ChatGPT Edu at CSUN: A Guide for Faculty
The California State University (CSU) system has launched ChatGPT Edu, OpenAI’s advanced AI platform, across all 23 campuses. This initiative makes CSU the first university system in the country to provide systemwide access to ChatGPT, enabling over 460,000 students and more than 63,000 faculty and staff to explore AI-powered tools for teaching, research, and administrative work. At CSUN, faculty now have access to ChatGPT Edu in a secure and private environment tailored for academic use.
What is ChatGPT Edu?
ChatGPT Edu is a specialized version of OpenAI’s ChatGPT designed for educational institutions. Unlike the public version, ChatGPT Edu at CSUN ensures that data remains private and is not shared with OpenAI, the CSU system, or other universities. Faculty members are not required to use AI in their classrooms, but they now have the option to explore its capabilities for:
- Summarizing academic papers and reports
- Generating lecture outlines and discussion prompts
- Creating quizzes and instructional materials
- Assisting with administrative tasks such as drafting emails and reports
Available Models
ChatGPT Edu at CSUN provides access to a range of AI models, allowing faculty to select the best option for their needs, including:
- GPT-4o – The most advanced model available, ideal for in-depth research, complex reasoning, and generating high-quality responses.
- GPT-4.5 Research Preview – An early preview of the next generation of AI capabilities.
- Deep Reasoning – Designed to handle complex reasoning tasks, particularly in science and mathematics. It generates a “chain of thought” before producing a response, making it more effective for tasks requiring deep analytical thinking.
Faculty can choose the appropriate model depending on the complexity of their tasks, whether they require high-level analysis or quick, general responses.
How to Access ChatGPT Edu
Faculty, staff, and students can log in using their CSUN credentials through both a web browser and the ChatGPT mobile app.
Access via Web Browser
- Open a web browser and go to chat.openai.com.
- Click Log in on the homepage.
- Enter your CSUN email address and select Continue.
- You will be redirected to the CSUN Single Sign-On (SSO) page. Sign in using your CSUN credentials.
- Complete multi-factor authentication (MFA) using Duo when prompted.
- Once authenticated, you will be logged into ChatGPT Edu.
ChatGPT Mobile App Access
- Download the ChatGPT app from the iOS App Store or Google Play Store.
- Open the app and select Log in.
- A dialog box will appear stating, “ChatGPT wants to use OpenAI.com to sign in.” Select Continue.
- On the “Welcome” screen, enter your CSUN email address under “Email address” and select Continue.
- You will be redirected to the CSUN Single Sign-On (SSO) page. Sign in using your CSUN credentials.
- Complete multi-factor authentication (MFA) using Duo when prompted.
- Once authenticated, you will be logged into ChatGPT Edu in the ChatGPT app on your mobile device.
Faculty Support and Training
To help faculty integrate ChatGPT Edu into their teaching and research, CSUN Academic Technology will be offering workshops and training sessions. These sessions will provide hands-on guidance for leveraging ChatGPT in academic settings. Bookmark our Workshop Calendar to stay up-to-date. More details to come!
The CSU also offers various resources for faculty, including OpenAI training resources and the Academic Applications of AI (AAAI) micro credential course.
Self-enroll in the AI Hub for CSUN Faculty and Staff in Canvas for an evolving, curated hub of resources, faculty development opportunities, workshops, and campus-wide AI initiatives.
Beginning March 26, 2025, faculty can contact the CSUN IT Help Center for assistance with ChatGPT Edu:
- Request support via Topdesk
- Website: CSUN IT Help Center
- Phone: (818) 677-1400
For more information, visit CSUN’s ChatGPT Edu page.