Admission/Registration Procedure for New Students

Step 1. Are You Ready to be an Online Student?

You will need a computer and Internet access to participate in online courses. Check our suggested minimum and recommended computer configurations. It is important to test your system by viewing the demo to see if you have the bandwidth (computer and network speed) essential to participate in the courses. Please read " Are You Ready to be an Online Student?" to see if you have what it takes to be a successful online student.

Step 2. Apply for Admission

Before you can begin classes and start a degree program you first must be admitted to CSU, Chico. You must meet the same university admissions requirements and deadlines as on-campus students. You may request that an information letter be emailed to you; this letter will give an overview of our program and include the link to obtain an online application to the University. These degree programs are designed for students who have completed two years at a community college or at a four-year college, with all lower division general education requirements met.

Applications are closed for spring 2010. Applications for fall 2010 admission to all CSU, Chico degree programs will only be accepted from October 1, 2009 through November 30, 2009 for both the Social Science BA online degree program and for the Liberal Studies BA online degree program. You can apply for admission to the program and the University online through the Admissions Office at http://www.csumentor.edu/AdmissionApp/undergrad_apply.asp. The application fee is $55, and includes an evaluation of your transcripts. When you apply be sure to select the online degree program for your major.

Note: If the formal admissions deadline has passed, there may still be a way for you to enroll in courses on a space-available basis (see Open University).

Step 3. After Admission: Read the Catalog. Talk to an Advisor

It is highly recommended that you talk to your advisors to setup your academic plan: (1) general academic advising and (2) major program advising. Be sure you have read the section of the University Catalog that pertains to your program requirements before calling your advisor.

Step 4. Set up your Portal account

Go to the Portal Account Tools web page. You will set up your Portal account using your 9-digit student ID number (which will be on your admission verification letter) and your date of birth. It is through the Portal that you will add, drop and access your courses.

Step 5. Review available courses for your major

This process will provide you a list of your courses before using your portal account to enroll in classes. (1) Go to the current schedule of online classes; (2) select your program from the drop-down menu. This will show you the details about courses available for the upcoming term that are related to your major.

Step 6. Registration through the CSU, Chico Portal

Before the registration period opens, the University will give you an online "appointment" date and time to begin enrolling in your classes. At that time, you will log into your portal account to enroll online. On-campus students also enroll in this way.

Step 7: Pay Your Fees

You will be responsible to pay your registration fees by the appropriate deadline. Read the Fees, Tuition, Refunds and Holds for complete details. If you applied for financial aid, go to the Financial Aid Web site or call the Financial Aid Office at 530-898-6451.

Step 8: How do I Access my Online Class?

Once you have established your Portal account (see Step 4, above), the Portal will automatically provide you with access to the courses in which you are enrolled. First, click on "WebCT Vista" under My Course Resources - WebCT Links. If you have any problems using the portal, just use the toll-free number for Student Computing help, 1-800-780-4837, and the technical staff there will help you. Many instructors should have instructional materials available one week prior to the start of the semester.

Step 9: Be Prepared for Class

If a syllabus is posted, review the course outline and booklist. Approximately two weeks before classes start, you can purchase your books online through the CSU, Chico Associated Students Bookstore (click on the box toward the bottom of the page titled "Chico Distance & Online Education").

Step 10: How do I Drop an Online Class?

To drop an online course during the add/drop period, utilize the registration tool on the Chico State Connection web portal. To check the deadline dates for dropping a course, please visit http://www.csuchico.edu/vpaa/calendar/ or contact the Registration Office at 530-898-4555.

Up until the end of the second week of the semester, you may drop courses through your portal account. During the third and fourth weeks of the semester, the instructor's permission -- in the form of a signature on a Change of Program form, or, for online students, an email from the instructor -- is needed. Contact Continuing Education at 530-898-6105 and we will fill out the form and request permission for you.

After the fourth week, a serious and compelling reason is required for dropping a course. We will contact the Professor, Department Chair and Dean to request written approval for the drop and complete the COP form. After the approvals are granted, we will forward the completed documents to the Registration Office for processing. Please follow-up with the Registration Office at least two weeks after your COP form has been submitted to make sure you have been dropped from the course.

Course Search · Enroll Now! · Questions? · Talk To An Advisor