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
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.
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.
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).
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.
The 1390 is for the whole series because if you click on each class requirement, you'll see the courses are $175 each or something close. You have to take 10 total courses from this listing: https://www.uclaextension.edu/r/ProgramDetails.aspx?reg=TT312
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.
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.
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?
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.
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).
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.
I'm thinking about giving the Web Intelligence certificate at UCIrvine/University of British Columbia a shot.