Open Campus / Concurrent Enrollment
Challenge yourself: Take courses on the UC Santa Cruz campus
- Do you desire university-level credits?
- Are thinking about returning to school, but are not sure if you want to study full-time?
- Do you need only a course or two to complete degree requirements at another institution?
- Would you like to take a graduate course?
- Interested in picking up the latest information in your profession?
- Are you still in high school and want to take a college course?
The Open Campus program gives community members the opportunity to explore an exciting topic. It also allows UCSC students the chance to finish a degree without being formally admitted to a degree program. Enrollment is handled differently depending on your student status and which quarter you choose to enroll.
Open enrollment meets different needs
Completing a UC Santa Cruz degree
Taking a class to complete your undergraduate degree?
If so, you are in a special category and will be required to meet certain Open Campus requirements.
- Outstanding campus debt
All campus debts must be paid in full. Failure to report outstanding balances on campus may result in application denial. - Academic standing
You must be in good academic standing with your college.- If you are currently on academic warning, probation, or have a hold on your account, you must present written approval from your college with your Open Campus application form.
- If you are currently on academic warning, probation, or have a hold on your account, you must present written approval from your college with your Open Campus application form.
- Senior residency
Open Campus courses count towards senior residency. - Current student status
If you are a current student and are planning to withdraw or take a leave from the main campus to attend through Open Campus, you are subject to the Withdrawal/ Leave of Absence policy and Refund Schedule and may be responsible for all or a portion of the UC Santa Cruz Registration fees. - Seven-credit max
Students can only take seven credits per quarter through Open Campus. If you would like to appeal to take more units, please contact opencampus@ucsc.edu. - 200 courses
All graduate-level courses (numbered 200 and above) require the signature of the Dean of Graduate Studies. - Instructor approval required
You must have an unofficial transcript to show the instructors in order to get approval to enroll in the course. Since registered UCSC students have enrollment priority, if you withdraw from UCSC to enroll in Open Campus you may lose your seat in the course. It is important to confirm that it is fine to enroll in the course through Open Campus with the instructor. - Final course
If this is your last class for graduation, the signature of the Department Assistant is also required
Life-long learning at UC Santa Cruz
We invite you to experience lifelong learning at UC Santa Cruz through the Open Campus program, administered by UCSC Silicon Valley Extension Members of the community may enroll in courses offered on the UC Santa Cruz campus without being formally admitted to a degree program.
Course enrollment for members of the community is based on:
- Available space in the course.
- Instructor approval. Note: Instructors will need to see an unofficial transcript of courses taken at other institutions.
- Graduate-level courses (courses numbered 200 and above) require the signature of the Dean of Graduate Studies.
Note: Requirements for class participation and assignments are the same for Open Campus students and regular students.
A three-step enrollment process
- ONE: Reach out to Course Instructor
Search and contact the course instructor or department (if no instructor is provided) and provide them with your Open Campus enrollment plan.
- TWO: Register & 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.
- THREE: Submit Open Campus Form
Submit a completed Open Campus Enrollment Form to opencampus@ucsc.edu and pay your tuition by the deadlines indicated in the fee schedule. All required signatures must be on the completed forms.
Summer quarter enrollment
The Open Campus program is available during the fall, winter, and spring quarters only.
In the summer quarter, Open Campus is handled differently. Courses are available through UCSC Summer Session. For more information regarding UCSC Summer Session courses, enrollment process, fee structure, and deadlines, please contact the Summer Session office at (831) 459-5373, or visit their website at https://summer.ucsc.edu/.
Open Campus students who participate in courses taught at the main campus in Santa Cruz must contact the UCSC Disability Resource Center for services at opencmps@ucsc.edu.