The California State University System (CSU) is the largest state university system in California and the first choice for many international students to study in California. Together with the universities of the University of California (UC) system, the universities of the CSU form the cornerstone of the Californian university landscape.
Facts about the California State University System
One look at the framework data and it becomes clear how versatile the California State University system is. The university network, also known as Cal State, has 23 locations with around 460,000 students and 47,000 employees.
According to itypeusa, the CSU is also diverse in ethnic and cultural terms: around 56% of the entire student body belong to an ethnic minority. An international study experience is students at Cal State therefore safe.
In addition, the variety of subjects at the universities of the CSU system is enormous. Students can choose between more than 1,800 Bachelor’s and Master’s programs from around 355 subject areas.
About half of all Bachelor degrees and a third of all Masters degrees in California are awarded by a university of the CSU system. Since 1961, almost 2.9 million Bachelor and Master degrees as well as joint degrees at doctoral level offered jointly with the University of California have been awarded.
History of California State University
It all started with the Master Plan for Higher Education in California published in 1960. This contained the proposal to establish a fixed distribution of roles for the existing junior colleges, state colleges and the University of California within the California higher education system. Specific functions should be assigned to the individual systems so that they can be better managed and coordinated.
The so-called Donahoe Higher Education Act implemented the proposals from the master plan in the same year. As a result, the previously individually operating State Colleges were combined into a common system: the California State Colleges. The association has been known by its current name since 1982: California State University.
With the establishment of the CSU Channel Islands in 2002, the California State University system received its 23rd member. Today the CSU unites full universities, polytechnical universities and one of the seven American Maritime Academies under one roof.
Specifics of the California State University System
The California State University System is the single point of contact for students who want to earn a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in California or gain further professional qualifications.
Compared to the research-oriented universities of the UC system, the universities of the California State University System are more practice-oriented. The main focus is on providing high quality courses.
The high quality of study and teaching at the universities of the CSU system is also confirmed by the regional accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
Every year the universities produce a large number of graduates who are well prepared for their careers. The multinational learning environment at the Cal States locations also teaches students how to successfully integrate into an international team.
Transfer agreement: From the community college to the CSU
Similar to the UC system, the California State University system also maintains a transfer agreement with California’s state community colleges. Students who successfully complete an associate degree with transfer option at a community college in California generally have the option of switching to a university of the CSU system. There they can be placed in the third year of a relevant bachelor’s degree and catch up on the bachelor’s degree.
Depending on the university, students have to meet other requirements in order to be able to use the transfer option. In any case, close coordination with the contact persons at the community college and the university of your choice is required.
Since studying at a community college typically has lower tuition fees than a four-year college or university in the United States, students can save a lot of money in the first two years. In addition, especially for international students, the Transfer Admissions Guarantee often proves to be a door opener when applying. You don’t have to compete with the many other applicants for the coveted study places on a CSU campus. Instead, they are even guaranteed a place on the course if the relevant requirements are met.
