UCLA Extension winter holiday closure: December 21 through January 1. Learn More

Certificate Programs for International Students

F-1 visa approved certificates for international students

Study at UCLA Extension and advance your career

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.

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.