Extension and International Programs

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Introduction

657-278-2611
extension.fullerton.edu

Dean for Extension and Associate Vice President for International Programs
Debra Leahy

Extension and International Programs partners with academic units and the community to create and administer non-state-funded programs that extend Cal State Fullerton’s resources into the community and around the world. EIP administers the CSUF Summer and Winter sessions, degree and postbaccalaureate programs, certificate programs and courses for professional development, programs and courses for educators, Fullerton Arboretum and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). EIP also coordinates the university’s commitment to internationalization. The office initiates and administers contacts with partner institutions around the world in order to foster the exchange of students and faculty, and coordinates international programming. Areas include Study Abroad and Exchange, University Semester Abroad and International Students and Scholars Services.

Degree Credit Courses and Programs and Degree Credit Courses

Winter Session

Winter Session provides students with additional opportunity to complete a course and make progress toward graduation. It is held in December and January between the fall and spring semesters and includes online, hybrid and in-person courses.

Students can view the Winter Session class schedule in Titan Online in late September, and registration begins mid-October.

Summer Session

Summer Session provides an opportunity to complete courses in order to make progress toward graduation. Students can view the class schedule in Titan Online in early March, and registration begins in late March. Classes are offered online, hybrid, and in-person.

Open University

Open University provides an opportunity for individuals not currently admitted to CSUF to enroll in undergraduate- and graduate-level courses from the university’s schedule of classes. Enrollment is approval-based in Spring and Fall, and based on space availability in all terms. Enrollment is open to those who can acknowledge and/or demonstrate they have met the stated prerequisites, or their equivalent, for chosen courses.  

Demonstration of English language skill is required for any individual, regardless of citizenship, who has not attended, for at least three years, a school at the secondary level or beyond in which English was the principal language of instruction. Such students are required to score at or above the minimums on the Test of English as a Foreign Language Exams: 6.1 (TOEFL-iBT) or 5.5 (IELTS) or 43 (Pearson Test of English Academic-PTE).

Enrollment is provided on a space-available basis after priority registration of currently admitted CSUF students. While course requirements and grades earned through Open University can count toward a planned undergraduate degree at CSUF, only a maximum of 24 credit units completed through Open University may count toward the cumulative units needed for a bachelor’s degree at CSUF. Credits earned through Open University may not be used to fulfill the residence requirements for an undergraduate degree at CSUF (which are 30 units for the degree, 24 units in upper-division courses and 12 upper-division units in the major). For graduate degrees at CSUF, typically up to nine units of approved credits taken through Open University may apply toward a specific graduate degree at CSUF, but for degrees which require more than 30 units, more units of credit may apply. Consult the graduate adviser of the program for further clarification on this.

Self-Support Degree and Postbaccalaureate Programs

EIP administers undergraduate, graduate degree and postbaccalaureate programs in partnership with CSUF academic departments and colleges. These programs are self-supporting and have characteristics that differentiate them from their state-supported counterparts, including different class schedules or delivery modes, and may be cohort-based. See the Online Degree Completion, Master’s Degree and Pre-Health Postcaccalaureate program websites for more information.

Professional Development Programs

Professional development programs and courses provide opportunities for career advancement or career change and are connected to workforce needs. Programs combine academic content and practical, real-world training applicable to the workplace. Certificates may be awarded upon program completion. Some programs offer digital badges upon course and/or program completion.

Programs for Educators

EIP works closely with the College of Education to offer self-supporting professional development opportunities for K-12 educators and administrators.

Fullerton Arboretum

EIP administers the Fullerton Arboretum, which was dedicated in the fall of 1979 in a joint venture with the city of Fullerton. The 26-acre botanical garden is a living museum of rare plants from around the world. The ecologically arranged botanical collection depicts habitats from the desert to the tropics and offers a tranquil retreat from urban life. Arboretum facilities include the Visitor Center and the Orange County Agricultural and Nikkei Heritage Museum, the campus’s first “green” building. The arboretum also is home to Heritage House, a restored 19th-century dwelling, and serves as a cultural museum for north Orange County. Fullerton Arboretum has achieved ArbNet’s Level IV accreditation since 2017, becoming one of three arboreta in the state of California and one of 28 arboreta in the world to achieve this level of accreditation

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) offers educational classes and social engagement activities for individuals who are retired, semi-retired or approaching retirement age to promote an active, healthy life. Programs include self-directed study groups, educational lectures, discussion groups, computer education, arts workshops, physical activities, special events, social activities and travel opportunities. Select classes, including Transitions in Retirement Essentials, are open to the public. They also maintain a library of Distance Learning Videos.

International Programs

International Programs is dedicated to promoting the exchange of knowledge and experiences within Cal State Fullerton’s multicultural campus community and with the world at large. This includes providing information and assistance for international students admitted to CSUF in both undergraduate and graduate degree programs, for those attending non-credit programs, and for U.S. students planning to study abroad.

Incoming international students work through the university’s Admissions Office when applying for a degree program. International students and scholars may also participate in Cal State Fullerton programs through exchange, University Semester Abroad, or customized experiences coordinated by International Programs. More information is available at extension.fullerton.edu/international.

The staff of International Programs endeavors to provide international students with the best possible academic and personal experiences.

International Students & Scholars

International Students & Scholars provides information and assistance to international students attending Cal State Fullerton and exchange visitors, including research scholars and visiting professors. More information is available at extension.fullerton.edu/international/students.

Visiting Scholars

Cal State Fullerton welcomes visiting scholars, also known as exchange visitors, for stays of varying duration in order to conduct research, teach and/or consult with faculty members at the university. Information is available at extension.fullerton.edu/international/visiting-scholars.

Study Abroad and Global Engagement

The Cal State Fullerton strategic plan advocates for student participation in “international, service learning, internship, community engagement or other innovative instructional experiences that prepare students for professional endeavors in a global society.” Study abroad is a high-impact practice clearly aligned with this goal. Outcomes of this life-changing experience include development of analytical and critical thinking skills, cultural awareness, enhanced language skills, and a better understanding of oneself and the world. Students also develop global perspectives related to their field of study that enhance academic knowledge and professional development.

Cal State Fullerton offers a variety of study abroad options:

• International Programs (IP) is the systemwide, yearlong study abroad program offered by the California State University.
• CSUF Exchange Programs include semester-long study abroad experiences through bilateral agreements with partner institutions from around the world.
• Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs include programs ranging in length from one week to one semester facilitated by CSUF faculty.
• Independent Study Abroad.
• Virtual Study Abroad opportunities.

Students are advised to start the planning process for their study abroad experience as early as possible and are invited to contact the Study Abroad Office for information and advising. Careful planning will result in selection of the best program for the student and minimize any potential difficulties with transfer credit or financial aid. Call 657-278-2787 to schedule an appointment with a study abroad adviser. Students can also sign up for information sessions about specific programs, or visit the Study Abroad and Global Engagement website.

CSU International Programs

Developing intercultural communication skills and international understanding among its students is a vital mission of the California State University. Since its inception in 1963, the CSU International Programs has contributed to this effort by providing qualified students an affordable opportunity to continue their studies abroad for a full academic year in all programs and a semester option in some countries and programs.

More than 20,000 CSU students have taken advantage of this unique study option. Also, through the CSU IP exchange partnerships, more than 5,000 international students have come to study at the CSU campuses.

International Programs participants earn resident academic credit at their CSU campuses while they pursue full-time study at a host university or study center abroad. CSU IP serves the needs of students in more than 100 designated academic majors. Affiliated with nearly 60 recognized universities and institutions of higher education in 18 countries, CSU IP also offers a wide selection of study abroad destinations and learning environments.

Australia – Griffith University, Macquarie University, Queensland University of Technology, University of Queensland, Western Sydney University 

Canada – Concordia University

Chile – Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile 

China – Peking University (Beijing) 

Denmark – Danish Institute for Study Abroad 

France – Institut Catholique de Paris, Institut Supérieur d’Electronique de Paris, Université d’Aix-Marseille (Aix-en-Provence), Université de Cergy-Pontoise, Universités de Paris I, III, IV, VI, VII, VIII, X, XI, XII, XIII, Université Paris-Est Marne-la-Vallée, Université d’Evry Val d’Essonne, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines 

Germany – University of Tübingen and a number of institutions of higher education in the Federal state of Baden-Württemberg 

Ghana – University of Ghana 

Israel – University of Haifa 

Italy – CSU Florence Study Center, Accademia di Belle Arti Firenze 

Japan – Waseda University, University of Tsukuba 

Mexico – Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Campus Querétaro 

South Africa – Nelson Mandela University 

South Korea – Yonsei University

Spain – Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Universidad de Granada, Universidad de Jaén 

Sweden – Uppsala University 

Taiwan – National Taiwan University 

United Kingdom – University of Bradford, University of Bristol, University of Hull, Kingston University, Swansea University, University of Birmingham

Students participating in CSU IP pay CSU tuition and program fees, and are responsible for airfare, accommodations, meals and other personal expenses. Financial aid, with the exception of Federal Work-Study, is available to qualified students and limited scholarship opportunities are also available. All programs require students to maintain good academic and disciplinary standing, many programs are open to sophomores or graduate students. California Community College transfer students are eligible to apply (to select programs) directly from their community colleges. Students must possess a current cumulative grade-point average of 2.75 or 3.0, depending on the program, and must fulfill all coursework prerequisites. Additional program information and application instructions can be found online at calstate.edu/ip.

CSUF Exchange Programs

Cal State Fullerton has bilateral exchange agreements with several international university partners. The cost of participation varies from country to country, but generally includes Cal State Fullerton fees, housing, meals, transportation and incidental expenses. Costs often are comparable to studying at CSUF while living in a nearby apartment. Students who qualify for financial aid may apply it to exchange program costs. No overseas tuition is charged; students pay regular CSUF campus fees, plus international transportation, living and related expenses. Semester and summer programs are available.

Academic advising before departure is essential. Admission requirements and application deadlines vary depending on the program. More information is available at extension.fullerton.edu/studyabroad.

Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs

Faculty-led study abroad programs include programs ranging in length from one week to one semester facilitated by CSUF faculty. Interested students are encouraged to review department and college websites and contact the Study Abroad Office for additional information about upcoming programs. More information is available at extension.fullerton.edu/studyabroad.

Independent Study Abroad

Students may also consider participation in a program run by a private organization or another university. Academic credit transfer and financial aid can be arranged in advance through completion of a Non-CSUF Study Abroad Program Application, which is available at extension.fullerton.edu/studyabroad.

International Agreements

Cal State Fullerton fosters a global outlook by establishing and maintaining official relationships with universities abroad. A list of active agreements is available upon request by contacting International Programs at 657-278-2787.

University Semester Abroad

International students who want to study at an American university for a semester or a year can enroll in University Semester Abroad and take credit-bearing courses that transfer to their home university. USA staff work closely with students and their home institutions to help guide course selection and enrollment. More information is available at extension.fullerton.edu/international/usa.

Return to: Special Academic Programs