Open University

California State University, Fullerton

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Fall Semester Dates & Details

NEW PROCESS: Be proactive and plan ahead.

Effective 2023: All students enrolling via Open University must either Create a New Student Record OR Update an Existing Record so that your student record is active in the Open University program and for the semester/term of enrollment. If you receive an error message, or experience technical issues, try clearing the "cookies/cache" in your browser.

This action must be completed ahead of EACH semester or term you plan to enroll through Open University, so you will complete this step more than once if planning to enroll in multiple future semesters or terms. This step assigns an enrollment appointment window, viewable in the Manage Classes tile in your Student Homepage. Be proactive and plan ahead.

  • Access to create a new or update an existing student record for fall 2024 opens May 23, 2024.
  • Assign summer before fall, and winter before spring, if you are planning to enroll in both terms.

Important Dates & Details for Fall 2024 are below.

All students new and returning need an enrollment appointment window (registration date) to enroll for each semester and term. Select the New Record Creation OR Returning Student Confirmation link to either create a new record or update an existing record to (re)gain access to the CSUF Portal, and activate your program and term to enroll via Open University.

*Assign summer appointments before fall, and winter before spring, if you are planning to enroll in both terms.

Returning Student? Check out the Returning Student drop down below.

You may request approval to enroll for course sections you have met prerequisites for, whether the section displays as open, closed, or waitlisted. If the professor and academic department approve, and physical space allows, then a permit will be placed on your record and you may enroll in the Manage Classes tile using the OU date specific enrollment appointment window (registration date).

The Request for Approval goes live on August 12, 2024 at 8 a.m. Watch this video for a sample of the process.

  • Initiate the Request for Approval as soon as the window opens. You will receive a tracking code to monitor the status of the request. If it has been more than four (4) business days, it is okay to follow up with the professor or academic department, depending on where the request is at, according to the tracking code. Campus Directory
  • Include in the comments section if you have completed prerequisites and why you are taking the course (i.e. fulfill a GE, prerequisite for a future program, etc.) for the professor's consideration. 
  • If you are still waiting on a response for a Request for Approval when the semester begins, attend the first week of classes and introduce yourself to the professor. Follow-up on the Request for Approval.
  • Have backup sections for the course you need, or alternative course options. Be flexible when possible.  
  • Returning student? Remember to check for registration holds located in the Tasks tile in your Student Homepage. Take steps to resolve holds before requesting approval and before the semester begins. This includes Title IX Training holds placed on student records on an annual basis. Registration holds prevent you from completing enrollment. 

The waitlist is for admitted students only. However, an approved Request for Approval for a waitlisted course section is possible, and to the discretion of the professor and the academic department of the course.  Waitlists expire on Monday of the second week of the semester.  If an instructor has approved you to add a waitlisted section, the request will NOT route to the Department designated inbox for review until Monday of week two of the semester.  This is the first date the Department may respond, which is after the internal waitlists have expired.

Important Note: If the professor has approved you to add a waitlisted course section, do contact them directly to request access to Canvas and participate in the course, prior to official enrollment.  View access to a course, however, is NOT official enrollment.  Remember to complete enrollment and payment when the Department has approved/permitted you to register for the course to be sure to secure your space and be included on the class roster. Once approved you will complete the enrollment in the Manage Classes tile, followed by processing payment in the Financial Account tile.

  • Initiate the Request for Approval as soon as the window opens.  You will receive a tracking code to monitor the status of the request.  If it has been more than four business days, it is okay to follow up with the professor or academic department, depending on where the request is at, according to the tracking code. Campus Directory
  • Include if you have completed prerequisites and why you are taking the course in the comment section for the professor’s consideration.
  • Returning student? Remember to check for registration holds located in the Tasks tile in your Student Homepage.  Holds will prevent you from completing enrollment.

All fees are due in full at the time of enrollment. When you register into any course, you are prompted to acknowledge the fee payment policy. Failure to pay fees in full at the time of registration will result in you be disenrolled from courses (without notification) and you may still owe a balance of fees.  See Dates and Details below.  Please consult EIP Student Services for any questions on payment of fees, including pending loans, or third party payments. In the Financial Account tile, located in the Student Homepage, select the Account Services tab, then Account Activity to generate the amount due. Next, select "Make a Payment" and proceed; Reference the OU Payment Guide. For a review of the fee structure and administrative logistics, check out Fees & Resources

Please review Instructions to Enroll as well as the fall semester important dates and details below.  The first step select the New Record Creation OR Returning Student Confirmation link. If you receive an error message, try clearing the “cookies/cache” in your browser.

Updating your record may be three steps:

Step 1: If you no longer have access to log into the CSUF Student Portal, Update Your Student Record and follow the prompts to request access as a returning student. Within 24-48 hours you will be able to log into the Student Portal with your prior username and password. If you do not recall your previous username and password, use the "Need help logging in?" link to reset.  If you cannot reset your username and password in the Portal, and are unable to login, then contact CSUF Student IT Helpdesk for assistance.

If you already have access to log into the CSUF Student Portal, then login and review the Manage Classes steps in the Returning Student Guide.

Step 2: Once you have logged into the CSUF Student Portal, update your profile.

Step 3: Review the Manage Classes steps in the Returning Student Guide to activate your program and term for Fall 2023 in the Open University plan. This is what prompts an enrollment appointment in the Manage Classes tile.  The appointment will appear 24-48 hours after this step is completed.

  • If you recently experienced academic disqualification from CSUF this past Spring and were dropped from a previously enrolled fall courses, you cannot self activate your program and term to enroll via Open University for this Fall via Record Update through the CSUF Portal. You must contactEIP Student Services at eipconnect@fullerton.edu or at 657.278.2611 during business hours to request a fall 2023 enrollment appointment.  Please provide your full name, CWID and information about the recent Spring disqualification.

Important Notes:

  • Students who have experienced undergraduate academic disqualification from CSUF may enroll in a maximum of 6 units for Fall.  Enrollment into additional units over that limit could result in administrative enrollment cancellation.  Please discuss this with one of the Open University advisors at Open University Advisors.
  • Graduation candidates (undergraduate) for the recent Summer term may not term activate for Fall Open University without guidance from the Graduation Unit in Registration & Records. Please contact CSUF Graduation Unit first to determine if enrollment via Open University in Fall is an appropriate action. 
  • Graduation candidates (graduate level) for the recent Summer term may not term activate for Fall Open University without guidance from the Graduate Studies Office. Please contact Graduate Studies first to determine if enrollment via Open University in Fall is an appropriate action.

*Fall 2023 Important Dates below are tentative and will be updated soon.  The downloadable PDF reflects Fall 2022.*

 

Fall 2024 Semester: Dates & Details
August 24 – December 20, 2024
March 11

CSUF Class Schedule viewable.

May 23

Access to Create/Update Student Record opens. If you receive an error message, clear the “cookies/cache” in your browser.

August 12 – September 9

*Live @ 8 AM (PST) on August 12

Request for Approval and Enrollment Transaction Period

Initiate a Request for Approval, Create A Request and follow the prompts. A submitted request will generate a tracking code to monitor the status of the request.

When approval is granted and a permit is placed, enroll in the Manage Classes tile.

August 24

First day of fall classes.

*most classes start Monday through Friday: August 26-30

August 12 – August 23

  • Early Drop Period (no record of enrollment); full refund less $10.
  • Drop a course in the Manage Classes tile.

August 24 – September 9

  • Drop Period (no record of enrollment); 65% refund.
  • Drop a course in the Manage Classes tile.
  • 35% of total fees are still owed if you are administratively disenrolled for non-payment during this window of dates.  The enrollment action you complete is reserving a space in a course section and fees are expected to be paid in full on the same date of registration.

September 2

Waitlists expire and this is the first date Academic Depts may begin to approve/place permits for such classes. If you have both instructor and Dept approval (with permit placed) on or after this date through the early enrollment period, proceed with enrollment in your Manage Classes tile in the Student Homepage and immediately pay fees in full under the Financial Account tile in the Student Home Page.  You will be administratively disenrolled (without notice) if fees are not paid in full on the date you register.  Do not let that happen.  Protect your enrollment!

September 9

  • Last day to request approval to enroll for a class without using the online Late Add Request process.
  • Last day to DROP without a grade of “W” for a 65% refund of fees paid.
  • You will owe 35% of total fees, if you are administratively disenrolled for non-payment of fees.
  • Last day to change grade option.
  • Last day to SWAP a class.

September 10 – September 20

Late Add Request for Approval and Enrollment Period

Submit a petition for a late addition of classes using the Late Add Request Form available at the CSUF Registration & Records Forms page. The Professor, Department Chair, and Associate Dean must approve the late add request. A $25 late fee will be applied to the other required fees.

September 10 – November 15

Late Withdrawal Period (“W” code will record)

Authorization to withdrawal will be granted only for documentable serious and compelling circumstances. Complete the Request for Withdrawal process online with CSUF Registration & Records. If approved, a “W” code will appear on your official transcript.

September 9

Last day to receive a 65% refund of course fees that were paid. No refunds after this date.

October 25

Last day to receive a pro-rated refund of the consolidated and student ID card fees for complete withdrawal from classes.

November 15

Final Withdrawal deadline to withdraw from classes with a grade of “W” for serious and compelling reasons. Complete the Request for Withdrawal process online with CSUF Registration & Records. Include supporting documentation of extenuating circumstances.

November 25 – 29

Fall Recess (No Classes); campus closed November 28 & 29

December 13

Last day of instruction.

December 14 – December 20

Semester Final Exams.

December 24 – January 1

Winter Break; campus closed December 24, 2024 – January 1, 2025

January 2, 2025

Fall 2024 grades are due. You can view your unofficial transcript in the Academic Records tile.

student loans

Open University 101

  • Students experiencing academic disqualification from CSUF may enroll in a maximum of six (6) units during Fall, Spring and Summer terms. Enrollment over these limits are subject to administrative enrollment cancellation of excess units.  Please adhere to the enrollment limits stated here. For more information review the How many units can I take? FAQ.
  • Enrollment is on a space-available basis.
  • A maximum of 24 credits earned through Open University may count toward the cumulative units required for a bachelor’s degree at CSUF.
  • Courses taken through Open University enrollment do not meet the residence requirements for a bachelor’s degree at CSUF (30 units for the degree; 24 units in upper division courses). For graduate degrees, normally 6 to 9 units of approved credits taken through Open University may apply, but for degrees which require more than 30 units, more units of credit may apply. Please consult the department graduate advisor of your program.
  • All stated prerequisites for a course must be met. To view course descriptions and prerequisite information, visit Cal State Fullerton’s University Catalog Opens in new window .
  • For other important dates, including scheduled campus closures, visit the CSUF Academic Calendar Opens in new window .

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