About

In the heart of Silicon Valley

When you’re ready to learn new skills for a job promotion, shift your focus to new industry entirely, or explore the latest Silicon Valley best practices in a given field, UCSC Silicon Valley Extension gets you there.

We are a nonprofit WASUC-accredited educator providing high-demand workforce skills to people interested in improving their career options. Most of our students are professionals with college degrees who need to update their skills to meet constantly changing workforce demands. Others are new college grads looking for the practical skills for the job market and seasoned professionals who are pivoting, launching their experience into a new career.

Our beautiful campus building is surrounded by top global companies, such as Nvidia, Yahoo, Cisco, Erickson, and eBay, Apple, Facebook, LinkedIn, Synopsys, Intel, AMD, and Amazon. Just across the street is the busy Santa Clara Square with a Whole Foods market, several restaurants, and retail establishments.

Affordability

As a student, you are invited to take a single course, pursue a particular topic series, or declare yourself as a candidate for one of our internationally respected certificate programs. Whatever path you choose, you are able to pay as you go. No other upfront expense is necessary beyond your current course load.

UC-Vetted & WASUC Accredited

We offer certificates, skills awards, and professional update and refresher courses in five general areas: Engineering and Technology, Business Management, Design, Biosciences, and Education. Courses are vetted and approved by UC Santa Cruz. We are also accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), a regional accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Industry Insight

Our instructors are working Silicon Valley professionals who understand the unique Silicon Valley culture and the latest workforce trends. Students benefit from skills training that is inventive, current and, above all, practical. It is designed to help you quickly build technical skills on the job as you learn, as well as the critical soft skills practice that is demanded in the workforce, such as networking, collaboration and job search preparation.

Designed for Working Professionals

Our night, weekend, online and hybrid courses are created and scheduled to meet the needs of working professionals in the region.

International: OPT Opportunities

UCSC Extension is authorized to issue I-20 forms for initial entry, transfer, reinstatement and change of status applications for international students. After you complete your studies, you can gain work experience in a relevant company by applying for Optional Practical training (OPT), extending your visa with a year of work experience in Silicon Valley.

Our Legacy

No other accredited Silicon Valley educational institution has focused on workforce development as long as UCSC Extension. We have a proven track record and we will be here for your future. Unlike the many new highly leveraged, investment-backed for-profit online educators, we are almost entirely funded by student fees and we are here to stay. We plan to be here to give you the skills you need to succeed in each step of your career—from the newly graduated to the working professional and the lifelong learner.

Learn More

UCSC Silicon Valley Extension • (408) 861-3860 • ExtensionProgram@ucsc.edu