Preparing
California's
Healthcare Workforce
The California State University provides high-quality, flexible and affordable pathways into nursing, allied health, behavioral health and public health careers through 22 universities serving communities across the state.
Explore Health Programs
CSU universities offer a wide range of undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs that prepare students for careers in hospitals, community clinics, schools, public agencies and other health settings. Students can pursue nursing, allied health, behavioral health and public health degrees that address critical workforce needs in California.
Behavioral Health
- Social work
- Counseling and clinical mental health programs
- Clinical psychology and school psychology
Public Health
- Health administration
- Health policy
- Public Health Doctorate (DrPH) [create a DrPH subpage]
Pathways into the Health Professions
The California State University supports multiple entry points into health careers. Whether students are beginning college, transferring from a community college or returning for advanced study, CSU universities provide flexible pathways that reflect the diversity of California’s learners.
Nontraditional Students
Options for working adults, veterans, caregivers and career changers include degree-completion programs, online and hybrid formats and flexible programs through CSU campuses and Cal State Online.
Community College Transfer
Transfer students from California Community Colleges can pursue health-related majors through streamlined and accelerated pathways, including Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) programs and ADN/RN-to-BSN routes that shorten time to degree and reduce costs.
Graduate Education
Graduate programs in nursing, public health, social work, counseling and other health fields prepare advanced practitioners, scholars and leaders who improve health outcomes and influence policy statewide.
Learn More About Pathways
Our Impact on California's healthcare workforce
The California State University is the nation’s largest and most diverse four-year public university system, serving more than 460,000 students at 22 universities and awarding nearly 127,000 degrees each year. A significant share of these degrees are in health-related fields that support California’s hospitals, clinics, schools and community organizations.
- The California State University educates thousands of new health professionals annually, including nurses, public health practitioners, social workers, counselors, physical therapists and other allied health providers.
- Graduates reflect the diversity of California and play a critical role in building a culturally responsive healthcare workforce; the CSU confers a large share of bachelor’s degrees.
- Most alumni remain in California, strengthening local and regional health systems and public agencies.
Policies/Resources
Faculty, staff and administrators can access systemwide policies, program planning guidance and academic resources that support the development and continuous improvement of health professions programs at CSU campuses.
Go to Policies/Resources