Fall Classes Begin at UC San Diego Extension

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Continuing educations classrooms and enrollments are on the rise at University of California San Diego Extension, according to Elizabeth Silva, registrar and director of student services for the University’s extended studies programs. During the 2010-2011 academic year UC San Diego Extension served a record 56,589 enrollees, which translates to 25,972 students in 4,327 courses. Additionally another 38,141 individuals were trained throughout the western United States by UC San Diego Extension certified instructors.

This fall UC San Diego Extension has officially opened a new three-story high-tech facility called University City Center that dramatically increases its ability to serve adult learners. Conveniently located adjacent to Interstate 805 near Governor Drive, the new center offers 23 high-tech classrooms, a career center, expansive executive-style learning space, 13 hands-on labs, a dedicated online learning studio suite, expanded student spaces and abundant meeting room and video-conferencing space for conferences and workshops.

Concurrent enrollment, which permits individuals to experience undergraduate and graduate courses at the University and  is administered through UC San Diego Extension, increased 10 percent over the previous year (2,509 to 2,753 enrollments).

Silva credits continued strong interest in career development and the University’s commitment to aligning workforce development with regional economic growth.

“Due to the sluggish economy, continuing education courses continue to be an attractive way to keep a job or transition to employment areas that are in higher demand,” said Silva.

UC San Diego Extension offers approximately 125 distinct academic programs ranging from the life sciences and engineering to arts and business leadership. For the convenience of working adults, classes are held evenings and weekends on the UC San Diego main campus and three other locations in University City and Mission Valley, and also online.

Each student took an average of 2.2 classes. The student totals include online students from around the globe and 3,635 international students from 60 different countries in residence at UC San Diego Extension.

Classes for the fall term began September 19. Some of the areas of possible study for career changers or those wishing to add new skills to their resume include: Accounting; Business; Digital Arts; Education; Engineering and Defense Technology; English Language Studies; Foreign Languages; Healthcare and Behavioral Sciences; Global Volunteerism; Humanities and Writing; Information Technology and Software Engineering; Law; Leadership and Management Development; Life Sciences; Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health; Photography, Art and Music and Public Service and Social Responsibility.

Also The Public Programs Arm

UC San Diego Extension is also the public programs arm of the University and provides monthly outreach to millions of people through innovative free public lectures, special events, online programs and broadcast television.

UCSD-TV and UCTV, the public-serving television stations and websites managed by UC San Diego Extension, attract an average of 10.5 million video views per month through their websites, YouTube and iTunes.  Launched in 1993, the Emmy-award winning UCSD-TV presents educational and cultural content from its campus and community partners. The channel is available on cable and broadcast to one million homes in San Diego County with free online video  at www.ucsd.tv. Launched in 2000, UCTV features diverse programming from throughout the UC system and is available to 22 million households nationwide on Dish Network and cable, as well as online at www.uctv.tv.

Although an integral part of the university since 1966, UC San Diego Extension does not receive any state support and relies on the revenue it generates from fees, contracts, grants and the assistance of sponsors and donors for its annual budget of approximately $37  million.

A total of 24,976 students were served by the continuing education arm of the University during the 2008-2009 academic year, resulting in 54,448 enrollees in a total of 4,675 courses. There were 29,777 students trained by UC San Diego Extension certified instructors in 2008-2009, the first year these statistics were tracked.