Important:
- CSUN students who are currently admitted and enrolled in a degree or certificate program are not eligible to enroll in courses through Open University.
- Only those who are not currently admitted and enrolled in a degree or certificate program at CSUN are eligible to enroll.
Recent Graduate
If you are a recent graduate or will graduate and graduated in Spring 2023, you are eligible to enroll in courses through Open University.
Academically Disqualified CSUN Students
If you are currently on academic disqualification, you are eligible to enroll in classes through Open University to meet academic requirements and possibly apply for readmission.
How to Enroll
If you are a recent graduate, graduated in Spring 2023 or are on academic disqualification, you will be required to enroll in Open University courses as a Visiting Student.
Former CSUN Students will not need to create a new account. To enroll, you will log into myNorthridge Portal, and use your CSUN user ID and password.
For limits on degree-applicable credits, see: Applying Credit to a CSUN Degree.
Academic Calendar
FALL 2023 SEMESTER |
Registration Period (Weeks 1-3) |
Monday, August 28 - Friday, September 15, 2023 |
Classes Begin |
Monday, August 28, 2023 (Saturday classes begin August 26) |
Last day to add without permission & Last day to drop and receive a refund |
Friday, September 15, 2023 |
4th Week Late Registration |
Monday, September 18 - Friday, September 22, 2023 |
Labor Day Holiday - campus closed; no instruction |
Saturday, September 2 - Monday, September 4, 2023 |
Veterans Day Holiday - campus closed; no instruction |
Friday, November 10, 2023 |
Thanksgiving Recess - campus closed; no instruction |
Thursday, November 23 - Sunday, November 26, 2023 |
Classes End |
Monday, December 11, 2023 |
Final Examinations (see final exam schedule) |
Tuesday, December 12 - Monday, December 18, 2023 |
U.S. Military Veterans or Service Members
If you are a U.S. Military Veteran or a Service Member, please contact the CSUN Veterans Affairs Office at (818) 677-5928 or email veteransmail@csun.edu.
Enrollment Requirements
Maximum Unit Load:
- Undergraduate Students: 13 units
- Graduate Students: 19 units
Students in good standing may request additional units over the Fall and Spring maximum unit load, by completing the Extra Unit Authorization form.
However, this form is strictly limited at this time, and will only be processed when Nonrestrictive Registration begins (see Registration Calendar).
Permission Numbers
All Open University students are required to obtain and use a permission number to enroll themselves in any course. To receive a permission number, Open University students should review the class notes of the course for any department specific process and then complete this Open University Course Request Submission Form. For more information, see Prerequisites. Open university students may attend the first class meeting of the course they wish to add to revisit their request for a permission number from the instructor. Online course pages will be available via Canvas on the Public Course Index.
Timeline for Request Review Process
Departments will begin reviewing course requests closer to the start of classes in August. Enrollment officially begins on August 28, 2023. While some departments may offer permission prior to this date, that decision is up to the department chair and/or the course instructor. Once a department has made a decision regarding your course request, you will receive a notification via email to your CSUN Email account. Please make sure you check this account regularly. We will continually revisit requests with department chairs and provide regular reminders for any outstanding requests.
Starting Week 1 (August 28), most courses still have an active waiting list for CSUN students. Open University course requests will be accommodated once the waitlist ends at the close of the week. If you have not heard back regarding your course request, you may contact the course instructor directly to request access to the Canvas page and lectures for the first few class meetings. If you are submitting a new request at this time, please complete the online form and also contact the course instructor to let them know you are interested in adding the course. Only the course instructor can allow you to view the course page and materials prior to formally enrolling in the course.
Starting Week 2 (September 5), if you have not heard back regarding your course request, you may contact the course instructor directly to request access to the Canvas page and lectures for the first few class meetings. NOTE: Most instructors will be hesitant to allow a student to add the course after missing two weeks of instruction. We recommend you connect with the instructor during Week 1 to discuss your interest in their course. If provided a permission number by the department or instructor, you are still able to enroll in the course at this time.
Starting Week 3 (September 11), most instructors will only allow students to add who have actively been participating in the course and are waiting for a permission number. While it is still possible to receive a permission number from the department during this time, most departments defer to the course instructor to issue permission numbers.
Starting Week 4 (September 18), Open University registration ends and course requests will no longer be accepted.
Wait List
The CSUN wait list feature is not available for Open University students. If an instructor encourages you to add yourself to the wait list for a closed course, remind them this feature is only designed for current CSUN students.
rse, remind them this feature is only designed for current CSUN students.
Category: Academic Policies & Student Conduct
Applying Credit to a CSUN Degree
The Open University program allows individuals not formally admitted and enrolled in a degree program at CSUN to take academic-credit courses in the Fall and ...
Read more about Applying Credit to a CSUN DegreeCategory: Registration
Prerequisites
A prerequisite is a course or condition that must be completed/met prior to enrollment in another specified course.
For former CSUN students, SOLAR determines if the student meets the prerequisite requirements.
Visiting students ...
Read more about PrerequisitesCategory: Registration
Registration Timeline
Details regarding Open University registration period, add/drop classes, grades, refunds and late enrollment can be found below.
Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to open and read some of the linked ...
Read more about Late RegistrationCategory: Registration
Withdrawing from a Course Before the Deadline:
When withdrawing from a course, students must consider both the academic and financial aspects of their enrollment. Any student who does not formally withdraw ...
Read more about WithdrawalsCategory: Registration
CSUN welcomes students from all over the world to enroll in Open University and experience a vibrant, diverse American university. For international students in the Los Angeles area, enrollment in ...
Read more about International StudentsCategory: Registration
Visiting students are those who are not formally admitted and enrolled in a degree, certificate or credential program at CSUN.
To qualify as a U.S. visiting student for Open University enrollment ...
Read more about Visiting StudentsCategory: Fees & Payment
Financial Aid
Financial Aid is not available for Open University.
Sponsored Students
A sponsored student is one whose tuition will be paid by a third party, such as an employer, military organization, vocational ...
Read more about Financial Aid and SponsorshipsCategory: Fees & Payment
Dropping a Class
Once a course is dropped, the refund schedule applies. This is true even if the student's intention is to swap the dropped class for another class.
The following does ...
Read more about RefundsCategory: Academic Policies & Student Conduct
Open University courses are part of the student’s academic record. Open University students may order an official transcript from the CSUN Admissions and Records office online, by mail, or in ...
Read more about Final ExaminationsCategory: Academic Policies & Student Conduct
Open University courses are part of the student’s academic record. Open University students may order an official transcript from the CSUN Admissions and Records office online, by mail, or in ...
Read more about TranscriptsCategory: Academic Policies & Student Conduct
CSUN does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status, as monitored by the Department of Labor (Office of ...
Read more about Disabilities AccommodationsCategory: Academic Policies & Student Conduct
Academic questions, such as the fit of specific courses into degree-program requirements, should be referred to the relevant academic department for the degree at CSUN or at the student's home ...
Read more about Academic AdvisingCategory: Academic Policies & Student Conduct
Grades received in Open University become part of a student's academic record and are included in the student's overall grade point average at CSUN.
CSUN Portal
You can view and manage your ...
Read more about GradesCategory: Student Resources
Please review services and resources to support you during COVID-19 provided by the University Library.
The University Library at CSUN is a 234,712 square foot state-of-the-art facility. The Learning Commons on ...
Read more about LibraryCategory: Student Resources
The Klotz Student Health Center at CSUN offers students a number of services on campus with the goal of promoting good health, along with academic and professional success. Physicians are ...
Read more about Health CenterCategory: Student Resources
Students enrolled in Winter Term at CSUN can take advantage of the many activities, events and organizations available to students, faculty, staff and the community. CSUN offers:
More than 300 clubs and ...
Read more about Student LifeCategory: Student Resources
Fee: $5.00
You are eligible for a student Photo ID if you have a CSUN Student ID number and you are enrolled in classes. This card is required to obtain campus ...
Read more about Student ID CardCategory: Registration
Before attempting to enroll in any course, please make sure to have your payment ready. All tuition and campus fee payments are due within 24 hours of registering for a ...
Read more about How to EnrollCategory: Fees & Payment
Demand Pay
Upon enrollment, you will have 24 hours (inclusive of weekends and holidays) to pay for tuition fees from the time you complete the enrollment transaction.
It is highly recommended to ...
Read more about Payment InstructionsCategory: Student Resources
If you are new to CSUN, your first step is to create a student account in order to receive a CSUN Student ID Number and a CSUN User ID.
Your CSUN ...
Read more about Computer & Email Account