Open University
Open University at San Francisco State University allows you to take space-available SFSU undergraduate and graduate classes without formal admission. You can apply up to 24 undergraduate units toward a bachelor’s degree or six graduate units toward a master’s degree at SFSU.
Class Schedule
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How to Register
How to register and start taking classes
Contact
Contact us with your questions
About Open University
Important Dates
Open University is offered in fall, spring and summer. For winter classes, see Winter Session.
| - | Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registration Opens | 8/5/2024 | 1/17/2025 | 4/23/2025 |
| First Day of Instruction | 8/26/2024 | 1/27/2025 | R1: 6/2/2025 R2: 6/16/2025 R3: 7/7/2025 R4: 6/2/2025 |
| Last Day to Add | 9/16/2024 | 2/17/2025 | R1: 6/13/2025 R2: 6/27/2025 R3: 7/18/2025 R4: 6/13/2025 |
| Last Day to Drop with Full Refund* | 9/16/2024 | 2/17/2025 | R1: 6/13/2025 R2: 6/27/2025 R3: 7/18/2025 R4: 6/13/2025 |
| Last Day of Instruction | 12/13/2024 | 5/16/2025 | R1:7/3/2025 R2: 8/8/2025 R3: 8/8/2025 R4: 8/8/2025 |
*$20 processing fee applies
Who should take Open University?
- Community college students who want to graduate sooner by taking upper-division coursework before transferring to a university
- College students who need to improve their GPA before re-enrolling at SFSU or another university
- High school students who are ready to take college-level classes and have completed their junior year
- Professionals who want to change their work by gaining new skills or knowledge
- Anyone who wants to learn something new about a favorite subject
If you are a matriculated* SFSU student, you are not eligible to enroll in Open University.
*A matriculated student is one who has applied to SFSU, is admitted to SFSU, or who is enrolled in SFSU academic credit classes for the current semester. If you are enrolled for the current semester, you are considered matriculated for the next two semesters, even if you don’t take academic credit classes at SFSU.
International Students
I-20 forms cannot be issued for students enrolling in academic credit classes through Open University. Students who have a valid visa, or an I-20 from another school, may take courses through Open University. These students will be personally responsible for ensuring they remain in compliance with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regulations.
Cost and Length
Cost:
$395 per unit
Length:
One semester in fall and spring (four months), one session in summer (one to two months)
Registration Starts:
Fall: Early August
Spring: Mid-January
Summer: Mid-April
News & Events
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SFSU will be closed for Memorial Day on Monday, May 26, 2025.