California State University, Fresno was founded as Fresno State Normal School in 1911, became a teacher's college in 1921, and has offered advanced degrees since 1949. It is now a premier regional university serving Central California's diverse, growing population. The university is a place where students grow from high impact practices. Service to the region is an important part of its mission. The prestigious Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching awarded Fresno State its Community Engagement Classification, acknowledging the university's extensive partnership with Central California.

With an enrolment of more than 25,000 students, Fresno State offers 66 undergraduate degrees and 44 master degree programs in a variety of professional disciplines emphasizing agriculture, business, engineering and technology, health and human services, and education. International students are supported by the International Student Services and Programs office which provides a fast paced orientation program where new students make friends, become comfortable on the campus and meet American families, faculty and staff.

Located at Maple Avenue, Fresno State is nestled in the center of California, one of the richest agricultural valleys on the planet and one of the most culturally-diverse regions in the country, Fresno State is a place where students grow from high-impact practices.