San Francisco State University | College of Professional & Global Education

What San Francisco State University | College of Professional & Global Education does

The College of Professional & Global Education (CPaGE) is the continuing education and global engagement division of San Francisco State University, a public institution within the California State University system. CPaGE serves adult learners, working professionals, near-completers seeking degree completion, and international students from 100+ countries through four functional pillars: Open University (credit-bearing access to SFSU courses at $449 per unit for non-degree-seeking students), online degree completion programs (Business Administration, Criminal Justice Studies, Psychology), professional certificates (Surgical Technologist, Sterile Processing Technician, Construction trades, Pre-Health Professions), and international/global programs (Summer in San Francisco, STEM Exploration, International Year One Pathway, English for Academic Preparation). The college has recently pivoted toward regulated healthcare laboratory credentials with four new programs launching or ramping between late 2025 and 2026, including the SBB Graduate Certificate and MLT-to-CLS Bridge — both designed to address documented workforce shortages in California and the Western U.S.

CPaGE's core technology stack is conventional educational infrastructure: the Canvas learning management system for online course delivery, the SFSU Gateway student portal for self-serve enrollment, and Zoom for synchronous instruction and advising. A bichronous delivery model combines asynchronous coursework with scheduled live sessions. Distribution relies on the cpage.sfsu.edu website, social channels (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube), recurring Zoom advising sessions, and channel partnerships — most notably Oxford International Education Group for international recruitment and Health Ed Today for healthcare certificate enrollment, payment plans, and externship coordination. The college operates with approximately 30 staff from a single San Francisco campus location in the Science and Engineering Innovation Center.

Revenue is generated through a mix of per-unit tuition (Open University at $449/unit, SBB at $700/unit), fixed-price professional certificates ($255–$1,999), and short-term international program tuition ($1,535–$7,749). Financial aid eligibility varies by program and most professional certificates are not eligible for federal grants. Multiple programs carry external accreditations — NAACLS and California Department of Public Health Laboratory Field Services approval for the MLT-to-CLS Bridge, AACSB accreditation for the Lam Family College of Business since 1964 — with the SBB Graduate Certificate actively pursuing CAAHEP accreditation. As a public university division, CPaGE is funded through state appropriations, tuition, and fees, with no external shareholders or venture capital exposure.

Name

San Francisco State University | College of Professional & Global Education

Legal name

San Francisco State University

Website

https://cpage.sfsu.edu

Company type

Public

Founded year

1899

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The College of Professional & Global Education is San Francisco State University's continuing education division, offering Open University courses ($449/unit), online degree completion, professional certificates, and international pathway programs to adult learners, working professionals, and international students from 100+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Continuing Education & Professional Development

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs (EDAAAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Professional & Executive Short Courses (Non-Degree, International) (EDAIAIAH), Project, Quality & Operations (PMP PDUs, Six Sigma, Quality CE) (EDAAALAM)

Keywords

• Continuing education
• Professional certificates
• Online degree completion
• Healthcare training
• International student programs

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Open University Per-Unit Tuition: Non-degree-seeking students pay $449 per unit for access to undergraduate and graduate courses at SFSU. Students can enroll through Open University or pre-session registration to earn academic credit without being admitted degree-seeking students.
2. Professional Certificate Programs: Career-focused certificate programs with fixed tuition costs. Surgical Technologist certificate costs $1,999; covers textbooks, materials, and 24/7 learner support. Programs prepare students for national certification exams and entry-level employment.
3. Sterile Processing Technician Training: Online certificate course training students for sterile processing roles in healthcare settings. Tuition includes all textbooks and learning resources with optional volunteer externship for hands-on experience.
4. STEM Exploration Program Tuition: Short-term (2-4 week) English and STEM programs for international students and professionals. Pricing ranges from $1,535 (2 weeks) to $2,995 (4 weeks), with optional on-campus housing for Summer A session.
5. Summer in San Francisco Program: Complete university experience program for international students. In-person tuition ranges from $3,510 (5-week, 6 units undergraduate) to $7,749 (10-week, 9 units graduate business). Online options at $449 per unit.
6. Graduate Certificate Programs: Specialist in Blood Bank Technology (SBB) Graduate Certificate priced at $700/unit, totaling approximately $11,900 for the 17-unit program. Includes online coursework, live instruction, and clinical practicum components.
7. Pre-CLS Course Fees: Prerequisite courses for Clinical Laboratory Science program. Lecture-only courses at $925; standalone lab courses at $800. Hybrid format with online lectures and in-person lab components.
8. Construction Professional Certificates: Professional development courses in construction trades. 10-week courses award 4.5 CEUs each with self-paced and paced options. Certificate programs include Civil Site Work, Construction Estimating, Project Management, and Construction Supervision tracks.
9. International Pathway Program Revenue: University Pathway Program through Oxford International Education Group partnership. International students pay tuition for first-year credits while receiving specialized English language instruction and academic preparation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The College of Professional & Global Education (CPaGE) is the continuing education and global engagement division of San Francisco State University, offering adult learners access to transferable degree-credit university classes through Open University, fully online bachelor's degree completion, professional certificate programs (healthcare, construction, paralegal), international pathway and English-language programs, and specialized graduate certificates such as the Specialist in Blood Bank Technology (SBB) and MLT to CLS Bridge. Programs are delivered via weekend, evening, online, and hybrid formats to support career advancement, career change, and personal growth for both domestic and international students.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• American Language Institute: English language programs for international students
• Center for Global Engagement
• Open University
• English for Academic Preparation
• San Francisco Discover
• Summer in San Francisco
• STEM Exploration Program
• International Year One University Pathway Program

Products and services

• Open University Self-service enrollment portal that allows non-degree-seeking students to take SFSU undergraduate and graduate courses at $449 per unit, earning transferable academic credit without formal admission. Available through Open University or pre-session registration.
• Online Degree Completion Programs Fully online bachelor's degree completion programs in Business Administration (BSBA), Criminal Justice Studies, and Psychology for students with at least 60 college credits, delivered 100% online with small cohort support.
• Specialist in Blood Bank Technology (SBB) Graduate Certificate Fully online 17-unit graduate certificate preparing graduates for the SBB(ASCP) certification exam, addressing the critical shortage of blood bank specialists in California and Western U.S. Combines live instruction with asynchronous coursework and required clinical rotations at approved transfusion services or blood banks. NAACLS-aligned and seeking CAAHEP preparation.
• MLT to CLS Bridge Training Program Hybrid 6.5-month graduate certificate enabling Medical Laboratory Technicians to advance to Clinical Laboratory Scientists while continuing to work. Combines online coursework with in-person clinical training. NAACLS-accredited and approved by California Department of Public Health Laboratory Field Services.
• Surgical Technologist Online Course Online certificate course preparing students for surgical technologist careers in operating rooms, covering medical terminology, anatomy, sterile techniques, surgical instruments, and team support skills. 4-6 months self-paced, $1,999 total (includes textbooks and 24/7 learner support), with optional volunteer externship and national certification exam preparation.
• Sterile Processing Technician Online Course 100% online, mobile-friendly certificate course training students for sterile processing technician roles in healthcare settings, covering cleaning, sterilizing, and managing surgical instruments. 4-6 months self-paced with optional volunteer externship and preparation for the CRCST certification exam through HSPA.
• Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS) Program Pre-CLS and Clinical Laboratory Science program offering prerequisite lecture courses ($925) and standalone lab courses ($800) in a hybrid format of online asynchronous lectures plus in-person weekend labs at the SFSU Science Building. Designed to prepare students for entry into the CLS program.
• Clinical Medical Assistant Program Career-focused training program preparing students for clinical medical assistant roles in healthcare settings, delivered through CPaGE.
• Paralegal Studies Program Career-focused paralegal studies training program preparing students for paralegal roles, delivered through CPaGE.
• Pre-Health Professions Post-Baccalaureate Program Post-baccalaureate program for students seeking to strengthen their applications to medical, dental, and other health professional schools, delivered in a collaborative San Francisco academic environment.
• Construction Professional Certificate Programs Professional development courses and certificate tracks in construction trades including Civil Site Work, Construction Estimating, Project Management, and Construction Supervision. 10-week courses award 4.5 CEUs each with self-paced and paced options; individual courses range from $255 to $585 and certificates must be completed within 3 years.
• International Year One University Pathway Program University Pathway Program delivered in collaboration with Oxford International Education Group, allowing international students to take first-year academic credit classes while improving English language skills. Students gain full SFSU student status with access to university facilities and matriculate into degree programs upon completion.
• Summer in San Francisco Program Complete summer university experience program for international students with over 600 undergraduate or graduate courses in 5-, 8-, and 10-week sessions. In-person tuition ranges from $3,510 (5-week, 6 units undergraduate) to $7,749 (10-week, 9 units graduate business), with online options at $449 per unit.
• STEM Exploration Program Short-term (2-4 week) English and STEM program for international students and professionals, including 15 hours/week of STEM instruction, excursions, guest lectures, and an SF Muni pass. Pricing ranges from $1,535 (2 weeks) to $2,995 (4 weeks) with optional on-campus housing.
• English for Academic Preparation (EAP) English-language preparation program preparing international students for university studies through the Center for Global Engagement, with academic English instruction designed to support matriculation into SFSU degree programs.
• San Francisco Discover Program Short-term cultural and English language program for international students combining English-speaking and listening practice with cultural exploration in San Francisco.
• Customized Training (Corporate & Medical) Customized training programs designed for organizations, including specialized customized training in medical fields, delivered by SFSU CPaGE.
• ElderCollege Lifelong learning program designed for older adults, offered as a non-degree-seeking community of learners through SFSU CPaGE.

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Oxford International Education GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaboration offering the International Year One University Pathway Program. Allows international students to take first-year academic credit classes while receiving specialized English language instruction. Students gain full SFSU student status with access to university facilities and matriculate into degree programs upon completion. Oxford International manages recruitment and provides dedicated support staff for international student adjustment.
• Health Ed TodaycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership for delivery of Surgical Technologist online certificate program. Health Ed Today provides the course platform, manages enrollment, offers payment plan options (3-, 6-, and 10-month plans), and coordinates optional volunteer externship placements. The externship coordinator ([email protected]) arranges clinical placements at local partner organizations.
• Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional association offering the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) certification exam. SFSU's Sterile Processing Technician course prepares students to sit for this nationally recognized certification exam. HSPA sets certification requirements and eligibility criteria.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• UC Berkeley Extension: Professional and continuing education division of UC Berkeley, offering certificates, degree programs, and international student services. Closely comparable as a Bay Area public university extension serving similar professional, international, and adult learner markets.
• Stanford Continuing Studies: Continuing education arm of Stanford University providing professional development, summer programs, and online courses. Comparable Bay Area university extension with overlapping international summer and professional certificate offerings.
• UCLA Extension: Continuing education and professional studies arm of UCLA (UC system), offering certificates, professional development, and international programs. Directly comparable as a top-tier public university extension division serving similar adult learner and international student segments in California.
• Boston University Metropolitan College: BU's continuing and professional education division offering online degrees, certificates, and customized training. Comparable as a major private urban university extension with online degree completion and professional certificate programs.
• San Jose State University International Gateways: Another CSU campus offering international pathway and continuing education programs to a similar international learner pool in the Bay Area. Most direct CSU-system peer for the International Year One and Summer in SF offerings.
• Columbia University School of Professional Studies: Columbia's continuing and professional education division offering certificates, degrees, and international programs. Comparable as a top-tier urban university professional school targeting working professionals and international learners.
• NYU School of Professional Studies: Division of NYU offering professional certificates, graduate degrees, and continuing education across multiple disciplines including healthcare, construction management, and international programs. Directly comparable portfolio breadth and urban university positioning.
• University of Chicago Graham School: Continuing and professional education unit of University of Chicago offering certificates, executive education, and degree programs. Comparable as a leading research university professional studies division.

Emerging players

• Coursera: Online education platform offering professional certificates, specializations, and degree programs from accredited universities including SFSU's Open University-style credit-bearing courses. Comparable as an alternative channel for adult learners seeking flexible, online, career-focused credentials.
• edX (2U): Online learning platform offering university-backed certificates, bootcamps, and degree programs globally. Comparable as a competing online credential channel for working professionals, with overlapping program categories in healthcare and technology.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@sfsucpage
• Facebookfacebook.com/SFSUCPaGE
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sfsucpage
• Instagraminstagram.com/sfsucpage

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about San Francisco State University | College of Professional & Global Education