Register for Open University

Follow these important steps to register for Open University.

1. Identify your student status

Your student status determines how you will register for Open University. Identify your student status to understand your registration process and other additional requirements.

First time Open University student

Review information if this is your first time registering for Open University.

First time Open University students that do not have a SJSU ID register by submitting a DocuSign Registration form.

First time Open University students with a SJSU ID register by logging into MySJSU

As your first Open University semester, the Office of Registrar will set up your account. Please refer to your DQ email from the Office of Registrar for more details. You will have to wait until you have received an email from the Office of Registrar before you can start enrolling in classes

Returning Open University student

Review how to register if you are a returning Open University student.

Returning Open University students that have not been enrolled in the past year register by submitting a DocuSign Registration form.

Returning Open University students that have recently been enrolled in the past year must activate their MySJSU account in order to register through MySJSU. After activating your account, you can enroll in your class starting from the first day of the registration.

You may enroll online through your MySJSU on August 3. Starting April 21, you must email the Office of the Registrar at [email protected] with your name, ID#, 5-digit class number, subject, course number, and section number in the email. Beginning on the first day of summer instruction, a permission number will be required.

Repeating a class more than once requires a petition.

Post-baccalaureate, graduate student or high school students

Review how to register if you are a post-baccalaureate, graduate student or high school student.

Post-baccalaureate and graduate students register by submitting a DocuSign Registration form.

If adding 200-level + classes, approval from Graduate Admissions and Program Evaluations is required.

The form will automatically be sent to GAPE upon submission. Prior baccalaureate degrees must already have been earned. You will be required to upload a transcript showing your bachelor’s degree conferred as proof of your earned degree. 

Enrollment in graduate 200+ level courses is not allowed if you meet any of the following:

  • Pending baccalaureate degrees
  • Disqualified students
  • Students who were denied admission into a graduate program (with the exception of those denied for limited space)
  • Recently deferred students from the current and prior semester
  • Students enrolling in a supervisory course, such as an independent study, project, or thesis course.

Note: Courses taken via Open University are earned in non-resident (i.e., non-matriculated) status. CSU policy requires at least 21 units of a graduate program to be earned in resident status (i.e., matriculated status).

High school students interested in registering for Open University for fall and spring sessions must contact [email protected].

For taking courses during summer session, register by submitting a DocuSign Registration form.

2. Mark key registration dates

Take note of important dates, such as first day registration, registration deadline, or when to activate your MySJSU account.

Registration for Fall begins on August 5th.

3. Prepare courses ahead of time

Know what courses you want to register for ahead of time so you are ready to register right away on your registration date. Consult your department advisor to ensure your courses fulfill your degree requirements if you are pursuing a degree. Registration for Open University students is not guaranteed and is subject to space availability. Also note the enrollment limit for the Fall and Spring semester is 17 units for undergraduate students and 16 units for graduate students.

4. Register for courses

Depending on your student status, you can enroll in one of two ways:

Register through MySJSU

  1. Log into MySJSU
  2. From the student center, on the navigation tab on the left hand side, select “Other items” at the bottom to expand the menu, then click "Open University Enrollment"
  3. Choose “Open University Undergraduate" as the Program to Enroll if you have not earned a degree before or “Open University PostBaccalaureate" if you have earned a degree
  4. Select Fall 2026 as the term and click continue. A message “You have just been activated as an Open University student” will appear. Your account is now ready for registration

Register through DocuSign

DocuSign Open University registration form - The link is available from August 3rd – September 15th

  1. Starting Wednesday, August 5th enroll in your class(es) using the DocuSign Open University registration form. 
  2. The Office of Registrar's will then set up your account and enroll you in your approved classes. Once this process is complete, you will receive a confirmation email from the Registrar's Office with instructions on how to log into your MySJSU account. You wait for 2-3 business days to log in and register for additional classes if you wish.
  3. You can review the document and its status by clicking on Review Document in the email. It will tell you whether you have been approved or denied for the class. If not, you can follow up with the Office of the Registrar's at [email protected].  
  4. Have your instructor add you to the waitlist if the class is full. Permission numbers are not necessary for form submissions.

Course access may take up to 48 hours after enrollment is finalized. We recommend students to email their professor for course materials in the meantime.

5. Pay on time

Be sure to pay on time to avoid late fees. Failure to pay fees by the due date may result in classes being dropped without notice.

Frequently Asked Questions - Open University Admissions

Transcripts and a formal application are not required for enrollment.

Students will need to send an unofficial transcript to the instructor. It is up to the instructor's discretion if your past courses will meet the class requirements. If the instructor approves, they will either give you a permission number to enroll via MySJSU or sign your registration form. 

Yes, if you meet prerequisites and have instructor approval. Submit a Late Add Petition for PaCE Associate Dean approval (available in August)

If a professor is not listed, students can send the class request to the department for approval.