Open University

Overview

The Open University program allows you to attend regular university classes on a space-available basis without formally admitting to Sacramento State.

Benefits

• “Test the waters” before entering or returning to college
• Update or expand your professional skills
• Raise your grade point average in order to qualify for admission into a regular university program

Audience

Open University is open to anyone not currently admitted to Sacramento State.

If you are a former Sacramento State student you must have exited the university in good standings.

Structure

Students who are approved to participate in Open University will attend the same classes as any other university student.

Review the Sac State Class Schedule for more information on available classes each semester.

Registration

Enrollment Conditions:

• There must be space available in the class and approval must be obtained from the instructor and the department chair.
• Open University students are required to complete all academic work assigned by the instructor unless they are registered as “audit.”
• Anyone with an outstanding university obligation (hold) will not be allowed to enroll in classes until that hold is cleared.
• Disqualified/Dismissed students are not eligible to take classes through Open University.
• Students who wish to take a course for Credit/No Credit instead of a letter grade must complete and submit a petition at the time of enrollment.  Changes to grading basis will not be allowed after enrollment.

How to Register

• If this is your first time taking Open University classes online at Sac State, we suggest that you fill out the Open University Intent to Enroll form beginning January 8, 2024 and submit to ccecreditreg@csus.edu for processing. 
• Once received by our registration reps, they will assign you a Sac State ID number and email you instructions on how to set up your SacLink account. The response may take up to 48 hours. 
• Choose your desired course(s) from the Sacramento State class schedule.
• Download the registration form.
• On the first day of class, ask for permission to add. If the course is an online course you may find the instructor’s email by going to CSUS.edu, clicking on the menu at the upper right hand side of your screen and choosing “Directory”.
• Obtain permission from the instructor and department chair via email or in-person. The instructor will be able to tell you who their department chair is and then you may locate them through the directory as well. 
• Submit the form and approvals electronically to ccecreditreg@csus.edu or in person at Napa Hall.
• You will be able to pay for the class through your Student Center. There is no fee to pay by credit card online and we will accept American Express, Mastercard, or Discover.
• You have 14 days from registration to pay or census date, which ever comes first. Adds submitted after census date must be paid within 3 days from enrollment.

Attention Graduate Students

Those students using Open University to explore graduate school options who later apply to Sacramento State for graduate studies should be aware that only six eligible units earned prior to classification can be applied toward a subsequent master’s degree program.

Attention International Students

If you are an international student, please be advised that you may not be eligible to take a course through Open University.

• If you are here on an F-1 visa, you need authorization from your school advisor.
• If you are here on an F-2 or J-2 visa, you will need to get clearance on the course you are taking when you submit your registration to CCE.
• If you are here on a B-1 or B-2 visa, you are NOT eligible to take courses through Open University.

When submitting your registration, please have your visa with you because a photocopy will need to be made for your record. Please call (916) 278-6984 or email ccecreditreg@csus.edu for questions about your status.

Fees

The Open University fee for Spring 2024 is $253 per unit. If you are 60 years of age or older, you may “audit” (attend but receive no credit for) an Open University course for $65 per unit. Payment must be made by check, money order or credit card.

The $253 per unit fee covers the cost of instructional support, enrollment and record keeping only. Financial aid is not available. Waivers are not accepted. A $25 late fee is applied to registrations submitted after the census date.

The CSU makes every effort to keep student costs to a minimum. Fees listed in published schedules or student accounts may need to be increased when public funding is inadequate. Therefore, CSU must reserve the right, even after initial fee payments are made, to increase or modify any listed fees, without notice, until the date when instruction for a particular semester or quarter has begun. All CSU listed fees should be regarded as estimates that are subject to change upon approval by The Board of Trustees.

Drop / Refund Policy

Drop

Drops require instructor and department chair signatures on an Open University Add/Drop form, which must be submitted to the College of Continuing Education by email to ccecreditreg@csus.edu or in person at Napa Hall. A grade of “W” will be posted for all withdrawals after February 16, 2024.

Refunds

Students dropping their class are eligible for a prorated refund up to the census date of the semester on February 16, 2024. If you have any questions regarding withdrawals, please call (916) 278-6984 or email ccecreditreg@csus.edu. Online Refund Request

Access Grades

You may access your grades in the My Sac State Student Center, by clicking on the “Grades” link in the drop down box under the Academics heading. Grades should be available one week after the term. My Sac State is available 24/7.