The California State University System

Welcome to the California State University (CSU) - the nation’s largest comprehensiveuniversity with 23 unique campuses serving approximately 482,000 students employing more than 53,800 faculty and staff. Each year, the university awards more than 127,000 degrees. CSU graduates are serving as leaders in the industries that drive California’s economy, including business, agriculture, entertainment, engineering, teaching, hospitality and healthcare. Learn more at www.calstate.edu.

A Tradition of Excellence for More than Six Decades

Since 1961, the CSU has provided an affordable, accessible, and high-quality education to more than 3.4 million graduates throughout California. 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. Through leading-edge programs, superior teaching and extensive workforce training opportunities, CSU students graduate with the critical thinking skills, industry knowledge and hands-on experience necessary for employment and career advancement.

Facts

• Today, one of every 20 Americans with a college degree is a CSU graduate.
• One of every 10 employees in California is a CSU graduate..
• The CSU awards about half of the bachelor’s degrees earned in California.
• The CSU awards 41% of California’s nursing degrees.
• The CSU is the leading provider of teacher preparation programs in the state.
• In 2018-19, the CSU awarded nearly 20,000 business degrees and more than 6,700 engineering degrees.
• The CSU offers more than 140 fully online and 120 hybrid degree programs and concentrations.
• The CSU offers 4,750 online courses per term, to providing more educational options to students who may prefer an online format to a traditional classroom setting.
• The CSU’s online concurrent enrollment program gives students the ability to enroll in courses offered by other campuses in the CSU.
• Over the past four years, the CSU has issued nearly 50,000 professional development certificates in education, health services, business and technology, leisure and hospitality, manufacturing, international trade and many other industries.
• CSU Centers for Community Engagement and Service Learning make available more than 3,100 service learning courses. 
• More than 67,000 students participate in service-learning, contributing more than 1.1 million hours of service each year. 
• For every $1 that the state invests in the CSU, the University generates $5.43 for California’s Economy.

Governance

The Board of Trustees, most of who are appointed by the governor and serve with faculty and student representatives, govern the system. 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 Academic Senate CSU and other campus stakeholder groups, render and implement local policy decisions.

CSU Historical Milestones

The Donahoe Higher Education Act established the individual California State Colleges as a system with a Board of Trustees and a Chancellor in 1960. 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.

In 1963, the State Academic Senate CSU 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-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.

To improve degree completion and accommodate students working full- or part-time, the educational paradigm was expanded to give students the ability to complete upper-division and graduate requirements through part-time, late afternoon, and evening study. The University also expanded its programs to include a variety of teaching and school service credential programs, specially designed for working professionals.

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.

Always adapting to changes in technology and societal trends to support student learning and degree completion, the CSU launched Course Match, 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 doctoral degrees. The CSU independently offers Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Doctor of Audiology (AuD) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree programs. Additionally, the CSU was recently authorized to offer the independent Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD). 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. As of 2019-20, more than 3.8 million CSU alumni are making a difference in the lives of the people of California and the world.

Map of CSU Office and Campus Locations

Check out the website for the entire California State University: www.calstateapply.edu. You will find helpful hints, frequently asked questions, campus tours, and general information about all 23 campuses. The phone number listed for each campus is for the Office of Admission.

Officials of the California State University

Office of the Chancellor

The California State University
401 Golden Shore
Long Beach, CA 90802-4210
(562) 951-4000

Trustres of the California State Uuiversity

Ex 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. Timothy P. White
Chancellor of The California State University

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.

Officers of the Trustees

Correspondence with Trustees should be sent to:

c/o Trustees Secretariat
The California State University
401 Golden Shore
Long Beach, CA 90802-4210