Frequently Asked Questions

American certificates are an intermediate step towards a Master's degree. They are specialised diplomas for final year undergraduates or recent graduates, and professionals with work experience.

A certificate is a credential similar to a graduate degree in that it focuses on a specific field of study and allows you to develop technical and professional skills. The certificate has the advantage that it allows you to obtain a specialisation in less time and at a lower cost than a Master's degree.

UCLA Extension recognises the Cambridge C1 as proof of English language proficiency. However, USPCEU offers two TOEFL ITP exams to students in the programme who have not taken an English language test recently. The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) tests reading, writing, listening and speaking skills at the academic level.

No. Room and board are not included in the programme, to allow each participant to choose the option that suits him/her best. Please allow about $8,000 for room and board, transportation, books and other expenses during your stay at UCLA.

Universal health coverage does not exist in the United States and citizens are obliged to take out private health insurance if they want to receive health care. Fortunately, most American universities routinely offer international students health insurance that meets the mandatory coverage requirements of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The students will be automatically enrolled in the university's health plan at the time of enrolment.

International students can only waive the compulsory insurance of the American university if they are enrolled in an insurance policy taken out in the United States that meets comparable coverage requirements to the compulsory insurance. To do so, they will have to submit their insurance coverage to the American university for approval as valid for the stay in Los Angeles.