San Francisco State University Reviews

"San Francisco State University's Kinesiology program is rigorous. All of the professors want you to do well, but will challenge your current knowledge in the best way possible. It is a smaller program, meaning that you get a lot of one-on-one time with your advisor. This helps greatly when you are conducting your first research project! This program is the reason I was admitted into the doctorate program at USC, and I couldn't be more grateful for their help and guidance."

"My experience at San Francisco State University was excellent. The classes were challenging but realistic for working students and/or students with other life commitments. The professors were knowledgeable and helpful but during my time there and beyond (I volunteered with a professor post-graduation and received several letters of recommendation for graduate school from a few of my former professors). I don't have a single complaint or regret regarding my time at SF State. I only wish I had taken more advantage of the networking opportunities while I was there. I am part of the alumni association, though, and the group is wonderful in providing statewide events and keeping alumni connected."

"San Francisco State is a tremendous campus for all those unique individuals are are looking for a home away from home. With so much diversity around the beautiful green campus there is a place for everyone to feel a sense of belonging. San Francisco State allows for a great amount of growth for the real world."

"So far the professors are extremely helpful and accessible in my classes. I have had a good experience with access to resources available. The administrator are also very helpful and attentive to requests of students. The class sizes are manageable and I feel like I'm getting personalized learning."

"My experience at SFSU was fantastic, professors and Instructors were very understanding and tried to engage with students on a more meaningful matter. SFSU offers a wide variety of courses suitable for all interest and career opportunities. The IR program is amongst the best programs SFSU offers, their distinctive staff enhance ones learning and further develops critical thinking skills about global issues, interactions of governments etc."

"San Francisco State University is an excellent school. With educators who are invested in supporting students, and delivering an education that they believe gives students a foundation worthy of building success and opportunity. Maybe San Francisco State is not an Ivy League, but the people are the heart of this academic institution. From commuter students to fraternity organizations, San Francisco State offers something for everyone. Further, San Francisco State prides itself in the embrace of diversity and social justice. Not to mention, this university studies among the Bay Area, a cutting-edge community built right by Silicon Valley and a location that cannot be beat."

"I am currently a second year Masters student at San Francisco State University. I am getting my degree in Marine Biology with a focus on the impacts of stress on the reproductive physiology of intertidal Porcelain crab species. The Marine Biology program at SFSU, like most programs has its strengths and weaknesses. Its strengths include the small off site (from the main campus in SF) location that fosters a community of graduate student and faculty that are highly invested in producing quality scientific work. With nearly 10 different laboratories, with vastly different areas of focus and expertise operating collectively within a relatively small building, the program allows for an interdisciplinary perspective when asking questions facing our communities and our environments. As for the programs weakness, the most notable is timeline and funding. The program is described as a two-year program but the average Masters student graduates in three years. This is largely due to the lack of student funding. Most graduate students work as Graduate Assistants (GAs) or Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) in addition to other part-time jobs to cover living expenses and tuitions payment. This can be stressful as students are trying to balance multiple jobs, classes and their research. Ultimately this ends up delaying most students graduation dates by a minimum of a semester. For a prospective graduate student, it is invaluable to come into the program with an idea of a research project in mind and consider funding to have a fruitful and timely experience in the Marine Biology program."

"San Francisco State University for the past four years has impacted my studies incredibly. The diversity of students on campus allowed me to meet other people from other backgrounds. I graduated with a Criminal Justice Studies Degree. In the program, I got to take interesting classes like criminal profiling, criminal law, police and public policy, and more. Professors and Advisors show that they genuinely care about their students and want to do well in school. There were a lot of clubs and organizations that lets students be involved during their free time. I would recommend any students who is interested in the Criminal Justice Field to come to San Francisco State University. I have learned so much and know that these skills will benefit me in my future career."

"San Francisco State University is a great campus. Teachers are well educated and help students achieve their academic endeavors. I have no doubt that anyone that goes to this school will be well satisfied with the quality of education you will receive."

"I want to highlight that attending San Francisco State University has been a bit chaotic. On the one hand, I have professors who are passionate about their work, but on the other hand the department as a whole lacked structure. I am currently still enrolled and am responsible for knowing when and what to do to complete my thesis. Advisor has several students at the same time, and it is difficult meeting them to receive support. If you are self-motivated and have a clear vision of what you want to do for your thesis, I recommend coming here. If you are unsure about what research you are looking to do for your thesis, I would think about it carefully. You will have to deal with this on your own. That is what I am most disappointed about in this program, that there are simply to many students to get the proper guidance, and it is up to you to seek it. Living in San Francisco is also very expensive. I paid about $950 a month for one room in a house, plus utilities. None the less, San Francisco is an amazing city, and the student are very passionate about their majors and being involved on campus."

"SFSU is a great school with something for everyone. There are so many academic options, and I used my B.A. in History as a jumping off point to earn my Master's. The teachers in the History department are particularly fabulous. They provide interesting classes and keep them interesting every day you're in class. They also are far from being easy graders, they definitely challenge their students."

"San Francisco State is a great school if you're a serious student. It's a commuter school, many students travel from all over the Bay Area to study here during the day. It's not the kind of school to go to if you're interested in Greek Life or the like. However, its diversity and commitment to the arts and sciences makes it a beautiful place to learn. Personally, I found my Creative Writing program to be like a family. I was nurtured and pushed to do my very best. The smallness of this school creates for unique learning experiences you would find at private colleges. You will leave SF State feeling like you're leaving a second home, even if you only spent a few days a week on campus."

"Its in the heart of the silicon valley with great technology or updated technology being taught. Its a state university, so the fees is less and the job market is great. So come get a degree and make use of it"

"My emphasis is in social justice and equity. The readings while older are still very relevant. The professors focus on how to solve the current issues in education instead of just focusing on the fact that there are problems in education. This program is best for people who have taught or been educators. There is a great deal of application that won't have relevance unless you have worked in a classroom."

"The Art Department at San Francisco State University was a really great environment for creativity. They allowed me to work however I liked within the curriculum and encouraged me to explore the interests that I had while supporting me in that adventure."

"SFSU is a great diverse university however I feel like faculty is not as resourceful as I hoped. I wish my instructors were more helpful and would teach us how the workforce will really be like. I learned core business analytics, just don't know how to apply it to the real work world. Faculty should help students land jobs and help network them with alumni- so that we have some guidance when we are finished with college."

"San Francisco State University's Urban Studies and Planning program, prepares students for a career within the realm of cities. The dynamic advantage of learning in San Francisco is that the city is on the forefront of what eventually becomes laws and regulations for the state and country. Students are prepared to have a career in one of the most contentious and difficult cities to plan urban space and policy. With that understanding of operating in San Francisco, students may venture off to any urban space in the country with the skills to have an effective career. Also, the program allows students to choose their career path with the freedom to work on specific research topics, whether it is transportation, land use policies, housing, landscape design, or sustainable planning. The most valuable asset of the program, since it is in San Francisco, are the professors and department staff. They are directly involved in local politics, and have experience working within the city planning departments and local organizations. I would highly recommend this program for any student looking to start a career around people, city politics and land use."

"I loved how small my college was; all of the students were very close friends. The professors were amazing and supportive. The amount of diversity was also very inspiring. For the International Relations B.A. you have to write a thesis paper, which is very unusual for an undergraduate degree. However, I found it to be such a great learning experience and it really prepared me for a Master's program, which I am very excited to start this Fall!"

"Although I attended SFSU during the height of the CSU budget crisis and faced furlough days and having to crash classes, I was still able to graduate with a bachelor's degree in only three years. This was the best program for me as I knew i wanted to teach English at the high school level. It also qualified me to teach middle school if the opportunity presents itself. The professors and advisors had lots of real world experiences teaching in classrooms all across the spectrum of ELA and ELD. I exited the program feeling prepared not only for a credential program, but for the teaching profession as well."

"San Francisco State University offered an array of teaching styles, which met the various learning styles of their students. The professors are highly educated and motivated in the success of their students. I feel SFSU properly prepared me for my career in Education."