COLLEGE OF EXTENDED LEARNING
Extended Learning is the college of the university that is responsible for all program and
course offerings not supported by state appropriations. These include Summer and Winter
Sessions, continuing education courses, Open University, travel study programs, contract
courses, professional training series, and certificate programs. In contrast with degree
programs which require matriculation and a degree objective, most Extended Learning
programs allow any adult and selected high school students to participate. The primary
objective of Extended Learning is to augment the regular university offerings and to
provide further educational opportunities for all who wish to gain new knowledge and
skills or to enhance those already acquired.
Courses are taught by regular San Francisco State University faculty, visiting faculty, and
practicing professionals. All are specialists in their fields. Classes are offered at the 19th
Avenue and Holloway campus location, and at the San Francisco State University
Downtown Center, 425 Market Street (at Fremont).
CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Continuing education is the medium through which the resources, skills, and talents of
San Francisco State University are extended into the larger San Francisco area
community. The continuing education program is designed for those who are unable to
take university degree courses but who wish to pursue university-level study for purposes
of resuming an interrupted or uncompleted education, to augment professional or
vocational abilities, or to enhance personal growth and fulfillment.
Continuing education offerings include regularly established university courses as well as
non-credit seminars and conferences, special weekend programs and travel study
programs. Workshops and courses designed to meet the needs of particular groups and
agencies may be initiated at various times during the year. Any adult may enroll in a
continuing education course provided s/he meets the prerequisites of the course; it is not
necessary that s/he also be admitted to the university. All credit-bearing continuing
education courses earn residence credit, with the exception of Open University and
contract courses.
Continuing education is self-supporting. Registration fees make possible the classes and
programs offered. Therefore, individual courses or programs may be cancelled if
enrollment is not sufficient.
Courses are offered during the fall and spring semesters and in summer sessions.
THE OPEN UNIVERSITY (CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT)
Many of the courses offered to regularly enrolled San Francisco State University students
are also available to continuing education students through Open University on a space
available basis. Students enrolling through Open University earn extension credit which
can be applied with limitations toward degrees. For baccalaureate degrees, SFSU will
accept up to 24 semester units of credit earned through a combination of SFSU Open
University, other courses earning extension credit, and correspondence courses from
other universities and colleges. For graduate degrees, SFSU will generally accept, with
adviser's approval, up to six semester units of credit earned through a combination of
SFSU Open University, any extension credit courses, credit by examination, and transfer
work from other colleges and universities. Open University and other courses earning
extension credit may not be used to fulfill the minimum residence requirements for
graduation.
Matriculated (regular) students, including foreign students with F-1 visas, may not enroll
through Open University. As soon as a student is admitted to and enrolled in the
university, s/he is considered a matriculated student for the current semester and for the
next two semesters following the current semester. Even if currently admitted students do
not take classes through the regular university, they may not take Open University courses
because they are still eligible to register as matriculated students.
Newly admitted students who do not pay fees and do not enroll in regular university
courses (that is, they do not matriculate) may take Open University classes, but will lose
their status as admitted students.
Matriculated students who register in Open University courses are disenrolled without
refund of fees and do not receive any credit on their permanent records. There are no
exceptions to this regulation.
Contact the Extended Learning Office for further information (338-1373).
IN-SERVICE TRAINING (CONTRACT EDUCATION)
Extended Learning offers Bay Area employers and organizations the service of reviewing
their planned or existing in-house training programs for university or professional credit.
If a course is approved by a university department, participants receive a permanent
university record of either extension academic credit or professional Continuing
Education Units (CEUs), depending on the nature of the training. If the training program
satisfies university requirements for content and quality, contract education can provide
a convenient mechanism for organizations to enhance the value of their training.
SUMMER SESSIONS
The Summer Sessions program is designed for regularly enrolled students who wish to
accelerate progress toward a degree or credential; prospective students who wish to
begin course work while admission to the university is in process; members of the
community who wish to enroll in a course or courses for professional advancement or
personal enrichment; and visitors who wish to take advantage of San Francisco State
University's faculty and curriculum during the summer months.
The Summer Sessions curriculum includes courses which range from lower division through
the graduate level. Summer Sessions offerings are regular university courses and apply
toward residence and graduation requirements, as well as credential requirements.
Though no application process is required for Summer Sessions registration, students must
satisfy all prerequisites for the courses in which they intend to register.
The university conducts three overlapping six-week sessions, four three-week sessions, and
one eight-week session during Summer Sessions. Weekend workshops are scheduled
throughout the summer. The Summer Sessions catalog is available in March from
Extended Learning. The catalog contains course descriptions, special offerings, a
registration form, and instructions. Registration may be completed by mail, phone, or fax.
Summer enrollment does not constitute admission to the university.
Maximum Unit Load
- Generally not more than one unit of credit may be earned for each week of Summer
Sessions, with the exception that one additional unit may be earned for each three (3)
weeks of attendance. A maximum of sixteen (16) units may be earned during the
summer.
- Only in unusual cases, and with the written permission of the college coordinator for
undergraduate students or, in the case of graduate students, the college dean or
designee, may a student earn credit for more than sixteen (16) units.
- Students who exceed the unit loads will have the excess units administratively disallowed
at the end of summer, without refund of fees.
WINTER SESSION
Winter Session enrollment is open to everyone--continuing and prospective San
Francisco State University students, people from the community and visitors. Scheduled
during the first three weeks of January, the one, two, and three unit courses are primarily
designed to meet the needs of students who wish to accelerate their academic
progress. Winter Session courses earn residence credit and range from both lower and
upper division credit courses to graduate level offerings. The maximum number of units a
student may earn in Winter Session is four (4) units.
CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS
Certificate programs are designed for people who want formal recognition for
completing a structured and rigorous course of study in a specific field, but who may not
be interested in pursuing a university degree program.
Certificates are awarded when participants complete the required number of units or
courses for the program, and other requirements, as stipulated. Students may enroll in up
to nine units before applying to a certificate program.
Writing Skills
The certificate programs' course content requires a good grasp of writing skills. Certificate
students are asked to demonstrate their writing ability soon after admission to the
certificate program to satisfy the university literacy requirement. Those who do not have
the necessary writing skills are referred to ENG 414, Elements of Writing (3), which is
offered regularly through Open University and Summer Sessions.
Certificate Areas
- The College of Extended Learning offers certificate programs in these areas:
- Construction Practices
Holistic Health
Legal/Court Interpretation (Spanish/English)
Music/Recording Industry
Paralegal Studies
Preschool--Daycare Early Childhood Education
Professional Practice of Internal Auditing
The certificate programs can be found in the "Academic Programs" section of this
Bulletin.
Admission to Certificate Programs
To be admitted to a certificate program, students should have completed 56 units of
academic credit or have sufficient experience to demonstrate they can perform upper
division work. Students who do not have 56 units may be accepted on probation and
are encouraged to apply.