UC Excelerator

An innovative collaboration between UCLA and UC Berkeley Extensions

Accelerate your learning, excel in your career.

Introducing The UC Excelerator

UCLA and UC Berkeley Extensions are excited to announce a unique collaboration providing university access to those who may not have considered continuing their education – the UC Excelerator. With career-focused coursework, professional networking and structured career exploration, this tuition-free program provides an opportunity to try something new while earning academic credit. Funded by a generous gift from professor, author, entrepreneur and UCLA alumnus Scott Galloway, two powerhouse UC institutions share one goal: to accelerate your career potential.

Earn credit, grow your network

Upon completion of coursework through UC Excelerator, participants will have a portable record of completion, academic credit and an established network of experts and peers. Coursework may also count toward full certificates and specializations at UCLA Extension.

Who should apply?

UC Excelerator at UCLA Extension is intended to increase access to education for motivated adults who have not yet completed a bachelor's degree. The tuition-free program supports those who have faced challenges in pursuing continuing education due to financial limitations, commuter access or other considerations.

You will be a priority applicant if you:

Completed some college*
Attained an associate's degree
Have not completed a bachelor's degree

*Community college students are highly encouraged to apply

Please note: This program is not open to international students on F-1 visa. Please visit our International Programs page for eligible offerings.

Curriculum

At UCLA Extension, eligible participants will benefit from exploring new career pathways through business and entrepreneurship coursework over two academic quarters. Students select from one of the two tracks below. Courses are taught by expert instructors in a live online format where class meetings are scheduled and held in real-time using Zoom.

Students will need access to a computer and reliable internet to participate and will be responsible for purchasing any required textbooks or course materials.

Track 1: Business Fundamentals

Quarter 1
Fundamentals of Business Administration

Quarter 2
Business Communications

Track 2: Entrepreneurship

Quarter 1
Creating a New Business

Quarter 2
Business Communications

Course Descriptions

Fundamentals of Business Administration

The building blocks of a successful business require a strong operational foundation. Learn about how to build a sound structure and efficient systems to effectively manage your business.

A majority of businesses fail within the first two years, and a significant percentage of the initial survivors don't last much longer. There are many reasons for this, including inexperienced management, lack of sufficient capital, failure to do proper marketing and a lack of financial competency. The bottom line is that most managers don't know how to properly systematize, structure and manage their businesses. They don't know because they're not aware of where or how to find this information. This course is designed to teach students how to properly structure, systematize, and manage a business of any size or type, service, or product--and in any industry.

What you can learn:

Review the foundations of effective management
Understand the basics of financial management, including budgeting and cost
Gain an understanding of human resource functions
Get an introduction to foundational marketing principles and practices
Develop ability to analyze business structures and systems

Creating a New Business

Designed for individuals or partners who are starting or have started a new business, this course teaches the realities of starting and managing a new business from idea to operation. Through planning, research, testing of viability, problem solving, decision making and operation, gain an understanding and appreciation for cooperation, common goal setting, negotiating and the execution required of any business organization. Topics include identifying and qualifying a market opportunity, organizing a business model, guidelines for a business plan, legal aspects (including protecting the idea), selecting the best funding option, venture capital etiquette and other useful tools and resources for creating and operating a successful business.

What you can learn:

Identify and qualify a market opportunity
Assess and determine an appropriate business model and plan
Understand how to select the best funding option
Gain knowledge about useful tools and resources to creating and operating a new business

Business Communications

Communication, whatever method used, needs to inform. In the business environment, writing clear, concise and comprehensible copy is critical to success. In this course, learn techniques for clarifying purpose, understanding readers and organizing ideas. Through in-class writing exercises, you practice proven strategies for overcoming writer's block and creating concise, appropriate and grammatically correct work. Practice exercises include editing and writing letters, memos, reports, email messages, summaries, resumes and cover letters. Additionally, you learn vocabulary development, correct grammar and punctuation, techniques for reducing writing time and proofreading. Transferable for UC credit.

What you can learn:

Practice strategies to overcome writer's block
Create concise, appropriate, and grammatically correct work
Practice editing and writing letters, memos, reports, email messages, summaries, resumes, and cover letters
Learn vocabulary development, using correct grammar and punctuation, techniques for reducing writing time, and proofreading

Interested in Applying?

The next cohort of the UC Excelerator at UCLA Extension will begin in Spring 2025. The application period will open in January. Please submit your information below, and our team will reach out with details when the application is available.

Give to the UC Excelerator Program

Support of the UC Excelerator Program will help empower students as they accelerate their career potential and discover new avenues of opportunities. For questions or to learn more about supporting the UC Excelerator Program, email UCLA Extension’s Interim Director of Development, Nisha Chauhan-McGrath.

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