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Certificate

Software Quality Assurance

About the Software Quality Assurance Program

Launch or advance your career in Software Quality Assurance.

“Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives.” - William A. Foster

In today’s technology-driven economy, software quality is mission-critical. From healthcare systems to financial platforms to advanced engineering applications, organizations rely on skilled Software Quality Assurance (QA) professionals to ensure reliability, compliance, and performance.

The Software Quality Assurance Certificate at UC San Diego Extended Studies prepares professionals with practical, job-ready skills in:

  • Software testing methodologies
  • Test automation fundamentals
  • Release management
  • DevOps tools and concepts
  • Quality metrics and documentation
  • Risk-based testing and regression testing

Why Earn a Software Quality Assurance Certificate?

Software testing and QA automation continues to grow due to:
  • Increased reliance on complex software systems
  • Expansion of Agile and DevOps environments
  • Rising need for automated testing frameworks
  • Regulatory compliance requirements
  • Accelerated software release cycles
Organizations need QA professionals who can:
  • Shorten and streamline test turnaround times
  • Improve software reliability
  • Implement repeatable testing processes
  • Interpret testing metrics effectively
  • Collaborate across engineering teams
This certificate positions you for career advancement in roles such as:
  • Quality Assurance Engineer
  • Software Test Analyst
  • QA Automation Engineer
  • Test Manager
  • DevOps QA Specialist
  • Software Quality Analyst

Employers seek professionals who understand both technical testing methodologies and process-driven quality systems.

What You Will Learn?

This comprehensive certificate equips you with in-demand skills across the full Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).

Core Competencies Developed:

  • Unit Testing
  • Feature & Functional Testing
  • Integration Testing
  • Regression Testing
  • Test Documentation & Traceability
  • Process Establishment & Governance
  • Automation & Scripting Fundamentals
  • Risk Assessment & Test Metrics
  • Agile & DevOps Testing Integration

Upon completion of the Software Quality Assurance Certificate, you will be able to:

  • Understand and apply software development processes and release management practices
  • Identify and implement testing types, methodologies, and stages across the SDLC
  • Plan, write, execute, and document tests effectively
  • Interpret data and QA metrics generated during testing
  • Apply DevOps tools and concepts within QA workflows

Students gain hands-on experience with real-world tools and structured methodologies used across industries.

Why Choose This Program?

  • Flexible learning options:
    • Online and Live-online class format
    • Designed for working professionals, the program allows you to balance career advancement with personal and professional commitments.
  • Hands-on training with industry-relevant tools
  • Immediately applicable, career-ready skills
  • Career opportunities, access the dedicated Career Resources Hub with career information, job postings, events and tutorials

This program is designed to help you confidently compete for QA roles in high-growth sectors.

Perequisites

General knowledge of programming, a background in Computer Science, or professional experience in software development is desirable but not required.
This certificate welcomes both experienced professionals and motivated career changers entering the software quality assurance field.

Who Should Enroll?

This program is ideal for:

  • Testers seeking to update their knowledge with modern testing procedures
  • Developers interested in understanding QA methodologies and automation
  • Managers working closely with QA and engineering teams
  • Career changers preparing to enter the workforce as a Quality Assurance Engineer

Whether you are beginning your QA journey or advancing your expertise, this certificate provides structured training aligned with industry expectations.

Enroll today in the Software Quality Assurance Certificate at UC San Diego Extended Studies and advance your career in software quality engineering.

Online, Live Online
12 months
or 4 quarters
$2,950
Includes only required courses and one elective. Certificate fee not included.

Software Quality Assurance

Classroom type:
Live Online
In-Person
Online
Hybrid
Download Course List

Required Courses

All three courses required and can be taken in any order

Elective Courses

One course required

Special Notes

Required courses are offered on a rotating basis. The anticipated course schedule is as follows:


QuarterCourse
Winter '26
CSE-41267, Web Performance Testing and Test Automation
Spring '26
CSE-41265, Managing Software Quality Assurance and Testing
CSE-41265, Software Testing for Quality Assurance


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FAQs

Currently, all three required courses are only offered in in-class format. Due to the current situation with COVID-19, the format may change to a remote version.

Some electives are offered online using our online learning platform. You may click here for a tour of Learning Management System. 

For more information on class formats you can click on each course in the matrix above, or go to “Frequently Asked Questions” under "Related Documents" on the right side of the top of this page. Classes in the matrix will indicate either in-person or online.


 
Yes, the program is open to non-California residents, including non-US residents. The tuition is the same for all students. If you have questions about how enrolling in courses may or may not affect your visa status, please contact our International Department at ipinfo@ucsd.edu or (858) 534-6784.
Students can complete all courses in as quickly as 9 months. Students may take electives prior to, concurrent to, or after taking required courses. However, each course includes an average of 6-8 hours of homework per week. Taking more than one class a quarter should be well-thought-out, and other work/school/life commitments should be considered prior to enrolling in more than one class per quarter. You have up to five years to complete all requirements for the certificate. This certificate cannot be completed online.
 

Students accepted into this program will take the two courses alongside Scripps Institution of Oceanography(SIO) graduate students in the Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) program in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation (MBC). The program will be completed over the established 9-week summer period (June 26- August 28, 2026), by taking the two required classes SIO-295S and SIO-295LS.

To begin your application, click on the "Apply Now" button on the certificate page. If you do not already have an Application Portal and a My Extension student account, you will be prompted to create one for each to complete your application. Once submitted, your application cannot be changed. You can track the progress of your application at My Extension.

Register at: Apply Now
Select the Program of Interest: Interdisciplinary Marine Conservation
Term: Summer 2026
Applications are open until April 30th, 2026. Applicants are encouraged to apply early as our available slots may fill. The application includes an application fee of $50 that can be paid with a major credit card. A deposit of $1,000 is required upon accepting the offer of admission. The remaining balance of US $18,995 is due by the start of the program. Payment plans are available.

If you have taken a course from an accredited university covering the learning objectives of a required or elective course, you may be able to transfer a total of one class per certificate to Extension. You may send your request along with details about how the class at your accredited university is equivalent to our Extension course. Attach an electronic transcript and send your email to Infotech@ucsd.edu

If you have not taken a course elsewhere, but already have the skills covered in a course, you may be able to substitute an alternate Extension course in its place. Send your request to substitute one of the program courses to Infotech@ucsd.edu. In your request, indicate which course you would like to take and which course it would substitute. Include how a substitution may better meet your professional or employment needs. The class should align with the overall student learning outcomes of this certificate. As previously mentioned only one waiver total can be granted per certificate. Requests for these considerations require departmental approval. Contact Infotech@ucsd.edu to make a request or for additional information.
 
A downloadable resources titled “Frequently Asked Questions" can be found under "Related Documents" - located along the right-hand side of this page. If you need further information, please contact the program representative at Infotech@ucsd.edu or (858) 534-1566.

Advisory Board

Skip Andrews

Founder
Andrews Consulting International

Enrico Bernardo

Associate Vice President, Quality Assurance
American Specialty Health

Donald Demuth

Verizon

Victor Garcia

Senior Director, Global Quality & Compliance
Illumina

William Griswold, Ph.D.

Professor, Computer Science & Engineering
UC San Diego

Mark James

Information Technology Consultant

Johnathan Kies

Senior Director, User Experience Group
Qualcomm

Alicia McLain

Principal Agile Coach
Operational Innovations

Steven Wade

IT Systems Analyst
Qualcomm

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