Center for Regional and Continuing
Education
The Mission of the College
The Center for Regional and Continuing Education strengthens and
expands the resources of the university to respond to lifelong learning
needs.
Serving the campus
Recognizing the varied needs of the on-campus student, the center
administers a schedule of credit and non-credit courses beyond the
regular university class schedule. To increase access, the center
administers accelerated academic sessions during the winter and
summer.
Serving Northern California
As the anchor institution in Northern California, California State
University, Chico serves a twelve-county service area, the largest
in the CSU system. The center is dedicated to providing higher education
access to this distributed population through regional programs,
Open University, and the delivery of accredited degrees via distance
education.
California and Beyond
California State University, Chico is internationally recognized
for a wide variety of academic achievements and programs. Sharing
and maintaining this public trust with the world is a primary mission
of the center.
Programs and Services
The service area of CSU, Chico covers 32,200 square miles—approximately
21 percent of the state of California—with a resident population
of about 740,000, which is approximately 2 percent of the state’s
total population. To accommodate the variety of demands and interests
expressed by these people living in the rural areas of Northern
California, the Center for Regional and Continuing Education has
developed numerous programs and services.
Special Session
Special Session courses are approved course offerings available
on a selected basis throughout the academic year. They carry residence
credit with no limit on the number of units that can be applied
to a degree program. Fees are charged on a per-unit basis and are
separate from regular university semester fees.
Frequently, organizations and groups of individuals express a desire
for special courses, seminars, workshops, or conferences to satisfy
their own specific needs. Whether the need is for a course carrying
credit or no credit, Continuing Education staff will meet with representatives
of groups or agencies to plan the needed program.
Special Session courses are open to the general public and there
is no formal admission requirement. Enrollment in Special Session
or Extension does not constitute formal admission to the university.
Fees for courses providing university credit are listed in the Fees
and Expenses section of The University Catalog, the Continuing Education
Web site (rce.csuchico.edu), or the current printed schedule.
Open University
Open University provides an opportunity for residents of CSU, Chico’s
service area to have access to regularly-scheduled university classes
on a limited basis, without formal admission to the university.
Students select the classes they wish to attend through Open University
from the current schedule of courses and attend the first meeting
of the desired course to request permission of the instructor to
enroll. Permission is contingent upon whether or not there is a
vacancy, as well as other criteria established by the instructor,
the department, or the college. Detailed instructions and Open University
forms are available through Continuing Education.
Enrolling in courses offered by the College of Engineering, Computer
Science and Technology requires the appropriate department chair’s
signature. Some colleges may require additional signatures.
Open University fees are $130 per unit. Any debts to the university
or registration holds must be resolved before registration can take
place.
Students participating in classes as a regularly-enrolled student
may not take classes as an Open University student. Open University
students who decide to apply for admission to the university must
meet all the regular admission requirements.
The maximum number of Open University units that may be applied
toward an undergraduate (B.A. or B.S.) degree is 24 units. All undergraduates,
as well as graduate students pursuing a master’s degree, should
refer to the department office of the appropriate major for the
unit limit. Graduate students will also need to adjunct enroll to
continue graduate status. Forms can be obtained from Continuing
Education.
Open University for Disqualified Students and Students Who Have
Been Denied Admission
Students disqualified and/or denied admission at CSU, Chico may
be eligible to take regular university courses on a space-available
basis through Open University (some restrictions apply). To participate
in Open University, students will need to complete a petition form
in addition to a change of program (COP) form. This form is available
with the Open University registration forms and must be completed
with proper signatures. Certain restrictions apply for students
in the College of Engineering, Computer Science and Technology or
the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences. The College of Behavioral
and Social Sciences and the College of Natural Sciences permit a
maximum of 6 units per semester for disqualified students.
Complete Open University policies and procedures are available from
Continuing Education or on the Web at http://rce.csuchico.edu.
Regional Programs
Regional programs support the university mission by extending educational
programming and services throughout Northern California.The Extension
program offers a wide variety of non-credit courses encompassing
professional development topics, classroom-based and online computer
training, financial planning, project management, materials management,
and test preparation.
In addition, Extension develops contract education and training
solutions for small businesses, corporations, and government agencies.Regional
programming includes conferences designed specifically for professional
development and relicensure for such professionals as registered
nurses, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, social workers,
counselors, and tax preparers.
Since 1975, CSU, Chico has served the region with distance learning
opportunities that have made Chico a nationally recognized leader
in distance education. Continuing Education delivers a variety of
degree programs to individuals and corporations throughout the state.
Regional programs also serve the needs of federal, state, county,
and non-profit community agencies. Initially established in the
1970’s, CSU, Chico’s Leadership Institute provides professional
education to public service managers in areas such as leadership,
strategic planning, and ethics. In 1999 CSU, Chico established programming
to provide professional development opportunities for those who
work with Family Court Services.
Chico Distance & Online Education
Chico Distance & Online Education offers a variety of courses
and degree completion programs via the Internet using a variety
of Web-based applications.
Programs available include liberal studies bachelor’s degree,
social science bachelor’s degree, sociology bachelor’s
degree, bachelor’s degree for registered nurses, teaching credential
via FLEX, family relations minor, political science minor, psychology
minor, sociology minor, concentration in career planning and development,
alternative dispute resolution certificate, CLAD certificate, and
paralegal certificate.
Special Session degree programs are also available through Chico
Distance & Online Education including a M.S. and B.S. in Computer
Science. For a comprehensive list of distance education and online
courses and degree programs, visit the Chico Distance & Online
Education Web site at http://www.csuchico.edu/online.
Students may combine Chico Distance & Online Education, Special
Session, summer term, and on-campus attendance to meet the degree
requirements of these programs. Advising is mandatory in all distance
education degree programs.
Distance Education Technologies
In 1975 CSU, Chico transmitted its first computer science programming
via a microwave link to UC Davis. From this initial project, Chico
quickly expanded its video transmission capabilities to include
a microwave transmission system that encompassed the community colleges
and various sites throughout Northern California.
With new innovations in satellite technologies the university installed
a ten-meter Scientific Atlanta “earth station” on the
campus in 1983 and a Ku-band station in 1987. For more than 20 years,
CSU, Chico has maintained this satellite technology for receiving
and transmitting educational programs throughout the world.
In 1997, CSU, Chico demonstrated the use of videostreaming technology
as a means of transmitting video images over the Internet. Today,
CSU, Chico offers more than 100 online courses each year via Internet-based
technologies.
In addition to educational programming, CSU, Chico maintains a state-of-the-art
two-way video facility and can access meeting rooms around the globe.
ALCI
The American Language and Culture Institute (ALCI) provides intensive
English language instruction and introduces the American culture
and the system of higher education to international students. Many
students who attend ALCI have applied for university admission and
meet all other entrance requirements, with the exception of language
proficiency. Non-university bound international students and adults
seeking to improve their English language skills for personal and
professional development also attend ALCI.
In addition to intensive English language coursework, students participate
in various recreational and educational activities designed to facilitate
a smooth transition to the university environment and enhance an
understanding of American society. Instruction is offered year round:
four seven-week sessions during the academic year and two six-week
summer sessions.
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