UCSB Professional and Continuing Education

What UCSB Professional and Continuing Education does

UCSB Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE) is the continuing education and professional training division of the University of California, Santa Barbara. It delivers non-degree certificates, individual courses, and postgraduate programs to working professionals, early-career learners, international students, UCSB undergraduates, and organizational clients across at least 15 program areas including technology, business, healthcare, law enforcement, education, and emerging fields such as AI and data science.

The division's product surface spans short courses priced $165–$685, professional certificates priced $1,695–$5,936, and a recently launched Professional Postgraduate Program priced at $6,795 per quarter. Delivery combines in-person instruction with online modalities via the Canvas learning management system, Zoom, and HyFlex hybrid formats, with digital credentials and badges used to formalize stackable certifications. Specialized programming leverages UCSB institutional assets, including CNSI cleanroom access for semiconductor manufacturing training and partnerships with external organizations such as Zschool, Dunn School, and CC-PRIME.

PaCE operates as a self-supporting unit within the UC system, generating revenue primarily through per-learner tuition across individual and institutional enrollees. Its customer base is highly distributed across individuals, corporate trainees, and government-funded workforce programs, with no concentration in any single enterprise anchor. Recent strategic activity has emphasized expanding into workforce-aligned verticals (semiconductor, public health, AI) and into higher-ticket postgraduate credentials.

Name

UCSB Professional and Continuing Education

Legal name

The Regents of the University of California

Website

https://professional.ucsb.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1949

Operating status

Operating

Short description

UCSB Professional and Continuing Education delivers non-degree certificates, courses, and postgraduate programs via in-person, online, and HyFlex formats to working professionals, UCSB students, and organizational clients across 15+ program areas.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Continuing and Professional Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Professional & Applied Skills Noncredit Certificates (Non-licensure) (EDAAAEAD), Workforce Development & Continuing Education Divisions (Noncredit) (EDAHADAG), Project, Quality & Operations (PMP PDUs, Six Sigma, Quality CE) (EDAAALAM), Human Resources & Talent (SHRM/HRCI Recertification) (EDAAALAN)

Keywords

• Professional certificate programs
• Continuing education courses
• University extension education
• Workforce skills training
• Postgraduate certificate programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Barbara

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Professional Certificate Program Fees: Revenue generated from professional certificate programs including Professional Accounting ($4,890 estimated cost), Business Leadership ($2,835), Strategic Investments ($1,695), Digital Marketing ($2,835), Technology Management ($5,936), and others. Students pay per course or complete certificate program fees.
2. Individual Course Fees: Revenue from individual course enrollments. Pricing varies by course type: Professional Accounting courses at $685 per course (public), $514 (UCSB discount). Strategic Investments courses range from $165-$330 per course.
3. Postgraduate Certificate Program: Full-time postgraduate certificate programs charging $6,795 per quarter, or discounted upfront payments: 2 quarters $12,500, 3 quarters $18,000, 4 quarters $23,000.
4. Cleanroom Technician Training: Specialized semiconductor manufacturing courses at $3,500 per course, with additional group enrollment options for corporate training.
5. Corporate Training Programs: Specialized training programs such as the Opioid Crisis Response program at $450 per person for police officer training, offered through Zschool partnership.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

UCSB Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE) is a university-based continuing education division that delivers professional certificate programs, individual courses, postgraduate certificates, and specialized workforce training across fields such as accounting, business leadership, digital marketing, technology management, semiconductor manufacturing, and healthcare. Courses are offered via online asynchronous, online live (Zoom), HyFlex, and in-person formats using Canvas LMS, with industry advisory boards shaping curriculum and digital badges issued upon completion.

Product overview

UCSB Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE) is a university-affiliated continuing education provider offering a diverse portfolio of professional certificates, postgraduate programs, and specialized training courses. The core offerings include Professional Certificates in areas such as Accounting (with Financial Accounting, Cost and Analytics, and Taxation tracks), Strategic Investments, Business Leadership, Digital Marketing, Technology Management, and Semiconductor Manufacturing. PaCE also delivers International Programs for global learners, a Degree Plus initiative for UCSB undergraduates, Digital Credentials (badges) for skill verification, and specialized training programs like the Opioid Use Disorder readiness course for law enforcement. The Open University program provides access to UCSB courses for non-matriculated students. The institution uses Canvas as its primary learning management system and delivers courses through multiple formats including online asynchronous, online live (via Zoom), in-person, and HyFlex (hybrid) modes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Professional Accounting Certificate

Quantifiable outcome

• Median salary for California accountants: $95,000 (vs. national median of $77,250)
• +9 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ZschoolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 April 2025UCSB PaCE partnered with Zschool to deliver specialized training programs for professionals responding to the opioid epidemic. Programs include Operational Readiness for Police Officers (4-hour online course at $450/person), Opioid Preparedness for Teachers and Schools, and Practical Strategies for Healthcare Professionals. Training funded in part by the $26 billion national opioid settlement. Programs introduce the CARE approach (Calm, Assess, Respond, Engage) for crisis intervention.
• The Dunn SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2024Partnership with The Dunn School, a top prep school in the Santa Ynez Valley, for entrepreneurship education collaboration. Includes participation in Diamond Challenge global competition hosting (2,000 students from 37 countries), student-run convenience store program, SWOT analysis sessions, and branded program sharing. Don Blumenthal serves as PaCE's Business and Personal Branding instructor for collaboration.
• California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with CNSI (a partnership with UCLA) for semiconductor manufacturing education. Provides access to Quantum Structures Cleanroom Facility (QSF) and Innovation Workshop for hands-on training in wafer fabrication, lithography, deposition, etching, and metrology. Students work with professional-grade tools including mask aligners, diffusion furnaces, and e-beam evaporators.
• Central Coast Partnership for Regional Industry-focused Micro/Nanotechnology Education (CC-PRIME)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUCSB arm of CNSI collaboration focused on providing career pathways for community-college students on the South/Central Coast into technical semiconductor industry jobs. Developed bootcamp 'Cleanroom Technician' course and equipment maintenance technician programs.
• UCSB Electrical & Computer Engineering DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with ECE Department for cleanroom facilities and courses. ECE 120 course for UCSB Engineering students, with PaCE Microchip Fabrication I serving non-ECE students and working professionals seeking semiconductor manufacturing skills.
• Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) MESA ProgramminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSBCC students interested in Cleanroom Technician courses must register through SBCC MESA program which has its own recruitment process and student eligibility benefits. Program targets community-college students for semiconductor career pathways.
• Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce (Uplift Catalyst Grant)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSeed funding through Uplift Catalyst grant managed by the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce for semiconductor manufacturing education programs. Grant designed to enhance precision manufacturing career pathways.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• General Assembly: General Assembly is a private continuing education provider specializing in technology, data, and business bootcamps targeting career changers and working professionals - directly competing with UCSB PaCE's Technology Management, Digital Marketing, and Software Engineering certificates. Comparable on business model (short-format, high-tuition, career outcomes) and target persona.
• UCLA Extension: UCLA Extension is the direct division peer for UCSB PaCE - both operate within the University of California system delivering certificates, professional development, and continuing education with overlapping program areas (Business, Technology, Accounting). UCLA Extension's larger scale and direct mention in UCSB PaCE's advisory board network makes it the closest comparable.
• UC Berkeley Extension: UC Berkeley Extension is a sister UC continuing education division, also mentioned in UCSB PaCE's own advisory board for industry input. Both serve working professionals and international students with certificate programs, postgraduate offerings, and corporate training at equivalent price points under the UC system brand.
• Stanford Continuing Studies: Stanford Continuing Studies offers professional and personal enrichment courses at premium price points targeting similar working professional and lifelong learner segments in California. Comparable in delivery formats (in-person, online, hybrid) and credential offerings, though positioned at a higher price tier.
• UC San Diego Extended Studies: UC San Diego Extended Studies is a peer UC continuing education unit offering similar professional certificates, international programs, and specialized industry-aligned training. Compares directly in scale, structure, and target audience of working professionals and career changers within the California market.

Broad incumbents

• Coursera: Coursera is a broad incumbent MOOC platform partnering with universities (including several UC campuses) to offer professional certificates at $39-$79/month. Directly competes with UCSB PaCE's online certificate programs on AI/Data Science, Business, and IT subjects, though UCSB PaCE's HyFlex/in-person elements and UC brand recognition provide differentiation.
• edX: edX, owned by 2U, is a broad MOOC incumbent offering university-issued certificates and micromasters from institutions worldwide. Competes with UCSB PaCE's technology, business, and professional development programs on price ($50-$300 range) and the credentialed-university value proposition, though without UCSB PaCE's live/in-person delivery options.
• 2U Inc. 2U operates bootcamps and degree programs in partnership with universities including several in the UC system. While a public company with broader digital education portfolio, it competes directly with UCSB PaCE on tech bootcamps, short-form certificates, and online skill-building for working professionals.
• LinkedIn Learning: LinkedIn Learning is a broad subscription incumbent offering thousands of business, technology, and creative courses at $39.99/month - competing with UCSB PaCE on convenience and price for self-directed professionals. Overlaps with UCSB PaCE's certificate content (Leadership, Marketing, Sales, Project Management) at vastly different price points and credentialing depth.

Regional players

• Santa Clara University Extension: Santa Clara University Extension is a regional California peer offering certificates in technology, business, and engineering with similar HyFlex/in-person delivery. While it does not directly compete with UCSB PaCE in geographic territory, it overlaps significantly on programming, pricing, and target student segments in the Bay Area vs. UCSB's Central Coast focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights8 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ucsbextension
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ucsbpace
• Facebookfacebook.com/UCSBPaCE
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pace-at-ucsb
• Instagraminstagram.com/ucsbpace

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about UCSB Professional and Continuing Education