Certificate Program FAQs

Our Certificate Programs are convenient, affordable ways for students to advance their careers. You may enroll in courses individually (as part of a certificate or on their own) or take advantage of one of the two payment options we offer for some certificate programs:

Pre-pay Discount

By choosing a pre-pay discount, you enroll in (and pay for) your entire certificate program and receive a 15% discount on the cost (10% for Public Health). We also waive the mandatory $125 certificate registration fee. This option is not available for the Master Brewers Certificate Program or the Coaching for Life and Work Certificate Program.

Payment Plan

By choosing a payment plan option, you enroll in your entire certificate program and pay in equal installments (3 or 4 payments, depending on the program).

Below are some frequently asked questions about our certificate programs and our pre-pay discount and payment plan options.

If you have specific questions not answered below, please contact cpeinfo@ucdavis.edu or 530-757-8777 and we’ll make sure you’re taken care of.

General Certificate Program FAQs

• What is a Certificate Program?
• A Certificate Program is a series of courses providing in-depth study, so you can get the most up-to-date skills and information you need to excel in your chosen field, or transition to a new career. These professional education programs provide a minimum of 12 units (120 hours) academic credit. A UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education certificate represents a much deeper understanding of your industry beyond what a course or workshop provides. Some certificates prepare you to take accreditation exams or meet state-mandated requirements for continuing education.
  
  The pre-pay discount and payment plan options we offer on some programs give you the flexibility to pay for a full certificate program (see the Pre-pay Discount and Payment Plan FAQs below).
• What is a Professional Concentration?
• A Professional Concentration provides a highly focused sequence of study that can be completed in a year or less. These shorter programs (60-119 hours) focus on one facet of your profession. A Professional Concentration requires approximately half the number of courses as a certificate program.
• What is a Specialized Study Program?
• A Specialized Study Program is a short sequence of courses or modules representing focused study of specific knowledge, skills and tools, leading to the achievement of a narrow but cohesive set of learning objectives that are skill and competency-based. These programs do not carry academic credit, however, successful completion of a Specialized Study Program will result in an award of completion.
• Is a certificate the same thing as a certification?
• An academic certificate is an educational credential that shows you have successfully completed at least 120 hours of an academic program and demonstrates your acquired knowledge in a particular field or subject area. These programs award academic certificates. In some instances, a certificate earned can prepare you to sit for certification exams or meet continuing education requirements.
  
  A certification is a professional credential that means you have demonstrated mastery, typically by passing a certification exam through an industry-standard test and is awarded by professional organizations. Becoming certified typically includes a professional designation, such as AICP, CPA or PHR.
• Why take a certificate program from UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education?
• Unlike some other institutions, each of our programs are UC-approved, requiring at least 120 hours of coursework. All of our certificate courses offer academic credit, which may be applied to degree programs at colleges and universities at their discretion. UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education certificate courses are taught by respected leaders in their industries, so you always get practical, real-world knowledge and instruction.
• How will I benefit from getting a certificate?
• Making the personal investment in a certificate shows your employer a serious commitment to your field and increases your value in the workplace. Achieving a certificate can give you a competitive edge in hiring and promoting situations. Some of our certificates prepare you to take accreditation exams or meet state-mandated requirements for continuing education. And, over the course of a certificate program, many students have opportunities to work closely with instructors and fellow students, providing a valuable professional network for the future.
• May I apply courses from another college to a certificate?
• You may substitute one course from an accredited institution for one Certificate Program course, with approval of the program manager, if the course is comparable and you earned a grade C or better. The representative can give you more information about substitutions.
• May I use certificate program units in a degree program?
• Acceptance of our courses toward a degree is determined by the institution where you want to earn the degree. We recommend that students who wish to apply a UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education course toward a degree at another institution verify acceptance of the course with that institution before enrolling.
• Do I have to be enrolled in a certificate program to take certificate courses?
• Most courses are open to the general public as well as certificate program enrollees. Many people take two or three courses before committing to an entire program. Others simply take courses they find interesting without ever intending to earn a certificate.
  
  The pre-pay discount and payment plan options we offer on some programs give you the flexibility to pay for a full certificate program (see the Pre-pay Discount and Payment Plan FAQs below).
• How long does it take to complete a program?
• Most certificate programs take approximately two years to complete if you take one course per quarter.
• How much does it cost?
• Program costs vary depending on the number of units required and the subject area. They can cost approximately $2,300-$12,000. Some certificate programs also require students to pay a non-refundable, one-time certificate registration fee of $125. This fee would be in addition to any other costs associated with the certificate program.
  
  The pre-pay discount and payment plan options we offer on some programs give you the flexibility to pay for a full certificate program (see the Pre-pay Discount and Payment Plan FAQs below).
• What do I need to know to be successful in my Certificate Program?
• A Certificate Program is an ongoing commitment, so good time management is critical to your success. A thorough understanding of the program requirements is also important, and your enrollment coach can answer your questions to ensure you fully understand the expectations.
• Should I enroll in a Certificate Program if I work full time?
• It is possible to pursue a Certificate Program course plan when working full time. You should plan to devote approximately three hours of your time per course unit per week. This includes viewing lectures and attending class, doing readings, working on assignments and participating in online discussions. For example, for a three-credit unit class, you should plan to devote approximately nine hours per week.
• Can I do a Certificate Program faster than what is advertised on the website?
• Yes. While it is possible to complete the program faster than the advertised/suggested schedule, it is not usually recommended, since this would require that you take multiple courses every quarter. If you are a working professional, it is highly recommended you enroll in one course per quarter.

Pre-pay Discount and Payment Plan FAQs

• How does the payment plan option work?
• By choosing a payment plan, you enroll in your entire certificate program and pay in equal installments (3 or 4 payments, depending on the program).
  
  Currently a payment plan is offered in five programs – the Master Brewers Certificate Program (3 equal payments), Coaching (3 equal payments), Construction (4 equal payments), Human Resources (3 equal payments), and Public Health (3 equal payments). We may offer payment plans on other programs in future.
• How does the pre-pay discount work?
• By choosing a pre-pay discount, you enroll in (and pay for) your entire certificate program and receive a 15% discount on the cost (10% for the Public Health Certificate). We also waive the mandatory $125 certificate registration fee. This option is not available for the Master Brewers Certificate Program or the Coaching for Life and Work Certificate Program.
• When are the courses in my pre-paid or payment plan certificate program offered?
• Upon enrollment in your certificate program, you will receive a confirmation email with details on when each of the courses in your program will be offered based on what you selected at the time of enrollment. Please contact our Enrollment Team at cpeinfo@ucdavis.edu or 530-757-8777, if you have any questions about your enrollment(s).
• Can I change the schedule of courses once I have enrolled in a pre-paid or payment plan certificate program?
• Once you enroll in a Certificate Program, you must follow the established course plan. If you need to change your course schedule mid-program, please reach out to the Enrollment Team at 530-757-8777 or cpeinfo@ucdavis.edu. Important note - you may incur fees and additional tuition charges when altering your original course plan.
• What if something comes up, and I need to put my education on hold? Can I pause the Certificate Program and come back to it later?
• Once enrolled, you must continue your coursework per the established course plan. If you need to pause your education, you must withdraw from the certificate program courses or transfer your enrollment to a future offering. You have five years to complete the coursework in a certificate program. Important note - you may incur fees and additional tuition charges when altering your original course plan.
• Can I use multiple discounts when enrolling in a certificate program?
• Enrollment discounts cannot be combined. You should determine which single discount option works best for you before enrolling.
• Can I use my VA Benefits to pay for a certificate program?
• Yes. For additional information on which programs are eligible for VA benefits and how to utilize VA funding to pay for your education, click here.
• How will I know which courses I will be taking and when?
• When you enroll in the certificate program, you will receive a confirmation e-mail for the courses you selected at check-out which will list the dates of the courses. You can also check the dates for your courses by logging into your Student Account.