San Diego State University

Carnegie Foundation Classification

Research Universities (high research activity)

General Characteristics

Highest offering	Doctoral degree
Calendar System	Semester
Years of college work required	N/A
Variable Tuition

Special Learning Opportunities

Distance Learning
ROTC — Army / Navy / Air Force	— / /
Study Abroad
Weekend College
Teacher Certification

San Diego State University History

San Diego State University is located in San Diego, California. It is one of the 23 campuses of the California State University System and has its own branch campus in the Imperial Valley. San Diego State University was founded in 1897 as a normal school, became a college in 1935, and received university status in the early 1970’s. The University now awards bachelor’s and master’s degrees and participates in a joint doctoral program with the University of California. Its Carnegie classification is as a Doctoral/Research-Intensive institution. It is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

San Diego State University defines its mission as “to provide a well-balanced, high-quality education for undergraduate and graduate students and to contribute to knowledge in the solution of problems are excellent and distinction in teaching, research, and service.”

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San Diego State University Academics

The University is composed of a number of different schools and colleges: the College of Arts and Letters, the College of Business Administration, the College of Engineering, the College of Education, the College of Health and Human Services, the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts, the College of Sciences, and the Undergraduate Studies Program.

Bachelor’s degrees are awarded in a number of different disciplines, including Chicano and Chicana studies, history, international security and conflict resolution, accounting, hospitality and tourism management, marketing, vocational education, engineering, nursing, art, dance, urban studies, astronomy, mathematics, statistics, and interdisciplinary studies.

Master’s degrees are awarded in business administration (MBA), social work, creative writing, chemistry, interdisciplinary studies, philosophy, rhetoric and writing studies, aerospace engineering, counseling, nursing, regulatory affairs, and statistics, among others. There are five dual degree programs, and there are credential programs in education.

The school awards thirteen joint doctoral degrees, in fields such as education, biology, ecology, geography, and public health. There are no doctoral degrees offered in languages, literature, or the arts.

San Diego State’s classification from the Carnegie Foundation is as a “Doctoral/Research University-Intensive,” underlining the institution’s emphasis on scholarly research. This classification puts SDSU in the top 7% of higher education institutions in the country, and the University ranks in the top 100 for research expenditures among public universities.

The most prolific academic programs at SDSU include international business, public administration, psychology, biology, education, social work, geography, and women’s studies. A majority of the areas teachers are supplied by SDSU, and the University takes its teacher preparation programs seriously, using partnerships with outside organizations to hone students’ teaching skills before sending them into the professional world.

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San Diego State University Unique Programs

The College of Arts and Letters is home to the Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies, dedicated to the study of the Chicano/Latino culture, politics, economics, and society. Chicana and Chicano Studies is provided as a minor and the Department also offers a Border Studies Minor and Certificate program.

A bachelor’s degree is offered in the area of speech, language, and hearing sciences. The focus for holders of this degree is education and assessment. A master’s degree and certification are required for professional practice.

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San Diego State University Financial Aid

SDSU accepts and participates in a variety of aid programs, including subsidized loans, unsubsidized loans, the PLUS loan for parents of undergraduates, and loan consolidation. Subsidized loans are awarded based on financial need, while unsubsidized loans are not. SDSU also accepts the in-state Cal Grant for residents of California. The University also offers a number of scholarship opportunities, including University Scholarships, Future Scholars Awards for underrepresented groups, and the Byrd Honors Scholarship and McNair Scholars Program, both government-administered aid programs.

In-state registration fees for undergraduate students were $ 2936 in 2004-2005. Students applying from out of state and graduate students will have different costs.

Financial aid is available with a combination of grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs.

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San Diego State University Students

SDSU is home to 33,000 students and a number of living learning communities (LLCs). These communities combine students’ academic life with their social life, ingraining the knowledge and its applications within them. Students in specific LLCs are enrolled in the same classes as other community members. Specific LLC areas include social justice and multiculturalism, service, and career exploration. Spaces are limited and students are encouraged to apply early.

In addition to the numerous classroom, dormitory, and administration buildings, San Diego State University has outdoor art, a bell tower, and the historical Scripps Colleges on the campus grounds.

The San Diego State University Library offers electronic catalogs and on-line databases, in additional to physical volumes stored on site or available through inter-library loan. Special collections include an Asian collection, government publications, the University archives, San Diego history, and photographs, postcards, oral histories, and other materials.

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San Diego State University Traditions

The Aztecs’ all-black uniforms are one of the most recognized traditions at SDSU. Don Coryell—who is also credited with introducing modern passing to college football—originally devised the outfits. Coryell felt the all-black uniforms would be mysterious and menacing, especially during night games. The first game with the all-black outfits took place in 1963.

The Aztecs’ mascot is Montezuma, or “Monty,” and is based upon Montezuma II, the ruler of all Aztecs during the early 16th century. Students try out for the opportunity to portray Monty each year.

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San Diego State University Local Community

San Diego’s weather has been deemed the finest in the country, and the recreational opportunities befit such a status. The surf and sand of San Diego’s beaches is unparalleled, whether you are a swimmer or a sunbather. There are also a series of reservoirs within the city that provide boating and fishing. The Parks department offers an aquatics program to all visitors as well. The West Coast’s largest aquatic park, Mission Bay Park, is located in San Diego and covers over 4,000 acres. Complimenting Mission Bay is the massive Mission Trails Regional Park that offers 5,800 acres of hiking and camping facilities.

The city of San Diego is located in Southern California and is home to professional sports teams, the famous San Diego Zoo, and numerous other metropolitan attractions.

This site is not sponsored by, affiliated with, nor endorsed by San Diego State University