Prepare for graduate study with UC Santa Cruz courses

Planning to apply to graduate school? Open Campus at UC Santa Cruz allows you to take university-level courses to complete prerequisites and prepare for advanced study.

Whether you're preparing for an MBA or another graduate program, our flexible, high-quality courses allow you to complete essential prerequisites while gaining experience in a rigorous university setting. Earn academic credit that may be transferable, strengthen your graduate applications and build the foundational knowledge needed to excel in your chosen field.

 

Important considerations:

  • Check with your program
    We recommend sharing the course syllabus with your prospective institution to confirm it meets prerequisite requirements.

  • Transfer of credit
    All courses are transferable. Credit acceptance is determined by the receiving institution, so we recommend confirming approval in advance.

Planning to apply to a health professions program?

Fulfill prerequisites or boost your GPA with our Premed Postbacc program. Take courses to change careers or enhance your academic record to maximize your graduation admissions opportunities.

 

Students sitting outside in front of the UCSC engineering building

Enrollment FAQs

  1. Search for the course

    Search the course you are interested in to confirm it will be offered during the quarter you plan to enroll. You will need all of the course information listed to apply.

    We recommend reaching out to the instructor before submitting your application. While not required, it can be helpful to introduce yourself, explain your background and confirm that the course is a good fit.

  2. Register and pay application fee

    Register for section UCSC.1000 and pay a one-time application fee. If you are a returning Open Campus student, please email opencampus@ucsc.edu and we will register you for the next session.

  3. Submit Open Campus form

    Submit a completed Open Campus form and pay your tuition by the deadlines indicated in the fee schedule.

    Open Campus Form

Here’s what to expect after you submit your enrollment form:

  1. Email confirmation
    After you submit your enrollment form, you'll receive a confirmation email from the Open Campus team.

  2. Enrollment form verification
    The Open Campus team will review your form to make sure all information is accurate. If anything needs correction, they’ll contact you.

  3. Instructor approval
    Open Campus staff will reach out to the course instructor for approval. If the instructor denies your request, you'll be notified. If approved, your enrollment will move forward.

  4. Prerequisite check
    The instructor may request an unofficial transcript before approving your enrollment. The Open Campus team will let you know if this is needed. Your enrollment won't proceed until the transcript is submitted and reviewed.

  5. Advisor/dean approval (if required)
    If needed, the Open Campus team will contact your advisor for approval. For graduate-level courses, approval from the Dean of Graduate Studies may also be required. If enrollment is denied at this stage, you’ll be notified. Otherwise, your enrollment will continue.

  6. Canvas access
    Once approved, you’ll be added to the course on Canvas.

  7. Final enrollment and payment
    You’ll get an email once you’re officially enrolled. Note: Open Campus courses are managed through your UCSC Extension portal—not your MyUCSC portal. All payments must be made in the Extension portal before the deadline. If you miss the payment deadline, you’ll be dropped from the course.

  8. Final grades and transcripts
    At the end of the quarter, your instructor will submit your grade. You can request transcripts as needed once grades are available.