Learning from Home

Online learning is more than just an alternative to studying in the classroom—it allows you to learn anything, anywhere. And at UC Davis CPE, our online certificates, specializations and courses are designed to meet you where you’re at so you can advance your career, learn a new skill, expand your network or explore a new field. 

Whether you’re a working professional looking to upskill, an older adult seeking lifelong learning opportunities, or you live outside the Sacramento area, our online education provides you with the convenience, flexibility and access to UC Davis expertise to help you along your journey.  

Advance Your Career with an Online Program

From accounting and public health to coaching and sensory science, we offer a diverse range of award-winning online certificates and programs that focus on the skills employers are looking for. 

Our online programs are specifically designed to provide you with a flexible, engaging learning experience using the latest educational technology, including video, interactive exercises and online discussions with instructors and fellow students. Programs consist of original content that was designed, developed and released specifically for online consumption. And our online learning platform, Canvas, makes accessing lectures and assignments, as well as interacting with fellow students and your instructor, easy. 

The online experience allows you to learn while contributing to your employer, and also gives you the necessary freedom to allocate time for study based on your specific needs.” Amaury Borges Miranda, Applied Sensory and Consumer Science Certificate Program graduate.

New to online learning? No problem. We offer tools and support to help you succeed. You can also check out our Canvas tutorial to learn how to navigate your online classroom.  Want to preview an online course? Watch one of our free sample lessons for a sneak peek of what our online lectures are like. Whatever you’re looking to accomplish, from career advancement to a career change, you can choose from more than 20 online certificates and programs to help you get there.

Explore a Subject of Interest or Upskill with an Online Course

Not sure if you’re ready to take on a full certificate program? No problem. You can enroll in individual courses in the topic of your choice. Almost all of our areas of study have online courses available, and some offer a blended online and in-person format. And if you do decide to complete a certificate, courses you’ve taken can be applied to the program.

The online learning experience was fantastic. It didn't feel like a typical online class. It felt like I was engaged in face-to-face study.” Rajesh Kumar Yadav, Project Management Certificate Program graduate

Set Your Own Pace with Our No-Cost (or Low-Cost) Training on Coursera

If time is at a premium or funds are tight, but you still want to pursue career-relevant training, check out UC Davis courses on Coursera, a global online learning platform. Join millions of students from around the world who have taken part in our self-paced training. With subjects ranging from data visualization and GIS to content marketing and web development, you can find the UC Davis courses you need to master a skill or two or take a deeper dive with a full specialization. Gain in-demand skills from expert instructors in courses ranging from beginner to advanced levels with flexible scheduling to learn at your own pace. Best of all, most of the individual classes are free!

I wasn't getting any call backs for archaeology jobs. I was stuck working retail with a bachelor's degree and a field school. Earning the certification on Coursera opened the door to not only archaeology jobs, but others as well. I got the job that I was after and have since leaned on that certification to help in a new line of work.” Andrea Burley, GIS Specialization

Expand Your Network

Online learning at CPE isn’t just about the knowledge you’ll gain. It’s also about the network you’ll build. When you enroll in an online course or program, you’re joining peers from various industries and regions whose backgrounds and experiences help augment your own learning and understanding. You also get personal interaction with instructors who are leading experts in the field and UC Davis faculty, giving you unique networking opportunities that can help advance your career.

Meeting people with different backgrounds, strengths and weaknesses allowed me to grow as a person. This personal growth has helped me broaden my own perspectives.” Ljubo Mandic, Professional Coaching for Life and Work Certificate Program graduate. 

Go Online with OLLI

As the lifelong learning division of UC Davis, we understand that an active mind never stops learning. That’s why OLLI at UC Davis offers a variety of stimulating courses (available online, hybrid or in person) to address the continuum of life experiences and a diversity of interests for active minds, ages 50 and up. OLLI offers dozens of online courses throughout the year designed to help older adults stay active, meet new friends and explore a range of topics, including current events, science, film, travel and more. Join OLLI today and explore new horizons for lifelong learning through our diverse curriculum.

Wherever you are on your journey, CPE has a path for you that’s just a few clicks away.

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in April 2020 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.