Coursera Press Release
Santa Barbara, CA — March 2026 — UC Santa Barbara Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE) has officially launched its first programs on Coursera.
First announced at the 2025 Coursera Connect conference and later recognized by Forbes, this milestone marks the next phase of bringing UCSB's expertise to the global learning platform.
These initial offerings focus on CPA-aligned accounting topics, including financial reporting, auditing, and core business concepts. Whether learners are preparing for the CPA exam, stepping into a new financial role, or building foundational accounting knowledge, the programs emphasize real-world application and job-ready skills.
Programs Available at Launch
We are launching with four distinct Specializations. Each includes a sequence of courses that can be taken individually or as part of the full program:
- Regulatory Framework of Business: Build a foundation in business law, commercial agreements, and legal responsibility.
- Current Issues in Financial Reporting: Develop core financial reporting knowledge, including balance sheet issues and revenue recognition.
- Advanced Auditing and Attestation: Understand how audits work and how assurance standards are applied in practice.
- Special Topics in Accounting: Explore key areas including economics, managerial accounting, and taxation.
From Partnership to Launch
“This partnership allows us to bring UCSB’s academic and professional strengths to learners everywhere,” said Denis Couturier, MBA, PhD(c), Dean of Professional and Continuing Education. “We’re excited to expand access and deliver high-quality education on Coursera’s trusted platform.”
Greg Hart, CEO of Coursera, added: “We’re thrilled to welcome UC Santa Barbara as a partner. Their expertise and commitment to innovation in professional education align with Coursera’s mission to provide learners everywhere with access to world-class knowledge.”
Looking Ahead
This launch marks the beginning of UCSB PaCE on Coursera, with additional programs in human resources, web development, and professional skills planned for the future.
Start learning at your own pace today: