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Accounting
Professional Certificate
Program Overview
UC San Diego Extension's professional certificate in accounting provides students the opportunity to gain a solid
foundation in accounting skills and an understanding of the environment in which accountants work.
Program Audience
CPA Exam candidates: Taking the nine required Accounting Certificate courses will provide students with 36.0
quarter units which may be applied to the Accounting Subjects education requirement to sit for the CA CPA
Exam. Visit www.dca.ca.gov/cba to see the full requirements.
Professionals in career transition: Break into this high-demand field by increasing your knowledge base in
accounting concepts.
Accountants: Need a refresher course? Courses can be taken on an as needed basis.
Program Benefits
Courses are taught by well-qualified practitioners who will cover GAAP as well as underlying rationales
Various course formats: In class, Hybrid or Online
Students earn academic units which may be used to meet the California State Board of Accountancy’s
educational requirements to qualify for the CA CPA Exam and licensure
Hands-on comprehensive training designed to immerse you in the skills needed to successfully get started or
advance your career
Complement your college degree with career-oriented education
Network with other professionals in the program
Program Details
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites required to enroll in the certificate program.
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Accounting
Professional Certificate
Length
By taking one course per quarter, completion can be achieved in 9 quarters (2.25 years). Many students take more than
one course per quarter, and complete the program sooner. Students have up to five years to complete all certificate
requirements.
Cost
The program costs approximately $6090 – $6270 depending on whether in-class or online courses are chosen. This
estimate may vary based on a variety of factors. The cost of attendance does not include textbooks, parking,
transportation, or personal expenses. All estimated costs are subject to change; current fees and textbooks are listed on
our website. Students pay for individual course fees for the courses they intend to take in a particular quarter.
Requirements
Complete all nine courses to receive the certificate.
Version 05/04/2018
Electives
There are no required electives but there are other courses for continuing education. For information visit: Accounting
Certificate Matrix
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Accounting
Professional Certificate
Frequently Asked Questions
About the Certificate
How do I apply to the certificate program?
STEP 1: If you have a My Extension student account, skip to Step 2. If you do not have a My Extension account, go to
myextension.ucsd.edu, click “Create an account” on the right side of the page, and follow the instructions to create an
account. Once you have a My Extension account, continue to Step 2.
STEP 2: Click on the “Apply Now” button on the certificate page. Complete the required fields on the application. Then
click the “Save” button. Once you have saved the application, the “Submit” button will appear. Click the “Submit” button
to submit your application for review and consideration. Once submitted, your application cannot be changed. You can
track the progress of your application at My Extension.
Is there an application fee for the certificate program?
Current application or certificate enrollment fees, if any, are listed under the “Apply Now” button on the certificate page
on our website.
Can I register for the certificate program at any time?
Yes, you may enroll in the program at any time. However, it is recommended that you enroll as soon as possible. The
program curriculum may be updated at any time; if certificate requirements change, you must adhere to the curriculum
at the time of your enrollment into the certificate. Enrolling in the certificate also gives you access to quarterly,
personalized enrollment reminders from the program manager.
Can this certificate program be completed entirely online?
Yes, it is possible to complete the certificate online. Although most courses in the program are taught online, the online
offerings may vary each quarter. Contact the program manager for additional information at
AcctgTaxProgram@ucsd.edu.
How long do I have to complete the certificate?
You officially have five years from when you begin taking courses in the program to complete all requirements for the
certificate.
If I already have the skills taught in one of the courses, can I skip that course?
If you have taken a course from an accredited university covering the learning objectives of a program course, you may
be able to transfer your previous coursework to Extension. If you have not taken a course elsewhere, but already have
the skills covered in a course, you may be able to substitute an alternate Extension course in its place. Please contact the
program manager at AcctgTaxProgra[email protected] or 858-534-8189 for more information.
Is this certificate program open to non-California residents?
Yes, the program is open to non-California residents, including non-US residents. The tuition is the same for all students.
If you have questions about how enrolling in courses may or may not affect your visa status, please contact our
International Department at ipinfo@ucsd.edu or (858) 534-6784.
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Accounting
Professional Certificate
If I work full-time, will I still be able to complete this program?
Yes. Our programs are designed to be working-student friendly and most of our students are working professionals. The
courses vary between two and three units, which amount to approximately 18-20 hours of class time for a two unit
course and 27-30 hours of class time for a three unit course.
Is the program accredited?
UC San Diego is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). UC San Diego Extension — like
all other UC San Diego schools, colleges, and departments — is accredited by WASC through the University. All courses
and certificate programs offered by UC San Diego Extension have been developed and are administered in accordance
with Extension policy and the regulations of the Academic Senate of the University of California.
Will this program prepare me for a certification exam?
This program provides educational units to meet the eligibility requirements for the CA CPA Exam. It is not intended to
serve as a “test preparation” type of program.
How do I get my certificate once I have completed the requirements?
When you have paid your certificate fee and successfully completed all program requirements, you will need to request
an audit by Student Services. To request an audit:
In your My Extension account, click on “My Courses.”
On the right side of the page under “My Certificates,” click on the name of the certificate.
On the right side of the page under “Tools,” click on “Request Certificate Audit.”
Complete and submit the form that appears.
Once you have formally submitted your audit request, your certificate will be mailed to the address we have on file for
you within ten business days.
Do you provide job or internship placement?
No, we do not currently offer job placement assistance, internships, or career services assistance.
Is financial aid available?
UCSD Extension offers continuing education loans through UC Approved Lenders. Each institution offers low
competitive interest rates and flexible payment options. You are also encouraged to contact your personal
financial institution about possible lending solutions. Direct links to UC Approved Lenders can be found on our
website’s Financial Resources page.
The Employment Development Department (EDD) provides a comprehensive range of employment and training
services in partnership with state and local agencies/organizations. More information is available on their
website at edd.ca.gov.
Career Centers Located throughout San Diego County offer their communities comprehensive employment and
training services benefiting both business and job seekers. More information is available on their website at
workforce.org.
Please click here for information about Veteran’s Benefits.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) funds are limited to degree programs only, and cannot be used
for courses or certificate fees at UCSD Extension.
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Accounting
Professional Certificate
About the Courses
When does course enrollment open for each quarter?
Our classes post to our website and become open for enrollment approximately two months prior to the new quarter
starting. If you’d like to get an email reminder you can sign up for our newsletter(s) in My Extension, under the
“Preferences” tab.
When should I enroll in a course?
We recommend enrolling as soon as possible, as occasionally classes will reach capacity.
Once I have enrolled in a course, when will I get online access to it?
If you have enrolled at least three days before the course begins, you will have access starting on the first day of class.
You should receive an email from Student Services with instructions for how to login to the course. If you have enrolled
on or after the start date of the course, you will have access to the course within one business day.
When does enrollment for a course close?
Enrollment in a course may be closed for one or more of the following reasons:
The course is at capacity. If the course is at capacity you will only be able to join the waitlist. If space
becomes available in the course, students on the waitlist are contacted in the order they joined the waitlist.
The course has progressed to a point where students will no longer be able to make-up missed work and be
successful in the course.
The course is cancelled due to low enrollments.
For all three of these reasons we recommend students enroll early in the courses they are interested in.
When is the refund deadline for courses?
The refund deadline for courses in this program is typically one week after the start of the course. This allows you to
enroll in a course and participate in the course for approximately one week to determine if the course is a good fit. Then,
if needed, either you may either transfer your enrollment to a different course or submit a drop request by emailing
Student Services at unex-reg@ucsd.edu. The exact refund deadline for each section is listed in the section notes on the
course page in our website, and you can also find it in My Extension by clicking on “My Courses” and then the name of
the course.
What are the grading options for courses?
You may take a course for one of three options: Letter Grade, Pass/No Pass, or Not for Credit. If you are taking a course
towards a certificate you must complete your courses for credit (i.e. Pass/No Pass or Letter Grade) and receive a C-/Pass
or higher grade. Grades below a C-, No Pass, and Not for Credit will not count towards certificate requirements.
What kind of credit do I earn?
The courses in this program are post-baccalaureate, professional-level, credit bearing courses. Credit earned in these
courses may lead to the award of a formal certificate by UC San Diego Extension or may be applied toward an academic
degree or professional credential, subject to the approval of the receiving institution.
If you wish to transfer credit, it is your responsibility to confer with the receiving institution before enrolling, as each
individual academic institution decides whether or not to accept Extension’s credits.
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Accounting
Professional Certificate
Are courses transferrable?
UC San Diego Extension is not a degree granting institution, however many UC San Diego Extension courses can be
transferred to other colleges or universities. The transferability of credit is determined solely by the receiving institution.
You should discuss how your individual courses will transfer with the Office of the Registrar at the receiving institution
prior to enrolling.
Can I take a course without registering for the certificate?
Yes, you may take any course in this program without registering for the certificate, provided you have fulfilled any and
all prerequisites for the course.
How long is each course?
Two unit courses run for approximately 6-7 weeks; three unit courses run for approximately 9-10 weeks; four unit
courses run for approximately 10-11 weeks. For exact course dates of upcoming sections, visit the webpage of the
course you are interested in taking on our website.
When is each course offered?
Please visit the course page on our website to see when courses are typically offered. You can also see a full program
schedule by clicking on the “View Schedule” button under the “Courses” section on the certificate page or under the
Program Requirements section of this document.
How many hours can I expect to spend studying outside of class time?
Each student has their own learning style so this can vary greatly. As a rule of thumb, expect to spend an average of two
hours studying for every hour you spend in-class. For online courses, students should plan to spend approximately 8-10
hours per week viewing lectures and completing coursework.
How are online classes formatted?
The online courses are asynchronous: they have a start and end date but all the lessons are uploaded on Blackboard, our
online learning management system, so you can learn at your own pace. However, please be aware that you may have
weekly assignments, quizzes, or tests that are due on specific dates. Please click here to view a sample course tour to
see if this format suits your learning style.
What are the instructors’ credentials?
The program courses are taught by seasoned professionals and overseen by an advisory board of leaders in the field.
You can view the advisor list under the “Advisors” section on the certificate page. You can find information about a
course instructor, including a biography and credentials, on the course page.
How do I communicate with a course instructor if I have a question during the course?
Each instructor has his/her own preferred method of communication and response policy, which will be detailed on the
course syllabus. However, most instructors utilize email or the discussion board and will respond within 24-48 hours.
Will I get any hands-on experience in the program?
Most courses combine theory with hands-on exercises. For more information about practical experience in any course,
visit the course page on our website.
What are the required textbooks for a course?
Instructors will post the current text requirements and recommendations on the course page on our website. Please
note the textbooks requirements are subject to change every quarter and different instructors may require different
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Accounting
Professional Certificate
books, even if they are teaching the same course in the same quarter, so be sure to check the textbook requirements for
the section in which you are enrolling.
Will I be able to order the required textbooks before the class begins?
Yes, you can order the book(s) any time after enrolling in the course. You may order books through the campus
bookstore or online retailers, such as Amazon.com.
After I enroll in a course, how can I retrieve a receipt or enrollment verification for my records?
Login to your My Extension account and select “Documents” as the top of the page.
How will I receive my final course grade?
Once the course is completed, the instructor has 10 business days to submit your grades. Once grades have been
posted, you can view and print them from your My Extension account.
What if I am having trouble with Blackboard or My Extension?
Please contact Student Services at (858) 534-3400 or unex-reg@ucsd.edu if you experience any issues logging in to any
of our systems.
For More Information
For program specific questions, please visit the certificate page on our website or contact a program manager at
AcctgTaxProgram@ucsd.edu or 858-534-8189. For administrative questions, please contact our Student Services
Department at unex-reg@ucsd.edu or (858) 543-3400.
