California State University-San Marcos
San Marcos, United States
Updated Oct 2026 · Source: csusm.edu
Overview
California State University San Marcos is a public university in North San Diego County, California, and a member of the California State University system.
Academic life is organized into four colleges: Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences; Business Administration; Education, Health and Human Services; and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The campus also runs an Extended Learning division, and it maintains additional sites in Temecula and Chula Vista.
Students can choose from 43 bachelor's degree programs and 38 minors. At the graduate level the university lists 23 master's programs and 11 credential programs, along with a joint doctoral program offered with UC San Diego.
Graduate applicants must satisfy both university admission and the requirements set by their chosen program, so deadlines and test rules differ across departments.
Applications for most programs are submitted through Cal State Apply, with separate guidance for freshmen, transfer students, second-bachelor's candidates, graduate students and international applicants. Outside the classroom, the university reports more than 160 clubs, Greek organizations and intramural sports, and its teams compete in NCAA Division II in the California Collegiate Athletic Association.
Location & Contact
Below are California State University-San Marcos's address, location, and primary contact channels.
Academic Details
California State University-San Marcos's academic profile in numbers is listed below.
Academic Structures
California State University-San Marcos's faculties, schools, institutes, and constituent units are listed below.
Unit 50 items
- Accounting
- American Indian Studies
- Anthropology
- Art, Media, and Design (SofA)
- Biological Sciences
- Biotechnology
- Chemistry & Biochemistry
- Child and Adolescent Development (CHAD)
- College of Business Administration (CoBA)
- College of Education, Health & Human Services (CEHHS)
- College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral & Social Sciences (CHABSS)
- College of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (CSTEM)
- Communication & Media Studies
- Computer Science & Engineering
- Dance Studies (SofA)
- Economics
- Education
- Electrical & Computer Engineering
- Engineering
- Environmental Studies
- Ethnic Studies
- Extended Learning
- Film Studies
- Finance
- Global Business Management
- Global Studies
- History
- Human Development
- Kinesiology
- Liberal Studies
- Literature & Writing Studies
- Management
- Management Information Systems
- Marketing
- Mathematics
- Modern Language Studies
- Music (SofA)
- Nursing
- Operations, Supply Chain, and Business Analytics
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Social Sciences
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Speech-Language Pathology
- Theatre Arts (SofA)
- Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Programs Offered
Below are California State University-San Marcos's active programmes, grouped by degree level, with search.
84 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in United States
Bachelor's Degree 47 programmes
Showing 10 of 47.
Master's Degree 24 programmes
Showing 10 of 24.
Doctorate 1 programme
Professional Doctorate 1 programme
Postgraduate Certificate 11 programmes
Showing 10 of 11.
How to apply to California State University-San Marcos
What applying to California State University-San Marcos involves, in five steps.
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1
Browse the programme catalogue
Begin by reviewing the programmes section above. California State University-San Marcos offers 84 programmes grouped by qualification level. Decide on a target tier (bachelor's, master's, or doctoral) before narrowing by subject.
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2
Check eligibility for your chosen programme
Each programme at California State University-San Marcos has its own entry requirements — academic minimums, language proficiency, supporting documents, and sometimes interviews or portfolios. Check the programme-specific page or contact admissions to confirm eligibility.
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3
Get your documents ready
Most applications require certified academic records, identification documents, language test certificates (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent for English-medium programmes), CV/résumé, and a statement of purpose. Allow extra time for document authentication.
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4
Apply through the official channel
Apply directly via California State University-San Marcos's online portal at www.csusm.edu. Complete the application form, upload supporting documents, and pay any application fee. Confirmation emails typically arrive within a few business days.
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5
Reach out and track your application
After submitting, confirm receipt with the admissions office and track your application status through the portal. Set reminders for any interview requests, additional document submissions, or admission decision deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about California State University-San Marcos
A short Q&A covering California State University-San Marcos's essentials — founding, location, and structure.
Where is California State University-San Marcos located?
California State University-San Marcos is located in San Marcos, United States.
Is California State University-San Marcos public or private?
It is a public higher-education institution.
What is the student enrolment at California State University-San Marcos?
Student enrolment at California State University-San Marcos is around 14,877.
What is California State University-San Marcos's academic structure?
The institution comprises 50 academic units.
How do I find California State University-San Marcos online?
The institution's website is www.csusm.edu.
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