College of Professional & Global Education
To mobilize the resources and expertise of San Francisco State University and its partners to meet the educational and professional needs of diverse communities and industries.
To be a leading education model in expanding access to innovative programs that prepare and inspire individuals to transform local and global communities and industries.
- CPaGE is the only fully self-support college on the SFSU campus and receives no monies from the State of California General Fund.
- All partner program revenues are shared with the other six colleges at SFSU.
- All direct and indirect costs are completely covered by revenues generated from program fees.
- CPaGE is governed by various Chancellor’s Office policies regarding fiscal management, special sessions, international education and others.
- CPaGE reimburses funds each year to the Chancellor’s Office.
- CPaGE contributes funds to SFSU and its colleges to cover centralized services such as information technology, program and faculty expenses and student affairs.
- CPaGE supports SFSU graduation retention through its online degree-completion programs: Business Administration, Criminal Justice Studies and Psychology.
- The Center for Global Engagement continues to offer an array of programs introducing international students to the wonders of San Francisco and pathways to degree programs at SFSU.
- In partnership with Project Rebound, courses offered through Open University provide formerly incarcerated individuals a bridge to full matriculation.
- ElderCollege, a non-credit, space-available opportunity, gives people over 50 the opportunity to sit in any regular university course.
Strength · Growth · Impact
Messages
The College of Professional & Global Education (CPaGE) remains a dynamic and successful force within San Francisco State University. CPaGE gives learners real opportunities to grow and gain skills for a changing world. Its programs support working adults, returning students and new learners who want to shape better futures for themselves and their communities.
As one of the seven colleges at SFSU, CPaGE expands access to education, supports enrollment and helps students move toward graduation. Its financial contribution strengthens essential services across the University.
I am grateful for the faculty and staff whose care and commitment keep our students supported and our programs strong.
I continue to be inspired by the College of Professional & Global Education (CPaGE) and its ability to thrive under Dean Hwu’s visionary leadership. This year, CPaGE advanced its mission through thoughtful innovation, financial stewardship and a steadfast focus on student success. The College’s move into the Science and Engineering Innovation Center, expansion of domestic and international programs and strong financial performance all speak to its resilience and forward momentum. By building strategic partnerships and creating programs that meet the evolving needs of learners, CPaGE strengthens not only its own foundation but also the broader impact of SFSU. I am grateful for Dean Hwu and the CPaGE team’s dedication, which continues to position our university as a leader in accessible, high-quality education that serves both our community and the world.
What an incredible year it’s been!
Moving into our new home in the Science and Engineering Innovation Center has been a true highlight. Having our entire team together on the main campus has brought new energy and connection. Being part of campus life—whether at Convocation, Discover SFSU or Winter Session promotions—has strengthened our relationships across the University and beyond.
With a fully staffed Leadership Team, CPaGE has completed its 2023–2025 Strategic Plan, setting a clear direction for the years ahead. We’re focused on enhancing the student experience, simplifying processes and making the best use of our resources. From data and analytics to alumni success stories, we’re finding new ways to share how our students’ journeys lead from discovery to success.
As a self-supporting college, we’ve stayed diligent in managing our finances—paying down $5 million in deficit spending this year and continuing to prioritize long-term sustainability. Our domestic programs have seen exciting enrollment growth, and even as we’ve faced challenges in international recruitment, we’ve built new partnerships and expanded our offerings to reach more students around the world.
I’m incredibly proud of the dedication, creativity and teamwork shown by our faculty and staff. This community continues to inspire me every day, and I couldn’t ask for a better group of people to move forward with as we build an even brighter future together.
Strategic Planning
In 2023, the College of Professional & Global Education came together in shared governance to develop its 2023–2025 Strategic Plan. Now successfully implemented, we are proud to continue building on the following initiatives:
- Create and empower an employee committee
- Automate registration and enrollment processes
- Develop opportunities for state-support partners to learn about CPaGE
- Create journey maps that show the student path from initial inquiry to alumni status
- Gather data on students and alumni–create a comprehensive dashboard
A Look Ahead to 2025–2026
- Expanding the University Pathway Program to offer more diverse preparatory programs with the goal of recruiting highly qualified students to undergraduate and graduate degree programs
- Strengthening partnerships on and beyond our campus
- Launching new programs to meet demand: Sterile Processing Technician, Surgical Technician and MLT to CLS Pathway
- Continuing to identify opportunities and initiatives to grow and diversify our international student enrollments
- Rolling out the SFSU brand refresh and launching the new website
- Continued implementation of our strategic marketing plan and reporting
Marketing
In 2024, we completed a market research study whose key goals were to gather information and feedback from current, past and prospective CPaGE students on their student characteristics, their preferences in choosing a program, their knowledge of CPaGE and their media preferences.
The CPaGE Student
- Current College Students (or Graduating High School Students)
- Working Professionals
What They Want
Our prospects don’t search for a learning institution — they search for programs, then compare decisive factors.
- Program Availability
- Affordability/Return on Investment (ROI)
- Time-to-Completion/Flexible Program Delivery and Schedules
- Academic and Career-Relevant Curriculum
How They Search for or Hear About Us
- Google (Search Engines)
- Direct Communications from SFSU
- Top Social: Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn
Our Competition
Other CSUs or UCs, as well as community colleges, are our biggest competitors. While our prospects are most likely to choose a program located nearby (even if the program is fully online), if their chosen program is not unique to CPaGE, students will go with the institution that offers the best ROI and support services.
Marketing Content, Outreach, Reporting
- Develop and implement a cohesive content strategy across all CPaGE marketing platforms/assets
- Ensure information is accessible and aligns with SFSU brand guidelines
- Incorporate insights from market research study
- Focus on program content that drives enrollment decisions
- Include student and alumni testimonials in marketing
- Maximize budget: target prospects through paid search and social
- Identify marketing engagement needed to increase conversions
- Develop dynamic reporting dashboards (paid ads, emails, social, SEO/analytics)
Enrollment Goals and Reporting
- Identify program enrollment goals (focusing on priority programs)
- Align marketing strategy with enrollment goals to increase enrollment
- Work closely with Associate Deans on enrollment reporting
SFSU and CSU Collaboration
- Utilize shared resources to identify common goals and challenges (CSU Chief Marketing Officer Council)
- Work closely with SFSU departments to raise awareness of CPaGE programs
- Increase presence on and beyond campus (program promotional tabling events, etc.)
Paid Ad Data FY24-25
(For priority programs: BSBA, CJS, PLS, Psychology, Pre-Health, Open University)
3.82M Impressions
- 1,584,821 Meta
- 2,236,845 Google
34.45K Clicks (Engagement with Landing Pages)
- 14,491 Meta
- 19,956 Google
1.28K Conversions (New Prospects Acquired)
Google Analytics Data FY24-25
(For priority programs: BSBA, CJS, PLS, Psychology, Pre-Health)
- 187.8K Website Visits
- 12K Clicks to Cal State Apply
Top Cities of Visitors
Most visitors are in the U.S., followed by India, Canada, Japan, Mexico, Brazil and South Korea.
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Los Angeles
- Oakland
- Sacramento
Domestic Programs
Academic Program revenue grew nearly 30 percent over last year, with significant growth across several domestic programs. A dynamic paid and organic marketing campaign funneled prospects into enrollments and applications.
Paralegal Studies
“Through the program, I not only figured out the importance of torts and ethics, but I also made lifelong friends, met amazing professors, interned for an incredible attorney, and more importantly, gained confidence in myself as a legal professional and as a future lawyer.”
Sarai
2025 · Legal Assistant at Wilke Fleury LLP
Psychology B.A.
“The online asynchronous format enabled me to work and attend school simultaneously. After earning my B.A., I got into a masters of ABA program with the goal of becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.”
Sergio
2025 · Psychology Graduate
Pre-Health Professions
“At the SFSU open house, the positivity of the students and faculty stood out, and I realized this program offered the advising, structure and supportive cohort I had not had before.”
Christopher
2023 · Touro University of California College of Osteopathic Medicine
Winter Session
Despite a decline in state-support enrollment, Winter Session enrollment has continued to grow year over year, driven in part by increased student marketing and the introduction of a fee deferment option.
Center for Global Engagement
- CGE added 25 new university agreements, seven agent-recruiting agreements and renewed seven university agreements for our international programs.
- CGE expanded its summer custom programs to more partners, welcoming 73 students to study subjects like Entrepreneurship, Decision Sciences, K-8 Teacher Training and Environmental Sustainability.
- Transit passes were made available to students for most CPaGE programs.
- SF Discover had its largest cohort since its inception, with 161 students during Winter 2025.
- The STEM Exploration Program launched in Winter 2025 with an inaugural group of 19 students.
- 21 University Pathway Program students from our first two cohorts began their final year as matriculated undergraduates, with two of them completing their degree programs before the start of Fall 2025.
- In Fall 2024, 90 students enrolled in courses across numerous academic departments as part of our Semester @ SFSU program.
- CPaGE launched two additional Graduate Pathway Programs: International Relations and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).
- The SFSU Academic Senate approved two CPaGE certificate programs: Business Analytics and Digital Marketing.
Financial Growth
Financial Growth, 2020–2021 through 2024–2025
Five-year trend on revenues
Revenue
Revenue Breakdown by Program, 2024–2025
CPaGE revenue for the 2024–2025 fiscal year increased nearly ten percent over the previous year.
Contributions
Revenue Contributions to SFSU and CSU, 2024–2025
CPaGE contributed $2.7 million to the SFSU campus and the Chancellor's Office with its successful partnership programs that help broaden our student population and meet current learning needs.
College Enrollments
Enrollments by College, 2024–2025
Expenses
Expenses, 2024–2025
Partner Certifications, Scholarships, Externships and Internships
CPaGE partners with professional organizations to drive student-to-career success.
- Our Paralegal Studies program is American Bar Association (ABA) Approved
- Our Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration online degree completion is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Our Clinical Lab Science program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
- Paralegal Studies: David Goldstein Memorial Scholarship
- Pre-Health Post-Bac: Dr. Michael Green and Ann Sartori Scholarship
- Pre-Health Post-Bac: Dr. Luna Abdallah Memorial Scholarship
- Clinical Medical Assistant 160-Hour Clinical Externship
- Pharmacy Technician 80-Hour Clinical Externship
- Dental Assistant 40-Hour Clinical Externship
- Medical Administrative Assistant 40-Hour Clinical Externship
- The Dietetic Internship Program
- The Pupil Personnel Services Credential Program in School Psychology Internship
- Clinical Laboratory Science Internship
- Geographic Information Systems Summer Internship
- Paralegal Studies 120-Hour Internship Course