Degree Plus
Skills-based Certificate | Paid Internships | Career Readiness
Apply Now
Priority Deadline: June 30, 2026
Regular Deadline: August 17, 2026
Please contact us for any questions at degreeplus@ucsd.edu.
What is Degree Plus?
Degree Plus is a free online skills-based certificate program and paid internship for eligible UC San Diego juniors and seniors. We are seeking committed students in good academic standing who are looking to stand out in the job market.
This program is funded by institutional and philanthropic support by the University of California Office of the President, Lumina, and Strada Foundations.
_700x500.png)
Earn a skills-based certificate while completing your degree
Today’s employers are looking for more than a degree. They want graduates with practical, career-ready skills and real-world experience. Developed through labor market analysis, employer and industry input, collaboration with UC San Diego academic departments, and feedback from current students, Degree Plus offers three high-impact online certificate pathways tailored for juniors and seniors in the School of Arts and Humanities, School of Social Sciences, and School of Physical Sciences.
Each skills-based certificate combines three focused courses with an Internship and Career Development Seminar designed to help students build professional confidence, strengthen career readiness, and connect with paid internships and post-graduation employment opportunities.
EXPLORE CERTIFICATE PATHWAYS DESIGNED FOR YOUR ACADEMIC SCHOOL
Certificates take 3 quarters to complete (Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027). Courses are asynchronous online. Students also enroll in a 1-unit Internship and Career Development Seminar that spans the entire program. This Seminar is asynchronous online with 1 in-person session per month.
Certificate in Arts Management
Designed for UC San Diego juniors and seniors in the School of Arts and Humanities
The Arts Management Certificate provides workforce-ready training in nonprofit and for-profit arts leadership. Students develop skills in strategic planning, budgeting, marketing, accessibility, governance, and fundraising. Real-world projects and a paid internship build hands-on experience and career confidence. This program supports UC San Diego Arts and Humanities undergraduates in translating their passion for the arts into meaningful, sustainable carrers in cultural organizations.
Courses- Fall 2026: Foundations of Arts Management
- Winter 2027: Digital Marketing
- Spring 2027: Introduction to Fundraising and Development
- Fall, Winter, Spring: Internship and Career Development Seminar
Certificate in Data Analysis and Visualization
Designed for UC San Diego juniors and seniors in the School of Social Sciences
As the amount of data companies collect continues to grow at a rapid rate, the ability to effectively transform that data into actionable information has become paramount for business growth and success. The expanding field of data analysis is now fundamental to all facets of business from social sciences to high tech companies. Data analysts support data-driven organizational decision-making and maximize the utility of accumulated data. The certificate, provides upon its completion, working knowledge of the complete analytics cycle, from determining requirements to extracting and disseminating information through various analysis techniques.
Courses- Fall 2026: Data Intelligence and Analytics Concepts and Applications
- Winter 2027: Dashboards and Data Visualization for Data Analysis
- Spring 2027: Excel for Data Analysis
- Fall, Winter, Spring: Internship and Career Development Seminar
Certificate in Project and Process Management
Designed for UC San Diego juniors and seniors in the School of Physical Sciences
The Project and Process Management Certificate provides workforce-ready training in project coordination, team dynamics, and process improvement. Through fully online, asynchronous courses plus 1 monthly in-person session, students develop skills in project planning, collaborative problem-solving, communication, and Lean Six Sigma methodologies. Real-world assignments build hands-on experience and career confidence. This program supports UC San Diego undergraduates in translating their scientific and analytical strengths into meaningful, versatile roles across research, biotechnology, healthcare, and technical industries.
Courses- Fall 2026: Project Management Essentials
- Winter 2026: Work Team Concepts and Skills
- Spring 2026: Lean Six Sigma Foundations
- Fall, Winter, Spring: Internship and Career Development Seminar
Paid Internships
Students who are legally authorized to work in the U.S. may complete a paid internship of 120 hours. Internships are not guaranteed. Students must actively identify, apply to, and interview for internship opportunities. Internships may include private companies, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and local, state, and federal government agencies. Additionally, students may pursue on-campus career-aligned student employment/internships as well as international internships through UCEAP and other UC partnerships. Through the Internship and Career Development Seminar, students will receive guidance, resources and targeted support for pursuing a variety of paid internship opportunities.
Eligibility
- UC San Diego junior or senior from the School of Arts and Humanities, School of Social Sciences, or School of Physical Sciences
- Must be in good academic standing
- Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. (F-1 international students should check in with our team at DegreePlus@ucsd.edu about current requirements)
Expectations
- Spend up to 10 hours per week on course lectures, readings, individual assignments, and group projects
- Participate in online discussions and activities; communicate effectively with instructors; collaborate well with group members
- Attend monthly in-person Internship and Career Development sessions
- Complete all required surveys, focus groups, and certificate and internship documentation
- Remain in good academic standing in your degree program and certificate courses
- Take an active role in obtaining an internship. This includes identifying internship opportunities, networking, refining resumes, cover letters, interviews, and preparing for a successful internship experience
Program Dates
Degree Plus courses are intentionally staggered throughout the academic quarter to support student success and balance alongside UC San Diego coursework. Courses begin during Week 2 of each quarter and conclude several days after the official end of the quarter, allowing students additional flexibility during high-demand periods such as quarter start-up and main campus final examinations. This schedule is designed to promote a more manageable learning experiencewhile supporting strong academic engagement and participation.
Fall 2026
- UC San Diego Quarter begins September 21
- Degree Plus courses begin October 5
- UC San Diego Quarter ends December 12
- Degree Plus courses end December 18
Winter 2027
- UC San Diego Quarter begins January 4
- Degree Plus courses begin January 11
- UC San Diego Quarter ends March 20
- Degree Plus courses end March 24
Spring 2027
- UC San Diego Quarter begins March 24
- Degree Plus courses begin April 5
- UC San Diego Quarter ends June 11
- Degree Plus courses end June 16
Application Deadlines & Important Dates
| Priority | Regular | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Application Deadline | June 30 | Application Deadline | August 17 |
| Admissions Notification | July 2 | Admissions Notification | August 19 |
| Enrollment Confirmation | July 9 | Enrollment Confirmation | August 26 |
Employers and UC San Diego Alumni
We are seeking internships for talented UC San Diego juniors and seniors, in a range of majors, who have completed skills-based certificates in Arts Management, Data Analysis and Visualization, and Project and Process Management. Please contact degreeplus@ucsd.edu if you have interest in offering internships for Degree Plus students.
UC San Diego Alumni – Not able to commit to hosting an intern, but still interested in mentoring a UC San Diego undergraduate student? Consider participating in the Take a Triton to Work program, which pairs students with UC San Diego alumni for professional development guidance visa a career exploration conversation or job shadowing opportunity.
About the Degree Plus Program
Degree Plus is a two-year University of California pilot initiative that strengthens workforce readiness by integrating undergraduate study with skills-based certificates and paid internships. A collaboration between the UC Office of the President, UC San Diego, and UC Santa Barbara, the program advances student success while supporting California’s economic and talent development priorities. Funded by the Lumina Foundation, Strada Education Foundation, UCOP, and campus partners, Degree Plus will serve 240 students at UC San Diego (480 across both campuses) from July 2025 through June 2027.
Anticipated Outcomes
- Enhanced student preparation for the labor market
- Clearer alignment of UC liberal arts education with employer needs
- Stronger industry and public sector partnerships
- A scalable model for UC-wide implementation
- Strengthened case for federal financial aid for certificate-based programs
Program Evaluation
The Degree Plus initiative will be rigorously evaluated to assess the impact of skills-based, work-integrated learning on post-graduation employment outcomes.
Key Metrics
- Retention and completion rates
- Time to employment
- Job quality, earnings growth, and retention
- Career alignment with degree and certificates