Open University
Program Features
Benefits
- “Test the waters” before entering or returning to college
- Update or expand your professional skills
- Raise your grade point average 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 Sac State student, you must have exited the university in good standing.
Structure
Students who are approved to participate in Open University will attend the same classes as other university students.
Review the Sac State Class Schedule for more information on available classes each semester.
Registration
Fall 2026 Registration Dates
Monday, Aug. 31 – Monday, Sept. 28, 2026
Late Registration: Tues, Sept. 29 – Friday, Nov. 20, 2026, with an additional petition to Add/Drop After Deadline form and a $25 late fee.
If you are registering for a class that begins after the registration period, contact Continuing Education at 916-278-6984 or ccecreditreg@csus.edu for extended deadline information.
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 the grading basis will not be allowed after enrollment.
How to Register
- If this is your first time taking Open University classes at Sac State, we suggest that you fill out the Open University Intent to Enroll form beginning Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, and submit it to ccecreditreg@csus.edu.
- Once received, our registration team 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.
- Electronic check (eCheck) using a bank account number and routing number, with no charge.
- Credit card (Visa, Master Card, American Express, Discover), service fee of 2.65% of total amount.
- You must pay by Sept. 25, 2026. Failure to pay all fees by the due date will result in being dropped from all courses on Sept. 28, 2026.
- Adds submitted after the census date must be paid first and then you will be enrolled.
- Late registration requires completion of both the Open University registration form and the petition to Add/Drop After Deadline form.
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 Fall 2026 is $320 per unit for undergrad and $340 for graduate.
- If you are 60 years old or above, 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 per unit fees cover 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 or in person at Napa Hall. A grade of “W” will be posted for all withdrawals after Sept. 28, 2026.
Refunds
Students dropping their classes are eligible for a prorated refund up to the census date of the semester on Sept. 28, 2026. Use the CCE Refund Application to request one. If you have any questions regarding withdrawals, please call 916-278-6984 or email ccecreditreg@csus.edu.
Access Grades
You may access your grades 24/7 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 ends.
FAQ
Do I have to be a California resident to take classes through Open University?
No, non-California residents can also take classes through Open University.
Do non-California residents pay extra fees?
No. Open University students pay the same fees whether they are residents or non-residents of California.
Can I take classes that require a passing grade on the Writing Proficiency Exam through Open University?
Yes, but written consent must be obtained from the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies. Written consent must be provided at the time of registration. For more information, please contact the Department of Academic Affairs at 916-278-5344 or visit Sacramento Hall Room 230.
Can current Sacramento State students take Open University classes?
No. Open University is only open to those who are not admitted to Sacramento State.
Enrollment in Open University does not constitute official enrollment at Sacramento State, nor does it count towards continuous enrollment for preserving catalog rights. If you have been admitted to Sacramento State and are seeking to enroll in a class through Open University instead, you should consult with the Academic Advising Center or the Evaluations Office before registering.
How many units taken through Open University can I apply to my degree if I’m later admitted to Sacramento State?
Units earned through Open University are considered special session credit.
Undergraduate Students – No more than 24 units of special session credit may be applied toward an undergraduate degree. Please check with your department regarding their specific policy of how many units will be accepted.
Graduate Students – If you are using Open University to explore graduate school options, only 6 eligible units earned prior to classification can be applied toward a subsequent master’s degree program.
Will I have access to campus services like the Student Health, Counseling and Wellness Center and The WELL?
Yes. However, service fees are not included in the Open University fees. Please contact The WELL 916-278-9355 directly for more information.
Do I need to get a Sacramento State OneCard?
The Sacramento State OneCard is the university’s identification card for students. If you wish to use the library or student computer labs then you will need a OneCard.
The Sacramento State OneCard is issued by the Bursar’s Office in Lassen Hall for a $15 fee.