UC Berkeley Global: Study-Abroad Opportunities
Immersive Program in Business Administration
Berkeley, USA
Course
DURATION
4 months
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
05 Jun 2026*
EARLIEST START DATE
19 Aug 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 10,300 **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* fall 2026 applications open on March 3, 2026
** $500 nonrefundable deposit
Become Eligible for OPT!
Completing two semesters—for example, by stacking two Immersive Programs—and earning a certificate makes you eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT). OPT allows you to work in the United States and gain practical experience in a field directly related to your area of study for one year following the completion of your program.
Build skills to elevate your career, earn a certificate
Whether you're just starting your professional journey or looking to pivot into a new industry, the Immersive Program in Business Administration is your opportunity to take that next step. Through this full-time, in-person certificate, you will develop a strong foundation in business principles—strategy, finance, operations, marketing, and leadership.
Learn from seasoned business professionals and delve into how organizations are managed, key operational skills, and how organizations thrive in today's dynamic, global economy. Analyze case studies and apply lessons learned to your future career path. Whether you're interested in launching your own business, moving into management, or adding business expertise to your technical or creative skill set, this program gives you the competitive edge to succeed in today's job market.
Beyond the Classroom
Professional Skills Workshops
Each semester, you'll attend a workshop focused on professional skill development led by experts in their fields. Past workshops have covered job search skills, LinkedIn optimization and networking, a deep dive into the world of venture capital, and more. Workshops are intended to help you build practical skills that will help you prepare for careers in the business world.
Networking
Throughout the semester, attend community-building events to meet your peers and future colleagues in our community—both within your program and in other programs. Network, learn about campus opportunities, and build social networks and connections through fun activities and snacks at our Golden Bear Center. Always free and fun, these events are an opportunity to make connections that stick. Examples of past events include Silicon Valley Trivia and Pizza Night, a Fall Photo Contest, and Potluck.
Sightsee
Get the most out of your time at Berkeley! UC Berkeley and the Bay Area have so much to offer visiting students. Take advantage of:
- Many free and low-cost events on campus
- Opportunities to hear from world-class speakers
- Proximity to some of California's most beautiful parks and landmarks
- A Cal 1 Card that includes an AC Transit "EasyPass" for bus transportation around the East Bay
Core Courses
The curriculum comprises four core courses, totaling 8 semester units (120 hours of instruction). To earn your certificate, you must take all courses for a letter grade and earn a grade of C or better in each course.
Applied Economics for Business
Understand general economic issues, principles, and concepts in both microeconomics and macroeconomics. Identify factors that lead to industry profits and economic growth, and apply economic principles to all business segments.
Organization and Management
Explore different organizational structures and the new types of dynamic organizational concepts and forms. You will develop decision-making and problem-solving skills, assess your personal management and leadership styles, and create an action plan to improve both.
Accounting Foundations for Business
Learn a variety of management accounting tools that can be used to make important business decisions. Study the basic concepts of financial and managerial accounting, and examine how financial reporting relates to an organization's strategy.
Marketing Management
Gain the foundational knowledge of marketing concepts, terminology, and practices. Understand how marketing fits into strategic planning. You will study pricing, product development, placement, and promotion, and create a marketing plan.
- Acquire an overview of an organization’s structure and function.
- Analyze companies within the context of their environment.
- Understand fundamental concepts of administration and management across the central departments of a company.
- Develop your strategic leadership skills and vision.
- Create an optimal organizational architecture.
- Cultivate critical thinking and analytical skills to evaluate business problems, identify opportunities, and recommend effective solutions.
Envision Your Semester
Classes meet 2–3 hours at our Golden Bear Center, just a few minutes walk away from the UC Berkeley campus. Exact schedules are shared with admitted students before the semester starts, but you can see a sample weekly schedule below:
| Day | Focus | Times |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Accounting Foundations for Business class | 1–4 pm |
| Tuesday | Organization and Management class | 3–5 pm |
| Wednesday | Applied Economics for Business class | 1–3 pm |
| Marketing Management class | 3:30–5:30 pm | |
| Thursday | Studying, completing assignments, networking, exploring life at Berkeley | On your schedule! |
| Friday | Studying, completing assignments, networking, exploring life at Berkeley | On your schedule! |