At the College of Health & Social Sciences (HSS), students develop their ability to make a significant, meaningful impact on their communities and society. Through classroom learning and practical experience, they receive professional preparation in a variety of fields promoting health, well-being, and quality of life.
The College comprises a wide range of departments, programs, and schools with a shared commitment to equity and social justice. Students from our college can be found all over San Francisco — in schools, hospitals, social service agencies, governmental agencies, corporations, and other settings — translating knowledge into action to improve lives on multiple fronts. For example, our students work in health screening clinics making sure children and the elderly have access to flu shots; they work with the formerly incarcerated to help them re-enter society, and they put together makeshift workout centers in parks where families can exercise for free.
Our alumni make up vast segments of the city’s workforce. A great many members of San Francisco’s law enforcement community have earned their professional degrees at San Francisco State, as have a large percentage of the city’s nurses and mental health counselors. The College’s impact also extends beyond the Bay Area to the state and national levels, where it has helped shape policy.
Faculty members at the College push the boundaries. Their research is rooted in a belief in the potential of scholarship to right a wrong. They engage in on-campus and community-based services that effect positive health, social change, intellectual growth, and increased quality of life. In their teaching, they strive to cultivate environments committed to deep and meaningful learning experiences.
College of Health & Social Sciences Impact Stories
Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) Funds Nursing Fellowship
Liliana Ascencio was one of 20 grad students to be awarded a $2,500 fellowship funded by Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD), a supplier of medical products, capabilities, and solutions. The fellowship played a big role in Liliana's educational journey.
New Scholarship Pays Tribute to Former Dean Ann Hallum
The scholarship, named after a beloved professor, will provide financial support for physical therapy students in need who demonstrate excellence in academic work and community service.
Continue the Dream Scholarship
Karla Castillo (B.S., ’93, B.A. ’94, M.S., ’06), a faculty member in the Counseling department and a swimming enthusiast who swims in San Francisco Bay, partners with a small team of dedicated outdoor swimmers to raise funds for the scholarship with an “Escape From Alcatraz” swim each year.
College of Health & Social Sciences Funding Initiatives
Scholarships
Scholarships provide much-needed support to students to defray the cost of attending the University.
School of Nursing Simulation Program
The School of Nursing is committed to meeting the need for more qualified nurses by offering high-quality, experiential instruction.
Lewenstein Scholarship
The late Morris R. Lewenstein, an SF State professor and founder of the University’s first social science program, was a passionate, lifelong learner.
Willie L. Brown, Jr.
Fellowship Program
The Fellowship program provides SF State students who have faced barriers to pursuing a college education with professional experience in the public sector.
The Family Acceptance Project
The Family Acceptance Project is the world’s first research, intervention, education and policy initiative that helps families learn to support their LGBTQ children.
