Empowered UCLA Extension offers the following certificate programs:
Information Technology Management
Marketing & New Media Fundamentals
UCLA Extension is an academic division of UCLA, which is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). All UCLA Extension coursework is approved by UCLA Academic Senate and UCLA graduate schools.
One certificate program is taken at a time. Successful completion of a certificate program requires sustained commitment of time and effort.
We recommend all students have an iPad. We'd like you to have the best possible experience on the Empowered app and we believe that experience is delivered on the iPad 2 or more recent, with iOS 6.0 or above.
Functionally, the Empowered app works on the iPad mini, however, due to the smaller screen size, it can result in some variations in the way the text is shown on the screen. In addition, with the smaller keyboard size, typing responses to assignments on the iPad Mini may be a bit of a challenge. Other tablets are not compatible with our program at this time.
Please call 1-800-EMPOWER if you'd like to discuss taking our program through a web browser instead of an iPad.
You will also need access to a WiFi network or a 4G service plan to participate in the program.
The iPad is not included in the fees or tuition, but you can purchase one directly from the Apple Store here. This will allow you to choose the exact model and features that you want.
Because the 24-month payment plan and the scholarships are limited to those below specific income limits, we verify income through a service that helps us check income through the IRS. When you are going through the enrollment process, you will be asked to fill out and sign a form that gives us permission to receive income information from the IRS. You are then asked to fax in that form to the number provided. We use your adjusted gross income (AGI) number from your tax form to determine if you qualify. If you are considered a dependent on someone else’s tax form, they will be required to submit the form, and we will use their information to determine if you qualify.
Veterans who enroll in our certificate programs are eligible to be considered for Veterans Administration Education Benefits. All veterans' benefits must be processed directly through the UCLA Extension Financial Aid Office. Feel free to call us at 1-800-EMPOWER for further instructions on how to enroll using veterans' benefits.
To help those with financial needs, we offer partial scholarships. Prospective students who earn a household income less than $50,000 per year are eligible to apply for 30% scholarships. If your income last year was over $50,000, but you have exceptional circumstances, you will have the opportunity to request an exception.
All scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis based on an application process.
CLICK HERE to read more about our scholarships.
Yes, students participate in the Career Empowerment Program and have access to their assigned Career Counselor as long as they are enrolled. Students completing the full certificate program have two years of access to the Career Empowerment Program.
Read more on our Career Empowerment Page page.
Take the Career Assessment to match your educational background, work experience, and interests with our certificate offerings. Then, place a call to a Program Counselor to discuss your results at 1-800-EMPOWER.
Not all programs have related professional licensure and certifications. You are encouraged to research any professional licensure and certification programs thoroughly, as exams are usually only one part of the set of requirements. The certificates in Project Management and Personal Financial Planning are designed by UCLA Extension to meet standard preparation guidelines for the Project Management Institute and Certified Financial Planner examinations.
Additionally:
You need at least a Bachelor’s degree to take the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) exam and use the CFP credential.
You need a minimum of a high school diploma plus 23 hours of project management training to become a Certified Associate in Project Management from the Project Management Institute (PMI).
To earn your Project Management Professional certification from PMI, you must have either a Bachelor's degree, 4,500 hours of experience and 35 hours of project management training, or a high school diploma, 7,500 hours of experience and 35 hours of project management training.
Generally you do not need a college degree to take one of our certificate programs. UCLA Extension programs are open enrollment and – with a few exceptions – don’t have entry requirements. Keep in mind that students will be most successful if they have a Bachelor’s degree or some successful undergraduate academic experience. The following certificates do require a college degree for enrollment:
College Counseling and Transformational Leadership in Health Care require a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with proof of an official, validated transcript.
Patient Advocacy requires a Bachelor's degree in any field, or an Associate's degree in Nursing, Respiratory Therapy, Occupational Therapy (Assistant) or Physical Therapy (Assistant) from an accredited college or university.
UCLA Extension programs are open enrollment and – with a few exceptions – don’t have entry requirements. The following prerequisites apply:
You must be at least 18 years old to enroll in any of our certificate programs.
College Counseling and Transformational Leadership in Health Care require a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with proof of an official, validated transcript.
Patient Advocacy requires a Bachelor’s degree in any field, a 3 year diploma in nursing, or an Associate’s Degree in nursing, respiratory therapy, occupational therapy (assistant) or physical therapy (assistant) from a regionally accredited college or university. Proof of an official, validated transcript is also required.
Some programs require a level of familiarity with content before starting the certificate. Please review the appropriate certificate description for more detail.
Not all certificate programs are equally suited for a career change. If you are aiming for high-level job placement in a new career, you may need specific levels of practical experience or prior education to be a serious job candidate. Please research these requirements carefully to make sure the program will help you meet your unique career goals. You may also call a Program Counselor at 1-800-EMPOWER.
UCLA Extension certificates aid adults with years of work experience in advancing their current career or switching careers altogether. All our certificate programs are integrated with hands on projects and coupled with peer learning, career guidance, and job preparation.
All certificate programs are designed to be completed in 9-12 months. You must complete the program within 24 months in order to earn the certificate.
No. UCLA Extension programs are complete programs. Transfer credits are not permitted for these certificates.
Please call a Program Counselor (1-800-EMPOWER) to discuss designing an alternate schedule.
Taking time off is not recommended, but can be accommodated under certain circumstances. Not every course is taught every quarter, and missing the class at its scheduled time will delay your opportunity to complete your certificate on time. Please call a Program Counselor at 1-800-EMPOWER to discuss this in more detail.
You should expect to spend approximately 6 to 8 hours per week preparing for and participating in each of the online courses for your certificate. Since students generally take 2 courses at a time, your average weekly time commitment will be 12 to 16 hours. To remain current, you should visit each course regularly to review and take part in class discussions.
No, you are required to take each course within your UCLA Extension certificate.
Every course is a maximum of 10 weeks long, followed by a 3 week break between quarters. There are four course start dates each year, in October, January, April and July.
You will be enrolled in a small class of 10 to 35 students with an instructor who is an active practitioner in the field. Each week students receive the same reading assignments, respond to the same discussion questions and comment on the responses of their classmates. Instructors actively monitor the discussion boards to give individual feedback and to direct the class’s attention to particularly salient discussions. Depending on the class, you will also take tests, write short essays and submit individual/group projects.
All courses are asynchronous, instructor-led and require active participation in weekly class discussions. Asynchronous means that you can do your reading and contribute to discussions and projects when it is most convenient to you during the weekly course deadlines. This format provides you maximum scheduling flexibility, while focusing on the most effective, proven methods of adult education
You will have reading assignments every week. Most weeks, the instructor will post discussion questions related to the reading and to other assignments. Students will respond to the questions and interact with each other’s comments. All discussions are expected to relate to the topic and are monitored for relevancy and appropriateness.
Between 10 and 35.
Your instructor will be actively involved in class discussions and projects, and provide feedback to all students. You can contact your instructors and peers easily via the iPad app. Instructors will be available to respond to your questions once your class begins.
You and your classmates will have weekly “online” discussions in class. It is recommended you check in regularly to monitor and participate in discussions. In some courses, you will work with other students to produce group projects. You will also interact with fellow students in the Career and Community portion of the app.
Online courses are convenient, which is not to be confused with easy. You must be prepared and motivated to do all assignments, and to participate fully in class discussions and group assignments to demonstrate your understanding of the material. Please contact a program counselor at 1-800-EMPOWER if you have more questions about your online learning readiness. You can also take the Career Assessment, which has a portion dedicated to online learning.
An iPad is required. The iPad was chosen as the platform because of its ease of use and flexibility. It is very easy to learn to use the iPad app. Before your first courses begin, you will participate in an online orientation. This orientation provides support while you become familiar with the app.
Absolutely. The courses are designed to be taken on the iPad. In rare cases, there may be specialized assignments or software that is not yet compatible with the iPad, which may need to be completed on your desktop or laptop computer.
We are accepting a limited number of international students. Please call a Program Counselor at 1-800-EMPOWER for more information.
The majority of assignments are completed on the app on your iPad. If you prefer to work on a desktop or laptop, it is also possible to access readings, complete assignments, hand in homework, and interact with your instructor and classmates from any standard computer.
To enroll, please contact a Program Counselor by calling 1-800-EMPOWER.
Or CLICK HERE to enroll directly on our website.
All our information is online. Please check out the Fields of Study pages to learn more.
Classes begin four times per year - in October, January, April, and July. Courses run for 10 weeks, followed by a 3 week break.
Some certificate programs require a certain level of experience or background. Please check the Fields of Study pages you’re interested in for more details or call your Program Counselor at 1-800-EMPOWER.
