California State University-Bakersfield

What is the history of California State University-Bakersfield?

California State University, Bakersfield is a public university established to expand access to higher education in California's southern San Joaquin Valley. Founded in 1965, it opened to students in 1970 as California State College, Bakersfield and later took its university name.

Its development as part of the California State University system helps explain its emphasis on undergraduate education, teacher preparation, professional programs and regional service. CSUB has also offered degree pathways in the Antelope Valley; applicants interested in that location should check which programs and courses are currently available there rather than assume every Bakersfield program is offered at both sites.

What are the faculties and departments at California State University-Bakersfield?

CSUB organizes its academic programs into four colleges: Arts and Humanities; Business and Public Administration; Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Engineering; and Social Sciences and Education.

Undergraduates can explore fields such as biology, business administration, computer science, engineering, nursing, psychology, criminal justice and the performing arts. Graduate offerings include selected master's degrees and professional preparation programs. The university does not offer an associate-degree pathway comparable to a community college's.

Program choice matters beyond the major's name. Prospective engineering, nursing and teacher-education students, in particular, should review the current catalog for prerequisite sequences, clinical or fieldwork requirements, and any separate admission process after entering the university. Academic departments and the catalog are more useful for this purpose than a general list of majors.

What is the location of California State University-Bakersfield?

CSUB's main campus is in Bakersfield, California, in the southern San Joaquin Valley. It serves a region whose economy includes agriculture, energy, health care, education and public services.

The campus sits in a car-oriented metropolitan area, and commuting is a practical consideration for many students. Public transit may be an option for some trips, but routes, schedules and travel times should be checked against class and work hours. Meadows Field is Bakersfield's local commercial airport; students planning frequent air travel may also need to consider airports farther away.

CSUB's Antelope Valley offerings serve a different area from the Bakersfield campus. Applicants should confirm the location, format and availability of every course required for their intended degree.

What is the mission and vision of California State University-Bakersfield?

CSUB describes its mission in terms of accessible education, academic learning, student success and service to its region. Its stated aspirations also emphasize community engagement and improving opportunities for students in the southern San Joaquin Valley.

These are institutional priorities, not guarantees of an individual outcome. For a prospective student, the practical question is how they appear in a particular program - for example, through advising, undergraduate research, community-based coursework or preparation for a local profession. CSUB is a public university and has no religious affiliation.