San José State University (SJSU)

San José State University, located in the heart of Silicon Valley's innovation and technology capital, is the largest public university in the region. It offers a world-class education through dynamic teaching, research, and hands-on experiences, preparing students for the global workforce. Ranked highly by sources like Money Magazine, U.S. News & World Report, and The Wall Street Journal (including #5 public school in the country), SJSU emphasizes intellectual inquiry, independent thought, and collaboration across disciplines.

Current Events and Announcements
Homecoming 2025: Join from November 3-8 for a week of exciting events, good vibes, and Spartan spirit under the Spartan City Lights.
Federal Benefits Update: Support and resources are available; visit the SJSU Cares Website for more.
Winter Session 2025-26: Register today for courses to earn college credits, save on campus fees, and graduate faster.
SJSU Online: Valuable and affordable 100% online bachelor's programs taught by SJSU faculty, ideal for students with busy lifestyles and previous college credits on a fast, flexible timeline.
SJSU Magazine: Shares compelling stories embodying Spartan pride and resilience.
Interactive Campus Map: Explore all SJSU campuses with a brand-new engaging tool.

Recent News Highlights
Wall Street Journal ranks SJSU the #5 public school in the country.
Multi-year commitment from the Cadence Giving Foundation.
"Deep Dive in Five" with Brian Leaf, Associate Dean for Student and Faculty Engagement at SJSU King Library.
From SJSU student to startup visionary: Zain Zaidi’s journey co-founding TransCrypts.

Upcoming Events
Date – Event
Nov 05 – Writing and Generative AI
Nov 06 – Digital Humanities: Getting Creative with Digital Literacy
Nov 07 – Indian Health Center: Laughter is Good Medicine Gala
Nov 08 – Football - San Jose State vs. Air Force (Homecoming)

Visiting SJSU
SJSU is situated in downtown San José, California's third-largest city, offering unrivaled diversity, proximity to outdoors, and endless fun. As the CSU's only urbanized downtown campus, it connects to the densest public transportation in Silicon Valley, linking to the entire Bay Area.

Campus Exploration
In-Person Tours: Book guided tours online or visit the Welcome Center in the Diaz Compean Student Union.
Virtual Tour: Step-by-step 360-degree panoramic views of key locations.
Discover Spartan Life: Events, experiences, and supportive services for new students, on-campus or virtually.
Interactive Map: View all campuses interactively.

Getting Around
Public Transit: Over a dozen bus lines and light rail; learn routes to SJSU and around.
Parking: Three garages and street parking available (permits required); garages fill by 10 a.m.
South Campus Shuttle: Free shuttle from South Campus Garage (1278 South 10th Street) to Duncan Hall, Mondays–Thursdays 7 a.m.–6 p.m. during academic year.
Transit Pass: Free VTA buses/light rail for students/employees via SmartPass on Clipper Card.
Airport: San José Mineta International (SJC), 10–15 minute drive.
Lodging: Short-term options in downtown near SJSU.

Downtown San José Highlights
Explore the vibrant heart of downtown with shopping, dining, and entertainment.

Shop, Dine, Play
Latest events, dining, and retail via San José Downtown Association.
Dining: Varied cuisines, including Michelin Guide spots.
Shopping: Local businesses for clothing, art, souvenirs.
Entertainment: Musical performances, festivals, comedy, street events, nightlife.

Cultural and Historical Sites
Category – Highlights
Libraries & Theaters: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library (nation's largest joint-use library); Susan and Phil Hammer Theater Center (operated by SJSU).
Museums & Parks: San José Museum of Art; Children's Discovery Museum; Alum Rock Park (700+ acres, hiking); History San José (History Park, Japanese Friendship Garden, Happy Hollow Zoo); Japantown; Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum; Winchester Mystery House.
Convention & Events: McEnery Convention Center (Fanime, Silicon Valley Comic Con, tech conferences).
Shopping/Dining Hubs: Santana Row (5 miles west, accessible by VTA bus).

Outdoors: Parks and Nature
Site – Description – Distance from SJSU
Almaden Quicksilver County Park – 4,163 acres, 29 miles of trails, wildflowers; former mercury mining site. – 25 min drive
Alviso Marina County Park – Coastal marshland, salt pond trails; former port/cannery. – 25 min drive
Big Basin Redwoods State Park – 18,000 acres ancient redwoods, Redwood Loop Trail. – 45–60 min drive west
Coyote Valley – 7,400-acre floodplain; preserves with trails (Arrowhead Loop, Coyote Creek Parkway). – South of urban core
Moss Landing – Beach trails, Elkhorn Slough; SJSU's Moss Landing Marine Labs. – 1 hour southwest
Mount Hamilton – 4,265 ft peak, Lick Observatory; views to Yosemite/Monterey. – 1 hour east

Performing Arts
On-campus: Morris Dailey Auditorium, Student Union, Music Concert Hall (events at events.sjsu.edu).
Off-campus: California Theatre (Opera San José, Symphony); Center for Performing Arts (Broadway); San José Civic; San José Improv.

Sporting Events and Venues
Team/Venue – Description – Location from SJSU
Bay FC – NWSL club, co-founded by Brandi Chastain et al. – PayPal Park
San Francisco 49ers – NFL at Levi's Stadium. – 10 miles northwest (VTA light rail)
San José Barracuda – AHL hockey (Sharks affiliate). – Tech CU Arena (near South Campus)
San José Earthquakes – MLS soccer. – PayPal Park (3 miles northwest)
San José Giants – Minor league baseball (Giants affiliate). – Excite Ballpark (next to South Campus)
San José Sharks – NHL at SAP Center. – 10 min west
SJSU Spartans – NCAA Division I, Mountain West teams. – Main/South Campus

Regional Transportation
VTA: Buses/light rail throughout Santa Clara County.
BART: To SF/Oakland; connect via VTA 500 to Berryessa station.
Caltrain: To SF Peninsula; connect via VTA 500 to Diridon Station.
Amtrak: Capitol Corridor to Sacramento; Coastal Starlight to LA/Seattle from Diridon.
ACE: Commuter rail to Stockton/Alameda (weekdays commute hours).

Academics
SJSU offers a breadth of programs, research, and applied learning to address community and global questions. As one of the top 200 research universities, it provides rigorous coursework and opportunities for undergraduates and graduates.

Programs and Structure
Colleges and Departments: House schools, departments, and programs for diverse offerings.
Majors and Programs: Wide range of bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees; ranked top West public university.
Classes: Thousands offered yearly; plan via advising and registration.
Advising and Registration: Multiple resources; key dates from Registrar’s Office.
Academic Calendar: Important deadlines and dates.
Accreditation: By WASC; specialized for programs.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library: Supports full research cycle; collaboration with librarians boosts success.

Research and Collaboration
Dynamic student experiences working with faculty.
Centers and Institutes: Blur disciplinary lines for innovation.
Partnerships: With San José city, Silicon Valley industries, municipalities for education, research, economic, and community development.

Admissions
Join the Spartan family—a diverse, close-knit community supporting success.

Application Types
Type – Description
First-Time Freshman – No college after high school; apply for Fall 2026.
Transfer – 60+ transferable semester units (90 quarter).
Graduate – Domestic/international with bachelor's seeking master's.
International Freshman – Non-U.S. resident pursuing bachelor's (F-1 visa).
International Transfer – Non-U.S. resident pursuing bachelor's (F-1 visa).
Second Bachelor's – Earned bachelor's; pursuing another (nursing only).
Returning – Absent two semesters; return to complete degree.
Non-Degree Seeking – Take courses via Open University.

Residency: Info on determination, appeals, exemptions.
International Financial Documents: Required for application.
SJSU Online: For busy students with credits.
Connect: Student Outreach and Recruitment (SOAR) for tours, events (in-person/virtual).

Contact Information
Phone: 408-283-7500 (Mon–Fri 9am–4pm).
Live Chat: Undergraduate (Mon–Fri 9am–12pm, 2–4pm); Graduate (Mon–Thu 2–4pm).
Appointments: In-person/virtual for bachelor's/undergraduate.
Join the Line: Virtual queue.
Email: Undergraduate (admissions@sjsu.edu