Business Administration

1st Quarter Classes:

• Introduction to Business (3 units)

Examine the foundation, principles, and practices upon which modern business enterprises are based. Topics include: the business life cycle; balancing short and long-term demands; forms of business ownership and organization structure; leadership and managing competing priorities; competing in global markets; the employment relationship (employment options, compensation packages, managing and rewarding performance); marketing, promoting, pricing and distributing products and services; financial and operational
 information systems.

• 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.

• Business Communication Skills (3 units)

Explore the communication skills necessary to be productive in today's complex workplace. Discover how to
 analyze and address a range of audiences. Learn the basics of speech organization, body language, vocal variety and speaking without preparation. Improve your interactions one-on-one and in meetings. Topics include recognizing and responding to nonverbal messages, personal vs. position power, negotiation, accommodating individual differences (age, culture, gender), giving and receiving constructive criticism, understanding group dynamics and team development, professional writing skills, and presentation skills.

• Market Research Workshop (1 unit)

This Market Research workshop will teach you the basic skills needed to gather reliable market research and
 compile this information in a way that will improve your ability to make meaningful marketing decisions. This course will provide a high-level overview of the use and applications of market research. You will learn practical tools for finding secondary data sources in databases and Internet search engines. Students will be provided a brief overview of market research surveys and case studies and see examples of well-designed questionnaires and how to understand research findings.

• The American Workplace Experience (2 units)

This course will explore the context in which Management Practices, Politics, Legal Decisions and Laws,
 Cultural Changes, Values and Ethics, and Technology have led to the American Workplace of today and how
 these and other factors will continue to evolve our American Workplace of the future. You will gain firsthand insight by working on a project with local business owners and will learn about the challenges and rewards
 that business owners experience.

2nd Quarter Classes:

Second-quarter courses build upon the foundation you develop in the first quarter of Business Administration. The curriculum consists of the following required courses:

• Financial Accounting for Non-Accountants (FAFNA) (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.

• Presentation Skills for Business (3 units)

In this course you will learn how to appropriately prepare for various presentation types in the business environment, including in-person as well as virtual. Learn how to speak, analyze, improve your delivery, and develop engaging and relevant visual aids for your audience. Explore delivery-related topics including posture, movement, gestures, expression, voice projection and variety. Practice developing compelling content and framing your presentation. Through practice, you will discover your strengths and get helpful feedback for making improvements, including tips for managing nervousness and distractions. Improve your public speaking skills for your next presentation.

• Direct Studies in Marketing (3 units)

Apply all the skills you have learned throughout the Professional Certificate in Marketing by implementing a comprehensive marketing plan at a business or other organization. Choose a project tailored to your industry of interest and gain practical experience in marketing. Work with an advisor who will coach the project throughout the quarter. Elements of the project include: assessing client needs, developing solutions through a professional marketing plan, presenting to the client, and evaluating the impact of the recommendations.

3rd Quarter Classes:

Third-quarter courses continue to enrich your understanding of business practices. The curriculum consists of the following required courses:

• Career Preparation Strategies (2 units)

For both the hiring manager and the job seeker, the recruiting process contains opportunities and obstacles. This class will introduce students to recruiting practices. Perspectives and activities of the HR department, the hiring manager, and the job seeker will be examined. The course will also look at special considerations present in the recruiting and hiring of workers in the U.S and abroad.

• Elective courses (10 units)

Note: Courses are subject to change without notice. 
 
 
Duration:

• 1 quarter
• 2 quarters
• 3 quarters

Delivery Method: In-person

Visa: F-1 student visa

Program Schedule:

• Monday - Friday, occasional Saturdays
• Daytime and evening courses
• Schedule varies

Sample Schedule:

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:

• University studies: one year preferred, but not required
• Last year of official academic transcripts in English

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

2024 Dates:

One Quarter:

• January 3 - March 23
• March 27 - June 14
• June 26 - September 14
• September 18 - December 14

Two Quarters:

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

Three Quarters:

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

2025 Dates:

One Quarter:

• January 2 - March 22
• March 24 - June 13
• June 18 - September 13
• September 17 - December 13

Two Quarters:

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

Three Quarters:

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

2024 Prices:

• Application Fee: $225 (nonrefundable)
• One-Quarter Tuition: $6,050
• Two-Quarter Tuition: $12,050
• Three-Quarter Tuition: $18,050
• International Student Service Fee: $400 per quarter
• UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies medical insurance: $715 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.)

2025 Prices:

• Application Fee: $225 (nonrefundable)
• One-Quarter Tuition: $7,490
• Two-Quarter Tuition: $14,490
• Three-Quarter Tuition: $21,490
• International Student Service Fee: $500 (1 quarter)
• 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.