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Will I get any hands-on experience in the program?
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Most courses combine theory with hands-on exercises. Our courses are taught by professionals who work in the field they teach, and will bring real-life projects and examples to your course.
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If I work full-time, will I still be able to complete this program?
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Yes. Our programs are designed to be working-student friendly and most of our students are working professionals. The courses vary between two and three units, which amount to approximately 18-20 hours of class time for a two unit course and 27-30 hours of class time for a three unit course.
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How long does it take to complete this certificate?
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You officially have five years to complete all requirements for the certificate, although students can usually complete the entire program in 2-2.5 years (8-10 quarters) by taking 1-2 courses per quarter.
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How much does this program cost?
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All required courses cost $295 each. The estimated cost of the entire certificate program, including certificate fee, enrollment fees, and textbooks/materials is $4,620.
Your mileage may vary depending on what electives you choose, which may require different or similar materials lists.
Students pay as they go when they register for classes, not in one lump sum.
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Is the program accredited?
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UC San Diego is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). UC San Diego Extension — like all other UC San Diego schools, colleges, and departments — is accredited by WASC through the University. All courses and certificate programs offered by UC San Diego Extension have been developed and are administered in accordance with Extension policy and the regulations of the Academic Senate of the University of California.
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How do I get my certificate once I have completed the requirements?
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When you have paid your certificate fee and successfully completed all program requirements, you will need to request an audit by Student Services. To request an audit:
• In your My Extension account, click on “My Courses.”
• On the right side of the page under “My Certificates,” click on the name of the certificate.
• On the right side of the page under “Tools,” click on “Request Certificate Audit.”
• Complete and submit the form that appears.
Once you have formally submitted your audit request, your certificate will be mailed to the address we have on file for you within ten business days.
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Is financial assistance available?
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UC San Diego Extension facilitates private education loans through UC Approved Lenders for students officially enrolled in a certificate. Information on these programs can be found at extension.ucsd.edu/financial. State-Funded Training is available through EDD (Employment Development Dept.); more information can be found on their website: www.edd.ca.gov.
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In what order should I take these courses?
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You may take most of the courses in any order you would like. Please check course descriptions for any prerequisites prior to enrolling. We recommend enrolling in Drawing I: Focus on Perception and Introduction to Painting early, as these courses are prerequisites to many other art courses. Creative Process I must be taken prior to Creative Process II.
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How do I apply to the certificate program?
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STEP 1: If you have a My Extension student account, skip to Step 2. If you do not have a My Extension account, go to myextension.ucsd.edu, click “Create an account” on the right side of the page, and follow the instructions to create an account. Once you have a My Extension account, continue to Step 2.
STEP 2: Click on the “Apply Now” button on the certificate page. Complete the required fields on the application. Then click the “Save” button. Once you have saved the application, the “Submit” button will appear. Click the “Submit” button to submit your application for review and consideration. Once submitted, your application cannot be changed. You can track the progress of your application at My Extension.
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Is there an application fee for the certificate program?
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Current application or certificate enrollment fees, if any, are listed under the “Apply Now” button on the certificate page on our website.
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Can I register for the certificate program at any time?
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Yes, you may enroll in the program at any time. However, it is recommended that you enroll as soon as possible. The program curriculum may be updated at any time; if certificate requirements change, you must adhere to the curriculum at the time of your enrollment into the certificate. Enrolling in the certificate also gives you access to quarterly, personalized enrollment reminders from the program manager.
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Can I take a course without registering for the certificate?
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Yes, you may take any course in this program except for the final capstone portfolio course without registering for the certificate, provided you have fulfilled any and all prerequisites for the course.
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When should I enroll in my class(es)?
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We recommend enrolling as soon as possible. Each quarter we offer an early enrollment discount of $25 on select courses if you enroll by the discount deadline.
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How do I enroll in a class?
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To enroll in a class, click on the class link in the course matrix above and that will take you to the specific class page. On the class page you can find additional details about the course such as start date, time, classroom number, instructor and textbook info. To enroll click on “Add to Cart” which will lead you to complete the registration/payment process. You can also register over the phone with Student Services at 858-534-3400.
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Why was my enrollment in a course blocked?
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Enrollment in a class may be blocked in the following situations:
- The class is closed (see FAQ on when enrollment closes). Our capstone UX Portfolio course requires that students reach out to unex-digital@ucsd.edu prior to enrolling.
- The class is at capacity. If the class is at capacity you will only be able to join the waitlist. Students on the waitlist are contacted in the order they joined the waitlist.
- The class is cancelled due to low enrollments.
- The class has prerequisites that the student has not completed yet.
If you feel that you have fulfilled the prerequisites, please contact ahl@ucsd.edu.
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What are the grading options?
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When students enroll in a class they are given three grading options: Letter grade, Pass/No Pass, or Not for Credit. Students taking a class as part of a certificate need to complete their classes for credit (i.e. Pass/No Pass or Letter grade) and receive a C-/Pass or higher grade.
Grades below a C-, No Pass, and Not for Credit do not count towards certificate requirements.
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When is the refund deadline?
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The refund deadline for the language courses is typically six (6) days after the first class meeting. This allows students to attend the first class meeting to determine if the class is a good fit for them. The exact refund deadline for each section is listed in the section notes.
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What are the attendance and participation requirements?
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Students are expected to attend all class meetings, participate in class, and complete all homework assignments. Attendance is factored as a part of students’ final grades, and varies by instructor. Typically students can miss one class meeting without it impacting their final grade as long as they still complete their homework. Students who miss a class meeting should always reach out to their instructor regarding late work and homework.
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How many hours can I expect to spend studying outside of class time?
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Each student has their own learning style so this can vary greatly. As a rule of thumb, expect to spend an average of two hours studying or homework for every hour you spend in-class.
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How do I communicate with a course instructor if I have a question during the course?
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Each instructor has his/her own preferred method of communication and response policy, which will be detailed on the course syllabus. If you have a question for the instructor prior to the course start date, contact our office at ahl@ucsd.edu.
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How long is each course?
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Two unit courses run for approximately 6 weeks; three unit courses run for approximately 9 weeks; four unit courses run for approximately 10 weeks. For exact course dates of upcoming sections, visit the webpage of the course you are interested in taking on our website.
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Where are the classes held?
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All of our in-class courses are held at our La Jolla Extension complex or at our University City Center location. For directions, visit https://extension.ucsd.edu/maps
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Do I need to pay for parking?
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If your class is located at our La Jolla campus and takes place on a weeknight, you will need to pay for parking. No parking permit is required at our University City Center (UCC) location.
We recommend purchasing a quarterly night parking permit (~$43). If you are taking a 9-10 week class it is more affordable to buy this permit rather than use the hourly permit machines ($3 per hour). Quarterly night permits can be purchased online at: http://ow.ly/DnTP302mth0. Parking on weekends is free.
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What class materials are used in my course?
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Materials and software requirements vary by course. For details, check the course page.
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Can I transfer in any courses?
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Students can transfer in up to two courses that match the content of our required courses. Please email ahl@ucsd.edu for more information about the transferability of previously completed courses.
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Are these classes transferable?
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UC San Diego Extension is not a degree granting institution, however many UC San Diego Extension courses can be transferred to other colleges or universities.
The transferability of credit is determined solely by the receiving institution. Students should discuss how your individual courses will transfer with the Office of the Registrar at the receiving institution prior to enrolling.
Quarter to Semester Unit Conversion
If the receiving institution operates on a semester system, credits will be converted to semester hours during their evaluation. As a general rule, quarter credits are converted to semester credits by dividing the number of quarter credits by 1.5. For example, if the student completed a course worth 4 quarter credits at UC San Diego Extension, the course would be worth 4 ÷ 1.5 = 2.66 semester credits.
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I am in high school. Can I take any of these courses?
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If you are interested in taking courses at UC San Diego Extension, you will need to obtain written approval from your school principal or counselor. The approval must be signed and printed on school letterhead, and must be included with your registration. If you are homeschooled, your approval needs to be signed by your contact in your local school district.
The letter should verify that you, the student, have the maturity and academic readiness to attend a post-baccalaureate level or college-level course.
Approvals can be faxed to 858-534-8527, emailed to unex-reg@ucsd.edu, or mailed to:
UCSD Extension Student Services
9500 Gilman Dr., Dept. 0176-H
La Jolla, CA 92093-0176
We are unable to accept letters signed by your parent, even if your parent is your teacher and/or school administrator. If you have taken community college courses, an official transcript from that college verifying coursework will be accepted in lieu of a letter from your high school or district. College transcripts must reflect a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
**Please note that some courses may address adult themes or use nude models.
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Additional questions?
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For questions regarding our classes and certificates, please contact us at unex-digital@ucsd.edu or 858-534-6731.
APPLY NOW
APPLICATION FEE: $0
There will be a $95 fee upon acceptance into the program