1st Quarter Classes:

• Elements of Marketing (3 units)

Receive hands-on, practical experience in integrated marketing communications and explore the building blocks of effective marketing programs. This course will also showcase how to incorporate the tools you learn into your career and organization by learning best practices from current case stories while networking with classmates representing a variety of professional disciplines. Marketing career options will also be discussed. Gain experience in a variety of industry sectors, and have the opportunity to develop the primary elements of a marketing plan for the company of your choice.

• Financial Accounting for Non-Accountants (FAFNA) - Accounting I (4 units)

Gain an overview of how to use accounting and financial data for more effective and profitable decisions. Learn the information necessary to interpret and evaluate the financial effects of day-to-day management decisions. This course emphasizes the interpretation of accounting concepts that underlie basic financial statements, without focusing on detailed mechanics.

• Organizational Behavior (3 units)

Organizational Behavior will explore human behavior at the individual, interpersonal, and group levels including effects of organizational structure on behavior. The emphasis will be on managerial roles, historical evolution of management, ethics, and behavior in multi-cultural contexts. This course deals with human behavior in organizations and with practices and methods within organizations that facilitate or hamper effective behavior. Within each topic, conceptual frameworks, case discussions, and skill-oriented activities are blended. Topics include communication, motivation, group dynamics, leadership, power, and organizational design and  development. Class assignments are intended to help participants obtain the skills that managers need to improve workplace relationships and performance.

• Directed Studies - Internship Preparation (2 units)

This class will prepare students to land a dynamic and meaningful internship within the San Diego business community. Discussion will include the exploration of the current business climate, as well as research techniques that will help identify the best opportunities. Students will produce flawless resumes adapted for the U.S. workplace, practice interviewing skills, and receive coaching on the search process. Students will also have a chance to meet individually with the instructor for guidance and support.


2nd Quarter Classes:

• Business Decision Making (3 units)

Managers are invariably critiqued on their effective use of the complex decision-making process. Refine your leadership skills and focus on the strategic decision-making process as viewed from the top of an organization in a multi-disciplinary setting. Explore the consequences of disregarding the decision-making process, or of its ineffective use, through case studies. You will also participate extensively in small groups and have the opportunity to integrate all you've learned into an effective interactive decision-making model.
 

• 120-hour Internship (optional)

Potential to participate in a voluntary 120-hour unpaid internship with a local San Diego company for hands-on experience. Typically, students work 12-16 hours per week, for 8-10 weeks. Students are responsible for securing their own internship opportunity.

• 3 courses in *area of emphasis
   

3rd Quarter Classes:
Upon completion of two quarters, students may choose to study for an additional quarter to earn the Certificate of Completion in Advanced Studies in the same area of specialization chosen for the Professional Certificate in Business Management. This quarter will feature one class chosen by the department and a capstone class that allows students to apply their knowledge. Students will also be able to choose two or three electives from a list of pre-determined approved courses.
 

• Capstone project or class in area of specialization (2 units)

• *Elective courses (9 units)

*Note: Courses are subject to change without notice. Check out the Business Management course descriptions.


Duration: 2 or 3 Quarters
Delivery Method: In-person
Visa: F-1 student visa
Program Schedule:

• Monday - Friday, occasional Saturdays

• Daytime and evening courses

• Schedule varies

Schedules vary depending on language level of the student and course selections.

Age: 18+ 

Language Proficiency Requirement:

• TOEFL iBT: 79
• IELTS: 6.5
• B2 First (Cambridge English: First-FCE): B2/C1
• C1 Advanced (Cambridge English Advanced-CAE):180-C1 and C2 Proficiency (Cambridge English Proficiency-CPE): 180-C1
• Duolingo English Test (DET): 110
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): 58
• TOEIC (all four subjects are required):
  • Listening: 445 
  • Reading: 420 
  • Speaking: 170
  • Writing: 165
• ELI level (8-week programs): 7 or higher

For questions regarding alternative English proficiency exams, please email ipadmission@ucsd.edu.

Additional Admission Requirements:

• Your official university transcripts in English

  • ​You must have successfully completed a three or four-year bachelor’s degree OR have four years of professional, full-time, work experience.  
  • If you have pursued graduate-level coursework or degrees, you must include those transcripts as well.

• Résumé or curriculum vitae (CV)

  • One year of full-time professional work experience, if also applying with a degree.
  • No degree required if the applicant has four years of full-time work experience.

All enrolled students are required to complete an online pre-arrival orientation before starting the Business Management Certificate.
 

• January 3 - June 14 
• March 27 - September 14
• June 26 - December 14
• September 18 - March 22, 2025

• January 3 - September 14
• March 27 - December 14
• June 26 - March 22, 2025
• September 18 - June 13, 2025

• Application Fee: $225 (nonrefundable)
• Two-Quarter Tuition: $12,050
• Three-Quarter Tuition: $18,050
• International Student Service Fee: $800 (2 quarters) or $1,200 (3 quarters)
• UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies medical insurance: $1,430 (2 quarters) or $2,145 (3 quarters)
• Books/Materials: Approximately $300-$800 per quarter (Payment for all books and instructional materials CANNOT be made in advance. You must purchase your books upon arrival at UC San Diego.)

• January 2 - June 13 
• March 24 - September 13
• June 18 - December 13
• September 17 - March 21, 2026

• January 2 - September 13
• March 24 - December 13
• June 18 - March 21, 2026
• September 17 - June 12, 2026

• Application Fee: $225 (nonrefundable)
• Two-Quarter Tuition: $14,490
• Three-Quarter Tuition: $21,490
• International Student Service Fee: $800 (2 quarters)
• International Student Service Fee: $1,200 (3 quarters)
• UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies medical insurance: $780 per quarter
• Books/Materials: Approximately $300-$800 per quarter (Payment for books and instructional materials CANNOT be made in advance. Books will be purchased upon arrival at UC San Diego.)

For all 2025 program dates and prices, visit the Dates and Prices page or download the 2025 Dates & Prices document. This document also lists the financial verification required for your program application if you need the Form I-20 for a student visa.

Cecilia Garcia Noriega Martinez de Alva
Mexico

The UC San Diego Extended Studies International Professional Business Programs helped me to gain the marketing knowledge necessary to start my own business. UC San Diego Extended Studies gave me the confidence I needed in order to gain the competitive advantage as a marketing professional. I was so impressed to see that the instructors in the program had the same dedication, knowledge, and experience as the teachers I had during my master's degree program at UC San Diego.