Want to take a university class without being admitted? Open University allows anyone to enroll in classes without being admitted to the university. You can take courses for personal enrichment or start your college career. Open University gives you the flexibility to take courses on a space-available basis and earn college credit.
HOW TO ENROLL INTO OPEN UNIVERSITY
1. Check Course Availability using the Class Schedule.
To apply online, please search the class schedule for course availability, times, number of seats available, and instructor information.
Each class and lab section has a 5-digit class number (this is different than the Subject & Catalog Number)
2. Complete the Registration Form Open U Registration Form.
You will need the 5-digit class number from the class schedule for your registration form (one registration form per class).
If you do not have a Coyote ID, please leave this section blank as we will assign your ID after registration is completed.
3. Obtain Instructor and/or Department Chair Approval (if required).
- If there are prerequisites for a class, please contact the instructor with proof of meeting the prerequisites, such as an unofficial transcript. Instructor will determine if you are approved to enroll. Please use the Class Schedule to obtain instructor contact information.
- If classes are full you will need to obtain instructor and department chair signatures/approval. You must have department chair approval if the class is full. Department Chair List
- Starting the third week of classes, instructor and department chair approval is mandatory for all Open University classes.
After obtaining permission to enroll, please email your registration form with signatures and/or e-mail approvals to: openu@csusb.edu.
4. Submit Payment with Approved Registration Form Payment Form.
We begin accepting payments from Open University students beginning on registration day.
Registration for the Summer term begins Friday, April 25th, 2025.
Registration FormAlready submitted your form? Pay here.
Registration for the Summer term will begin April 25th.
Fees $320 per unit; additional course fees may apply for lab and course materials
Instructor and Department chair approvals/signatures will only be required if: 1) the class is full, 2) the student does not meet the prerequisite requirements, 3) attempting to add during 3rd week of the term, or 4) the course is graduate level course.
Approval signatures from the Instructor, Department chair, & Dean of Graduate Studies are required for all 6000-level courses. For the Dean of Graduate Studies approval send the form to gradstud@csusb.edu. Do not send the form directly to the Dean.
For the Fall and Spring semesters, the maximum number of units allowed per term is 18 units for undergraduates and 15 units for graduate students. During the Winter Intersession, the maximum number of units allowed per term is 4 units, and there is no overload option. During the Summer term, only fourteen (14) max units will be allowed for the term, with seven (7) max units per session for undergraduates and graduates.
To request an overload, permission from the instructor, department chair of the class, and the college dean is required.
Benefits of Open University:
- Explore your academic and personal interests
- Update or expand professional skills
- Raise your GPA
- Take classes if you missed CSUSB admission deadline
- Fulfill prerequisites for a future degree
- Take courses that will transfer to another university
- Pursue re-entry to CSUSB after you stopped attending
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
If I’m an international student at another university, may I take Open University courses at CSUSB?
Yes, you simply need a letter of permission from your home school.
If I’m an international student at another university, may I take Open University courses at CSUSB?
Yes, you simply need a letter of permission from your home school.
Am I eligible for Open University even if I’ve dropped out or have been disqualified from the university?
Yes. Open University enables you to enroll even if you have previously been disqualified. The grades earned through the Open University program may help you raise your grade point average.
Can the credit I earn through Open University apply toward a degree if I later decide to enroll in a regular university program?
Yes. A maximum of 24 units through Open University can be applied toward a Bachelor's degree and 9 units toward a Master's degree (subject to approval by the applicable academic department).
Is Open University intended for full-time degree-seeking students?
It depends. If you want to become a full-time student, you should apply for admission to the university. However, during the admission process you may enroll in one or more university courses through the Open University program.
What student services are available to me as an Open University student?
Library services and facilities are available to Open University students for the term enrolled. No health services are available.
My fees would need to be paid through a third party vendor. Is this possible?
In most cases, yes. However, please call the College of Extended and Global Education at (909) 537-5975 to confirm.
Are payment plans available?
Payment plans are available, please contact the College of Extended and Global Education at (909) 537-5975 for more information.
Is financial assistance available?
Students can seek financial aid from outside sources, including banks, credit unions, employers, government programs and other private funding sources. No financial assistance is offered directly from CSUSB.
How do I get my grades?
Permanent records are kept in the CSUSB Records, Registration & Evaluation Office. You may obtain a copy of your transcript from that office for a nominal fee. Unofficial grade mailers are available upon request.
Are there waiting lists available to register for classes?
The College of Extended and Global Education does not maintain waiting lists. Please check with the department responsible for the course for further information.
Which courses listed in the regular University Class Schedule are available to Open University students?
Most courses published in the CSUSB Schedule of Classes are available to you through the Open University program if space is available; however, you must have completed the necessary prerequisites, if applicable. Refer to the University Bulletin for identification of prerequisites.
