Who teaches the courses?

A multidisciplinary team of staff and industry practitioners with backgrounds in product development, data science, and business innovation. Guest speakers add specialized perspectives.

Will this certificate qualify me for a student visa?

Yes. The program’s full-time contact-hour load meets visa requirements. International applicants must complete the standard I-20 documentation process.

International students apply to the International Certificate Program first. Domestic students can enroll directly in available courses and should submit the certificate candidacy form if they intend to complete the full program.

What will I build for my portfolio?

Weekly labs produce artifacts such as dashboards, prompt libraries, and briefs. The capstone culminates in a solution prototype and short pitch deck.

Who is this program for?

Anyone who wants practical, business‑focused AI skills. It is well‑suited for professionals, entrepreneurs, managers, analysts, creative problem‑solvers, upskillers, and undergraduates. No formal programming experience is required.

Can I take just one course instead of the full program?

Yes. You may take individual courses. To take the capstone and earn the Professional Certificate, you must enroll in all four required courses concurrently in the same term.

What is the structure of the certificate?

A single integrated 11‑week quarter. Students complete four courses in sequence with weekly lecture/discussion, lab, asynchronous modules, and a capstone studio that applies the week’s focus to a team project.

What are the technology requirements?

Bring a personal laptop. A modern OS, reliable internet, webcam/mic, and access to browser‑based tools are recommended. Most tools are web‑based or no‑code/low‑code; any installs are guided in class.

What are the certificate eligibility and completion requirements?

Earn the UCSB PaCE Professional Certificate by completing all four required courses concurrently within one quarter with a passing grade in each. Submitting the Declaration of Candidacy form helps us track and confirm completion.

UCSB Courses | UCSB Professional and Continuing Education

Applied AI and Innovation

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE

This intensive professional certificate helps you design and launch AI-powered solutions for real business challenges. Work in teams, build a portfolio, and master the strategies and tools that drive innovation.

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This Intensive One-Quarter Certificate is Perfect For...

...ambitious innovators, including undergraduate students seeking condensed AI-and-business training, professionals ready to level up, entrepreneurs turning ideas into impact, and business or tech students pursuing roles in digital innovation or leadership.

Identify high-value business problems and design effective, user-centered AI solutions
Apply modern business frameworks like Lean Startup and ROI analysis to guide your AI projects from idea to launch
Master generative AI and advanced prompt engineering to create compelling content and automate complex tasks
Translate data into persuasive stories, evaluate the ethics of AI, and confidently present your strategies to stakeholders

increase in AI-related job postings on LinkedIn during the past year, while overall postings stayed nearly flat.
Source: LinkedIn Economic Graph analysis, June 2025

56 %

wage premium earned by professionals who list AI skills such as prompt engineering on their résumés
Source: PwC Global AI Jobs Barometer 2025

69%

of CIOs and CTOs plan to expand their teams as generative-AI adoption grows.
Source: Deloitte Tech Leaders GenAI Survey 2025

78%

of organizations already use AI in at least one business function
Source page: The state of AI: How organizations are rewiring to capture value

Courses

This professional certificate consists of three sequential content courses plus an 11-week capstone studio. Designed to be taken together for a continuous learning arc, the program follows a consistent weekly rhythm with online modules released each Friday, live lecture/discussions on Tuesdays, and hands-on labs on Thursdays, followed by capstone studio sessions after each live block. The capstone project builds throughout the term, culminating in an extended final sprint in Weeks 10–11 and a final project showcase.

Students may enroll in the full program or choose any combination of Courses X490A, B, and C individually.

Course

MGMNT X490A – AI Foundations, Strategy & Responsible Innovation

In Person Units 3 FallSpring

Live Day(s)	Live Time	Async Release	Fall Dates
Tuesday & Thursday	5 – 8 PM	Fridays (Self-Guided)	9/30/2025 – 10/16/2025

Foundations of applied AI, value creation, design thinking, strategy alignment, and responsible innovation.

Weekly flow: Friday: async prep → Tuesday: lecture/discussion → Thursday: innovation lab.

Read more about this course.

MGMNT X490B – Applied Gen AI: Prompting & Practical Tools

In Person Units 3 Fall Spring

Live Day(s)	Live Time	Async Release	Fall Dates
Tuesday & Thursday	5 – 8 PM	Fridays (Self-Guided)	10/21/2025 – 11/06/2025

Hands-on generative AI and prompting patterns, tool comparisons, evaluation/A-B testing, and applied use cases.

Weekly flow: Friday: async prep → Tuesday: lecture/discussion → Thursday: innovation lab.

Read more about this course.

MGMNT X490C – AI Communication, Workflows & Business Impact

In Person Units 3 FallSpring

Live Day(s)	Live Time	Async Release	Fall Dates
Tuesday & Thursday	5 – 8 PM	Fridays (Self-Guided)	11/13/2025 – 12/02/2025

Data storytelling, workflow design, stakeholder communication, and framing ROI and risk.

Weekly flow: Friday async prep → Tuesday lecture/discussion → Thursday: innovation lab.

Read more about this course.

MGMNT X490D – AI Innovation Capstone Studio

In Person Units 3 FallSpring

Day(s)	Time	Fall Dates
Tuesday & Thursday	8 – 9 PM	9/30/2025 – 12/11/2025

Continuous 11-week studio dedicated to a single team project. Plan, prototype, iterate, and refine your AI solution each week, applying lessons from lectures and labs. The Tuesday and Thursday sessions in Weeks 10–11 extend to 5–8 PM for a final sprint, focused on finalizing and presenting team projects.

Read more about this course.

Important Course Information
How to access course materials in Canvas LMS Certificate Eligibility and Requirements Technology Requirements International Students need to apply to the International Certificate Programs before enrolling in classes from this course schedule. All times are Pacific Time. Location: UCSB Campus, Santa Barbara.

Pricing

	Public	UCSB Discount*	International Students
Individual Courses	$650	$488	Info
Estimated Certificate Cost	$2695	$2,045

*UCSB Students, Faculty, and Staff get a 25% discount on courses. Learn more.

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Open University

Gain access to UCSB’s entire catalog of Academic Courses, earn college credits, and explore the wealth of knowledge of a world-class research university.

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Take UCSB courses without formal admission!

The Open University Program allows you to learn at a world-class research university. With thousands of courses to choose from, you can enroll in any class you are interested in, provided you meet course prerequisites and space is available. Experience the rewards of learning from UCSB’s distinguished faculty while paying on a per-unit basis – all without being formally admitted to UCSB. Everyone is welcome to apply in Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters.

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Did you know that you can take UCSB courses toward your college credits before you finish high school?

The Young Scholar Program offers you, a high-achieving, pre-college student in the local area, an opportunity to begin university-level study while you're still in high school. Qualified high school students are nominated by their school guidance counselors or principals. Talk to your school counselors or contact us to know more. Enrollment for Young Scholars Program is for Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters.

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UCSB Seniors: save on tuition costs, complete final classes for graduation, and graduate on time. If you are a UCSB student not able to maintain full-time student status, you can take the outstanding courses toward your degree in Fall, Winter, or Spring quarters through Open University. Save on campus-based fees and time: do not wait for Summer to complete your degree! Academically disqualified students may also be able to continue their degree progression via Open University: please contact an advisor in your College to discuss your Open University options.

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Expand your knowledge, advance your career, and learn at a top-rated university.

Did you know that you don't need to be formally admitted to UCSB to take UCSB courses? Use Open University to enroll in any of the UCSB courses. Further your education, sharpen your expertise, learn something new, be on campus, and enjoy all that UCSB has to offer as a state of the art research institute. Contact us to know more

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Community

Meet prerequisites for advanced degrees, resume your academic study, start college early and earn credits towards the completion of your degree.

If you live on California's Central Coast, you have access to one of the top 10 public universities in the country! Take advantage of that to further your education at your own pace. Take UCSB courses through our Open University and enhance your subject matter expertise and re-discover your academic self.

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UCSB PaCE - Open University provides an opportunity to enroll in UCSB campus courses on a space-available basis without formal admission to the University. Concurrent Enrollment is available for fall, winter, and spring terms.