San Francisco State University was founded in 1899 as San Francisco State Normal School. San Francisco State University is one of the nation's leading public urban universities, promoting respect for scholarship, freedom, and human diversity. The University's administration and faculty encourage students to ignore traditional barriers. Students learn while helping people to solve real-life problems, take part in research projects with senior faculty, act as a team with classmates and explore future career way and personal horizons.

SF State University has eight academic colleges, which are Behavioral and Social Sciences, Business, Creative Arts, Education, Ethnic Studies, Health and Human Services, Humanities, Science and Engineering.

San Francisco State University provides bachelor's degrees in 113 areas of specialization and master's in 96 areas. SFSU offers three undergraduate degrees: Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music and 12 master's and doctorate degrees: Master of Business Administration, Master of Public Administration, Master of Music, Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts, Master of Public Health, Master of Science, Master of Social Work, Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Education, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Doctor of Physical Therapy Science.

Financial Aid
Half of the students receive some form of financial aid and more than three-quarters of our students hold down a job while going to school. Counselors will put together a package tailored to student’s specific needs, using all available resources: grants, scholarships, loans, and on- and off-campus employment opportunities.