Registration > Prerequisites - Spring Open University Knowledge Center

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.

For visiting students, permission numbers can be used to override course prerequisites (although professors may need proof of completion/fulfillment of that requirement). For more information on permission numbers, see below.

Permission Numbers

All Open University students are required to obtain and use a permission number to enroll themselves in any course. To request a permission number, please complete the Open University Course Request Form for each individual desired course section. Submitting a request does not guarantee permission to enroll. 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.

Please note:

• Permission numbers can only be used once. Therefore, make sure to have your payment information handy at the time of registration, as you will only have 24 hours at the time of enrollment to pay for your courses.
• All unused permission numbers become inactive on Friday of the third week of the semester.

Timeline for Request Review Process

Departments will begin reviewing course requests closer to the start of classes in January. Enrollment officially begins on January 30, 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 (January 23), 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 (January 30), 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 (February 6), 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 (February 13), Open University registration ends and course requests will no longer be accepted.

A list of department chairs can be found on the Contact Us page.

Registration Timeline

Details regarding Open University registration period, add/drop classes, grades, refunds and late enrollment can be found below.

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Please note:

• Although dropping a course protects your academic record, there is no refund available after February 10, 2023. For more information, see Refunds.
• For the “W” grade definition, see Administrative Grading Symbols.

Open University Add/Drop Chart and Refund Schedule