UCLA Extension certificate programs

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by djryval, Feb 18, 2010.

Loading...
  1. djryval

    djryval New Member

    Has anyone taken a cert program from the UCLA Extension campus? If so, how was your experience and what does everyone think about the quality of the programs available? Are they well respected?

    Here's the site:
    https://www.uclaextension.edu/fos/ProgramLanding.aspx
     
  2. emmzee

    emmzee New Member

    UCLA has good name recognition, and the price seems good. UCLA Extension students probably learn a lot from their programs.

    But dang, twelve required classes for a certificate? That seems like a lot for a non-degree program. It may be worthwhile for people to do twelve courses elsewhere (with a bit more work & expense) and end up with a master's degree instead. A certificate is good and all, but it's more like a resume booster ... these are not AFAIK grad-level credits, they describe the classes as "Most certificate program courses are at the academic level of post-baccalaureate (college/bachelor’s degree) or some may be at the level of undergraduate major sequences." so doing a cert like this wouldn't qualify someone to teach in that area either.
     
  3. djryval

    djryval New Member

    Thanks. I'm actually more interested in the resume boosting part rather than going for my master's. Not all of the programs require 12 courses, it just depends on the program - some are more, some less. I see it as an opportunity to add some professional development to my resume and current career field since my job doesn't offer anything, while also earning a certificate rather than just having random courses patched together.
     
  4. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member


    I understand that California public school teachers (K-12?) have to take continuing education courses every year to maintain their credentials - many take certificate courses to meet this requirement - I'm not a teacher but most fellow classmates in the UC Riverside certificate classes I take are teachers.

    The certificate I'm pursuing requires 12 quarter units (and I plan on transferring these credits to a TESC BA at some point).
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 18, 2010
  5. Diesel13

    Diesel13 Member

    The programs look good from what I have seen. The cost doesn't seem to be that much. Here is a sample from the website:
    Program Details:

    Online Series in Marketing: Brand Management

    TT312
    Estimated Tuition Counseling Fees Action
    $1,390.00 $75.00

    Is it $1390 for the whole series, or per class. Couldn't find anything about it on the website or FAQs.
     
  6. djryval

    djryval New Member

  7. djryval

    djryval New Member

    Also, some of the programs are made up of classes which count as CEU's, while others are a full 4-unit course which is on the bachelor's degree level. The marketing program mentioned is made up of courses which count as CEU's, hence the lower overall price.
     
  8. bazonkers

    bazonkers New Member

    My advice is to look around at all options before committing to a non-degree certificate program. I'm looking to take one to boost my tech writing/copyediting skills and ended up finding a graduate certificate at a well known college (Louisiana Tech) for $400 a class. In the end, not only will I get the knowledge I was looking for at the same, or even a cheaper price, I'll also have 18 graduate credits I could possibly use for teaching with down the road.

    That all said, if the certificate meets your needs, take it. I just wanted to make the point that sometimes there are cheaper alternatives that offer actual graduate credit if you search around.
     
  9. Diesel13

    Diesel13 Member

    I wonder how the CEU courses are valued by employers as opposed to bachelor's or Grad level courses. Does it really matter if it comes from a prestigious school such as UCLA/Extension?
     
  10. Etania

    Etania New Member

    I have been doing a lot of research into the UC Extension programs looking for a good online certificate program in marketing or public relations.

    All of the UC campuses have extension programs - http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/academics/extension.html - but not all the certificates are available online.

    So far, it looks like UC Berkely or UC Irvine have the best options for oline certificates.

    http://extension.berkeley.edu/online/

    http://unex.uci.edu/certificates/

    I can tell you that the Brand Management certificate you are looking at through UCLA is non-credit CEU's only. I enrolled in the first course of the certificate but dropped it right away when I realized what it was. It is a web-based series of courses that are actually delivered through a vendor, but sponsored by UCLA. In other words, the coursework is not delivered by a UCLA professor and there are no textbooks or assignments, just multiple choice quizzes. I decided not to complete the Brand Management series because I am looking to complete a certificate that is similar to an undergrad major.
     
  11. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    If it complements your job skills I believe most employers would value CEU courses.

    My last employer paid for regular university courses out of their education budget (which paid for 1/2 my BS and my two masters degrees) and for other courses out of their training budget (which paid for my certificate in Failure Analysis from Cal Poly Pomona - which earned CEUs - my employer sponsored this training course which was conducted on company facilities).
     
  12. Dr Rene

    Dr Rene Member

    I actually started my academic career teaching part time for UCLA Extension. I taught in the Certificate in Government Contract Management Program (part of the Engineering and Environment Programs). At the time I was still in the Air Force (Air Force Contracting Officer) stationed at LA AFB. Most of my students were contract managers at the major defense companies in LA. These companies paid for their courses in the certificate program. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
     
  13. lawrenceq

    lawrenceq Member

    I'm thinking about giving the Web Intelligence certificate at UCIrvine/University of British Columbia a shot.
     

Share This Page