6610 California State University
Program Descriptions

01 - INSTRUCTION

The CSU Instruction program educates students for attainment of degrees, credentials or certificates in the liberal arts and sciences, and certain applied fields and professions. CSU offers more than 1,800 bachelor's and master's degree programs in some 357 subject areas, as well as teaching credential programs. Many programs are offered so students can complete all upper division and graduate requirements by part-time late afternoon and evening study. CSU also offers a doctorate degree in Education, Nursing Practice, and Physical Therapy, as well as a limited number of doctoral degrees jointly with the University of California and with private California institutions.

The CSU plays a critical role in preparing outstanding candidates for the job market. With 98,900 annual graduates, the CSU is the state's greatest producer of bachelor's degrees and drives California's economy in information technology, life sciences, agriculture, business, education, international trade, public administration, entertainment and multimedia industries.

In conjunction with campus-based instruction, CSU provides instruction through eight off-campus centers, and through self-supporting extended education programs. CSU Extended Education offices have developed a growing inventory of courses, certificates, and degree programs offered via online technologies.

The Instruction program consists of general academic instruction, preparatory/remedial instruction, instructional information technology, community education instructional services, and non-baccalaureate vocational/technical instruction.

02 - RESEARCH

CSU research is comprised of specifically organized activities, whether commissioned by an external agency or budgeted by the University. Additional research funds may be provided directly to the campuses from non-state General Fund, external sources.

03 - PUBLIC SERVICES

The Public Services program includes expenses for activities established primarily to provide non-instructional services beneficial to individuals and groups external to the institution. These activities include community service programs (excluding instructional activities) and cooperative extension services. Included in this category are conferences, institutes, general advisory services, reference bureaus, radio and television, consulting, and similar non-instructional services to particular sectors of the community.

04 - ACADEMIC SUPPORT

The Academic Support program includes libraries, museums and galleries, educational media services, support information technology, course and curriculum development, academic administration, and personnel development. Ancillary programs include the Desert Studies consortium, college farms, and the Center for Deaf Studies at the Northridge campus.

05 - STUDENT SERVICES

The Student Services program includes activities that contribute to students' emotional and physical well-being, and their intellectual, cultural and social development outside the formal instruction program. These activities include student newspapers, intramural athletics, student organizations, counseling and career guidance, student financial aid administration, and student health services.

06 - INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT

The Institutional Support program includes executive-level activities concerned with management and long-range planning. These activities maintain the University's effectiveness and continuity and ensure the University's operations are consistent with the state's public higher education policy. Activities include executive management, fiscal operations, general administration, administrative information technology, public relations, and mandatory transfers.

07 - OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF PLANT

The Operation and Maintenance of Plant program includes physical plant administration, building maintenance, ground maintenance, utilities, major repairs, security and safety, logistics, debt service payments, operations and maintenance information technology, and insurance costs. The University also receives funding for scheduled maintenance. Currently, the deferred maintenance backlog exceeds $460 million.

08 - STUDENT FINANCIAL AID

In 2013-14, CSU anticipates providing over $618 million in student financial assistance via its tuition fee discounting program. In addition to these CSU tuition fee discounts, the CSU State University Grant program will continue to distribute $33.8 million of annual state support towards student tuition fee assistance. Additional financial aid is provided through graduate fellowships and Educational Opportunity Program grants. Federal funds for financial aid that are not reported in the state treasury total approximately $795 million. All federal financial aid programs provide between $1 billion and $2 billion in scholarships, grants, and loans to CSU students.

09 - AUXILIARY ENTERPRISES

Auxiliary Enterprises consist of student housing, parking, intercollegiate athletics, food services, book stores, and other self-supporting non-instructional services. These services are funded through specific user charges and are not subsidized by the state. CSU provides approximately 40,726 housing spaces and approximately 159,709 parking spaces at its 23 campuses.