Certificates

UC San Diego Extension

Professional Certificate in Accounting

UC San Diego Extension's Professional Certificate in Accounting delivers 24 semester-equivalent units of CPA-aligned coursework at just $6,750. Units are accepted by the California Board of Accountancy, and the program includes a partnership with UWorld for discounted CPA review courses.

Updated July 27, 2026

Program Highlights

Lowest-cost UC certificate at $6,750 total

Units accepted by California Board of Accountancy

UWorld partnership for discounted CPA review courses

One-on-one career coaching for graduates

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Program Details

Tuition

$6,750

Credits

24 credits

Duration

12-36 months

Format

Online

Accreditation

WASC

CPA Ready

Partial Credits

Tuition, fees, and program details are subject to change. Verify current pricing directly with UC San Diego Extension before making enrollment decisions.

Curriculum Highlights

Elementary Accounting I & IIFederal Individual Income TaxationIntermediate Accounting I & IICost AccountingTaxation of Business EntitiesAdvanced Accounting Theory & PracticeAuditing

Admission Requirements

1No formal application — open enrollment

2No degree requirement to start individual courses

3$125 one-time certificate fee

4No GMAT/GRE required

Things to Consider

Professional certificate (not graduate-level credential)

WASC institutional accreditation (not AACSB)

5-year maximum completion window

Pacific time zone deadlines for weekly assignments

LIFTS Profile

Program Learning Profile

See how UC San Diego Extension's program scores across five key dimensions that help match you to the right CPA review course.

Learning Format

How the program delivers education

Campus-Based

Hybrid

Synchronous Online

Asynchronous Online

Investment

Total program cost

Under $10K

$10K - $25K

$25K - $50K

Over $50K

Flexibility

Schedule and pacing options

Full-Time Only

Some Flexibility

Part-Time Available

Fully Self-Paced

Time to Complete

Expected program duration

Under 12 Months

12-18 Months

18-24 Months

Over 24 Months

Support

Student services and career resources

Minimal

Online Support

Academic Advisors

Full Career Services

This profile helps match you with CPA review courses that complement your education style. Courses with similar profiles tend to provide a consistent learning experience.

Continue Your CPA Journey

Matched CPA Review Courses

Based on UC San Diego Extension's learning profile, these CPA review courses align well with your education experience.

(Affiliate link)

63% Match

Top Pick

Meridian CPA Review

Disclosure

3.9

Meridian CPA Review offers flexible online format, budget-friendly pricing and efficient study path that align with your program.

Free (Beta)

Visit Site Full Review

63% Match

NINJA CPA

4.3

NINJA CPA offers flexible online format, budget-friendly pricing and efficient study path that align with your program.

$67–$87/month

Visit Site Full Review

61% Match

Gleim

3.9

Gleim offers flexible online format, budget-friendly pricing and efficient study path that align with your program.

$2,499–$3,499

Visit Site Full Review

Want a more personalized recommendation?

Find My Best Match Best CPA Review Courses (2026)

State Eligibility

This program meets CPA education requirements in the following states. Always verify current requirements with your state board.

CACalifornia OROregon WAWashington NVNevada AZArizona HIHawaii

Common Questions

Professional Certificate in Accounting FAQ

UC San Diego Extension has a partnership with UWorld that provides certificate graduates with discounted access to UWorld's CPA review courses, helping bridge the gap between education and exam preparation.

The units carry WASC regional accreditation and appear on UC San Diego Extension transcripts. Most states accept credits from regionally accredited institutions, but verify with your specific state board.

No. You can start taking individual courses without a degree. However, a bachelor's degree is required for CPA exam eligibility in all states. The open enrollment lets you explore accounting before fully committing.