When are Courses Offered?
UCSC Extension courses are offered throughout the year. The general course catalog is published in late July, late November, and mid-April; the Web site is updated according to the same schedule, for course listings that begin in early September, mid-January and mid-May, respectively.

What kind of credit can I earn from taking an Extension course?
Most of the courses in this catalog carry some type of academic, continuing education or licensing credit. Certificate program courses award academic credit; however, if you want to transfer to a degree program please note that each individual college or university decides whether or not to accept these credits. UCSC Extension also has formal articulation agreements with universities across the country. Check here for a list.

Can I earn credit toward professional licensing?
UCSC Extension is an approved continuing education provider for the bioscience, nursing, legal, environmental health and safety professions; marriage and family therapists; clinical social workers; and early childhood and K-12 teachers. Among the types of credit some Extension courses apply toward are ACRP, RAPS, BRN, BBS, CAADC, MCLE, and Professional Growth and California Credential requirements for educators. Each course that falls under the guidelines for licensing credit is noted next to the fee in the course description.

Students can enroll in individual Extension courses without formally applying in a certificate program.

What is a Certificate?
Created specifically for career development, a certificate is a university-level program that offers academic credit, but does not lead to a degree. By meeting the academic standards of the University of California, UCSC Extension Certificates are greatly valued by employers and are highly prized by the professionals who earn them. Certificates are designed for:

• Working professionals who already have a degree but want to ensure their skills and knowledge are continuously current
• Professionals who have work experience in their chosen field but do not have a related degree
• Individuals who want to transition from one field to another

Certificates provide:

• A formal record of achievement that can be presented to an employer
• Practical information immediately applicable on the job
• Opportunities for networking with peers and professionals in the field

Students may make application to declare their interest in pursuing a certificate program at any time; however, applicants are encouraged to do so early in their course of study. This helps you keep up on all the new courses and developments in your chosen program. Certificate application forms can be obtained by contacting the department presenting the program or the front desk in any Extension facility.

What is an Award Program?
Developed for a quick infusion of information, award programs provide highly focused study of a single subject. They are ideal for:

• Professionals whose job responsibilities have changed and must develop a new set of skills very quickly
• Individuals who want to explore a new field before making a change
• Professionals who want to add polish to existing skills

Who Pursues Extension Career Programs and Why?
Most individuals pursuing an Extension career program already have one or more college degrees. For many individuals and employers, certificates and awards are ideal educational options that offer significant advantages. For example, certificate programs are less costly, faster, more focused, and often more relevant than an advanced degree. For these reasons, a certificate or award can be a tremendous career asset and critical in continuing professional development. More specifically, individuals enroll in programs to:

• Increase job skills and knowledge for their current position
• Fulfill continuing education requirements of their profession
• Achieve a promotion
• Facilitate career change
• Provide documentation of formal education in a specific field
• Examine a new field

How Long Does It Take?
The length of time needed to complete a certificate or award program depends on the specific course requirements of the program and how many courses a student takes each term. In addition, most certificate candidates are working professionals so they are not able to devote full time to the program. Nonetheless, most certificates can be completed within one year and almost all can be completed within two years. Coursework in all certificate programs must be completed with three years of filing the application to establish candidacy.

How Much Does it Cost?
Total cost for career programs vary because of several factors, including the number of courses in a particular certificate program and whether instructional materials and textbooks are included.

Certificates list required and elective courses. What does that mean?
Required courses provide a foundation of knowledge for skill and career development. All required courses must be completed before a certificate can be awarded, and many are prerequisites for advanced level courses.

Elective courses allow flexibility and individualization. Most certificates offer a wide range of electives so that new industry developments can be quickly incorporated into programs and professionals can pursue areas of interest in more depth.

Do I have to apply and be admitted to Extension before I can take a course? What Are the Enrollment Requirements?
Generally, anyone can enroll in an Extension course at any time. Some courses have prerequisites that provide the necessary foundation knowledge to deal with an advanced course. It's best to check each course and its requirements carefully.