University Information

Los Angeles-Orange County State College opened its doors on September 28, 1949, to an entering group of 169 juniors and seniors. Two decades later the rapidly growing institution had earned designation as a university and became the largest single campus in the California State University system. The hilltop portion on the 322-acre campus overlooks the Pacific Ocean. Eight permanent buildings house the various colleges, 63 academic departments and programs, 24 centers, 4 institutes, and 4 clinics.

In addition, the university is home to KLON FM-88, the premier jazz radio station, the Pyramid Events Center, the Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center, and the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden. The university library holds over one million volumes. During the regular session California State University, Long Beach is as large as a small city. More than 35,000 students, nearly 2,000 faculty, and 1,600 professional staff members study and work on campus each week. In order to operate, the campus has been organized into eight colleges and many academic departments and programs.

The University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the agency responsible for granting regional accreditation to colleges and universities in California, Hawaii, and Guan. It is accredited by the California State Board of Education and is on the list of approved institutions of the American Association of University Women.

CSULB aims, above all, to graduate students with highly valued degrees, and to prepare them for lifelong learning as well as for success in a variety of professional fields. The mission of all degree programs is to provide each student with the skills necessary to pursue knowledge and to integrate information from various sources, and also to provide depth in at least one area of specialization. The mission of the graduate programs is to prepare student to enter careers requiring training beyond the baccalaureate, to advance in their jobs, or to pursue advanced study.

A fundamental goal of the University is to prepare students to function effectively in a culturally diverse society by developing an understanding of our diverse heritage, including the essential contributions of women and ethnic minorities. Instruction in all disciplines emphasizes ethical and social dimensions as well as their applications to contemporary world issues. The University also emphasizes global awareness, through internationally-focused curricula and encouragement of study abroad.