The Open University Program invites you to enroll in credit courses at California State University, Northridge without formal application or admission to the University, if space is available. Those enrolled in the Open University Program attend the regular day or evening credit courses, participate side-by-side with degree-seeking students, and enjoy the same intellectual challenges and rewards. Open University offers wonderful opportunities to keep pace, leap ahead, or satisfy a long-term intellectual passion.
The Open University Program allows you to:
Enjoy post-degree study for intellectual growth and personal satisfaction
Explore areas of study in-depth as disciplines and fields change
Add new areas of expertise for professional updates
Prepare for a career change
Test academic ability in a university setting
Earn those last few credits to finish your degree
Improve your grade point average
Academic Advisement
Where Do I Go For Academic Advisement?
If you are unsure about your qualifications, seek academic advisement through the Advisement Resource Center (ARC/EOP) or with the (major) department that offers the course.
ARC/EOP (818) 677-2108
Student Services Building
Room 210
Prerequisite Policy
Courses with prerequisites are listed as such in the current university catalog. It is important that you meet the academic prerequisites for the course of your choice. If you enroll without the required background, you may be disenrolled at the instructor's or department chair's request.
Registration Procedure
Three Easy Steps for Registration:
Select the course/s you wish to take from the CSUN Schedule of Classes.
Request a permission number from the instructor at or immediately after the first class meeting. You will need the permission number to register online or in person.
Register online at the CSUN Portal or in-person at The Tseng College (located in the Matador Bookstore Complex, Room 100).
Permission Numbers
What Are Permission Numbers and What Are They Used For?
Permission numbers replace written approval from instructors for students wishing to add a class beginning the first day of instruction. To add a class on-line or in-person through Open University, you must obtain a permission number from the instructor or department.
Can I Reuse a Permission Number?
As of the Fall 2007 semester, permission numbers can be reused by students until the enrollment for their class is completed.
How Long Is A Permission Number Valid?
All unused permission numbers become inactive on Friday of the third week of the semester.
Regarding academic credit and student records: Open University students receive academic credit that becomes a part of their long-term CSUN student record. Open University students must comply with all regulations regarding fees, refunds and program changes, available in the CSUN Schedule of Classes online and in the Open University brochure (to request a copy, call (818) 677-2504). Grading and transcripts are described in the University Catalog and at the Admissions and Records web site. Up to 24 units of academic credit earned as a non matriculated student may be applied toward a bachelor's degree, and up to 9 units earned as a non matriculated student may be applied toward a master's degree.
Other Information
Are you eligible for Open University?
Matriculated students (i.e., those enrolled in a CSUN degree or credential program) cannot register through Open University. Also students under disciplinary suspension are ineligible to participate. Students with a registration hold on their CSUN record must clear the hold before registering through Open University, or the SOLAR system will block registration. Students disqualified for the third time from CSUN cannot register through Open University or any other CSUN academic program.
Terms and Conditions
Open University students may enroll in university courses only with appropriate instructor approval (permission number). Those who meet all course prerequisites will be accepted on a space-available basis. The Open University enrollment process is not available to current matriculated students.
Enrollment Restrictions
The Registration System will not permit enrollment to occur until all registration holds have been cleared.
Further Information
The Tseng College Client Services, exl@csun.edu, (818) 677-2504.
