International Students

Certificate Programs

F-1 visa approved certificates for international students

Study at UCLA Extension and advance your career

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As part of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), UCLA Extension offers more than 40 F-1 visa-approved certificate programs that allow international participants to study full-time in the U.S.

Certificate programs, which some universities call “diploma programs,” consist of a sequence of courses related to a specialized field or topic such as General Business Studies, Filmmaking, Marketing, Graphic Design, Project Management, Sustainability, and Journalism. Our programs offer a practical, real-world approach to each field of study, so you can be best prepared for the next stage of your career.

Why a certificate program?

Students and professionals enroll in certificate programs for a variety of reasons. Many of our U.S. participants are working professionals who want to stay up-to-date in their fields and move up to higher paying positions. Other professionals want to make a career change and explore a new field.

International participants often choose certificate programs as a cost-effective alternative to U.S. master’s or doctoral degree programs. Some international students just want the experience of living in a world-class city like Los Angeles and studying at a prestigious university like UCLA.

Learn more about the differences between a certificate versus a master's degree.

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The UCLA Extension advantage

  • Exceptional Quality
    UCLA Extension certificate programs meet UCLA standards of excellence and are approved by the UCLA Academic Senate.
  • Outstanding Instructors
    Industry experts provide practical perspectives on the day-to-day realities of each field of study.
  • Practical Experience
    Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT) are available for internships and post-program-completion employment opportunities respectively, for those who maintain their F-1 visa status for 9 months (3 consecutive quarters) or more. Visit your program's site for more information on internship availability.
  • Reasonable Fees
    UCLA Extension programs are a great value, usually costing less than half of a master's degree.
  • Studying with U.S. students
    International participants study side-by-side with U.S. participants and receive the same high level of instruction.

What will you study?

Choose from more than 40 certificate programs.

Browse Certificate Programs

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Learn more about our international programs.

 

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Learn how we can help your organization meet its professional development goals and corporate training needs.

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