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.
Class Schedule
Explore SF State classes
How to Register
How to register and start taking classes
Contact
Contact us with your questions
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.
| - | Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registration Opens | 8/5/2024 | 1/17/2025 | 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 | 2/17/2025 | R1: Mid-June R2: Early July R3: Mid-July R4: Mid-June |
| Last Day to Drop with Full Refund* | 9/16/2024 | 2/17/2025 | 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
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The spring 2025 class schedule is now up. Explore our offerings to find your classes, and get ready to register. Registrati… -
American Society of Criminology President’s Award for Distinguished Contributions to Justice Project Rebound won the Preside… -
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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Winter Break Phones will be open on December 20 and 23. Our office will be closed December 20, 2024 - January 1, 2025. We wi…