Open University Program
Click here to connect to SFSU's Open University web site.
Open U is administered through SFSU's College of Extended Learning. It functions essentially as another door through which unddergraduates and post-bacs can take the same classes that matriculated SFSU undergraduates take. Because of the closing of the 2nd-Bac Program, Open U is the only means remaining by which SFSU post-bacs can still be part of an informal program.
Advantages
Anyone can take classes through Open U; there are no degree requirements nor application deadlines. Open U is less expensive for undergraduates that are only taking one class or are out-of-state residents, and less expensive for post-bacs compared to the Formal Post-Bac Program. Open U allows pre-registration for classes during the summer. See Summer Registration for details.
Disadvantages
Open U students can't pre-register for fall or spring classes, have higher tuition than matriculated undergraduates and don't qualify for financial aid through SFSU's Financial Aid Office. Open U students have the lowest enrollment priority, so thay have difficulty getting into classes, especially introductory major's level science classes that are pre-requisites for health profession schools, whereas they have less difficulty enrolling in upper-division science electives and general education (GE) classes. The current budget crisis has increased the difficulty of Open U students getting into any class.
Tuition and Courses
Through spring 2010, Open U has charged $225 per lecture unit and $270 per lab unit, regardless of state residency status. Summer 2010 tuition is anticipated to rise to about $320 per lecture unit and about $370 per lab unit. See Open U Fees for up-to-date tuition information. The Extended Learning Online Class Schedule provides a complete list of classes available through Open U and their corresponding tuition.
