CSU Informal Post-baccalaureate Program
Open University Allows Premeds to do an Informal Postbac Program
© John Wu
Jul 7, 2009
Due to the ongoing state government budget difficulties in California, many CSU campuses are denying admissions to second baccalaureate students. This presents difficulties for premeds in California who already hold a bachelor's degree. Requesting admissions to a graduate program with the intent of taking undergraduate courses may result in an ugly dismissal on the transcript from graduate studies. But there is a CSU program to help informal post-baccalaureates enroll in undergraduate courses. That program is called Open University.
CSU Open University Enrollment
The process to register in Open University is simple. The student needs to get a signature from the instructor on the Open University registration form during the first day of classes to add the course. Unfortunately, that is easier said than done. Although many instructors are happy to add extra students to lecture courses, the same is not true for laboratory science courses needed by postbac premeds. Matriculated CSU students always have priority over Open University enrollees.
Getting into a laboratory science course is often a war of attrition. The usual strategy is to do all homework and labs as if one is truly enrolled in the class. As others begin to drop, spaces open up in laboratory sections. After the first three weeks of classes, there is a good chance that a spot has opened up. At that point, the student should get the Open University registration form signed by the instructor and turn it in to the university's Open University office.
Financial Advantages and Disadvantages
For those taking just one course, the cost is cheaper than as a matriculated student. Regularly admitted enrollees who take just one course still have to pay the full part time tuition of around $1700 per semester. Matriculated students classified as out of state pay much more than that. On the other hand, those enrolling through Open University pay on a per course basis which is usually around $800 per course without regard to residency status.
The financial disadvantage of Open University is that students are not eligible for federal financial aid because they are not enrolled in a degree program. Those who cannot afford to pay the tuition in cash may have to borrow from other sources such as credit cards, which is not far from ideal in this current credit environment. Despite this disadvantage, Open University is still one of the cheapest ways to take undergraduate courses.
CSU Campuses Still Admitting Second Baccalaureates
Although the list of CSU campuses taking second bachelor's students is getting smaller over time, there are a few CSU schools available who do not want the hassle and uncertainty of Open University. The CSU campuses that took students in post-baccalaureate status for Fall 2008 include:
- Bakersfield
- Dominguez Hills
- East Bay
- Los Angeles
- Monterey Bay
- Sacramento
- San Bernardino
There is no guarantee that this list won't shrink further if California's budget difficulties continue. Students who wish to be matriculated should apply as soon as possible.
Readers interested in this article are also often interested reading about other informal postbac programs in California as well as postbac premed programs in general.
Source: San Jose State University admissions office.
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