Matador Life

Soak Up the CSUN Vibe

What is the CSUN vibe? Great question! It’s opportunity. It’s a sense of belonging and feeling supported. It’s the freedom to be your authentic self and knowing your voice will be heard. And it’s the optimism that comes with knowing that your time as a Matador is shaping your future success.

Hands-On Learning

At CSUN, what you learn in the classroom is just the beginning. You'll have plenty of opportunities to put your newfound knowledge to work in a variety of ways — research, internships, community-engaged learning collaborations with local organizations and more.

Examples of some of our hands-on learning opportunities include:

The CSUN-UCLA Stem Cell Scientist Training Program helps prepare students for research careers in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine — from basic studies to translational approaches. 

Matador Motorsports gives engineering students the opportunity to design, analyze, build, test and validate the performance of a Formula SAE car. Students interested in civil engineering can put their skills to the test in a variety of regional and national competitions, including Concrete Canoe, Timber Design, GeoWall and Steel Bridge.

IntersectLA is a student-run communication design agency where students develop strategic experiences that elevate businesses, organizations and communities through creative collaboration and design. Agency 398 is a student-run public relations agency where personalized strategies and tactics help clients maximize target audience engagement.

The Marilyn Magaram Center offers nine nutrition and food science internship options where future nutrition and food science professionals can gain knowledge and practice skills while providing valuable nutrition services to the community.

In addition to producing student media, Matadors interested in Spanish-language journalism can explore the Telemundo Local Academy, a yearlong program that takes Journalism majors behind the scenes of a major Spanish-language news station.

Through CSUN’s Center of Achievement and the Brown Center, students in health- and rehabilitation-related fields gain hands-on experience leading adapted fitness programs for people with disabilities.

VOVE, CSUN’s student-run record label, gives Music Industry Studies majors firsthand experience in all aspects of managing the business side of an artist’s career.

Whatever your major, you can develop a business idea and receive training and mentoring along the way. Finalist teams pitch their businesses to a panel of judges in the Jeff Marine Bull Ring Competition and compete for $25,000 in cash prizes.

Participating in the VITA Clinic gives Accountancy majors real-world experience in tax preparation as they serve the local community.

CSUN’s Marine Biology Semester exposes Marine Biology majors to a variety of marine habitats and prepares them to complete a directed research study in a topic of their choice.

Speech-Language Pathology majors help support the work of CSUN’s Language, Speech and Hearing Center, a nonprofit clinical facility that serves a diverse population of infants, children, adolescents, adults and senior citizens.

Child and Adolescent Development majors learn to foster the cognitive, social, emotional, physical and creative health of children through work at CSUN’s Child and Family Studies Center Lab School.

Student Athletes

Our Athletics program creates leaders on and off the court, field and more. CSUN is home to 19 Division 1 sports with teams earning D1 and Big West conference titles.

Ready to cheer for the Matadors? Be our guest at a home game. Create an Audience View account and use promo code CSUNSOAR2024 to receive a free ticket. (One ticket per account. Promo code is good once per person.) When you're a #ProudMatador, you'll enjoy free admission to all home games. Go, Matadors!

Explore CSUN Athletics

Plus, through our Sport Clubs program, all Matadors can participate in regionally and nationally competitive sports and recreational activities — either individually or as a member of a team. With options from archery to wrestling, you’re sure to find a sport that sparks your interest.

Explore Sport Clubs at CSUN

At CSUN, we work hard — and we know how to relax and have fun.

An important part of the college experience is making friends, having fun and creating memories that last a lifetime. As a Matador, you’ll find plenty of ways to have a good time.

Associated Students is CSUN’s student government organization. Student leaders advocate for the student body and provide programs and events that help make college a rewarding experience — like the Big Show and Big Lecture, Sport Clubs, Outdoor Adventures, a weekly farmers market, Summer Movie Fest and more. Joining Associated Students can help you get more involved in campus life and gain valuable leadership experience.

Choose from more than 40 Greek letter organizations that are dedicated to leadership, scholarship, philanthropy and siblinghood.

At the Oasis Wellness Center, you can catch some z’s in a nap pod or find your Zen in a yoga class or meditation session as you relax your mind and release the stresses of the day.

The Outdoor Adventures program is here to help you lean into your sense of adventure — or step outside your comfort zone — on affordable adventure trips designed for students of all interests and skill levels. Explore backpacking, camping, climbing, hiking, rafting, snowboarding and more!

CSUN offers hundreds of student clubs to choose from. Joining a club is a great way to follow your passion, explore new interests and make friends. Taking an active role in club activities also helps develop your leaderships skills. Check out MataSync for a searchable database of clubs and activities at CSUN.

Scale the largest indoor rock wall, hit the weight room for leg day, check out a group fitness class or connect with friends at a poolside DJ event. The Student Recreation Center is a state-of-the-art exercise and leisure facility, and membership is included with your student fees.

The University Student Union (USU) is a hub of activity at CSUN. You can hang out and connect with friends between classes, and you’ll find a variety of student centers and popular services. The USU hosts engaging events each semester — from noontime concerns and lectures with thought-provoking speakers to the popular Night Market and annual Carnaval celebration. As a student-centered organization, the USU works to expand the college experience through programs, services, employment and involvement opportunities.

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We Matadors also enjoy some of the best destinations Southern California has to offer.

Looking for some weekend fun off campus? Several world-famous attractions are only a short ride away.

A collage of a few of the many world-famous locations just a short drive from CSUN.

Above are images of just a few of the many exciting destinations near CSUN. Shown top-left to bottom-right: Disneyland, Dodger Stadium, Downtown LA, the Getty Villa, the Griffith Park Observatory, Hollywood, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Santa Monica Beach and Universal Studios.

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