Summer Enrollment is Open! Courses begin June 23, 2025.

UC Excelerator

An innovative collaboration between UCLA and UC Berkeley Extensions

Accelerate your learning, excel in your career.

Introducing The UC Excelerator

UCLA and UC Berkeley Extensions are excited to announce a unique collaboration providing university access to those who may not have considered continuing their education – the UC Excelerator. With career-focused coursework, professional networking and structured career exploration, this tuition-free program provides an opportunity to try something new while earning academic credit. Funded by a generous gift from professor, author, entrepreneur and UCLA alumnus Scott Galloway, two powerhouse UC institutions share one goal: to accelerate your career potential.

Earn credit, grow your network

Upon completion of coursework through UC Excelerator, participants will have a portable record of completion, academic credit and an established network of experts and peers. Coursework may also count toward full certificates and specializations at UCLA Extension.

Who should apply?

UC Excelerator at UCLA Extension is intended to increase access to education for motivated adults who have not yet completed a bachelor's degree. The tuition-free program supports those who have faced challenges in pursuing continuing education due to financial limitations, commuter access or other considerations.

You will be a priority applicant if you:

Completed some college
Are a current community college student
Attained an associate's degree
Have not completed a bachelor's degree

Please note: This program is not open to international students on F-1 visa. Please visit our International Programs page for eligible offerings.

Curriculum

At UCLA Extension, eligible participants will benefit from exploring new career pathways and coursework over two academic quarters. Students select from one course in Quarter 1 and the required course in Quarter 2. Courses are taught by expert instructors in a live online format where class meetings are scheduled and held in real-time using Zoom.

Students will need access to a computer and reliable internet to participate and will be responsible for purchasing any required textbooks or course materials.

Quarter 1

Choice of 1 course from:

Entrepreneurship: Creating a New Business

Designed for individuals or partners who are starting or have started a new business, this course teaches the realities of starting and managing a new business from idea to operation. Through planning, research, testing of viability, problem solving, decision making and operation, gain an understanding and appreciation for cooperation, common goal setting, negotiating and the execution required of any business organization. Topics include identifying and qualifying a market opportunity, organizing a business model, guidelines for a business plan, legal aspects (including protecting the idea), selecting the best funding option, venture capital etiquette and other useful tools and resources for creating and operating a successful business.

What you can learn:

Identify and qualify a market opportunity
Assess and determine an appropriate business model and plan
Understand how to select the best funding option
Gain knowledge about useful tools and resources to creating and operating a new business

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Accounting: Principles of Financial Accounting

This course is the first in a two-course Principles of Financial Accounting sequence and provides an introduction to accounting theory, principles and practice. Instruction covers the uses, communication and processing of accounting information, as well as the recording, analyzing and summarizing of procedures used in preparing balance sheets and income statements. Additional topics include accounting for purchases and sales, receivables and payables, cash and inventories, plant and equipment, depreciation and natural resources, intangible assets and payrolls. Sole proprietorships and partnerships also are examined. Transferable for UC credit.

What you can learn:

Develop the skills to communicate and process financial information
Record, analyze, and summarize information used in preparing balance sheets and income statements
Learn the accounting skills associated with purchases and sales, receivables and payables, cash and inventories, plant and equipment, depreciation, natural resources, intangible assets, and payrolls
Understand various forms of business structures: sole proprietorships, partnerships, and publicly traded corporations

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Data Science: Data Science Fundamentals

In this this hands-on, exercise-driven course, students will learn the role of data science in decision-making, basic statistics, entry-level Python programming and data analysis, using tools such as Excel and Python. Designed for beginners, business analysts and non-technical managers, the curriculum includes problem-solving exercises using pencils, paper and laptops for assignments during and outside of the class.

What you can learn:

Understand the principles of statistics, programming, and algorithms used in data science
Apply statistical methods to solve basic data analysis problems
Get and introduction to statistical analysis tools, such as Excel
Practice data analysis using Microsoft Excel and Python programming language

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Marketing: Digital Marketing

Gain an overview of the digital marketing landscape in this survey course and become ready to apply the fundamentals of marketing in this digital age. This course is for both veteran marketers who want to understand the new tools available through the Internet and those who are comfortable with Internet applications and the digital world but want to learn the marketing fundamentals as they apply to the Internet.

What you can learn:

Overview the broad landscape of digital marketing including social media, mobile, and video
Examine how new digital and technological developments impact business and marketing
Identify best practices to integrate and implement digital marketing strategies
Learn to develop KPIs and also learn to monitor and evaluate metrics

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Quarter 2

All students complete a project management course.

Fundamentals of Project Management

Gain the skills to manage your daily projects efficiently and effectively. This course provides a comprehensive understanding of the foundational framework that underpins all successful projects, along with essential tools, techniques, and knowledge necessary for achieving optimal project outcomes.

What you can learn:

Utilize the PMI®’s project management framework as a cornerstone to efficiently and effectively oversee projects, while staying abreast of the latest innovations such as AI impacts and tools
Implement a systematic approach to project management, seamlessly navigating through all phases from initiation to closure, and integrating cutting-edge methodologies to enhance efficiency
Craft a well-defined project scope and identify key stakeholders, laying a solid foundation for each project's success, while leveraging advancements in AI and other technologies
Integrate all project processes, encompassing schedule, budget, quality, staffing, resources, communication, risk, and procurement, leveraging AI impacts and tools, to ensure successful project outcomes

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Want to Learn More?

Join us for a live online information session.

Interested in Applying?

We are now accepting applications! The next cohort will begin in summer 2025.

Apply Now

Give to the UC Excelerator Program

Support of the UC Excelerator Program will help empower students as they accelerate their career potential and discover new avenues of opportunities. For questions or to learn more about supporting the UC Excelerator Program, email UCLA Extension’s Interim Director of Development, Nisha Chauhan-McGrath.

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