UCLA xOpen Free Courses | UCLA Extension

Complimentary Courses & Seminars

In an ongoing effort to eliminate barriers to education and strengthen our global community’s connection to UCLA, we are proud to offer UCLAxOpen.

UCLAxOpen is your gateway to free personal enrichment and professional development through UCLA Extension.

Our complimentary online courses and seminars are thoughtfully designed to offer you timely and relevant lifelong learning opportunities.

*The courses offered below are numbered 700-799. These non-credit courses do not confer academic credit or continuing education units, and will not appear on student transcripts. Learn more about course numbers.

Business & Management

From Boomers to Zoomers: Connect with Any Generation
November 6
Technical managers are often promoted into management due to technical skills. They will learn how to challenge themselves to lead and take responsibility for the work of others.

Computer Science

Driving Value through Agile Principles and Mindset
January 22
For students looking to better understand the basics of Agile Methodology, this class will tough on the history of the craft, the differences between predictive( Waterfall) and Agile deliver methods and basic implementation in the workplace.

Design & Art

	Finding Your Light December 9 In this one-hour workshop focused on portraits, award-winning photographer Amanda Rowan shares how the right lighting can enhance and elevate your images, even if you’re shooting with your iPhone.
	Real-Life Case Studies in User Experience December 10 Discover how user experience research and data science unlocked mobile downloads for Netflix users around the world. This real-life case study highlights how a great marriage of data and insights drove product innovation for…

Education/Early Childhood Education

	Searching for TESOL Teaching Opportunities in the U.S. and Beyond November 4 Learn about concrete tools, websites, sample job leads, and personalized strategies to start or expand your teaching journey in ESL.
	Navigating Power Struggles November 12 Learn strategies to identify and address power imbalances, foster inclusive environments, and guide children in developing healthy, respectful relationships.
	Sleep Habits & Routines for Children 2+ January 14 Enhance your skills and knowledge to support the development of healthy sleep habits in the little ones you care for.
	Hands on Sciences in Early Childhood Education January 29 Learn how to teach practical science lessons to early childhood education students. This course will give an overview on how to introduce students to different science fields and motivate them to learn science.
	Emotional Hygiene February 11 Learn how to create a daily practice of emotional hygiene for children.

Entertainment Studies

Inside the Studio: AI and the Latest in Logic Pro 11 & Pro Tools 2025
November 14
Stay ahead of the curve with the latest in Logic Pro 11 & Pro Tools 2025; explore new AI-driven tools while mastering the DAW skills every modern music producer needs to know.

Engineering

	A Defect a Day Keeps the Customer Away January 29 This session explores customer-focused defect analysis using Lean and Six Sigma, distinguishing defect types and causes through real-world examples from manufacturing and service sectors to improve quality outcomes.
	Four Domains of Leadership January 20, February 24 Leadership is explored through four key domains, starting with personal ethics as the foundation.

Finance

Money That Lasts: Teaching the Next Generation
November 5
Money That Lasts is a fun, hands-on course that helps families build strong financial habits together. Through stories, games, and everyday moments, parents and kids (starting at age 4) learn how to make smart money choices that last a lifetime.

Humanities & Social Sciences

Questioning Media is Key to Democracy
December 2
Artificial intelligence, fake news, and sensationalized media make it harder than ever to know what’s true. In this webinar, Dr. Jeff Share—award-winning photojournalist, educator, and UCLA senior lecturer—guides participants in using a critical media literacy framework to analyze media messages and create digital memes. Through engaging with images, sounds, multimedia, and social media, we’ll strengthen critical thinking and explore our role as active global citizens.

OLLI Courses

Paul Williams: Architect to the Stars
March 16
Osher (50+). In this course, we explore the iconic structures of architect Paul Williams.

Writers' Program

	Veteran Writers' Workshop November 8 Practice expressing your experiences as a member of the military or military family in a variety of formats and genres.
	The Art of Picture Book Collaboration November 8 Learn how picture book writers and illustrators collaborate to breathe life into unforgettable stories that entertain, delight, and teach children.
	The Black Television Renaissance November 8 Dive into the history of television by and for Black audiences to empower the future of Black voices and stories.
	Résumé Writing Basics November 15, March 14 Transform your resume into a powerful tool that will get you noticed in a competitive job market.
	After The Fire: A Writer's Approach to Surviving Disasters November 22 Led by an instructor who lost her home to the Palisades Fire, students will discover ways not only to write about surviving tragedies but thrive in their aftermath.
	Writing Through Pop Culture November 22 Harness your love of and experience with pop culture as a way to write the stories that matter to you.
	Showrunners and Show Writers December 6 Hear directly from successful TV writers and creators in this course that demystifies the industry and how to break in and stay in.
	Writing About Our Families December 6, February 7 Explore how to write about your family, from those you know well to ancestors you've never met.
	Writing Trauma January 24 Learn to write about traumatic experiences in this introductory lecture for writers of all experience levels.
	Writing the Love Poem February 12 Learn to write powerful poems inspired by romantic love.
	Writing Our Ancestors Into Fiction February 28 Draw connections between our present-day lives and interests with those of our ancestors as you work to draw them into your writing with care and craft.
	Introduction to Picture Books March 4 Learn how to start writing picture books in this basic workshop for absolute beginners.