Degree Plus
Enhance your job prospects by integrating practical, real-world experience in your academic curriculum for free. This program, designed for UCSB undergrads, combines an internship with a skills-based professional certificate at no cost to you! This is a free opportunity to gain exposure to the professional world. Take your education to the next level with high-demand skills and land your dream job.
Why Degree Plus at UC Santa Barbara?
This program is exclusive to you as a junior or senior undergraduate at no additional cost, thanks to grants from the Lumina Foundation and the Strada Foundation. 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.
Note: Degree Plus courses do not count towards your UCSB degree completion.
Benefits to Degree Plus
Complete a specialized professional certificate at no cost. Paid or subsidized internships can replace your need for a summer job or work-study position.
Equip yourself with cutting-edge skills that are in demand by employers, making you more attractive to companies upon graduation.
Complete an internship that provides you with real-world transferable skills and hands-on professional experience.
Build valuable professional relationships with industry experts.
Certificates
How it Works: Complete the certificate 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. Check out the certificate options below!
Option 1
Applied AI and Innovation
Develop practical skills in applied artificial intelligence, business innovation, and emerging technologies to solve real-world challenges across industries. Engage in activities designed to help you practice a wide range of AI skills. Practice design thinking and apply Lean startup skills.
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Option 2
Foundations of Agile Project Management
Become an expert in project management, Agile methodologies, business strategy, and leadership to drive high-impact initiatives across industries. This flexible certificate program equips you with in-demand skills to enhance career mobility in today's dynamic business environment.
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Option 3
Applied Business Essentials
Develop your understanding of what makes a business successful while learning how to make strong decisions. Learn from industry experts about the sales process, developing a strategy, implementing that strategy and executing effective digital marketing campaigns.
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Coming Soon!
We are collaborating with UCSB departments and industry professionals to develop certificate options that help students gain professional skills related to their majors through the Degree Plus program. We invite all academic departments and interested students to contact us at degreeplus@professional.ucsb.edu
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Funding & Support
Our initiative is proudly supported by:
The Lumina Foundation is an independent private foundation based in Indianapolis committed to expanding learning opportunities beyond high school and making higher education accessible to all Americans. Lumina works to ensure higher education is easy to navigate, delivers equitable outcomes, and meets the nation's evolving talent needs.
Learn more at luminafoundation.org
The Strada Foundation is a national nonprofit focused on strengthening connections between postsecondary education and employment. Strada's mission is to clear pathways between education and work, particularly for those who face the greatest barriers to accessing opportunity through education and training.
Learn more at strada.org
Additional Considerations
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. UCSB Professional and Continuing Education (UCSB PaCE) courses cannot count towards full-time enrollment. UCSB PaCE courses cannot be used to count towards unit requirements for financial aid or transferred back to meet degree requirements. 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.
