Please follow the steps to Earn your Certified Digital Certificate:
Overview
Today's employers recognize the value of ongoing professional career development. UCI Division of Continuing Education's certificate and specialized studies programs are focused programs that balance theory and practice with an emphasis on real-world experience and are well-received by employers and can be a significant factor in hiring and promotion.
Certificate programs offer an in-depth body of knowledge to ensure you gain mastery of a particular topic. Specialized Studies feature shorter, more concentrated curricula for those short on time. Both are distinctive achievements that can help prepare you for career entry, advancement, or even transition.
UCI DCE offers programs in the most sought-after professional fields. View the list of programs.
Benefits of Earning a Certificate
- Expand job opportunities - Earning a certificate or taking continuing education courses can help position you for higher responsibilities or promotion.
- Keep pace with work trends - Continuing education is a great way to stay abreast of developments and best practices in your field.
- Increase professional and personal network - Meet and make lifelong connections with other like-minded individuals.
- Build self-confidence - A continuing education certificate can help boost your self-image a confidence at work, and in other aspects of your life.
- Achieve job satisfaction - Employees who actively develop new skills and knowledge tend to experience higher job satisfaction than those who do not.
- Learn to learn - Explore a field unrelated to your job that interests you - for personal development or simply for fun.
Get Started
Learn more about the steps to becoming a candidate
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Enroll in a Course
Find the certificate program web page to view the Admissions/Eligibility and Requirements for the program and enroll into the course(s) available for enrollment to start your journey.
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Apply to Become a Candidate
When you are ready to become a candidate, navigate to the My Certificates option within your MY ACCOUNT page and select Declare Candidacy.
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Complete Program Requirements
Find your program requirements in the "Eligibility and Requirements" section of each program web page. Successful completion of courses with a minimum letter grade of B or C (depending on the program) within 5 years applies to all certificate programs.
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Receive Your Certificate
When you are enrolled in your final course, submit the Request for Certificate form through the My Certificates option within your MY ACCOUNT page. If you qualify to earn the certificate, you will receive a confirmation by email with information regarding your Certified Digital Certificate.
Benefits of Candidacy & Certificate
Share your Achievements
- Easily share your Certified Digital Certificate with employers with a secure and verified link
- Share with family and friends on Facebook and LinkedIn
- Enhance your resume by expediating the verification process for employers
View or Download
- View your Certified Digital Certificate online at any time with permanent access
- Each certificate has an embedded digital signature that can be verified when viewing in Adobe Acrobat on your computer or mobile device.
- Download your digital certificate and save as a PDF.
- For security reasons, the digital certificate cannot be printed. For printed copies, students can request a duplicate paper certificate for $45 per copy.
Serve as an Alternative to the Apostille
- Many countries recognize digital certificates. Parchment Award certificates are supporting the needs of international credentials. If you would like a printed copy, order a duplicate certificate (instructions below).
- Access to UCI DCE’s Career Advancement Network, including one-on-one career counseling appointments, monthly “Ask a Career Coach” drop-in sessions, and access to suite of resources and technologies to assist with employment transitions during your program and for one year following the completion of a program
- Inclusion in UCI DCE’s annual graduation ceremony for certificate earners (virtual or in-person on the beautiful UCI campus)
- Discounted access to the Anteater Recreation Center (ARC) while you are an active student (you may need to show proof of enrollment)
- Eligibility for UCI Alumni Association as a General Member, with access to alumni events and discounted services. Please note UCI email forwarding is not available for program graduates at this time.
- A Certified Digital Certificate, delivered by Parchment that is verified, authenticated, and can be easily shared within your professional network and on Social Media (print certificates are available by request for an additional fee)
- By request, an optional letter for your employer to verify program completion
- Access to UCI DCE’s building including indoor/outdoor, private and communal study spaces
- Student support throughout your student journey, provided by our exceptional team
- Participation in program surveys to provide feedback to improve the student experience
Once you have been awarded your Certified Digital Certificate, you have the option to request a paper copy. The paper certificate is mailed to you in 1-2 weeks of submission. Please note that delivery to certain locations may take longer. For international and expedited shipping, the shipping label is paid for by the student using UEMS.
- Login to your My Account
- Select the My Certificate option to confirm your award for the program is posted.
- Select the Order Duplicate Certificate button and pay $45.
For students who completed their program prior to 2017, you have the option to order a digital copy of your certificate. For questions, please contact our Records Office at dce-records@uci.edu.
Students who have completed their programs during 2023-2024 will receive an email invitation to attend our annual Certificate Awards Ceremony held in June.