Earn two technical certificates in just 15 months with $0 upfront



Applications for the Winter 2025 cohort close on November 7.

 
Certificates you’ll earn:
  • Core Certificate from UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies
  • Google Career Certificate
What you will get from the program:
  • Flexible coursework and meetings that allow you to maintain your current job
  • Technology skills training for high-demand occupations
  • 1-on-1 support from a dedicated career navigator
  • Personalized career-readiness training
  • Invitations to exclusive workshops
  • Chance to access 150 hours of paid work experience
  • Personal mentoring from an industry professional
  • Support to help you land a job upon program completion


Apply now

Click the button below to begin your application. The application usually takes about 10–15 minutes to complete. After submission, our team will contact you about next steps.


Applications for the Winter 2025 cohort close on November 7.


Not sure if a tech career is right for you?

Take advantage of our trial period.

  • Try the coursework for the first five weeks to see if the full 15-month program is a good fit
  • If you decide not to continue, no costs are incurred and no repayment is required


Questions? Review our FAQs below, watch our pre-recorded info session, attend an in-person information session or reach out to hello@workforce.org for more information and we’ll follow up with you within one business day.




More About the Program


Certificates and Career Pathways

Learn about the certificates and career pathways available through the UC San Diego Extended Studies & Google Career Certificates Program.

Example Curriculum (click here to download pdf):

Si Ucsd + Google Program Bi Participant Journey V6 Light P1

Si Ucsd + Google Program Bi Participant Journey V6 Light P2

 

Learn more about the UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies Business Intelligence Analysis certificate here and the Google Data Analytics certificate here.

Career Path Overview: Data analysts make sense of data and numbers to help organizations make better business decisions. They prepare, process, analyze and visualize data, discovering patterns and trends and answering key questions along the way. Their work empowers their wider team to make better business decisions.

Relevant Jobs: Business intelligence analyst, data analyst, billing analyst, finance analyst, operations analyst, data technician, marketing analyst 

Skills & Software You Will Learn:

Extended Studies
Google
  • SQL
  • Data types and structures
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Data analysis
  • Tableau and data visualization
  • SQL
  • Database design and data warehousing
  • Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel
  • Electives: Programming
  • Tableau and data visualization
 
  • R Programming & RStudio
 
  • Kaggle

Timeline: 15 months (5 Quarters)

Example Curriculum (click here to download pdf):

Si Ucsd + Google Program Front End Development Participant Journey V6 Light P1

Si Ucsd + Google Program Front End Development Participant Journey V6 Light P2

Learn more about the UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies Front-end Development certificate here and the Google UX Design certificate here.

Career Path Overview:

Front-end developers code in languages such as HTML, CSS and JavaScript to develop websites and applications that users interact with. Front-end developers create the interface that shapes what an element of a website does and what it looks like. They also need to learn basic user experience principles to work effectively with designers.

Relevant Jobs: Front-end developer, front-end engineer, junior web developer, web designer, UI designer, interaction designer, junior UX designer

Software & Skills You Will Learn: 

Extended Studies
Google
  • HTML5
  • Personas, user stories and user journey maps
  • CSS3
  • Usability studies
  • JavaScript (React.js) and jQuery
  • Wireframes and prototypes
  • Web development project management
  • Testing and iterating on design
 
  • Figma and Adobe XD

Timeline: 15 months (5 quarters)

Example Curriculum (click here to download pdf):

Si Ucsd + Google Program Cybersecurity Participant Journey V6 Light P1

Si Ucsd + Google Program Cybersecurity Participant Journey V6 Light P2

Learn more about the UC San Diego, Division of Extended Studies Cybersecurity program here and the Google Cybersecurity certificate here.

Career Path Overview:

Cybersecurity professionals understand the tools to protect information and data on computers, networks and electronic devices. They anticipate, prevent and respond to attacks, serving as a critical member of any team. Cybersecurity professionals need to have a solid understanding of networking and operating systems along with the desire to stay updated on evolving threats and technologies. This field also requires using knowledge gained from certificate courses to pass certification exams to show technical competency.

Relevant Jobs: IT support, ethical hacker, penetration tester, security analyst, security consultant, cybersecurity manager, compliance officer, security policy analyst, information systems auditor, risk analyst and compliance specialist

Skills You Will Learn: 

Extended Studies 

  • Cybersecurity fundamentals
  • Linux networking
  • Ethical hacking
  • Information security management
  • Governance of enterprise IT
  • Risk and information systems control

Google

  • Network security
  • Security information and event management (SIEM) tools
  • SQL
  • Intrusion detection systems (IDS)

Timeline: 15 months (5 quarters)

Example Curriculum (click here to download pdf):

Si Ucsd + Google Program Bi Participant Journey V6 Light P1

Si Ucsd + Google Program Bi Participant Journey V6 Light P2

 

Learn more about the UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies Business Intelligence Analysis certificate here and the Google Data Analytics certificate here.

Career Path Overview: Data analysts make sense of data and numbers to help organizations make better business decisions. They prepare, process, analyze and visualize data, discovering patterns and trends and answering key questions along the way. Their work empowers their wider team to make better business decisions.

Relevant Jobs: Business intelligence analyst, data analyst, billing analyst, finance analyst, operations analyst, data technician, marketing analyst 

Skills & Software You Will Learn:

Extended Studies
Google
  • SQL
  • Data types and structures
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Data analysis
  • Tableau and data visualization
  • SQL
  • Database design and data warehousing
  • Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel
  • Electives: Programming
  • Tableau and data visualization
 
  • R Programming & RStudio
 
  • Kaggle

Timeline: 15 months (5 Quarters)

Example Curriculum (click here to download pdf):

Si Ucsd + Google Program Front End Development Participant Journey V6 Light P1

Si Ucsd + Google Program Front End Development Participant Journey V6 Light P2

Learn more about the UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies Front-end Development certificate here and the Google UX Design certificate here.

Career Path Overview:

Front-end developers code in languages such as HTML, CSS and JavaScript to develop websites and applications that users interact with. Front-end developers create the interface that shapes what an element of a website does and what it looks like. They also need to learn basic user experience principles to work effectively with designers.

Relevant Jobs: Front-end developer, front-end engineer, junior web developer, web designer, UI designer, interaction designer, junior UX designer

Software & Skills You Will Learn: 

Extended Studies
Google
  • HTML5
  • Personas, user stories and user journey maps
  • CSS3
  • Usability studies
  • JavaScript (React.js) and jQuery
  • Wireframes and prototypes
  • Web development project management
  • Testing and iterating on design
 
  • Figma and Adobe XD

Timeline: 15 months (5 quarters)

Example Curriculum (click here to download pdf):

Si Ucsd + Google Program Cybersecurity Participant Journey V6 Light P1

Si Ucsd + Google Program Cybersecurity Participant Journey V6 Light P2

Learn more about the UC San Diego, Division of Extended Studies Cybersecurity program here and the Google Cybersecurity certificate here.

Career Path Overview:

Cybersecurity professionals understand the tools to protect information and data on computers, networks and electronic devices. They anticipate, prevent and respond to attacks, serving as a critical member of any team. Cybersecurity professionals need to have a solid understanding of networking and operating systems along with the desire to stay updated on evolving threats and technologies. This field also requires using knowledge gained from certificate courses to pass certification exams to show technical competency.

Relevant Jobs: IT support, ethical hacker, penetration tester, security analyst, security consultant, cybersecurity manager, compliance officer, security policy analyst, information systems auditor, risk analyst and compliance specialist

Skills You Will Learn: 

Extended Studies 

  • Cybersecurity fundamentals
  • Linux networking
  • Ethical hacking
  • Information security management
  • Governance of enterprise IT
  • Risk and information systems control

Google

  • Network security
  • Security information and event management (SIEM) tools
  • SQL
  • Intrusion detection systems (IDS)

Timeline: 15 months (5 quarters)


FAQs

Click the buttons below to get answers to frequently asked questions.

Who should apply to the program?

Individuals who are interested in a career in technology but lack an affordable and flexible means to pursue it are encouraged to apply. While there is no upfront cost, the program is not free and we are happy help you weigh the features and benefits of this program against other certificate options available to you. We find that individuals with some exposure to technology and/or those who have a few years of consistent work experience are best suited for this program.  

What do I need to succeed in the program?

Breaking into the technology sector requires a great deal of resilience and comfort with discomfort. It is not an easy path and will require hard work, persistence and continual growth. Strong time management skills, stable housing and steady access to the internet over the 15-month period also help create a stable learning environment.

How many hours per week will I need to spend on the program?

Participants should plan to commit to 15 hours/week of coursework and 1-2 hours/week of job-readiness preparation. 

What if I’m still not sure which certificate path is right for me?

If you are still exploring multiple career options and interested in sectors outside of technology, we recommend you attend a Connecting Interests with Careers workshop, which can be found on our events calendar. If you know you want to pursue a path in technology, but are not sure which program is right, please attend our next information session. If you are ready to move forward with our program, please submit an application.

How will I interact with my instructors and career navigators?

You’ll use online learning and communication tools like Canvas, Slack and Coursera to engage with your instructors, career navigators and fellow students.  

What if I’m not sure about the program yet?

Try out the Google and UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies coursework for up to five weeks before committing to the full 15-month program. During this time, we’ll have weekly check-ins to help you achieve your trial period milestones. When these milestones are met, you continue in the program, and if you don’t meet these milestones, you leave the program with no financial responsibility. 

What does job-readiness training look like?

Participants build job-readiness skills in addition to technical skills through 1-on-1 counseling sessions and group workshops. While paid work experience and mentorship is not required, they are recommended to everyone in the program to set yourself apart in the job search. With help from our team, you’ll identify ideal jobs, perfect your resume, practice interviewing and complete projects or internships that help you stand out, building skills to support every step of your career journey. Additionally, you will have the support of our community partners to help with barriers that could potentially interfere with your progress.  

Am I guaranteed a job at the end of the program?

No. The Workforce Partnership can’t guarantee you a job, but we prepare you for your job search and leverage our employer network to refer candidates to open roles with our partners. We also expect participants to actively apply to jobs after graduating. 

What is an outcomes-based loan?

Outcomes-based loans allow organizations like the Workforce Partnership to provide comprehensive education, job-readiness training, access to paid work experience and other wraparound services at no upfront cost to the participant. For participants who are earning the equivalent of at least $40,000 per year, the repayment obligation is to repay the $7,000 outcomes-based loan with zero interest. For those who are not earning the equivalent of at least $40,000 per year, participants can defer payments for up to 60 months.  Learn more about outcomes-based loans here

What if I don’t want to take out an outcomes-based loan?

There are many other technology education options for people interested in these careers. The UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies courses are available to anyone, independent of this program and prospective applicants are welcome to enroll directly through UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies. 

As part of our application process, the Workforce Partnership will help you evaluate other potential programs. View a full list of the Partnership’s free or low-cost program and service offerings, or reach out to hello@workforce.org with any questions.

San Diego’s community colleges and San Diego College of Continuing Education also offer classes in these subject areas that may be lower cost, or even free depending on your financial situation, but may not offer the career services that the Workforce Partnership is able to provide.

Who should apply to the program?

Individuals who are interested in a career in technology but lack an affordable and flexible means to pursue it are encouraged to apply. While there is no upfront cost, the program is not free and we are happy help you weigh the features and benefits of this program against other certificate options available to you. We find that individuals with some exposure to technology and/or those who have a few years of consistent work experience are best suited for this program.  

What do I need to succeed in the program?

Breaking into the technology sector requires a great deal of resilience and comfort with discomfort. It is not an easy path and will require hard work, persistence and continual growth. Strong time management skills, stable housing and steady access to the internet over the 15-month period also help create a stable learning environment.

How many hours per week will I need to spend on the program?

Participants should plan to commit to 15 hours/week of coursework and 1-2 hours/week of job-readiness preparation. 

What if I’m still not sure which certificate path is right for me?

If you are still exploring multiple career options and interested in sectors outside of technology, we recommend you attend a Connecting Interests with Careers workshop, which can be found on our events calendar. If you know you want to pursue a path in technology, but are not sure which program is right, please attend our next information session. If you are ready to move forward with our program, please submit an application.

How will I interact with my instructors and career navigators?

You’ll use online learning and communication tools like Canvas, Slack and Coursera to engage with your instructors, career navigators and fellow students.  

What if I’m not sure about the program yet?

Try out the Google and UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies coursework for up to five weeks before committing to the full 15-month program. During this time, we’ll have weekly check-ins to help you achieve your trial period milestones. When these milestones are met, you continue in the program, and if you don’t meet these milestones, you leave the program with no financial responsibility. 

What does job-readiness training look like?

Participants build job-readiness skills in addition to technical skills through 1-on-1 counseling sessions and group workshops. While paid work experience and mentorship is not required, they are recommended to everyone in the program to set yourself apart in the job search. With help from our team, you’ll identify ideal jobs, perfect your resume, practice interviewing and complete projects or internships that help you stand out, building skills to support every step of your career journey. Additionally, you will have the support of our community partners to help with barriers that could potentially interfere with your progress.  

Am I guaranteed a job at the end of the program?

No. The Workforce Partnership can’t guarantee you a job, but we prepare you for your job search and leverage our employer network to refer candidates to open roles with our partners. We also expect participants to actively apply to jobs after graduating. 

What is an outcomes-based loan?

Outcomes-based loans allow organizations like the Workforce Partnership to provide comprehensive education, job-readiness training, access to paid work experience and other wraparound services at no upfront cost to the participant. For participants who are earning the equivalent of at least $40,000 per year, the repayment obligation is to repay the $7,000 outcomes-based loan with zero interest. For those who are not earning the equivalent of at least $40,000 per year, participants can defer payments for up to 60 months.  Learn more about outcomes-based loans here

What if I don’t want to take out an outcomes-based loan?

There are many other technology education options for people interested in these careers. The UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies courses are available to anyone, independent of this program and prospective applicants are welcome to enroll directly through UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies. 

As part of our application process, the Workforce Partnership will help you evaluate other potential programs. View a full list of the Partnership’s free or low-cost program and service offerings, or reach out to hello@workforce.org with any questions.

San Diego’s community colleges and San Diego College of Continuing Education also offer classes in these subject areas that may be lower cost, or even free depending on your financial situation, but may not offer the career services that the Workforce Partnership is able to provide.



Student Stories

Read what students have gained from the UC San Diego Extended Studies & Google Career Certificates Program.

Ismael Square
Ismael Gutierrez
Front-End Development

31-year-old Ismael Gutierrez was on the hunt for certifications in UX design. After discovering the UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies Front-end Development certificate and the Google UX Design certificate programs and reading the great reviews from other San Diegans who benefited from them, he knew it was the best place to increase his skills as a web developer.  

Read More
112319420421
Ellie Solorio
Front-end Development Certificate

Ellie worked in administrative roles but dreamed of becoming a web developer, leading her to enroll in a Front-end development certificate at UC San Diego Division of Extended studies. With 6 months left in her certificate program, she received an offer for to become a content producer at Petco. Ellie was most recently hired by her fellow classmate at Evoke Canale, where she works as a junior front-end developer.

Read More
Chris London
Chris London
Business Intelligence Certificate

Chris had worked at the San Diego Zoo for 14 years and without any formal education he found it very hard to advance in his career. Looking for ways to advance his career opportunities, Chris earned a Business Intelligence certificate through the program. He landed a job as a Business Intelligence Analyst at Community Housing earning $14 an hour more than what he was previously making at the Zoo.

Read More
Ernesto 2
Ernesto Gonzales
Business Intelligence Certificate

Ernesto Gonzales was working at a job with limited financial growth when he heard about the Workforce Partnership’s Income Share Agreement (ISA) program. He learned how to support data-driven organizational decision-making and maximize the utility of accumulated data.  He currently works as an IT associate for San Diego Gas & Electric.

Read More


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