Apply for Liberal & Creative Arts

Semester Dates

Dates are from start of classes to the end of exam period. Orientation is held the week before classes start. 

Fall 2025: August 25 – December 19, 2025 
Spring 2026: January 26 – May 22, 2026

Certificate Application Periods

  • Fall: December 1 - May 15
  • Spring: August 1 - November 15

Late applications will be considered. Students will be accepted on a space-available basis.

Annual Tuition/Fees and Cost of Living

Annual Tuition/Fees and Cost of Living – For students starting in Fall 2025
Tuition and Fees* Living Expenses** Total Fees
$13,740 - $17,175 $24,500 $38,240 - $41,675
Annual Tuition/Fees and Cost of Living – For students starting in Spring 2026
Tuition and Fees* Living Expenses** Total Fees
$14,040 - $17,550 $24,500 $38,540 - $42,050

*Tuition and fees based on full-time enrollment (12 units) each semester.
**Estimated expenses presented for one academic year (two semesters). Actual expenses may vary. Books, supplies and personal expenses are not included in the estimate.

See Academic Tuition and Fees page for breakdown.

  • Received a high school diploma or GED equivalent, or currently studying in a university
  • Official transcripts/diplomas/graduation certificates from all schools, with certified English translations required for each document issued in a non-English language
  • Non-matriculated applicants must have earned a high school diploma with a minimum high school GPA of 2.0 or have an overall college GPA of at least 2.0
  • Fulfill undergraduate English Proficiency Requirement requirement
Optional Practical Training (12 months)  3 terms training plan

*Please confirm eligibility for OPT with the admissions coordinator.

Tuition, mandatory/miscellaneous, and optional fees will be finalized and posted after the ‘Deadline for full refund’ as listed in the Calendar and Deadlines for the term. Full payment of tuition and fees must be received by the deadline provided by Center of Global Education. 

In the case of third party payment, the party responsible for payments should send an Authorization to Bill letter to cgeadmin@sfsu.edu. SFSU will send invoices to the third party after census date. All tuition and fees will appear in the student center until payment is processed/received.

For class or program withdrawal, contact the Center for Global Engagement at globaled@sfsu.edu.

Document Readers are required to view documents.