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Division of Continuing and Global Education

Open University

Fall Open University

California State University, Fresno’s Open University Program permits you, as a member of the general community, to take University classes after regularly enrolled students have registered and when there is still space available in the class.

NO! Admission to the University is not necessary. The Open University Program was designed to increase access to classes for people who are not “matriculated” students at California State University, Fresno.

Open University may be just the program you’ve been looking for if you:

  • want to examine a new field before enrolling in a degree program
  • want to update your professional training
  • are thinking of a career change and need retraining
  • are seeking academic credit from an outstanding University

You are not eligible to enroll through Open University if you have a hold or financial obligation on your account.

You are eligible to enroll in courses through the Open University program if you:

  • missed Fresno State’s admission deadline
  • want to update your professional training and job skills for your current or future work
  • want to test your interest in a field before entry or re-entry
  • want to explore personal interests or take prerequisite classes
  • were disenrolled or disqualified from the university or from an undergraduate degree program. Graduate students who are disqualified from the university are not eligible to enroll in 200 level courses through Open University.
  • are NOT admitted and enrolled, or a continuing Fresno State student. 

Fresno State will accept up to 24 units towards a baccalaureate degree for classes taken through Open University and Extension.  Credit earned through Open University may affect admission classification for first time freshmen and transfer students.

International students considering enrollment through Open University must contact the International Office at 559.278.2782 or email Sarah Lam at international@mail.fresnostate.edu

The registration fee is $310 per unit plus any additional course fees (if applicable). This fee applies to everyone, whether or not you are a California resident, and is subject to change. Financial aid is not available for Open University. 

Continuing and Global Education Student ID Card – $5.00.

Student Affairs has changed the grade posting policy. Grades will not be posted to transcripts until the final grade deadline for the semester. If you have questions or concerns about this policy, please contact the University Registrar’s office at 559.278.2191.

Fall 2022 grade deadline is Monday, January 3, 2023.

Student ID Cards – $5.00 per semester

ID cards are available to students enrolled in academic credit classes, not non-credit or CEU's.

  1. Confirm that the Continuing Global Education course registration and payment is posted on your Student Center.
  2. Pay the $5.00 CGE Student ID Card activation fee at the Cashier windows in the Joyal Building.
  3. The Bulldog Card office will email you a link with further instructions to upload a photo and receive your card.

Why get an ID card?

  • Check out privileges for library materials
  • Ability to load money on the card for printing and food purchase
  • Identification of student status in the community
  • Use of Health Center with co-pay:
    The option of paying $15 co-pay at Health Center per visit
    Or
    Pay full semester co-pay of $151 at Cashier in Joyal Building and bring the receipt to Health Center to be noted on the Health Center account.

Please note: card is not valid for stateside student service, including access to the Student Recreation Center, laptop checkout, or student campus discounts.

Fall 2023 dates to remember

Fall 2023 Instructions

Withdrawal/Schedule change/Refund

Registration Dates: Register and pay fees online from August 21 - September 18, 2023. No registration is allowed after September 18.

If there is a hold on your university account, you will not be permitted to enroll through Open University until all holds are cleared. (California Code, Title V Section 43281)

  1. You will need a Fresno State ID number, Fresno State email address and to be active to enroll for the term. You can visit our registration page for instructions.
  2. Review and select courses from the university Fall 2023 Class Schedule. It can be accessed online through your Fresno State Portal or at http://fresnostate.edu. Click on “Academics” tab and select “Class Schedule” listed under “Additional Resources” at the bottom of the page.
  3. Report to the first class meeting of each course you wish to enroll in (or contact the instructor via email if taking an online class) and obtain a permission number from the instructor. See Note 1 below for exceptions. Also please refer to information regarding online courses tab (web-enhanced/web-based) 
  4. Enroll and pay online. Enroll online beginning Monday, August 21. Visit: the registration page to get complete instructions for online registration and payment. Fees must be paid within 24 hours of registration. See payment information tab. International students are required to contact the International Office at 559.278.2782 or email Sarah Lam at international@mail.fresnostate.edu

Optional—Purchase a Continuing and Global Education ID card – $5.00, see above.

Note 1. Independent Study, Internships, and other “Special” courses: Obtain a permission number from the department and enroll online or in person.

Note 2. Grading Option: Select your choice of grading option—Letter or CR/NC (credit or no credit)—choosing only what is available for your class (verify with the department if enrolling in person). The grading option you choose will be posted on your permanent transcript, providing that option is available for the course. If no option is selected, the default option will be a letter grade (if applicable).

  1. The Class Wish List allows for class and schedule verification. Students can place classes for which they hope to obtain a permission number in the wish list basket by entering the 5 digit class numbers. The classes are saved in a Wish List Shopping Cart. This process allows you to verify the schedule and/or your eligibility to enroll in the classes.
  2. Open University Registration opens on the first day of class. Registration is completed by adding the classes from either the Wish List Shopping cart or by entering 5 digit class number under Class Enrollment and following the registration steps including entering the permission number obtained.
  3. Continuing and Global Education payments are due within 24 hours of completing registration.

For detailed instructions visit the registration page.

Canvas at Fresno State

Online (Web-Enhanced/Web-Based) Courses

  • Students planning to enroll in web-based or web-enhanced classes must be officially enrolled in order to access course information on Canvas. If you have not registered through your Fresno State Portal, follow the steps on the How to Register tab on this webpage.
  • If you have a Fresno State ID # and email account but cannot remember your username or password, contact the Student Technology Service Desk at http://password.csufresno.edu or call 559.278.5000 for assistance with reactivating your account.  
  • If you have a Fresno State ID # but do not have a Fresno State email account, go to email.csufresno.edu/ to create your free Fresno State email account.

Continuing and Global Education payments are due within 24 hours of completing registration.

If making payment online or at cashiers, please make sure your payment is receipted as a “Continuing and Global Ed payment.” Payment for any additional course (or lab) fees must be receipted as “General Payment.”

  • Check/Money Order made payable to “Fresno State”. Write your Fresno State ID on your check or money order. Pay at Cashiers office in the Joyal Administration building. You may also pay by electronic check online with no service fee.   
  • Credit card payments: The University can only accept credit card information online.
    • go to https://my.fresnostate.edu. Select Student Self Service > Student Center > My Finances > View Ebills/Make a payment. You may pay using American Express, MasterCard, Visa or Discover cards ONLY. Please note that a service fee of 2.65% is charged when you pay online with a credit card. You may also pay by electronic check online with no service fee.
      Cash payments: accepted at the Cashier’s Windows only.

Financial aid is not available for Open University. 

Dishonored Checks and Credit Card Discrepancies  

Writing a bad check is against the law. Bad checks and stopped payments on checks will result in a $20 processing charge. Bad checks, stopped payments on checks, do not constitute an official withdrawal nor relieve you of your financial obligation to the university.

Registration Holds

If there is a hold on your university account, you will not be permitted to enroll through Open University until all holds are cleared. (California Code, Title V Section 43281)

For purchase of Continuing and Global Education Student ID card details, see above.

The CSU makes every effort to keep student costs to a minimum. Fees listed in published schedules or student accounts may need to be increased when public funding is inadequate. Therefore, CSU must reserve the right, even after fees are initially charged or initial fee payments are made, to increase or modify any listed fees. All listed fees, other than mandatory systemwide fees, are subject to change without notice, until the date when instruction for a particular semester or quarter has begun. All CSU listed fees should be regarded as estimates that are subject to change upon approval by the Board of Trustees, the Chancellor, or the Presidents, as appropriate. Changes in mandatory systemwide fees will be made in accordance with the requirements of the Working Families Student Fee Transparency and Accountability Act (Sections 66028 - 66028.6 of the Education Code).