STEM Exploration Program

The STEM Exploration Program (SEP): Students will gain English language skills while exploring applied Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) in the San Francisco Bay Area. Student activities include site visits to experience and learn about topics including computer science, engineering, mathematics, life sciences and environmental sustainability.

The program is designed for undergraduate and graduate students and professionals. There are two- to four-week programs available. Customized programs and dates are available for groups, for example, the Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program.

Experience

STEM students work on a machine

Highlights

  • Northern California Bay Area
  • Silicon Valley tour
  • Field trips and site visits
  • Interact with industry and academic experts
  • Conversation partnering in groups with local undergraduate and graduate students
Touring English language students outside Intel headquarters

Themes

  • Biological Science
  • Engineering
  • Generative AI
  • Data Science
  • Food Science & Nutrition
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Environmental Protection
  • Chemistry & Materials Science
STEM students engineering a contraption

Advance Your Knowledge

  • Learn and discuss current topics in applied science and technology
  • Create and deliver short academic presentations
  • Practice listening and speaking English in and out of the classroom

No student visa (F-1) required. ESTA or B-2 Visa.

About the STEM Exploration Program

Pair of hardware engineers work together

Cost and Length

Cost:
$1,535 - $2,995

Length:
2 - 4 Weeks

When to Start:
Spring, Summer, Winter

Age Requirement

You must be 18 years old and a high school graduate to join the STEM Exploration program.

No Visa Required

No visa is required for the STEM Exploration program. STEM Exploration is a part-time, noncredit program for people who wish to improve their English in the United States. The program is for people whose main purpose in the U.S. is not academic study.

People with many types of visas and immigration status may participate in the STEM Exploration program. Please email globaled@sfsu.edu with any questions about visas and immigration.

The American Language Institute does not issue an I-20 for an F-1 visa for the STEM Exploration program. If you are interested in a program that issues an I-20 for an F-1 visa, please visit English for Academic Preparation.

Academic Break

If you have an F-1 visa, you may enroll in the STEM Exploration program if a session falls during a school holiday or academic break. Please check with your current school to be sure you are able to take an academic break.

Location

The STEM Exploration program classes will be held at the San Francisco State University campus. The SFSU campus is located in a quiet and safe neighborhood near the Pacific Ocean. 

Aerial photo of SF State campus
Manzanita Square

Housing

We recommend that you start looking for housing as soon as possible.

Summer

SFSU on-campus housing is available for Summer A session only. Please visit the CGE housing page for information, as it becomes available. Contact globaled@sfsu.edu for off-campus housing information.

Winter, Spring and Summer B

Contact globaled@sfsu.edu for off-campus housing resources.

Dates and Tuition

Winter 2026

Winter 2026 Dates and Tuition
Program Length Program Dates Program Fees Priority Application Deadline* Housing**
4 weeks January 12 - February 6, 2026 $2, 995 November 15, 2025 Off-campus housing
3 weeks January 12 - January 30, 2026 $2,305 November 15, 2025 Off-campus housing
2 weeks January 12 - January 23, 2025 $1,535 November 15, 2025 Off-campus housing

*Applications may be accepted after the priority deadline depending on space availability. 
**Rates are per person and subject to change. See Housing for details.

Spring 2026

Spring 2026 Dates and Tuition
Program Length Program Dates Program Fees Priority Application Deadline* Housing**
4 weeks February 16 - March 13, 2026 $2,995 December 15, 2025 Off-campus housing
3 weeks February 16 - March 6, 2026 $2,305 December 15, 2025 Off-campus housing
2 weeks February 16 - 27, 2026 $1,535 December 15, 2025 Off-campus housing

*Applications may be accepted after the priority deadline depending on space availability. 
**Rates are per person and subject to change. See Housing for details.

Summer A 2025

Summer A Dates and Tuition
Program Length Program Dates Program Fees Priority Application Deadline* Housing**
4 weeks July 7 - August 1, 2025 $2,995 May 5, 2025 On- or off-campus housing | On-campus rate: $1,876
3 weeks July 7 - July 25, 2025 $2,305 May 5, 2025 On- or off-campus housing | On-campus rate: $1,407
2 weeks July 7 - July 18, 2025 $1,535 May 5, 2025 On- or off-campus housing | On-campus rate: $938

*Applications may be accepted after the priority deadline depending on space availability. 
**Rates are per person and subject to change. See Housing for details.

Summer B 2025

Summer B Dates and Tuition
Program Length Program Dates Program Fees Priority Application Deadline* Housing**
4 weeks August 11 - September 5, 2025 $2,995 June 5, 2025 Off-campus housing
3 weeks August 11 - August 29, 2025 $2,305 June 5, 2025 Off-campus housing
2 weeks August 11 - August 22, 2025 $1,535 June 5, 2025 Off-campus housing

*Applications may be accepted after the priority deadline depending on space availability. 
**Rates are per person and subject to change. See Housing for details.

Refund Deadlines

Refund Deadlines
Term 100% Refund Deadline 75% Refund Deadline
Winter 2026 Friday, December 12, 2025 Sunday, January 11, 2026
Spring 2026 Friday, January 16, 2026 Sunday, February 15, 2026
Summer A 2025 Friday, June 6, 2025 Sunday, July 6, 2025
Summer B 2025 Friday, July 11, 2025 Sunday, August 10, 2025

Refund Directions - Refunds Are Not Automatic

  1. Email globaled@sfsu.edu
  2. Subject: STEM Exploration (your program session and week) cancel request
  3. Fill out
    • Your name
    • SFSU ID
    • Reasons for cancellation
    • Payment method (e.g., Flywire international payment)

Contact globaled@sfsu.edu if you have any questions.

Sample Afternoon Schedule (Subject to Change)

Sample Four-Week Calendar

 

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

Week 1:
Structural Engineering and Design
Campus Tour and San Francisco Bay Cruise San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)  Intelligent Structural Hazard
Mitigation Lab
Free Afternoon Golden Gate Bridge and Fort Point
Week 2:
Technology Innovation and AI
Free Afternoon Exploratorium Silicon Valley Visit  Exploratorium de Young Museum of Fine Arts
Week 3:
Interdisciplinary STEM
Faculty Speaker Walt Disney Family Museum Free Afternoon Cam Denney, Cartographer, Geospatial Scientist Cable Car Museum and Lombard Street
Week 4:
Applied STEM and Sustainability
Faculty Speaker Oracle Park: Home of the SF Giants — STEM Tour California Academy of Sciences  Ferry to Sausalito Closing Ceremony, Free Afternoon

Note:

  • STEM Exploration morning classroom instruction, including conversation time with SFSU students, totals 15 hours per week from Monday to Friday.
  • There will be no classes or afternoon excursions on holidays, such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Labor Day.

What's Included

The program includes:

  • All class materials
  • 15 hours a week of STEM related classroom instruction excluding holidays
  • Visits to a variety of San Francisco neighborhoods, landmarks, museums and activities such as San Francisco Bay Cruise
  • Guest lectures from University faculty or industry experts
  • An unlimited monthly San Francisco public transportation pass

News and Events

Document Readers are required to view documents.