges. It combines academic rigor, leadership evaluation, personal development, and a global perspective for tackling complex issues. Students are required to conduct a research-driven project and a leadership plan. Graduates will have a vast network of colleagues and leaders to foster ongoing innovation and change within the global community.

Curriculum:

Phase I: Global Business & Transformational Leadership Engagement (18 units)

Term 1

- GDBC6000 Critical Thinking and Business Communication (2 units)

- GDBC6040 The Entrepreneurial Mind and Transpersonal Psychology (3 units)

Term 2

- GDBC6010 Quantitative and Qualitative Research and Business Opportunities (3 units)

- GDBC6020 Methods of Leading Change (2 units)

Term 3

- GDBC6030 Mixed Methods Research for Business Opportunities (2 units)

- GDBC6050 Transpersonal Leadership and Action Research (3 units) (GPHD7210)

Term 4

- GDBC6020 Seminar: Business Challenges and Opportunities (2 units)

- GDBC6900 Directed Studies (1 unit)

Phase II: Business Values and Global Leadership (18 units)

Term 1

- GDBC7000 Psychology of Organizational Transformation (3 units)

- GDBC7010 Globalization and Sustainability (2 units)

Term 2

- GDBC7020 Technology, Innovation and Creativity in Business (3 units)

- GDBC7030 Leadership and Ethics in the Global Economy (2 units)

Term 3

- GDBC7040 Leadership by Design (2 units)

- GDBC7050 Transformational Leadership in Organizations and Communities (3 units)

Term 4

- GDBC7060 Doctoral Project & Leadership Opportunities (2 units)

- GDBC6910 Directed Studies (1 unit)

Phase III: Leadership Responses to Global Business Challenges (18 units)

Term 1

- GDBC8100 Doctoral Project Proposal & Pitch (2 units)

- GDBC8200 Doctoral Project Leadership Plan (2 units)

Term 2

- GDBC8300 Doctoral Project Implementation (2 units)

- GDBC8400 Conflict and Innovation Lab (2 units)

Term 3

- GDBC8300 Doctoral Project Implementation (2 units)

- GDBC8600 Leadership Plan for the Future (2 units)

Term 4

- GDBC8700 The Business Congress & Leadership Engagement (6 units)

Enrollment Windows

Enrollment Windows	Semester Start Date	Application Deadline	CPT Start Date
Summer1	7/1/2024	6/4/2024	7/1/2024
Fall1	9/30/2024	9/3/2024	9/30/2024
Winter1	1/13/2025	12/17/2024	1/13/2025
Spring1	4/7/2025	3/11/2025	4/7/2025

Initial F1 Students: 3 months before the first day of the term.
If you missed the deadline, please get in touch with us. We are Sofia University's official recruitment partner and can help you accelerate your application.

2. Upload personal application information, including:

Identification Documentation: A copy of your Passport or Driver’s License (ID).
Academic Transcripts: Official transcripts from all educational institutions you have attended.
Foreign Transcript Evaluation: provide a foreign transcript evaluation (if applicable).
English Proficiency: submit your English proficiency test result (if applicable).
Financial Documentation: provide a bank statement indicating a minimum of $30,417 (within the past 6 months).
Affidavit of Support: provide an Affidavit of Support (if applicable).
Immigration Documentation:
- Copy of Passport
- Current I-20 Visa (if applicable)
- Current I-94 (if applicable)
- Current I-797A (if applicable)
- Employment Authorization Document (EAD Card) if applicable.

The processing of application typically takes 5-7 business days; contact us in urgent cases for expedited processing, which can reduce the processing time to 1-3 days.

3. Receive the offer: After receiving the admission letter, pay a $200 Acceptance Fee and coordinate with the instructor to determine the SEVIS transfer date. Complete the SEVIS transfer form to transfer your SEVIS record from your current school to Sofia University.

4. Before the start of the semester, you need to send your official transcripts to the following address:

Email your official electronic transcripts to Registrar@sofia.edu.
Or, mail your official paper transcripts to: Sofia University Registrar Office, 1069 East Meadow Circle, Palo Alto, CA, 94303.

Sofia University

Sofia University Overview

Policies & Tuition

Academic Policy

CPT Policy

Onsite Policy

Vacation Policy

Tuition and Scholarship

Day 1 CPT Programs

Enrollment Windows

Application

Other Day 1 CPT Schools

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