CSU System
The CSU System Campuses
The 23 Campuses of the California State University
Click on a location to go to that CSU campus's website.
General Information
About the CSU System
The individual California State Colleges were brought together as a system by the Donahoe Higher Education Act of 1960. In 1972 the system became The California State University and Colleges and in 1982 the system became The California State University.
Responsibility for the California State University is vested in the Board of Trustees, whose members are appointed by the Governor. The Trustees appoint the Chancellor, who is the chief executive officer of the system, and the Presidents, who are the chief executive officers on the respective campuses.
The Trustees, the Chancellor and the Presidents develop systemwide policy, with actual implementation at the campus level taking place through broadly based consultative procedures. The Academic Senate of the California State University, made up of elected representatives of the faculty from each campus, recommends academic policy to the Board of Trustees through the Chancellor.
Academic excellence has been achieved by the California State University through a distinguished faculty, whose primary responsibility is superior teaching. While each campus in the system has its own unique geographic and curricular character, all campuses, as multipurpose institutions, offer undergraduate and graduate instruction for professional and occupational goals as well as broad liberal education. All of the campuses require for graduation a basic program of "General Education-Breadth Requirements" regardless of the type of bachelor's degree or major field selected by the student.
The CSU offers more than 1,800 bachelor's and master's degree programs in some 357 subject areas. Many of these programs are offered so that students can complete all upper-division and graduate requirements by part-time late afternoon and evening study. In addition, a variety of teaching and school service credential programs are available. A limited number of doctoral degrees are offered jointly with the University of California and with private institutions in California. In 2005, the CSU was authorized to independently offer Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree programs for educational administrators.
With almost 474,000 students, who were taught by some 49,000 faculty, the system awards about half of the bachelor's degrees and a third of the master's degrees granted in California.
Information above from the following website: http://www.calstate.edu/explore/about-csu.shtml
FRESHMAN ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS
It is easy to understand the CSU admission requirements for California residents. Admission offices at the 23 campuses use three factors to determine eligibility.
Most applicants who are admitted meet the standards in each of the following areas:
- Specific high school courses (referred to as the "a-g" courses)
- Grades in "a-g" courses and test scores
- Graduation from high school
Many CSU campuses have higher standards for particular majors or for students who live outside the local admission area. Because of the number of students who apply, several campuses have higher standards (supplementary admission criteria) for all applicants. Many CSU campuses utilize local admission guarantee policies for students who graduate or transfer from high schools and community colleges that are historically served by a CSU campus in that region. You may review the CSU Local Admission Areas for each campus here.
HIGH SCHOOL SUBJECT REQUIREMENTS
The CSU requires a minimum 15-unit pattern of courses for admission as a first-time freshman. Each unit is equal to a year of study in a subject area. A grade of C or better is required for each course you use to meet any subject requirement.
The CSU requires a minimum 15-unit pattern of courses for admission as a first-time freshman. Each unit is equal to a year of study in a subject area. A grade of C or better is required for each course you use to meet any subject requirement.
Area A: History and Social Science (including 1 year of U.S. history or 1 semester of U.S. history and 1 semester of civics or American government AND 1 year of social science)
Area B: English (4 years of college preparatory English composition and literature)
Area C: Math (4 years recommended) including Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, or higher mathematics (take one each year)
Area D: Laboratory Science (including 1 biological science and 1 physical science)
Area E: Language Other Than English (2 years of the same language; American Sign Language is applicable - See below about a possible waiver of this requirement)
Area F: Visual and Performing Arts (dance, drama or theater, music, or visual art)
Area G: College Preparatory Elective (additional year chosen from the University of California "a-g" list)
Total Required Courses: 15
GRADES AND TEST SCORES
The grades you earn in high school are the most important factor in CSU admission decisions. Your high school grade point average is calculated using your grades in all your college prep "a-g" classes completed after the 9th grade.
HONORS COURSES
The CSU assigns extra points for up to eight semesters of approved honors level, International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Placement (AP) courses taken in the last three years of high school: A=5 points, B=4 points, C=3 points.
No more than two approved honors level courses taken in the 10th grade may be given extra points. A grade of D in an honors IB or Advanced Placement course does not earn extra points.
Approved high school honors level courses means that the courses are identified as honors level on your official high school “a-g” course list. You can find your school's course list at the University of California’s Course List Search.
Extra points are also awarded for college courses used to meet CSU "a-g" requirements. However, no more than eight (8) extra points may be awarded to any one applicant.
TEST SCORES
Test scores are required unless you have a grade point average (GPA) above 3.00 and are a resident of California. The CSU uses a calculation called an eligibility index that combines your high school grade point average with the score you earn on either the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing tests. Even if you have a GPA above 3.00, it is useful to take either an SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing as the score may indicate if you do not need to take English and math placement tests after you are admitted and before you enroll at the CSU. The eligibility index for out-of-state students is higher and admission requirements for international students are somewhat different.
While SAT with Essay/ACT with Writing test scores are not required to establish the admission eligibility of California residents with high school GPAs of 3.00 or above (nonresidents 3.61 or above), impacted campuses and impacted first-time freshmen enrollment categories often include test scores among the supplemental criteria required of all applicants to those campuses and enrollment categories.
If you have your high school GPA and the results of your SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing, then you can calculate your eligibility index. From there you can quickly see whether you meet the minimum admission standards. Remember, some campuses have higher standards for particular majors or those students who live outside the local campus area.
Information above from the following website: https://www2.calstate.edu/apply/freshman/getting_into_the_csu/Pages/testing-requirements.aspx
Cal State Apply
Cal State Apply: this is the website that you would go to for your application to a CSU.
Dates and Deadlines: this website will help you with dates and deadlines.
Need Help with the Application please go to the following website: https://help.liaisonedu.com/Cal_State_Apply_Applicant_Help_Center
CSU Application Fee Wavier Checklist
Application Fee Waiver checklist.pdfUseful Links
Please review the following links for information about applying to a California State University.
CSU - UC Comparison of Minimum Freshman Admission Requirements
Cal State Apply: Apply Online to CSU
Link to All 23 CSU Campus Websites
CSU Eligibility Index - With your college prep GPA and your SAT or ACT score, use this chart to see if you are eligible to apply to CSU.