California State University-Fresno

Carnegie Foundation Classification

Master's Colleges and Universities (larger programs)

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

California State University-Fresno History

Fresno State was founded in 1911 as the Fresno State Normal School, a teacher’s college, and is one of the oldest campuses in the California State university system. Fresno State began offering advanced degrees in 1949.

Fresno State University was founded as a normal school and is a member of the California State University System. It has been offering advanced degrees since 1949. It is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Its mission statement says in part that the university “provides a General Education program and other opportunities, to expand students’ intellectual horizons, foster lifelong learning, prepare them for future professional study, and instill within them an appreciation of cultures other than their own.” It is classed as a Master’s College and University I by the Carnegie Institute.

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California State University-Fresno Academics

Fresno State’s curriculum is offered through its eight different schools and divisions. Undergraduate study is grounded in the liberal arts and sciences, with emphasis on such traditional disciplines as humanities, health sciences, and engineering. There are also excellent programs in agriculture and business, given Fresno State’s location near one of the world’s premier agri-business centers. More than 95 percent of Fresno State’s nearly 1,200 faculty possess the terminal degree in their field of study.

Fresno State University has academic programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level. There are 10 colleges: the College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, the College of Arts and Humanities, the Craig School of Business, the Kremen School of Education and Human Development, the College of Engineering and Computer Sciences, the College of Health and Human Services, the College of Science and Mathematics, the College of Social Sciences, the Division of Continuing and Global Education, and the Division of Graduate Studies.

Bachelor’s degrees are offered in a variety of fields within the various academic colleges. Degrees at the bachelor’s level can be received in such areas as African studies, agricultural education, biology, Chicano studies, construction management, engineering, English, enology, interior design, natural sciences, nursing, plant science, recreation administration, social work, theatre arts, and viticulture. Minors are offered in many of the major programs, and in many other sub-specialties.

Graduate programs are offered in the humanities and many professionally-oriented fields. These include master’s level programs in fields such as accountancy, animal sciences, art, education, creative writing, international relations, marine science, music, nursing, public administration, social work, and viticulture. There is a joint doctorate in Educational Leadership offered with the University of California, Davis. There are also seven certificate programs.

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California State University-Fresno Unique Programs

The Armenian Studies Program in the College of Arts and Humanities provides courses in Armenian history, art, architecture, and modern issues, as well as specific Armenian matters like the Genocide and William Saroyan. The Center for Armenian Studies offers a minor that prepares students to go on to advanced study or education at one of the 25 Armenian schools in the nation, including Harvard, Oxford, and UCLA.

The Geomatics Engineering Program in the College of Engineering and Computer Science prepares graduates to work with the nation’s spatial infrastructure, including environmental mapping, project management, and route design. Most classes include a lab, giving students hands-on experience with equipment and theories.

Fresno State University has an undergraduate Honors Program, the Smittcamp Family Honors College. Students who seek admission to the Honors Program need to meet the following requirements: SAT score of 1200 or above, a minimum GPA of 3.6, and a class rank in the upper 10%. Once admitted to the Honors Program, students will be able to take classes in a variety of fields that are classified as Honors Courses. Students receive benefits such as grants covering registration and fees, extended library check-out privileges, and priority registration.

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California State University-Fresno Financial Aid

Fresno State provides over three hundred scholarship programs supported by private donors, for both general use and for students with specific needs and interests. Most of the scholarship programs are intended to reward students with some kind of academic distinction. The Financial Aid department can answer any questions about specific scholarships, or applicants can contact the department that houses their major or field of interest about specific scholarship opportunities. Fresno State also offers federal and state grants and loan programs, as well as Federal Work Study opportunities. The majority of Fresno State students qualify for some sort of financial aid package.

Fees at Fresno State University are $1,466.50 for the 2005-2006 academic year for in-state, undergraduate students attending full-time. Students applying from out of state and graduate students have higher costs.

Financial aid is available in the form of grants, scholarships, and loans. Work-study programs are also available for students with demonstrated financial need. Students who seek financial aid will need to fill out the Federal Student Financial Aid Form, available on-line. Other forms may apply for other types of aid.

Graduate students may also receive financial aid in the form of teaching or research assistantships, including a stipend and a waiver of some or all of the tuition and other fees. Graduate students should consult with their individual department about what sort of assistantships or fellowships are available and about the details of the application process.

This site is not sponsored by, affiliated with, nor endorsed by California State University-Fresno

California State University-Fresno Students

Fresno State sits on more than 300 acres of California near the Sierra Nevada mountains and the San Joaquin Valley, a beautiful setting for outdoor recreation. Typically, enrollment exceeds 20,000 each year. The University Courtyard is Fresno State’s only student residence environment and provides centralized living and recreation for on-campus students, as well as academic support and safety. The University’s Student Union provides food, meeting, and study space, as well as the Recreation Center, with bowling, billiards, video games, and more. Performances at the Student Union over the years have included John Denver, Whitney Houston, and Steve Martin.

Student life at Fresno State University includes opportunities in a diverse range of activities and organizations. The student newspaper is published in print and on-line. There are many clubs and organizations, including fraternities and sororities, academic groups, cultural and minority groups, and special interest groups. The special interest groups include political organizations and a meditation association. Recreational activities include board games, tap dance, bowling, rodeo, and environmental interests. Art galleries, dramatic and musical performances, and a planetarium also provide opportunities for entertainment and learning. A number of services for academic support, career counseling, services for students with disabilities, and other resources also exist on campus.

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California State University-Fresno Traditions

The “Red Wave,” the name for Fresno State’s fan base, has set attendance records for West Coast schools for a number of years, as well as football ticket sales. The Bulldog Foundation has been the country’s Number 1 fundraising organization for 20 years and raises over $7 million for athletics each year. The Bulldogs football team wear a green “V” on the back of their helmets, signifying their commitment to the Valley community, a 250-mile portion of California served exclusively by Fresno State.

This site is not sponsored by, affiliated with, nor endorsed by California State University-Fresno

California State University-Fresno Local Community

Fresno is home to the Fresno Art Museum, Legion of Valor Museum, and the Chaffee Zoo. For a little more culture, visitors and residents can tour the Tower District, Fresno’s version of “cultural” neighborhoods like those found in Seattle and San Francisco. The population of Fresno and surrounding Fresno County is nearly 900,000 and is considered the center of California. It is the highest rated region for farming in the United States.

Fresno State University is located in Fresno, California, which has a population of approximately 456,100. The surrounding environment is the agricultural regions of California’s Central valley. Fresno is located only 55 miles form Kings Canyon National Park and 92 miles from Yosemite. There are numerous museums of history, culture, art, and sciences in the city of Fresno, and performing arts include a ballet, an opera, and a symphony. There are many venues for both participatory sports and for watching as a fan, including the minor league baseball team the Grizzlies.

This site is not sponsored by, affiliated with, nor endorsed by California State University-Fresno