What is Open University?
Open University offers opportunities for anyone to enroll in courses without going through formal admission to California State University, Long Beach. Students can take classes on a space-available basis while earning college credit.
Whether you're looking to advance your career, make progress toward a degree, or gain new skills as a lifelong learner, you can enroll in a variety of classes available during the Fall and Spring semesters.
Registration for Fall Open U is now closed. To request a late enrollment, please complete the Late Add Petition and email it back to cpace-info@csulb.edu.
View the schedule of classes by academic subject, college, or general education category and identify the classes you'd like to register for.
How To Register
Registration for Fall Open U is now closed. To request a late enrollment, please complete the Late Add Petition and email it back to cpace-info@csulb.edu.
Earning Credits Through Open U
Open University students can take up to 18 units per term, depending on their academic status. Courses completed through Open University will be available on transcripts for current students, former students, and alumni.
Open U for Previously Disqualified CSULB Students
Graduate and undergraduate students who have been academically disqualified from CSULB are limited to 6 units or 2 courses (up to 7 units) per term.
Learn more about Academic Disqualification and Reinstatement, including the resources available for those seeking to return to CSULB.
Transferring Open U Credits to a CSULB Degree Program
Up to 24 units of Open University credit may be applied toward an undergraduate degree at CSULB. At the discretion of the appropriate college and department, up to 9 units of academic credit may be applied toward a graduate degree at CSULB. Beyond these limits, additional units may be taken for personal enrichment or to transfer to another institution, but they will not be applicable to CSULB degree programs.
Transferring Open U Credits to Another Institution
California State University, Long Beach is a regionally accredited institution and most classes will transfer to another institution. We recommend that students speak with a representative at their home institution, or the institution to which they plan to transfer, in order to confirm transfer eligibility and credit articulation.
Course Availability and Approvals
How to Check for Course Availability
Open University courses are offered on a space-available basis. This means you can only enroll in courses that have open seats at the time of registration.
- You can browse the class schedule for the upcoming term to identify your desired courses.
- In most cases, you cannot enroll in a course that is full. On rare occasions, exceptions may be made, but these require special approval (see below).
Course Approval Requirements
Some courses may require instructor or department approval before you can register, especially if:
- The course is full
- The course has prerequisites
- You do not meet the listed enrollment restrictions
To check if a course has prerequisites, search for it in the CSULB University Catalog and review the requirements listed.
How to Request Course Approval
If the course is full or has prerequisites, you must request approval by sending a detailed email to the instructor or department including:
- Your full name
- The course name and section number
- A short explanation of your background and why you’d like to enroll
- Transcript(s) if applicable
Allow 1–2 business days for a response. If you have any questions or aren’t able to reach your instructor, please forward your original message to CPaCE-info@csulb.edu.
College-Specific Policies
In addition to any necessary instructor and department approvals, each academic college at CSULB has its own process or requirements for Open University students.
Use the sections below to view specific approval policies, contacts, and additional guidelines for each college.
If the course has prerequisites, you will need to contact the instructor for permission. Find contact information for the instructor in the Campus Directory and email them with your request. You may need to provide a transcript or other documentation as proof that you meet the prerequisite requirements.
If the course is full, you may reach out to the instructor for permission to enroll, but note that it is only on rare occasions that permission to enroll will be granted for full courses.
Once you have written permission from the instructor, you can submit the Open U Enrollment Request form and attach the email with your submission. If you have already submitted your enrollment request form, you can forward the email from the instructor to CPaCE-info@csulb.edu. Please include your name and CSULB ID number in the email.
Instructor permission and department approval are required for all enrollment requests for the College of Business. Find contact information for the instructor in the Campus Directory and email them with your request to enroll. Please be sure to provide the course name, number, and section in which you hope to enroll. If the course has prerequisites, you need to provide a transcript or other documentation as proof that you meet the prerequisite requirements.
Once the instructor has reviewed your request, they will pass it along to the College of Business for department approval. If permission is granted, you will receive a confirmation email.
Once you have written approval, you can submit the Open U Enrollment Request form and attach the email with your submission. If you have already submitted your enrollment request form, you can forward the email to CPaCE-info@csulb.edu. Please include your name and CSULB ID number in the email.
If the course is full, you may reach out to the instructor for permission to enroll, but these requests will not be reviewed until after the first day of classes. Note that it is only on rare occasions that permission to enroll will be granted for full courses.
- Degree-seeking students who are enrolled at other four-year institutions are eligible for registration, as long as they have met course prerequisites and there is space in the class.
- Students who are pursuing graduate work and need to register in 300 or 400 level courses may also take COB courses as non-matriculated students, as long as they have met course prerequisites and there is space in the class.
- Students who have been academically disqualified or denied admission from CSULB must meet with an advisor before registering. Please contact COB-CSS@csulb.edu to meet with an advisor.
If the course has prerequisites, you will need to contact the instructor for permission. Find contact information for the instructor in the Campus Directory and email them with your request. You may need to provide a transcript or other documentation as proof that you meet the prerequisite requirements.
If the course is full, you may reach out to the instructor for permission to enroll, but note that it is only on rare occasions that permission to enroll will be granted for full courses.
Once you have written permission from the instructor, you can submit the Open U Enrollment Request form and attach the email with your submission. If you have already submitted your enrollment request form, you can forward the email from the instructor to CPaCE-info@csulb.edu. Please include your name and CSULB ID number in the email.
Department permission is required for enrollment in all College of Engineering courses. To request permission, submit the Open U Enrollment Request form and upload your transcript(s). We will accept unofficial transcripts.
Your request will be forwarded to the department for review and, if permission is granted, you will be enrolled in the course.
If the course is full, you must reach out to the instructor for permission to enroll, but these requests will not be reviewed until after the first day of classes. Note that it is only on rare occasions that permission to enroll will be granted for full courses.
If the course has prerequisites, you will need to contact the instructor for permission. Find contact information for the instructor in the Campus Directory and email them with your request. You may need to provide a transcript or other documentation as proof that you meet the prerequisite requirements.
If the course is full, you may reach out to the instructor for permission to enroll, but note that it is only on rare occasions that permission to enroll will be granted for full courses.
Once you have written permission from the instructor, you can submit the Open U Enrollment Request form and attach the email with your submission. If you have already submitted your enrollment request form, you can forward the email from the instructor to CPaCE-info@csulb.edu. Please include your name and CSULB ID number in the email.
If the course has prerequisites, you will need to contact the instructor for permission. Find contact information for the instructor in the Campus Directory and email them with your request. You may need to provide a transcript or other documentation as proof that you meet the prerequisite requirements.
If the course is full, you may reach out to the instructor for permission to enroll, but note that it is only on rare occasions that permission to enroll will be granted for full courses.
Once you have written permission from the instructor, you can submit the Open U Enrollment Request form and attach the email with your submission. If you have already submitted your enrollment request form, you can forward the email from the instructor to CPaCE-info@csulb.edu. Please include your name and CSULB ID number in the email.
If the course has prerequisites, you will need to contact the instructor for permission. Find contact information for the instructor in the Campus Directory and email them with your request. You may need to provide a transcript or other documentation as proof that you meet the prerequisite requirements.
If the course is full, you may reach out to the instructor for permission to enroll, but note that it is only on rare occasions that permission to enroll will be granted for full courses.
Once you have written permission from the instructor, you can submit the Open U Enrollment Request form and attach the email with your submission. If you have already submitted your enrollment request form, you can forward the email from the instructor to CPaCE-info@csulb.edu. Please include your name and CSULB ID number in the email.
Dates and Deadlines
- Monday, August 18: enrollment begins
- Monday, September 8: deadline to enroll without late-add permission
- September 9 - 22: first period to request a late-add
- Two signatures required (instructor and department chair)
- September 23 - November 19: second period to request a late-add
- Three signatures required (instructor, department chair, and dean)
Dropping a course means it will not appear on a transcript.
Please note that courses dropped on or after the first day of class (August 25) will only be eligible for a 65% refund.
- Monday, September 8: deadline to drop a course without any required signatures
- After September 8, any course that is dropped will be considered a withdrawal.
Withdrawing from a course means it will appear on the transcript with a “W”.
- September 9: start date to unenroll by a request to withdraw
- Two signatures required (instructor and department chair)
- September 22: deadline to withdraw AND be eligible for a 65% refund
- September 23: no refunds will be offered for withdrawals after this date
- November 20: start date to unenroll via the Catastrophic Withdraw Request
- Three signatures required (instructor, department chair, and dean)
- Monday, September 15: deadline for request to change a grade option
- August 18 – August 24: 100% Refund (minus $10 processing fee)
- August 25 – September 22: 65% Refund
- September 23: No refunds available starting on this date
Event | Date |
---|---|
Open University enrollment begins | Monday, August 18 |
Last day for 100% refund | Sunday, August 24 |
First day of Fall classes | Monday, August 25 |
Deadline to add, drop or swap a class without approval and without receiving a W | Monday, September 8 |
Beginning on this day, students who want to leave a course must request to withdraw, which requires instructor and department approval | Tuesday, September 9 |
Beginning on this day, students who want to add a course must have two signatures (instructor and department) | Tuesday, September 9 |
Deadline to request Grade Change Option | Monday, September 15 |
No refund if course is dropped/withdrawn after this date | Tuesday, September 16 |
Last day for 65% refund | Monday, September 22 |
Last day to add with instructor and department approval | Monday, September 22 |
University Fall Census | Monday, September 22 |
Open University enrollment ends | Monday, September 22 |
Beginning on this day, students who want to add a course must submit a late add petition, which requires three signatures/approvals | Tuesday, September 23 |
Last day to withdraw (with instructor and department approval) | Wednesday, November 19 |
Last day for catastrophic withdrawal for extenuating circumstances | Wednesday, December 10 |
Last day of classes | Wednesday, December 10 |
Final exams | Friday, December 12 to Thursday, December 18 |
Payments and Refunds
Understanding your payment options is an important step in registering through Open University at California State University, Long Beach.
You’ll find detailed information below about tuition rates, payment methods, refund policies, payment plans, and third-party sponsorships.
Whether you're paying out of pocket or using external funding, this guide will help you stay on track and avoid any enrollment issues.
Open U courses are billed at a per-unit rate, meaning that students pay a fee based on the number of units in which they are enrolled.
- $351 per unit for undergraduate students*
- $429 per unit for post-baccalaureate students**
*Open U students who have not completed an undergraduate degree are considered undergraduate students. The per-unit fee for undergraduate students is $351 per unit.
**Open U students who have completed an undergraduate degree are considered post-baccalaureate students. The per-unit fee for post-baccalaureate students is $429 per unit for all courses.
In addition to the course fee, there is a one-time $5 ID service fee. This fee covers the cost of your student ID and ensures access to MyCSULB and Beachboard. Your student ID enables you to access the campus library and computer labs.
Once you have been enrolled in your course(s), your bill will post to your MyCSULB account within 24 hours. Payment is due within 24 hours of your fees being posted.
Students can pay their fees via MyCSULB. New students will be sent instructions via email on how to access their MyCSULB account.
Paying via MyCSULB (Online)
- Credit Card
- Accepted cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover
- Processed through TRANSACT SmartPay
- 2.65% service fee applies to all credit card payments
- Electronic Check (e-Check)
- You will need your bank routing and account number
- There is no service fee to pay by e-check
Paying by Check or Money Order (In Person)
- Location: Cashiers Office, Brotman Hall Room 148
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Accepted forms of payment:
- Personal checks
- Cashier’s checks
- Money orders
Make checks payable to:
California State University, Long Beach (CSULB)
Checks must be written in black or blue ink and payable in U.S. dollars (USD).
Returned Check Policy
- A $20 fee will be charged for any returned (dishonored) check
- Personal checks will not be accepted to repay dishonored checks
- If your registration payment is returned, your enrollment may be canceled
Contact
For questions, email the Cashiers Office at cashiers@csulb.edu.
Payment Plan contracts are offered to assist students with paying their course fees by dividing fees into equal payments. Payment plans are set up at the time of registration.
If you plan to use a payment plan, please complete the Open University Payment Plan contract.
A non-refundable $33.00 administrative fee is charged for participation in a payment plan.
The last day to sign up for the Fall 2025 payment plan is September 22.
If you do not pay your payment plan by your first due date, you may be dropped from your class or classes due to non-payment of fees.
Payment Plan Deadlines for Fall 2025:
- 1st payment: August 26
- 2nd payment: September 25
- 3rd payment: October 26
- Final payment: November 25
Once you enroll in a payment plan, changes to your academic load, subsequent fee increases, or new charges may affect the amount of your payments, which are not necessarily distributed evenly. It is your responsibility to check your account for any such changes.
The payment plan does not cover some fees, such as library fines or course fees from a previous term. These fees will need to be paid prior to enrollment in a payment plan.
It is the student's responsibility to check their MyCSULB account to ensure the payment plan is successfully enrolled and to verify due dates. Enrollment in a payment plan is available once you submit a registration form.
If your balance becomes delinquent, you may be placed with an outside collection agency. You will be responsible for any additional fees. As required by law, you are hereby notified that a negative credit report on your credit record may be submitted to a credit reporting agency if you fail to resolve this matter immediately.
If you have additional questions, please email cpace-paymentplans@csulb.edu.
If a company or organization plans to pay your fees, a sponsorship agreement and authorization of services must be received prior to registration by CPaCE Student Services Center via email at cpace-info@csulb.edu. If your sponsor does not pay some or all of your fees, it is your responsibility to pay or your enrollment may be canceled, a financial hold placed on your record, and services withheld until fees are paid.
If you are a veteran or dependent of a veteran, you may be eligible for financial assistance for your higher education. For more information, contact the Veterans Services office at (562) 985-5115.
Regardless of how your education is funded, you are personally responsible for making sure that your tuition and mandatory fees (and any other fees or charges) are paid on time.
Dates & Deadlines
Event | Date |
---|---|
Open University enrollment begins | Monday, August 18 |
Last day for 100% refund | Sunday, August 24 |
First day of Fall classes | Monday, August 25 |
Deadline to add, drop or swap a class without approval and without receiving a W | Monday, September 8 |
Beginning on this day, students who want to leave a course must request to withdraw, which requires instructor and department approval | Tuesday, September 9 |
Beginning on this day, students who want to add a course must have two signatures (instructor and department) | Tuesday, September 9 |
Deadline to request Grade Change Option | Monday, September 15 |
No refund if course is dropped/withdrawn after this date | Tuesday, September 16 |
Last day for 65% refund | Monday, September 22 |
Last day to add with instructor and department approval | Monday, September 22 |
University Fall Census | Monday, September 22 |
Open University enrollment ends | Monday, September 22 |
Beginning on this day, students who want to add a course must submit a late add petition, which requires three signatures/approvals | Tuesday, September 23 |
Last day to withdraw (with instructor and department approval) | Wednesday, November 19 |
Last day for catastrophic withdrawal for extenuating circumstances | Wednesday, December 10 |
Last day of classes | Wednesday, December 10 |
Final exams | Friday, December 12 to Thursday, December 18 |
Drops and Withdrawals
The difference between dropping a class and withdrawing from a class is based on the timing of your decision to stop participating in a class and when you take action on that decision.
Dropping occurs when you take appropriate action to remove the class from your academic record BEFORE the end of the second week of instruction. The classes will not be included on your transcript and may be eligible for a refund.
Withdrawing* occurs when you remove yourself from a class AFTER the second week of instruction.
*Students are obligated to officially withdraw from the course, regardless of whether they attended. Non-attendance in a course, notifying the instructor, or stopping payment on a check does not constitute dropping or withdrawing from a course. Students utilizing these methods without submitting an add/drop form to CPaCE will be graded appropriately in the course. In the case of a stop payment order or non-sufficient funds the student is also financially liable for the bad check.
For more information on the University’s Drop and Withdrawal policies and processes, visit the Student Records website.
To drop/withdraw from a course:
Fall 2025: Through August 24
To drop a course before it begins, submit the Open U Drop Request Form.
Fall 2025: August 25 - September 8
No signatures or department stamps are required to drop a course during the first two weeks of instruction.
To drop a course within the first two weeks, submit the Open U Drop Request Form. (This form is no longer available since the deadline has passed.)
Students can also drop their courses through MyCSULB. Visit Enrollment Services' Using Academics page for instructions on dropping a course in your student center.
Fall 2025: September 9 - November 19
In order to withdraw from a course, both instructor and department permission are required. Additionally, a ‘W’ will be posted to the student’s transcript.
For more information on the Withdrawal Petition process, visit the Student Records Dropping and Withdrawing page.
Fall 2025: November 20 - December 10
In order to withdraw from a course within the final three weeks of the semester, the student will need to submit a Catastrophic Withdrawal. Only extenuating circumstances will be considered. You are required to obtain approval from the Instructor, Department Chair, and Dean on your completed form before submitting it to Enrollment Services. Enrollment Services will then forward the form to the University Provost to seek final approval. Additionally, a ‘W’ will be posted to your transcript.
Withdrawals are not permitted during the final week of instruction.
Fall 2025: December 10 is the last day of class before final exams begin and is the last day to submit a Catastrophic Withdrawal request.
Frequently Asked Questions
Up to 24 units of Open University credit may apply toward an undergraduate degree at CSULB, and up to 9 units for a graduate degree. Beyond these limits, additional units may be taken for personal enrichment or to transfer to another institution, but they will not be applicable to CSULB degree programs.
Open University provides an opportunity for people who are not currently admitted to CSULB to enroll in courses offered by the university during the Fall and Spring semesters.
There is no difference between the courses. The courses that Open University students take are the same courses that matriculated students take. Open University students can seek permission to enroll in any classes listed in the schedule of classes.
The class schedule is available at http://www.csulb.edu/schedule. Classes can be viewed by subject. Information is updated nightly.
Current catalog course descriptions can be found at http://catalog.csulb.edu.
A matriculated student is one that is admitted to the university. If you are not sure whether or not you are admitted, please check with the Office of Enrollment Services (562) 985-5471 or inquire with Enrollment Services. If you are not admitted (non-matriculated), you can enroll as an Open University student through the College of Professional and Continuing Education (CPaCE).
Yes. High school students are welcome to attend CSULB through Open University as long as a letter of recommendation from the high school principal or counselor is attached to the registration request form specifying if the credits earned are for college credits or high school credits.
You can register for Fall and Spring Open University in a few different ways. To see all the options please visit our How to Register page.
Our regular business hours are:
- Monday - Thursday: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. & 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Friday: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. & 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
CPaCE accepts only Visa, MasterCard, American Express, checks and money orders. Cash is not accepted at CPaCE. Payments must be made via MyCSULB.
A CSULB transcript can be ordered through the Enrollment Services. For more information visit https://www.csulb.edu/student-records/transcripts-current-students.
If you do not have a CSULB ID, we will create one for you upon registration. When filling out the registration form, you can leave this space blank if you do not yet have an ID number. A campus ID number is issued to all new students by the university for registration and identification purposes. If you are a current Open University student or have taken a course previously, you will continue to use your existing ID number that was assigned to you.
Once you are registered for classes, you are able to purchase a semester parking permit through the Parking and Transportation Services website.
Open University students with a student ID card have access to the library and computer labs. They can also gain access to other campus resources, such as the Student Health Center and Recreation Center for an additional fee.
Over a thousand students register for classes each semester through Open University, so there are many course options available. However, there is no guarantee that students will be able to get into a specific course.
As non-matriculated students, federal student financial aid is not available for students taking courses through Open University. Students can apply for private continuing education loans.
As a regionally accredited institution, most classes will transfer to another institution. Students will want to speak to a representative from the institution to which they plan to transfer, in order to determine how those classes will be articulated.
Canvas is the online learning environment used at CSULB. Instructors may use it to post assignments, hold discussions, or for other functions. Once students are registered into a class, they will generally get access to Canvas within 24 hours.
Resources
Parking permits are required for all campus parking lots. Students can purchase daily, monthly, or semester-long permits. Learn more about Permit Information & Regulations and see the campus maps for parking lot locations.
Short-Term parking may also be purchased via the Parkmobile app, a convenient service that provides reminders and the ability to extend your purchase.
For more information regarding University Parking Policies and Procedures, please visit the Parking and Transportation Services website.
MyCSULB Student Center serves as a "home base" for your enrollment and student information. In your CSULB Single Sign-On Portal, find the yellow MyCSULB Student Center tile to get started, or visit my.csulb.edu.
MyCSULB Student Center is organized into four main panels – Academics, Finances, Personal Information, and Admissions. Each section contains resources related to your class schedule, academic requirements, tuition/fee payments, financial aid awards, contact details, and more.
Learn more about the MyCSULB Student Center.
Students who need assistance or accommodation in order to participate in or benefit from university programs, services, and/or activities should inform the person/department responsible for these programs, services, or activities, and then contact the Bob Murphy Access Center (BMAC).
Students needing support services or accommodations for course work should contact the instructor of the course within the first week of class. In addition, students should establish their eligibility for assistance by contacting the BMAC at bmac@csulb.edu. They will be required to provide verification of their disability from a medical professional, along with a description of the student’s functional limitations. The BMAC will evaluate their requests. Typical accommodations available are extended time for tests, test proctoring, private test rooms, note-taking, Braille transcription, and referral for tutoring.
If the service offered is insufficient or inadequate, the student should confer with the Director of the BMAC. If these efforts are not successful, concerns may be directed to the Office of Equity and Compliance at (562) 985-8256 or OEC@csulb.edu. Responsibility for oversight and implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act have been delegated to the campus director for disability support and accommodation.
Cancelled Courses
Course sections are subject to cancellation due to low enrollment and other extenuating circumstances. The decision to cancel a course is generally made before the second class meeting. If a course is cancelled for any reason, you may request a full refund of fees or select another course. Students enrolling from outside of the Long Beach area or who must make extensive personal arrangements to take a course should have alternate courses in mind in the event their first choice is cancelled.
CPaCE Registration Windows
The College of Professional and Continuing Education registration windows are located on the first floor at the west end of the CSULB Foundation Building:
6300 State University Dr. Suite 104
Long Beach, CA 90815
Our regular business hours are:
Monday - Friday: 9am-12pm & 1pm-5pm
Withdrawals
Students are obligated to officially withdraw from any course they register for, regardless of whether they attended, by the published deadlines to avoid charges or be eligible for a pro-rated refund. Non-attendance in a course, notifying the instructor, or stopping payment on a check does not officially constitute dropping or withdrawing from a course. Students utilizing these methods without submitting an add/drop form to CPIE will be graded appropriately in the course. In the case of a stop payment order or non-sufficient funds the student is also financially liable for the bad check.
Self-Service Registration
Please go to the Self-Service Registration information on the How to Register page for step-by-step instructions.
After self-service registration ends, all registrations must be completed by submitting a Open University Online Registration Form.