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Language, Literature and Journalism Courses Available through Open University

Take SFSU Classes This Fall

Several language, literature and journalism courses at SFSU still have space for Open University students this semester. These classes let you build skills in communication, cultural understanding and creative expression while earning academic credit without formal admission to a degree program.

Chinese

Strengthen your Mandarin skills from intermediate to advanced levels.

  • CHIN 103 Third-Semester Chinese: Low-intermediate Mandarin with lab work
  • CHIN 311 Conversation and Reading: Builds spoken and written Mandarin, vocabulary and characters
  • CHIN 401 Advanced Chinese: Advanced competence across four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing

French

Build your confidence in speaking and understanding French.

  • FR 215 Intermediate French I: All-skills French at intermediate-high using real materials
  • FR 306 Advanced Conversation: Oral discourse on cultural and literary topics

Japanese

Improve your conversation skills and deepen your understanding of Japanese.

  • JAPN 102 Second Semester Japanese: Understanding, speaking, reading, and writing modern Japanese
  • JAPN 103 Third Semester Japanese: Intermediate level modern Japanese
  • JAPN 250 Intensive Study of Kanji: Learn approximately 500 basic Kanji characters

Journalism

Gain hands-on experience in reporting, writing and multimedia storytelling.

  • JOUR 223 / SPAN 223 Bilingual English and Spanish Newswriting: Reporting and writing for Spanish and bilingual media
  • JOUR 300GW Reporting – GWAR: Advanced news gathering and writing, includes GWAR
  • JOUR 320 Investigative Reporting: Investigative methods and documentation
  • JOUR 395 Online Journalism: Multimedia storytelling across platforms

Persian Studies / International Relations

Explore Iranian culture and literature.

  • PRSN 260 / I R 260 History and Cultures of Iran: Explore the major themes and key historical moments in the development of cultures and civilizations of Iran from ancient to modern times

Spanish

Develop your skills in literary analysis, creative writing and cultural studies.

  • SPAN 341 Introduction to the Reading of Literary Texts: Intro to reading and analyzing literary texts
  • SPAN 531 / LTNS 531 Creative Writing in Spanish: Poetry, Fiction and Drama: Read and analyze texts from Spain and Latin America while practicing writing poetry, fiction and plays in Spanish
  • SPAN 868 Contemporary Literature from a Transatlantic Approach: Study of contemporary cultural production in Spain and Latin America through literature, cinema, art and theater from a transatlantic perspective

Learn More and Register

Open University lets you take SFSU classes without formal admission, giving you the flexibility to explore new subjects or advance your skills. Seats are limited, so register early to secure your spot in these courses. Visit the Open University website for details on how to enroll.

Open University

After Your Degree, Choose Open University

You Earned Your Degree. What’s Next?

You finished your bachelor’s degree, but maybe you’re not quite ready for grad school or the job market. Maybe you'd like to build your skill set a bit more. That’s where Open University at SFSU comes in.

Get Career-Ready without a New Degree

You don’t have to start a new program to grow your skills. With Open University, you can take SFSU classes without being formally admitted. It’s a simple way to keep learning while you figure out your next move.

Build Your Skills

Open University lets you go back and take classes you didn’t get the chance to complete during your undergraduate program. Gain skills that are important in today's job market, like software development, data visualization and design.

Get Ready for Graduate School

Thinking about graduate school, but you're not quite ready? Take Open University courses to explore your new subjects, improve your GPA or meet prerequisites for your graduate program.

Learn the Tools Employers Want

Today’s job market moves fast. Many industries expect you to know the latest tools, platforms or best practices. Open University gives you access to current SFSU courses so you can stay competitive.

Expand Your Local Network

SFSU courses are taught by faculty with strong ties to the San Francisco Bay Area. With Open University, you can network while learning from professionals who know the field.

Flexible and Affordable

With Open University, you can enroll in individual classes and pay per course. There’s no formal University application. Open University is a smart, affordable way to keep moving forward without a long-term commitment.

Take Your Next Step

Whether you’re growing your resume, preparing for grad school or exploring a new direction, you have options with Open University. Find out more and enroll today.

Open University

Open University - Register Now for Fall 2025

Take Undergraduate and Graduate Classes at SFSU

Fall 2025 Open University registration is now open for courses that begin Monday, August 25. Register today.

What is Open University?

Open University allows you to take space-available SFSU undergraduate and graduate classes without formal admission to the University. You can apply up to 24 undergraduate units toward a bachelor’s degree or six graduate units toward a master’s degree at SFSU.

Project Rebound Wins Award

American Society of Criminology President’s Award for Distinguished Contributions to Justice

Project Rebound won the President’s Award for Distinguished Contributions to Justice from the American Society of Criminology. The award is given annually to an individual or organization that has made significant and distinguished contributions to the cause of justice.

Jason Bell, who has served as director of Project Rebound at SF State for 10 years and has worked with the program for over 20 years, accepted the award on behalf of Project Rebound and the many people who have, for decades, made Project Rebound a transformative program.

Project Rebound

For more than 50 years, Project Rebound has made higher education more accessible to and supportive of formerly incarcerated students. Professor John K. Irwin founded Project Rebound in SF State’s Sociology Department in 1967 to support formerly incarcerated students like himself through the admission process and provide wraparound support during their academic careers. With a dedicated team, Bell led an expansion effort to bring Project Rebound to 18 additional California State University campuses. Project Rebound has extended the reach and impact of higher education, changed people’s lives and contributed to diverse communities. 

Open University

Project Rebound is a special admissions program assisting formerly incarcerated individuals who might not normally qualify for university acceptance. Courses are offered through the College of Professional & Global Education's Open University to support students in need of bridge courses to full matriculation. 

Learn More

Find out more about Project Rebound on their website.

Project Rebound
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