Dear UCSB and ES juniors and Seniors. You may have already
received similar announcements, but we want to make sure you're
aware of UCSB PaCE's (UCSB Extension) new program called Degree
Plus that's exclusive for junior or senior undergraduate at
no additional cost. UCSB is one of only two UC campuses
providing this fully funded experience. You can boost your resume
and gain valuable professional skills completely free. Stay ahead
of the curve and take advantage of this rare offering while you
can.
You can complete one of three certificate programs and related
coursework over 1-3 quarters at the same time you’re working on
your degree. Find classes that work around your undergraduate
courses–no need to jeopardize your full-time enrollment! After you
complete your certificate, secure an internship for yourself using
curated resources provided by the PaCE Career Specialist.
By enrolling in this program, you agree to update UCSB regarding
your post graduation employment. You must meet UCSB full-time
enrollment responsibility of 12 units with main campus courses.
You must be in "good academic standing" to be eligible for Degree
Plus. You must be on track to graduate by June 2027 or before.
Applications are being accepted
now for Winter 2026. Additional information about these three
certificates can be found below or on the
Degree
Plus website.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
UCSB Professional and Continuing Education (UCSB PaCE),
including Degree Plus courses, CANNOT count towards full-time
enrollment, CAN'T be used for financial aid, and CANNOT be
transferred back to UCSB to count towards satisfying GE,
University or major requirements - including the AREA C
'Outside Concentration' for any ES major! These are
external/extra courses taken in addition to your regular UCSB
coruses to enhance one's professional skills in select areas.
-------- Forwarded Message --------
Help your students gain professional certificates and paid
internships—completely free through UCSB PaCE
🚀
LAUNCHING WINTER 2026
A
New Opportunity for Junior & Senior
Students
Bridging the Talent Gap: Professional
Certificates + Opportunity for Paid
Internships
100% FREE for UCSB Juniors & Seniors
|
About
Degree Plus
Supported by the Lumina and Strada
Foundations, Degree Plus offers
no-cost-to-student training opportunities to
UCSB Junior and Senior standing students
toward career readiness.
|
Program
Benefits for Students
💰
Complete Financial Support
🎯
Enhanced Career Outcomes
💼
Work-Integrated Learning
📚
Flexible Completion Path
|
Available
Certificate Pathways
Applied
Business Essentials
Delivers the four core business
competencies most demanded by employers: Business
Strategy, Effective Decision-Making,
Sales, and Marketing. Students
can specialize in areas including digital
marketing, public relations, international
marketing, web analytics, and business
branding. Designed for immediate
application in professional settings.
Foundations
of Agile Project Management
Provides comprehensive training in project
management methodologies, including both
predictive and Agile approaches.
Curriculum aligns with Project
Management Professional (PMP®)
certification exam standards.
Students develop critical planning,
strategy, execution, and leadership skills
applicable across industries.
Applied
AI and Entrepreneurship
Develops practical competencies in applied
artificial intelligence, business
entrepreneurship, and emerging
technologies. Students learn to
leverage AI tools to solve real-world
challenges across diverse industries.
Positions graduates at the forefront of
technological innovation and business
application.
More certificate pathways coming soon!
These initial three programs will be followed
by additional offerings in future quarters.
|
Program
Structure
1
Application
& Enrollment
Students
apply for Degree Plus and select their
preferred certificate pathway based on
career interests and academic background.
2
Certificate
Coursework (12 Units)
Complete
professional certificate courses over 1-3
quarters. Courses are offered in flexible
formats (online, in-person at UCSB, HyFlex)
to accommodate undergraduate schedules.
3
Paid
Internship Coordination
Upon
completing certificate coursework, students
meet with the dedicated paid internship
coordinator who facilitates connections with
vetted industry partners.
|
Contact
Information
UCSB
Professional and Continuing Education
Office
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00am–5:00pm
Location:
Kerr Hall (Lobby, 2nd Floor)
|
Degree
Plus is made possible through
generous grants from the Lumina
Foundation and Strada
Foundation, supporting UCSB's
commitment to workforce preparedness and
equitable access to professional development.
|
|
--
Eric D. Zimmerman (he/him)
Student Services Manager, Lecturer
Environmental Studies, UC Santa Barbara
To schedule a Zoom advising appointment visit:
https://tinyurl.com/8nrcckds
"Work Hard ~ Play Harder!"
