Campus

San Marcos is located in north San Diego--the heart of coastal southern California--50 kilometers north of the city of San Diego and 150 kilometers south of Los Angeles. Just a short distance from the campus you will find California’s most beautiful beaches, mountains, and deserts where you can swim, surf, hike, bicycle, and ski. You are also within easy traveling distance of the San Diego Zoo, Sea World, Disneyland, and Hollywood. The 120 hectare campus is in the small, safe suburban city of San Marcos with many shops and restaurants.

• In 2006, San Marcos had an enrollment of 8,500 students, with 200 international students from 35 countries and 250 full-time faculty, 98% of whom hold a Ph.D. degree.
• University classes are small and students receive individual attention.
• Classrooms and labs are new and equipped with modern technology.
• On-campus, apartment-style residence halls.
• Campus life includes more than 60 clubs and organizations, arts and lecture series, films, concerts and guest speakers.
• Public university offering a low-cost education.

Academic Programs

• Anthropology (Minor)
• Biochemistry (BS)
• Biological Sciences (BS, Minor)
• Biotechnology (BS)
• Business Administration (BS, Minor)
• Chemistry (BS, Minor)
• Communication (BA, Minor)
• Computer Science (BS, Minor)
• Criminology and Justice Studies (BA, Minor)
• Economics (BA, Minor)
• Film Studies (Minor)
• French (Minor)
• History (BA, Minor)
• Human Development (BA)
• Kinesiology (BA, Minor)
• Liberal Studies (BA)
• Literature and Writing (BA)
• Mathematical Sciences (BS, Minor)
• Nursing (BS)
• Philosophy (Minor)
• Physics (Minor)
• Political Science (BA, Minor)
• Psychology (BA, Minor))
• Social Sciences (BA, Minor)
• Sociology (BA, Minor)
• Spanish (BA, Minor)
• Visual and Performing Arts (BA, Minor)
• Women’s Studies (BA)

• Biological Sciences (MS)
• Business Administration (MBA)
• Computer Science (MS)
• Education (MA)
• Literature and Writing (MA)
• Mathematical Sciences (MS)
• Psychology (MA)
• Sociological Practice (MA)
• Spanish (MA)

Admission Requirements

Transfer students with 60 or more transferable credits: Applicants must have the equivalent of a U.S. high school diploma and a GPA of 2.4 on all post-secondary transfer work. Transfer students from a school in the U.S. must complete the four CSU Basic Skills required courses (Oral Communication, Written Communication, Critical Thinking, and College Mathematics) with a grade of C or better.

Second Bachelor’s Degree: Applicants must have the equivalent of a four-year bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 2.5 in the last 60 credit units attempted.

Graduate Students: See department website for admission requirements.

English Language Proficiency: Undergraduate applicants who have not attended schools at the secondary level or above for at least three years full-time where English is the principal language of instruction, must present a TOEFL score of 80 iBT, 213 CBT, or 550 PBT or above. IELTS of 6.0 also accepted..

American Language and Culture Institute (ALCI)

Intensive Academic Preparation (IAP) provides students with the English and academic study skills to be successful in American colleges and universities. IAP is a full 16-week semester program offered in Fall and Spring Semesters and a 10-week semester in Summer.

• Conditional admission to California State University San Marcos is available.
• TOEFL is waived for undergraduate students entering CSUSM who complete ALCI's highest level.
• Advanced level students may enroll in university courses for credit on a space-available basis.
• Home stay and off-campus housing are available.