The California State University (CSU)![Link to the Cal State website](/mime/media/33/2013/csu-seal.jpg)
The California State University is the nation’s largest and most diverse four-year public university. With 23 unique campuses and seven off-campus centers, the CSU serves approximately 460,000 students and employs more than 56,000 faculty and staff. Each year, the university awards nearly 130,000 degrees, changing the trajectory of students’ lives by opening doors to opportunities for upward mobility. Nearly one-third of CSU students are the first in their families to attend college and more than half of CSU students are from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds. For one of the most affordable tuitions in the country, students learn from world-class faculty, gain valuable hands-on experiences and receive strong career advising, empowering them to become leaders in the changing workforce. CSU graduates are serving as leaders in the industries that drive California’s economy, including business, agriculture, entertainment, engineering, teaching, hospitality and health care. To learn more, visit the California State University website.
A Tradition of Excellence for More than Six Decades
Since 1961, the CSU has provided an affordable, accessible and high-quality education to millions of Californians. While each campus is unique based on its curricular specialties, location and campus culture, every CSU is distinguished for the quality of its educational programs. All campuses are fully accredited, provide a high-quality, broad liberal educational program and offer opportunities for students to engage in campus life through the Associated Students, Inc., clubs and service learning.
CSU Facts
- Today, one in every 20 Americans with a college degree is a CSU graduate.
- 1 in every 10 employees in California is a CSU graduate.
- The CSU’s network of more than 4 million alumni is larger than the population of 23 U.S. states.
- The CSU awards nearly half of the bachelor’s degrees earned in California.
- The CSU awards more than one-third of California’s undergraduate nursing degrees.
- Between 2016 and 2021, the CSU prepared more of California’s teachers than any other state institution.
- About four percent of the nation’s teachers graduate from the CSU.
- In 2021-22, CSU students earned more than 20,000 business degrees and more than 7,500 engineering degrees.
- The CSU offers more than 4,000 degree programs that align with the state’s workforce demands.
- The CSU’s online concurrent enrollment program gives students the ability to enroll in courses offered by other campuses in the CSU.
- Through CSU community engagement centers, 52,000 student volunteers participated in service-learning, contributing 2 million hours of service in 2021-22
CSU Historical Milestones![](/mime/media/33/2012/california-flag-1445224-640x480.jpg)
The individual California State Colleges were established as a system with a Board of Trustees and a chancellor in 1960 by the Donahoe Higher Education Act. In 1972, the system was designated as the California State University and Colleges, and in 1982 the system became the California State University. Today, the CSU is comprised of 23 campuses, including comprehensive and polytechnic universities and, since July 1995, the California State University Maritime Academy, a specialized campus.
The oldest campus-San José State University-was founded in 1857 and became the first institution of public higher education in California. The newest-California State University Channel Islands-opened in fall 2002, with freshmen arriving in fall 2003. And in 2022, the Humboldt campus became Cal Poly Humboldt, joining San Luis Obispo and Pomona as that state’s third public polytechnical university.
In 1963, the CSU’s Academic Senate was established to act as the official voice of CSU faculty in university wide matters. Also, the California State College Student Presidents Association- which was later renamed the California State Student Association (CSSA), was founded to represent each campus student association on issues affecting students.
Through its many decades of service, the CSU has continued to adapt to address societal changes, student needs and workforce trends. While the CSU’s core mission has always focused on providing high-quality, affordable bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, over time the university has added a wide range of services and programs to support student success - from adding health centers and special programs for veterans to building student residential facilities to provide a comprehensive educational experience.
In 2010, in an effort to accommodate community college transfer students, the CSU, in concert with the California Community Colleges (CCC), launched the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT), which guarantees CCC transfer students with an ADT admission to the CSU with junior status. The ADT has since proven to be one of the most effective paths to a CSU for community college transfer students. In 2023, the CSU will launch the Transfer Success Pathway program to guarantee future CSU admission to high school graduates who are entering a California community college and who commit to transferring within three years.
Always adapting to changes in technology and societal trends to support student learning and degree completion, the CSU launched CSU Fully Online, which enables CSU students to complete online courses at other CSU campuses, expanding enrollment opportunities and providing more educational opportunities for students who may prefer an online format to a traditional classroom setting.
The CSU marked a significant educational milestone when it broadened its degree offerings to include professional doctoral degrees. The CSU independently offers Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Doctor of Audiology (AuD), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degree programs. Additionally, the CSU was recently authorized to offer the independent Doctor of Public Health (DrPH). A limited number of other doctoral degrees are offered jointly with the University of California and private institutions in California.
The CSU strives to continually develop innovative programs, services and opportunities that will give students the tools they need to meet their full potential. In 2016, the university launched Graduation Initiative 2025, a bold plan to support students, increase the number of California’s graduates earning high-quality degrees and eliminate achievement and equity gaps for all students. Through this initiative, the CSU is ensuring that all students have the opportunity to graduate according to their personal goals, positively impacting their lives, families and communities.
By providing an accessible, hands-on education that prepares graduates for career success, the CSU has created a network of alumni that is so extensive and renowned that it spans across the globe. More than 4 million CSU alumni are making a difference in the lives of the people of California and the world.
CSU Campuses
California State University, Bakersfield |
California State University, Monterey Bay |
9001 Stockdale Highway
Bakersfield, CA 93311-1022
Dr. Lynnette Zelezny, President
(661) 654-2782
CSU Bakersfield Website |
100 Campus Center
Seaside, CA 93955-8001
Dr. Vanya Quiñones, President
(831) 582-3000
CSU Monterey Bay Website |
California State University, Channel Islands
One University Drive
Camarillo, CA 93012
Dr. Richard Yao, President
(805) 437-8400
CSU Channel Islands Website |
California State University, Northridge
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330
Dr. Erika D. Beck, President
(818) 677-1200
CSUN Website |
California State University, Chico
400 West First Street
Chico, CA 95929
Dr. Gayle E. Hutchinson, President
(530) 898-4636
Chico State Website |
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
3801 W. Temple Avenue
Pomona, CA 91768
Dr. Soraya M. Coley, President
(909) 869-7659
Cal Poly Pomona Website |
California State University, Dominguez Hills
1000 East Victoria Street
Carson, CA 90747
Dr. Thomas A. Parham, President
(310) 243-3696
CSU Dominguez Hills Website |
California State University, Sacramento
6000 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95819
Dr. Robert S. Nelsen, President
(916) 278-6011
Sacramento State Website |
California State University, East Bay
25800 Carlos Bee Boulevard
Hayward, CA 94542
Dr. Cathy A. Sandeen, President
(510) 885-3000
Cal State East Bay Website |
California State University, San Bernardino
5500 University Parkway
San Bernardino, CA 92407-2318
Dr. Tomás D. Morales, President
(909) 537-5000
Cal State San Bernardino Website |
California State University, Fresno
5241 North Maple Avenue
Fresno, CA 93740
Dr. Saúl Jimémez-Sandoval, President
(559) 278-4240
Fresno State Website |
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182
Dr. Adela de la Torre, President
(619) 594-5200
San Diego State Website |
California State University, Fullerton
800 N. State College Boulevard
Fullerton, CA 92831-3599
Mr. Framroze Virjee, President
(657) 278-2011
Cal State Fullerton Website |
San Francisco State University
1600 Holloway Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94132
Dr. Lynn Mahoney, President
(415) 338-1111
San Francisco State Website |
California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt
1 Harpst Street
Arcata, CA 95521-8299
Dr. Tom Jackson, Jr., President
(707) 826-3011
Cal Poly Humboldt Website |
San José State University
One Washington Square
San José, CA 95192-0001
Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson, President
(408) 924-1000
San José State Website
|
California State University, Long Beach
1250 Bellflower Boulevard
Long Beach, CA 90840-0115
Dr. Jane Close Conoley, President
(562) 985-4111
Cal State Long Beach Website |
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
One Grand Avenue
San Luis Obispo, CA 93407
Dr. Jeffrey D. Armstrong, President
(805) 756-1111
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Website |
California State University, Los Angeles
5151 State University Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90032
Dr. William A. Covino, President
(323) 343-3000
Cal State LA Website |
California State University San Marcos
333 South Twin Oaks Valley Road
San Marcos, CA 92096-0001
Dr. Ellen J. Neufeldt, President
(760) 750-4000
CSU San Marcos Website |
California State University Maritime Academy
200 Maritime Academy Drive
Vallejo, CA 94590
Rear Admiral Thomas A. Cropper, President
(707) 654-1000
Cal Maritime Website |
Sonoma State University
1801 East Cotati Avenue
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Dr. Ming-Tung Lee, Interim President
(707) 664-2880
Sonoma State Website |
|
California State University, Stanislaus
One University Circle
Turlock, CA 95382
Dr. Ellen N. Junn, President
(209) 667-3122
Stanislaus State Website |
![](/mime/media/33/2103/California%20map%20of%20CSU%20System23.jpg)
The California State University International Programs![](/mime/media/33/3391/PAGES%20-%20world%20wide%20eye.jpeg)
Developing intercultural communication skills and international understanding among its students is a vital mission of the California State University (CSU). Since its inception in 1963, the CSU International Programs (CSU IP) has contributed to this effort by providing qualified students an affordable opportunity to continue their studies abroad for a full academic year in all programs and a semester option in some countries and programs.
More than 20,000 CSU students have taken advantage of this unique study option. Also, through the CSU IP exchange partnerships, more than 5000 international students have come to study at the CSU campuses.
International Programs participants earn resident academic credit at their CSU campuses while they pursue full-time study at a host university or study center abroad. CSU IP serves the needs of students in more than 100 designated academic majors. Affiliated with nearly 60 recognized universities and institutions of higher education in 18 countries, CSU IP also offers a wide selection of study abroad destinations and learning environments.
Australia - Griffith University, Macquarie University, Queensland University of Technology, University of Queensland, Western Sydney University
Canada - Concordia University
Chile - Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
China - Peking University (Beijing)
Denmark - Danish Institute for Study Abroad
France - Institut Catholique de Paris, Institut Supérieur d’Electronique de Paris, Université d’Aix-Marseille (Aix-en-Provence), Université de Cergy- Pontoise, Universités de Paris I, III, IV, VI, VII, VIII, X, XI, XII, XIII, Université Paris-Est Marne-la-Vallée, Université d’Evry Val d’Essonne, and Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines
Germany - University of Tübingen and a number of institutions of higher education in the Federal state of Baden-Württemberg
Ghana - University of Ghana
Israel - University of Haifa
Italy - CSU Florence Study Center, Accademia di Belle Arti Firenze
Japan - Waseda University, University of Tsukuba
Mexico - Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Campus Querétaro
South Africa - Nelson Mandela University
South Korea - Yonsei University
Spain - Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Universidad de Granada, Universidad de Jaén
Sweden - Uppsala University
TaiwanNational Taiwan University
United Kingdom - University of Bradford, University of Bristol, University of Hull, Kingston University, Swansea University, University of Birmingham
Students participating in CSU IP pay CSU tuition and program fees, and are responsible for airfare, accommodations, meals and other personal expenses. Financial aid, with the exception of Federal Work-Study, is available to qualified students and limited scholarship opportunities are also available. All programs require students to maintain good academic and disciplinary standing, many programs are open to sophomores or graduate students. California Community College transfer students are eligible to apply (to select programs) directly from their community colleges. Students must possess a current cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or 3.0, depending on the program, and must fulfill all coursework prerequisites. Additional program information and application instructions can be found on the International Programs Website.
GovernanceThe CSU is governed by the Board of Trustees, most of whom are appointed by the governor and serve with faculty and student representatives. The CSU chancellor is the chief executive officer, reporting to the board. The campus presidents serve as the campus-level chief executive officers. The trustees, chancellor and presidents develop university-wide educational policy. The presidents, in consultation with the CSU Academic Senate and other campus stakeholder groups, render and implement local policy decisions.
Office of the Chancellor![](/mime/media/33/1878/Faculty%20Profile%20Icon2.png)
The California State University
401 Golden Shore
Long Beach, California 90802-4210
(562) 951-4000
Dr. Jolene Koester - Interim Chancellor
Mr. Steve Relyea - Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer
Dr. Sylvia A. Alva - Executive Vice Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs
Mr. Andrew Jones - Executive Vice Chancellor, General Counsel Ms. Leora D. Freeman - Vice Chancellor, Human Resources
Mr. Vlad Marinescu - Vice Chancellor and Chief Audit Officer
Ms. Jessica Darin - Interim Chief of Staff
Ms. Michelle Kiss - Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief of Staff, Board of Trustees
Trustees of the California State UniversityEX OFFICIO TRUSTEES
The Honorable Gavin Newsom
Governor of California
The Honorable Eleni Kounalakis
Lieutenant Governor of California
The Honorable Anthony Rendon
Speaker of the Assembly
The Honorable Tony Thurmond
State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Dr. Jolene Koester Interim Chancellor, California State University
OFFICERS OF THE TRUSTEES
The Honorable Gavin Newsom - President
Lillian Kimbell - Chair
Wenda Fong - Vice Chair
Andrew Jones - Secretary
Steve Relyea - Treasurer
APPOINTED TRUSTEES
Appointments are for a term of eight years, except student, alumni, and faculty trustees whose terms are for two years. Terms expire in the year in parentheses. Names are listed alphabetically.
Larry L. Adamson (2024) |
Diana Aguilar-Cruz (2024) |
Diego Arambula (2028) |
Jack B. Clarke Jr. (2027) |
Douglas Faigin (2025) |
Jean P. Firstenberg (2026) |
Wenda Fong (2024) |
Leslie Gilbert-Lurie (2030) |
Lillian Kimbell (2024) |
Maria Linares (2023) |
Julia I. Lopez (2028) |
John “Jack” McGrory (2023) |
Anna Ortiz-Morfit (2025) |
Yammilette Rodriguez (2029) |
Romey Sabalius (2023) |
Lateefah Simon (2027) |
Christopher J. Steinhauser (2026) |
Jose Antonio Vargas (2030) |
Correspondence with trustees should be sent to: c/o Trustees Secretariat, The California State University, 401 Golden Shore, Long Beach, California 90802-4210.
|