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This page is designed to help you find answers to the most frequently asked questions about San Francisco State University. Please make use of these links -- they are your fastest pathways to a helpful answer.


NEED TO FIND YOUR PERSONAL ACCESS CODE (PAC) AND/OR STUDENT ID NUMBER?

A PAC or Personal Access Code is a four digit number designed to keep your personal information private. For information on how to select or reset your PAC, visit the PAC Information page.

What is a Student ID Number?
Your student ID is the social security number that you gave on your admission application. If you did not give us a social security number at that time, we assigned you a Student ID number. You will be notified about the assigned number in a letter sent by surface-mail. You should receive the letter in four or five days from the date that your application was received. Those students who hold a non-immigrant visa also will be notified of their Student ID number on their Missing Document Letter. Undergraduate applicants who have questions about assigned student ID numbers should call (415) 338-6486 for assistance. Graduate or credential applicants should call (415) 338-2234 for help.

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LOOKING FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENT INFORMATION?

For international student information such as how to apply and other admission requirements, please visit the Prospective Student International Student.

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INTERESTED IN APPLYING TO SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY?

If you want to apply to San Francisco State University, or if you have questions about admissions requirements, fees, financial aid, or the transfer process, visit our Prospective Students Web site.

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WHAT DEGREES AND MAJORS DOES SFSU OFFER?

SFSU offers a variety of majors -- undergraduate and graduate -- and the flexibility to combine them in various ways.

For a complete list of current Bulletin year programs and majors, please visit the Index of Academic Programs.

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NEED INFORMATION FROM OR ABOUT A DEPARTMENT?

If your questions do not pertain directly to the campus home page, please direct them to the most relevant department on campus. You can find e-mail, phone and Web sites for academic and administrative departments on the Departments page. Alternatively, you can give our search engine a try or use our convenient online Department Contact Form.

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NEED TO FIND WHAT COURSES ARE BEING OFFERED?

The Class Schedule lists courses and curricula for all academic departments, units, groups, and interdisciplinary and special studies programs offering undergraduate and graduate degrees. The Class Schedule is accessible online:

Printed copies of the Class Schedule may be purchased in person or ordered by mail from the SFSU Bookstore. For information regarding cost, mail orders and shipping, call (415) 338-2092.

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NEED AN UNOFFICIAL OR OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT?

Unofficial Transcripts
Unofficial Transcripts may be downloaded online by logging into the SFSU Student Information page. You will be asked to enter your Student ID (usually your 9-digit Social Security Number) and 4-digit Personal Access Code (PAC). If you don't know your PAC, one can be assigned to you by completing the PAC Initialization form. If you are unable to use the PAC Initialization form, you will need to request an Official Transcript.

Official Transcripts
To request an Official Transcript, follow these steps:

  1. Complete the Request for SFSU Official Transcript form.
  2. Determine the cost of the transcript(s).
    The amount due will be listed on the prepared SFSU Official Transcript form. This amount is calculated using the Official Transcript Fee Chart.

    Official Transcript Fee Chart
    The cost EACH TIME YOU SEND IN A REQUEST IS $4.00 for the first copy, $2.00 for each additional copy through ten, and $1.00 for each copy over ten.

            1 copy      $4.00               6 copies   $14.00
            2 copies    $6.00               7 copies   $16.00
            3 copies    $8.00               8 copies   $18.00
            4 copies   $10.00               9 copies   $20.00
            5 copies   $12.00               10 copies  $22.00
    
            For more than 10 copies, the cost is $22.00 for the first 10 plus $1.00
            for each additional copy.
    
  3. Make a check payable to San Francisco State University
  4. Mail the SFSU Official Transcript form and check to:
            San Francisco State University
            Registrar - Transcripts
            1600 Holloway Ave.
            San Francisco, CA 94132-1722
    

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LOOKING FOR NON-CREDIT WEEKEND COURSES, CERTIFICATE AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS, WORKSHOPS, ONLINE COURSES AND OTHER FLEXIBLE SCHEDULING OPTIONS?

SFSU College of Extended Learning (CEL) offers hundreds of classes for professional development and personal enrichment. You can take regular University classes without formal admission to SFSU. Classes are held on the main campus and at the Downtown Center.

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PLANNING TO VISIT SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY?

Visitor Services available online:

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LOOKING FOR STUDENTS, FACULTY, OR STAFF ON CAMPUS?

Student Phone Numbers

We do not publish student phone numbers because it is a violation of SFSU's policy on Privacy Rights of Students in Education Records and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). The policy states:

"All student records at San Francisco State University are kept in accordance with the provision of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). The university defines as "directory information" and normally makes public only the following information from a student's record: current enrollment status, class level, major, semesters (or dates) of enrollment, degrees earned, and extra-curricular achievements. The university does not release any other information, including courses, grades, addresses and telephone numbers to the general public unless a student requests it."

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LOOKING FOR EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION?
  • Visit the Human Resources Job Opportunities page for information on Faculty/Administrator Positions and Staff Positions.
  • The Career Center's Employment page provides a list of job opportunities for students.

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NEED TO CONTACT SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY BY MAIL OR PHONE?

To reach a department or program by mail, address your letter as follows:


The specific department or unit you wish to reach
c/o San Francisco State University
1600 Holloway Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94132

You must include the name of the appropriate department or unit.

You can also send an e-mail message to the sfsuinfo@sfsu.edu address or call SFSU's Directory Assistance at (415) 338-1111. There is no general FAX number. Please contact the appropriate department or unit if you wish to send a fax.

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NEED A SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY BULLETIN (CATALOG)?

The SFSU Bulletin provides up-to-date information about university courses, programs, policies, and procedures.

Printed copies of the University Bulletin (Catalog) may be purchased in person or ordered by mail from the SFSU Bookstore. For information regarding cost, mail orders and shipping, call (415) 338-2092.

Older versions of the Bulletin can be found in the Special Collections & Archives section of the J. Paul Leonard Library.

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HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ABOUT THIS WEB SITE?

Overall direction for San Francisco State University Web services is guided by the Information Technology Web Committee. If you have a question, comment or suggestion regarding the San Francisco State University home page, please e-mail www@sfsu.edu or complete the SFSU Web Feedback Form.

PLEASE NOTE: Although we welcome all types of inquiries, you will get a faster answer regarding applications, transfers, financial aid, or other related matters if you use the Department Contact Form.

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