Why UCSC Extension?

Why should students come to UCSC Silicon Valley Extension?

Silicon Valley expertise

Silicon Valley is home to startups and tech giants like Facebook, Google, Intel, Whatsapp, Linkedin, and many more. Students enjoy mentored instruction and, gaining practical experience and the latest best practices from industry professionals who work with global tech giants and innovative startups.

University of California, Santa Cruz

Study at a prestigious and premier U.S. public institution. Learn more about UCSC and our achievements.

Quality professional certificates

Certificate programs are ideal for those who want to improve their career opportunities and earning potential. Most of our industry-aligned courses offer project-based curricula that students can use to grow their portfolios.

Streamlined learning

Because our courses are offered in person, remote, and in hybrid settings, mostly in the evenings and on weekends, students are able to complete certificate programs in about 9-12 months. Some students complete two certificates within this time frame.

One year of OPT in the U.S.

After completing your certificate program, you’re eligible to apply for 1 year of work authorization.

International Inquiry Form

Speak to an international programs representative.

+1 (408) 450-4945

extensioninternational@ucsc.edu

To schedule an online meeting with an international advisor, please click here.

Recent International Stories

New transfer agreements and MOUs lead to advanced degrees and certification

Bioinformatics: Is this a career for you?

Silicon Valley Extension welcomes alum as new HR program chair

"I received a clear view of the industry and what are the needs faced by enterprises today."
— Anonymous Student International Student

"From assignments, class exercises, and group discussions to the project work and quizzes—it all helped me build strong foundations and solidify concepts."
— Neville Mistry International Student Program Manager

Program: Project and Program Management

Course: Extreme-Agile Project Management

"I made a lot of good connections while I was here."
— Aakash Dave International Student Entrepreneur, Founding CEO of Spotmi

Program: Database and Data Analytics

Course: Data Analysis, Introduction

"It’s a very supportive program. The engagement within our class was great. We learned from the professors as well as our classmates."
— Renuka Adnane, MSOD PHR SHRM-CP International Student Human Resources Business Partner

Program: Human Resource Management

Course: Human Resource Management

"It was pretty deep and the assignments were demanding so I had to work hard to get the point."
— Renato Roschel Ribeiro, MBA International Student Director of Digital & Analytics | Data Analytics Professor

Program: Data Science and Data Analytics

"The response from my fellow students was so enthusiastic that I had to think more in depth. It evolved. Every course demands that you think in a certain way. Every course took me a step further."
— Bouwien Luppes International Student Art Entrepreneur and Marketer

Programs: Marketing Management & Social Media Marketing

Course: Integrated Marketing Communication

"She’s really inspired me to do a lot of things I was not doing with the kids. It helps you think differently about your role. It helped me a lot with teaching art and creativity. If they want to color a heart blue, we let them do it."
— Vandana Gupta International Student Child Care Teacher

Program: Early Childhood Education: Associate Teacher

Instructor: Melissa Chi Le

"Diana is a fabulous instructor and is always willing to share her insights and make sure course content is adapted to everyone's needs. She is approachable and willing to help you have a thorough understanding of the content without judgment."
— Jasleen Kaur Monga International Student Learning Specialist | Educational Therapist

Program: Educational Therapy

Instructor: Diana Black Kennedy

"Jagadeesh really prepares for the sessions and the assignments, not letting students to lose focus during classes, engaging all. He has got a lot of examples to share and makes people think to apply what we learn in the class."
— SasiKumar Arumugan International Student Lead Software Engineer

Program: Computer Programming

"The class involved whiteboard sessions and collaboration projects which really prepared me well to start working in the industry and tackle UX design interviews."
— Agnieszka Zimolag International Student Product Design, Cloud at IonQ

Program: User Experience and Web Design

Why should students come to UCSC Silicon Valley Extension?

Silicon Valley expertise

University of California, Santa Cruz

Quality professional certificates

Streamlined learning

One year of OPT in the U.S.

International Inquiry Form

Speak to an international programs representative.

Recent International Stories

New transfer agreements and MOUs lead to advanced degrees and certification

Bioinformatics: Is this a career for you?

Silicon Valley Extension welcomes alum as new HR program chair

What Students Are Saying

"I received a clear view of the industry and what are the needs faced by enterprises today."
— Anonymous Student International Student

"From assignments, class exercises, and group discussions to the project work and quizzes—it all helped me build strong foundations and solidify concepts."
— Neville Mistry International Student Program Manager

"I made a lot of good connections while I was here."
— Aakash Dave International Student Entrepreneur, Founding CEO of Spotmi

"It’s a very supportive program. The engagement within our class was great. We learned from the professors as well as our classmates."
— Renuka Adnane, MSOD PHR SHRM-CP International Student Human Resources Business Partner

"It was pretty deep and the assignments were demanding so I had to work hard to get the point."
— Renato Roschel Ribeiro, MBA International Student Director of Digital & Analytics | Data Analytics Professor

"The response from my fellow students was so enthusiastic that I had to think more in depth. It evolved. Every course demands that you think in a certain way. Every course took me a step further."
— Bouwien Luppes International Student Art Entrepreneur and Marketer

"She’s really inspired me to do a lot of things I was not doing with the kids. It helps you think differently about your role. It helped me a lot with teaching art and creativity. If they want to color a heart blue, we let them do it."
— Vandana Gupta International Student Child Care Teacher

"Jagadeesh really prepares for the sessions and the assignments, not letting students to lose focus during classes, engaging all. He has got a lot of examples to share and makes people think to apply what we learn in the class."
— SasiKumar Arumugan International Student Lead Software Engineer

"The class involved whiteboard sessions and collaboration projects which really prepared me well to start working in the industry and tackle UX design interviews."
— Agnieszka Zimolag International Student Product Design, Cloud at IonQ

Contact Us

Why should students come to UCSC Silicon Valley Extension?

Silicon Valley expertise

University of California, Santa Cruz

Quality professional certificates

Streamlined learning

One year of OPT in the U.S.

International Inquiry Form

Speak to an international programs representative.

Recent International Stories

New transfer agreements and MOUs lead to advanced degrees and certification

Bioinformatics: Is this a career for you?

Silicon Valley Extension welcomes alum as new HR program chair

What Students Are Saying

"I received a clear view of the industry and what are the needs faced by enterprises today." — Anonymous Student International Student

"From assignments, class exercises, and group discussions to the project work and quizzes—it all helped me build strong foundations and solidify concepts." — Neville Mistry International Student Program Manager

"I made a lot of good connections while I was here." — Aakash Dave International Student Entrepreneur, Founding CEO of Spotmi

"It’s a very supportive program. The engagement within our class was great. We learned from the professors as well as our classmates." — Renuka Adnane, MSOD PHR SHRM-CP International Student Human Resources Business Partner

"It was pretty deep and the assignments were demanding so I had to work hard to get the point." — Renato Roschel Ribeiro, MBA International Student Director of Digital & Analytics | Data Analytics Professor

"The response from my fellow students was so enthusiastic that I had to think more in depth. It evolved. Every course demands that you think in a certain way. Every course took me a step further." — Bouwien Luppes International Student Art Entrepreneur and Marketer

"She’s really inspired me to do a lot of things I was not doing with the kids. It helps you think differently about your role. It helped me a lot with teaching art and creativity. If they want to color a heart blue, we let them do it." — Vandana Gupta International Student Child Care Teacher

"Jagadeesh really prepares for the sessions and the assignments, not letting students to lose focus during classes, engaging all. He has got a lot of examples to share and makes people think to apply what we learn in the class." — SasiKumar Arumugan International Student Lead Software Engineer

"The class involved whiteboard sessions and collaboration projects which really prepared me well to start working in the industry and tackle UX design interviews." — Agnieszka Zimolag International Student Product Design, Cloud at IonQ

"I received a clear view of the industry and what are the needs faced by enterprises today."
— Anonymous Student International Student

"From assignments, class exercises, and group discussions to the project work and quizzes—it all helped me build strong foundations and solidify concepts."
— Neville Mistry International Student Program Manager

"I made a lot of good connections while I was here."
— Aakash Dave International Student Entrepreneur, Founding CEO of Spotmi

"It’s a very supportive program. The engagement within our class was great. We learned from the professors as well as our classmates."
— Renuka Adnane, MSOD PHR SHRM-CP International Student Human Resources Business Partner

"It was pretty deep and the assignments were demanding so I had to work hard to get the point."
— Renato Roschel Ribeiro, MBA International Student Director of Digital & Analytics | Data Analytics Professor

"The response from my fellow students was so enthusiastic that I had to think more in depth. It evolved. Every course demands that you think in a certain way. Every course took me a step further."
— Bouwien Luppes International Student Art Entrepreneur and Marketer

"She’s really inspired me to do a lot of things I was not doing with the kids. It helps you think differently about your role. It helped me a lot with teaching art and creativity. If they want to color a heart blue, we let them do it."
— Vandana Gupta International Student Child Care Teacher

"Jagadeesh really prepares for the sessions and the assignments, not letting students to lose focus during classes, engaging all. He has got a lot of examples to share and makes people think to apply what we learn in the class."
— SasiKumar Arumugan International Student Lead Software Engineer

"The class involved whiteboard sessions and collaboration projects which really prepared me well to start working in the industry and tackle UX design interviews."
— Agnieszka Zimolag International Student Product Design, Cloud at IonQ