UC San Diego Extended Studies

What UC San Diego Extended Studies does

UC San Diego Extended Studies is the continuing education and professional development division of UC San Diego, itself part of the University of California public system governed by the Regents of the University of California. The division delivers courses, certificates, and structured educational programs across 16 subject areas — including business, data analysis, engineering, healthcare, technology, and occupational safety — to working professionals, career changers, K-12 students, adults aged 50+, international learners, and corporate clients. Notable sub-brands include the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), Sally Ride Science (K-12 STEAM, celebrating 25 years), the ASCEND substance use disorder counselor training program (in partnership with the California Department of Health Care Services), the OSHA Training Institute Education Center (nearly five decades operating), and Degree Plus for current UC San Diego undergraduates.

The division delivers instruction through on-campus, live online, and self-paced online formats using the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) from Instructure, with planned migration to a new Triton Student System (TSS) student information portal in August 2026. The technology stack also includes Google Analytics, Microsoft Clarity, and Google Ads, Microsoft Advertising, and Facebook Advertising for marketing and engagement analytics. Core platform features include digital credentials and badges, the Osher Virtual Career Hub, and integrations with university campus systems.

Revenue is generated through a diversified mix of channels: per-course and certificate fees (e.g., Integrative Nutrition Certificate at $2,980–$3,400), annual and quarterly OLLI memberships (including a $50/year affiliate tier), fee-for-service corporate custom training, event registration fees, philanthropic donations and matched gifts (e.g., Jeff Sakihara OLLI match), and state-government funding for the ASCEND program. Distribution occurs through self-serve enrollment portals, on-campus instruction, corporate direct sales, and a dedicated international programs office. The division is not a venture-backed commercial entity; it operates as a public university extension unit under the University of California's institutional structure.

Name

UC San Diego Extended Studies

Legal name

The Regents of the University of California

Website

https://extendedstudies.ucsd.edu

Company type

Public

Operating status

Operating

Short description

UC San Diego Extended Studies is the continuing education division of UC San Diego, offering professional certificates, corporate training, lifelong learning, and youth STEAM programs to working professionals, adults 50+, K-12 students, and international learners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Continuing Education and Professional Development

NAICS

Educational Services (61), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs (EDAAAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Online Divisions of Traditional Universities (Hybrid/Extension) (EDAHALAB), Lifelong Learning Institutes (Osher/OLLI-style) & Senior Academies (EDAAAMAA), Online/Hybrid Lifelong Learning Platforms & Open Enrollment Programs (EDAAAEAL)

Keywords

• Continuing education programs
• Professional certificate courses
• Corporate workforce training
• Lifelong learning institute
• Pre-college STEAM programs

Headquarters

HQ city

La Jolla

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Course and Certificate Fees: Revenue generated from course enrollments, specialized certificates (e.g., Integrative Nutrition Certificate: $2,980-$3,400 plus books and certificate fee), and professional development programs. Individual course fees vary by program.
2. Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Memberships: Annual and quarterly membership fees providing unlimited access to daily live lectures and seminars on campus or via Zoom, plus Affiliate Membership ($50/year) for access to online video library of recorded lectures.
3. Corporate Education and Custom Training: Customized training programs for organizations to accelerate organizational change and develop employee skills. Programs are fee-for-service based on organizational needs.
4. Event Registration and VIP Experiences: Ticket sales for public lectures and events (e.g., Jolinda Wade lecture priced at $25 including book and VIP reception access). Revenue from book sales associated with featured speakers.
5. ASCEND Program (DHCS Partnership): Free program for California residents funded by California Department of Health Care Services. No revenue generated directly from participants; funded through state government partnership.
6. Donations and Philanthropic Support: Triton Giving Day donations support student scholarships and program funding. Named endowments (Helen Edison Lecture Series) and donor-matched gifts (Jeff Sakihara matching up to $2,000 for OLLI) provide additional funding.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

UC San Diego Extended Studies provides continuing education, professional development, and lifelong learning programs through credit and non-credit courses, certificate programs, and specialized educational initiatives. The division delivers courses across 16 subject areas (Arts & Humanities, Business & Leadership, Data Analysis, Engineering, Healthcare, Technology, etc.) via online, live online, on-campus, and hybrid formats, and operates sub-programs including Corporate Education, OLLI for adults 50+, Sally Ride Science Academy for K-12 STEAM, the ASCEND substance use disorder counselor training, International Programs, and the OSHA Training Institute Education Center.

Product overview

UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies is a university continuing education unit offering a diverse portfolio of professional education products and programs. The core offering consists of Courses & Certificates spanning 16 subject areas (Arts & Humanities, Business & Leadership, Data Analysis, Engineering, Healthcare, Technology, etc.) and Educational Programs including Corporate Education, Degree Plus, International Programs, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), Post Baccalaureate Premedical, Sally Ride Science, and Pre-College Programs. Key specialized programs include the ASCEND Program (80-hour SUD counselor training for California DHCS), the Sally Ride Science Academy (K-12 STEAM workshops), and the Integrative Nutrition Certificate. The division also operates the Center for Research & Evaluation, provides access to UCTV educational programming, and maintains partnerships with Canvas LMS for course delivery. Students can participate through various modalities including on-campus, live online, online self-paced, and hybrid formats.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sally Ride Science: STEAM workshops and programs for K-12 students designed to inspire curiosity and confidence in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.
• Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)
• ASCEND
• Degree Plus
• UCSD OSHA Training Institute Education Center (OTEIC)

Products and services

• Courses & Certificates Comprehensive catalog of professional education courses and certificate programs spanning 16 subject areas (Arts & Humanities, Business & Leadership, Data Analysis & Mathematics, Digital Arts, Education, Engineering, Environment & Sustainability, Healthcare, Languages and English Learning, Law, OSHA, Sciences, Social Sciences, Technology, Writing, Degree Credit). Designed for working professionals and career changers seeking employer-recognized credentials.
• ASCEND Program Advancing Substance Use Disorder Counselor Education and Development (ASCEND) is a free, self-paced, online 80-hour core competency training program for California residents seeking to meet Assembly Bill 2473 requirements for substance use disorder counselor certification. Provides digital badges after each course, an Award of Completion after all 12 courses, and optional official transcript.
• Integrative Nutrition Certificate Career-focused training program in diet and nutrition with a holistic orientation, designed for health professionals, aspiring healthcare workers, and interested laypersons. Approximately 12 months in duration, with total program cost of $2,980-$3,400 plus books (~ $200) and certificate fee ($125). Includes courses such as Foundations of Nutrition I and II, Food as Medicine, Behavior Change and Lifestyle Coaching, The Business of Integrative Nutrition, Advanced Nutrition Topics, and Natural Healing and Cooking.
• Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) Membership-based lifelong learning program offering intellectually engaging lectures, seminars, cultural events, travel programs, online learning, and social connections for adults aged 50 and older. Includes yearly and quarterly membership options plus an Affiliate Membership ($50/year) for access to the online video library of recorded lectures. Also offers the free Osher Virtual Career Hub for professional development.
• Sally Ride Science Academy STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) workshops and programs for K-12 students featuring hands-on experiences in marine life, building, robots, coding, AI, space exploration, epidemiology, digital media, and sustainability. Courses held during summer at UC San Diego campus locations and partner school locations, with scholarships available for eligible students.
• Corporate Education & Custom Training Customized training programs designed to accelerate organizational change by bringing new skills, knowledge, and acumen to existing employees through practical, high-impact training strategies. Fee-for-service based on organizational needs, delivered through direct corporate outreach and partnership development.
• International Programs Academic programs for international students including English Language Institute (ELI), Certificate Programs, University Credit Programs, English Language Certification Exam (ELCE) for UCSD International Graduate Students, Conditional Admission Offers, Custom Programs, and Optional Practical Training & Internships. Includes dedicated international student services for visa, housing, medical insurance, academic, registration, and payment questions.
• Degree Plus Free online skills-based certificate program with optional paid internship for UC San Diego juniors and seniors to gain career-ready skills.
• Post Baccalaureate Premedical Program Preparation program for students who have completed undergraduate degrees and are preparing for medical school or other health professional programs.
• OSHA Training Institute Education Center (OTEIC) Occupational Safety & Health (OSHA) Training Institute Education Center providing occupational safety and health education and certifications, leading the field for nearly five decades.
• Concurrent Enrollment Program allowing students to join main campus students in exclusive courses that enrich their educational experience.
• Summer Programs Seasonal academic and enrichment programs operated through summer.ucsd.edu for students seeking educational enrichment during summer break, including pre-college and STEAM courses.
• Center for Research & Evaluation Research division promoting positive change through data-driven research, partnering with nonprofits, community, and academic institutions on workforce development, education, youth services, health, and arts and culture projects. Produces annual analysis of San Diego occupations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 48,300 projected annual job openings for substance use disorder counselors nationally (17% growth rate)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 July 2025DHCS partners with UC San Diego Extended Studies to sponsor the ASCEND program (Advancing Substance Use Disorder Counselor Education and Development), providing free 80-hour core competency training for substance use disorder counselors to meet Assembly Bill 2473 requirements. DHCS issued Behavioral Information Notice No: 25-029 to notify providers of the new education requirements effective January 1, 2026.
• Assembly Bill 2473 Stakeholder Advisory GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUC San Diego Extended Studies developed the ASCEND program in partnership with the Assembly Bill 2473 Stakeholder Advisory Group to meet the new education requirements established by California Assembly Bill 2473 for substance use disorder counselors.
• California Association of DUI Treatment ProgramscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe ASCEND program is approved by the California Association of DUI Treatment Programs to count toward a SUD Certified Counselor credential.
• Helen EdisonmajorOthersHelen Edison Lecture Series was founded through a visionary endowment from philanthropist Helen Edison, established to promote understanding and foster dialogue on pressing issues of our time. For more than three decades, the series has brought presidents, poets, diplomats, scholars, and artists to UC San Diego.
• UC San DiegocoreOthersDivision of Extended Studies operates within UC San Diego's institutional structure, leveraging campus partnerships, faculty expertise, facilities, and academic calendar. Coordinates with campus partnerships office and hosts events at campus venues like Jeannie Auditorium.

Scale indicators7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• edX: Major MOOC platform offering university-level courses and certificate programs online. Comparable to UC San Diego's online continuing education offerings in target audience and credential format.
• Coursera: Leading MOOC platform partnering with universities including UC San Diego. Comparable in delivering online certificates and courses to adult learners globally, but operates at much larger scale with different economics.
• Harvard Extension School: Harvard's continuing education division. Broad incumbent and elite university extension peer offering online and on-campus certificates, degrees, and professional development with premium brand positioning.

Direct peers

• UCLA Extension: UCLA's continuing education and professional development division. Directly comparable as a UC system peer offering certificates, courses, and programs across similar subject areas to working professionals and adult learners.
• Stanford Continuing Studies: Stanford's continuing education program. Direct peer offering liberal arts and professional development courses with strong brand-driven learner appeal similar to UC San Diego's model.
• UC Berkeley Extension: UC Berkeley's continuing education division. Direct UC system peer offering professional certificates, online courses, and on-campus programs with similar brand positioning and target learner segments.
• Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Network: National network of OLLI programs at 125+ universities including UC San Diego. Peer comparison focuses on the OLLI sub-brand specifically for adults 50+ lifelong learning memberships and lectures.
• USC Continuing and Professional Education: University of Southern California's continuing education division. Direct peer in the Los Angeles/Southern California market offering certificates, corporate training, and international programs with comparable brand positioning.

Regional players

• San Diego State University College of Extended Studies: SDSU's continuing education division. Regional peer in the San Diego market competing for similar working professional learners, with overlapping corporate training and certificate offerings.
• National University Professional Development: San Diego-headquartered private nonprofit university with continuing education and professional development offerings. Regional peer targeting similar working adult learners in Southern California.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/UCSDExtStudies
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/UCSanDiegoExtendedStudies
• Facebookfacebook.com/UCSanDiegoExtendedStudies
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/uc-san-diego-extended-studies
• Instagraminstagram.com/ucsdextendedstudies

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about UC San Diego Extended Studies