California State University-Sacramento

What is the history of California State University-Sacramento?

California State University, Sacramento - commonly called Sacramento State or Sac State - was founded in 1947 as Sacramento State College. It began as a public institution serving the growing Sacramento region and initially held classes at Sacramento Junior College before moving to its present campus in the early 1950s.

The institution expanded its academic offerings as California's public higher-education system developed. It became California State University, Sacramento in 1972 and is now one of the campuses of the California State University system. Its history helps explain its mix of undergraduate education, graduate and professional programs, and ties to the state capital's public-service workforce.

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

Sacramento State organizes most of its degree programs across seven academic colleges: Arts and Letters; Business; Education; Engineering and Computer Science; Health and Human Services; Natural Sciences and Mathematics; and Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies. Its College of Continuing Education also offers programs designed for professional development and other learners.

The university awards bachelor's and master's degrees, along with selected doctoral and professional credentials. Students can find fields as different as nursing, civil engineering, computer science, journalism, social work, business, biology, and teacher preparation. Departments and program requirements differ: an applicant interested in nursing, for example, needs to examine that program's separate prerequisites and selection process rather than assume that university admission provides a place in the major.

The academic catalog is the controlling resource for degree requirements. Prospective students comparing majors should check whether a program requires a separate application, clinical placement, portfolio, credential sequence, or courses that must be completed in a particular order.

What is the location of California State University-Sacramento?

Sacramento State is in Sacramento, California, on a campus east of downtown near the American River. Its location gives students access to a state-capital labor market that includes government, health care, education, nonprofit organizations, and private employers.

The campus has connections to Sacramento's road, bus, and light-rail networks, but travel time depends considerably on where a student lives and when classes meet. Because most students commute, parking availability, permit costs, transit schedules, and the time between classes can matter as much as the distance on a map. Sacramento International Airport serves the region for longer-distance travel.

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

Sacramento State describes its purpose as providing accessible public higher education, advancing learning and scholarship, and serving the Sacramento region. Its stated priorities include student achievement, inclusion, and engagement with the community surrounding California's capital.

The university's vision emphasizes its role as a capital-area institution whose teaching and public partnerships address regional needs. These are institutional aims, not evidence that every student will have the same academic or career experience. Sacramento State is a public, nonsectarian university.