Open University

Open University at San Francisco State University allows you to take space-available SF State 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 SF State.

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Class Schedule

Explore SF State classes

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How to Register

How to register and start taking classes

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Contact

Contact us with your questions

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Winter Session

Take SF State undergraduate and graduate classes during winter break. 

  • Earn up to four units in three weeks.
  • Apply credit toward your degree.

Winter Session enrollment is open to everyone — matriculated SF State students, prospective students, visitors and the Bay Area community.

About Open University

Important Dates

Open University is offered in fall, spring and summer. For winter classes, see Winter Session.

Open University Dates - All Terms
- Fall 2024 Spring 2025 Summer
Registration Opens 8/5/2024 1/21/2025 mid-April
First Day of Instruction 8/26/2024 1/27/2025 R1: Early June
R2: Mid-June
R3: Early July
R4: Early June
Last Day to Add 9/16/2024 2/14/2025 R1: Mid-June
R2: Early July
R3: Mid-July
R4: Mid-June
Last Day to Drop with Full Refund* 9/16/2024 2/14/2025 R1: Mid-June
R2: Early July
R3: Mid-July
R4:Mid-June
Last Day of Instruction 12/13/2024 5/16/2025 R1: Early July
R2: Early August
R3: Early August
R4: Early August

*$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 SF State 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* SF State student, you are not eligible to enroll in Open University.

*A matriculated student is one who has applied to SF State, is admitted to SF State, or who is enrolled in SF State 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 SF State.

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

  • Winter Session - Register Now
    Winter Session Registration Now Open Registration is now open for Winter Session, January 2 - 21, 2025. Sign up today to tak…

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