What is Open University?

Open University permits members of the general community to take regular university courses offered at Cal State L.A. without going through the formal admission process. Courses are offered on a space available basis. Open University helps you update your professional skills, explore a personal interest, earn a job promotion, embark on a new career, or sample a new curriculum. Courses cost :

Undergraduates: $246.00 per unit
Credential Students: $278.00 per unit
Postbaccalaureate/Graduate Students: $292.00 per unit

Eligibility Requirements

Enrollment is on a space-available basis with the consent of the instructor and the academic department. Up to 36 credits earned through Open University may be applied to a bachelor's degree and up to 13 credits toward a master's degree and/or credential program with department pre-approval. Students may take up to 18 credits per quarter, but they may not enroll in directed or independent study, research, thesis, field work, cooperative education courses, or courses with the suffix R. Students planning to enroll in graduate courses (500-level) must obtain a memo from the appropriate department chair authorizing the enrollment and submit it to the Extended Education registration office (Golden Eagle, West, Room 211).

Matriculated students (students who have been formally admitted to the university) must be on inactive status for at least two quarters before they may attend Open University. This requirement applies to disqualified, out-of-state, international, and resident students.

Finally, Open University students must comply with university and department regulations regarding prerequisites, withdrawals, grading, and student conduct.

Can international students take Open University classes and get an I-20?
An international student can take Open U classes, but he/she cannot get an I-20. The normal rules for Open U registration apply (get instructor's signature and dept. approval stamp for each class).

How do I ?

1. Print out a copy of the Open University Registration Form and list the courses you want.
2. Go to the first class and get your instructor's signature and the department's approval stamp.
3. Visit the Division of Extended Education in Golden Eagle, West, Room 211, to verify your eligibility.
4. If you are paying by cash or check, return the completed enrollment form with the payment:

• Cashier's Office, Administration 128
  California State University, Los Angeles
  5151 State University Drive
  Los Angeles, CA 90032-8524

• Cashier's Office Hours:
  Monday - Thursday, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
  Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  (A night drop box is located outside of Administration 128)

5. If you want to pay by credit card, you MUST register at Extended Education in Golden Eagle, West, Room 211. Bear in mind, though, that only the Cashier's Office can give you a receipt.

Note: Academic departments close at noon on Fridays. Do not plan to enroll in Open University on Friday afternoons.

When should I register?

As stated above, go to the first class and get the instructor's signature. Then go to the department to get their approval stamp and take your registration form to the cashier's office if you are paying by cash or check. Credit Card payments MUST be made at the Extended Education office in Golden Eagle, West, Room 211. During the first three weeks of the quarter, you may register without a late fee. During the fourth week, you must pay a $25.00 late fee. No registration is allowed after the fourth week of the quarter.
1. How do I audit Open University courses?
Obtain approval in the Extended Education Office, Golden Eagle, West, Room 211, before paying fees. Regular attendance is expected, but auditors are not required to complete assignments or take examinations.
2. How do I take a traditional graded course for credit/non credit?
Fill out the "Request for Nontraditional Grading" form at the Extended Education Office, Golden Eagle, West, Room 211. Next, get approval from the Office of Enrollment Services at Administration 146. Then pay your fees at the Cashier's Office at Administration 128. Class attendance and participation in exams are required.

How do I get a refund from Open University?

Students enrolled in courses and programs offered through Division of Extended Eduaction, including Open University, are entitled to a refund when they follow the campus-established procedures to drop classes or withdraw from program as outlined below.

Students must drop courses or withdraw from a program before the first day of classes to receive a 100% refund of registration fees less a $10.00 administrative fee. A signed Course/Program Withdrawal and Request for Refund Form dated before the first day of class must be submitted to the Division Office in GE 211 in order to obtain a refund.

Students who drop a course or withdraw from a program after the start of quarter will receive a pro-rata refund of registration fees. The pro-rata refund is based on the date on which the Course/Program Withdrawal and Request for Refund Form is received in the Division office.

Students who withdraw after the seventh week of the quarter will not be eligible to receive a refund of registration fees and will be responsible for 100% of fees for the term.

A $10.00 administrative fee will be withheld from all refunds unless withdrawal is the result of a campus regulation, compulsory military service, disability, death of the student or class cancellation by the Division of Extended Education.

Refund checks will be mailed to the address noted on the Course/Program Withdrawal and Request for Refund Form. The refund checks are mailed approximately four to six weeks after the request is received by the Division. See Open University Registration Form for refund deadlin dates. For Daily Refund Proration Table details, please visit http://www.calstatela.edu/univ/sfinserv/disb.htm