California college students can take free online course from any state institution

The California State University system is more broadly promoting an initiative that will allow its residential students to access online courses at any of its 23 campuses through a new database launched this week, Inside Higher Education reported. Students will be able to take one free online course each semester.Since 2013, the system has allowed students to take courses at other campuses, but now some 3,000 are available to students who have finished one semester and 12 credits, obtained at least a 2.0 GPA and paid full-time tuition.The CSU Fully Online database was released last week with a self-test to help students see if courses are suitable for them. The database will make the classes more accessible, system officials hope, and a marketing campaign through social media and various system websites will promote it. Also, each student’s individual portal will have a link to the database, and campus advisers will be trained in how to explain use of the system.