Undergraduate Certificate Program

certificate
Technology Management

The Department of Technology Management is thrilled to announce some significant updates to our Technology Management Certificate program, effective this Fall 2024.

These changes are designed to provide you with greater flexibility, new opportunities, and an enhanced learning experience.

What is the Technology Management Certificate?

This dynamic program is designed to give you a competitive edge in today’s tech-driven world. Immerse yourself in the foundational principles of management and innovation, tailored specifically for technology industries. Open to undergraduates from all majors, this certificate is your ticket to mastering the skills needed to thrive in technology, entrepreneurship, and beyond. Join us to enhance your career prospects, network with industry leaders, and become part of a community of innovative thinkers.

This certificate is a UC-Recognized Professional Certificate, offered in conjunction with UCSB Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE). 

Why should I pursue the Technology Management Certificate?

  • Foundation and skills taught in the program prepare students for real-world careers
  • Discussion-based classes build communication skills in a safe environment
  • The certificate demonstrates business knowledge to recruiters and helps graduates stand out in the interview process
  • 70% of certificate recipients report finding jobs faster than their peers
  • 90% of students indicate that they were promoted faster because of the knowledge, skills and experience they gained through the certificate program

See what our alumni have reported about their experience:

Kelly Behlen (Regional Sales Manager, Cisco Systems)

“The TM certificate helped me get more job offers! In almost every interview I had, there were questions around TM. Interviewers were curious about the classes and the real life experience this certificate gives you. It had covered the business acumen experience these companies were looking for from graduating students.” 

Kieren Apgar (Subcontracts Manager, Northrop Grumman)

“I cannot reiterate enough how important the TM certificate was in my job pursuits. As someone who wasn’t a STEM major, the TM certificate taught me how to speak the language of tech. While I might not be able to tell you the best way to design a rocket or software program, I could sure as hell tell you how to sell and market it!” 

Introducing New Certificate Requirements:

Explore our updated undergraduate certificate program (18 units required). Enjoy greater flexibility to choose the courses you want and the schedule you need, perfectly tailored to fit your busy UCSB student.

Here's everything you need to know:

Required Courses (6 units):

  • TMP X111: Introduction to Technology Management (2 units, through PaCE)

Choose one of the following:

  • TMP 120: Fundamentals of Business Strategy (4 units)
  • TMP 122: Entrepreneurship (4 units)

Electives (12 units): Choose three courses from the following list to complete your certificate:

  • TMP 120: Fundamentals of Business Strategy (if TMP 122 was taken as a required course)
  • TMP 122: Entrepreneurship (if TMP 120 was taken as a required course)
  • TMP 124: Principles of Marketing
  • TMP 125: Principles of Finance
  • TMP 127: Understanding and Managing Technology Organization
  • TMP 135: New Product Development
  • TMP 149: Creating a Market-Tested Business Model
  • TMP 191AA-ZZ: Special Topics in Business and Management

Approved electives from other departments (limit of one). 

Once you have completed a course from the list of approved electives from other departments, please fill out the following Google Form

Highlights of the New Program:

  • TMP X111: Introduction to Technology Management is a new course designed to introduce you to the field and will be offered every quarter with up to 200 seats available.
  • Courses can now be taken in any order, eliminating prerequisites like TMP 120.
  • Completing TMP X111 will give you priority when crashing courses if seats become available
  • Sophomores are now eligible to take any TM courses, providing you with more flexibility in your schedule.
  • More electives mean you can tailor the program to your interests and career goals.
  • You can count one approved course from another department towards your certificate.

We are particularly excited about TMP X111: Introduction to Technology Management and encourage you to enroll early (click here to enroll). Not only will this course provide a comprehensive overview of the field through a series of engaging guest speakers from industry and academia, but students who take it will also receive priority when crashing other TM courses, if seats become available. (note: The waitlist will still prioritize seniors, regardless of course history, until the first day of class.  Once the quarter begins, students who have taken TMP X111 will have priority access as spaces become available.)

These changes will make our program more accessible, flexible, and aligned with your academic and career aspirations. We can’t wait for you to experience the new and improved Technology Management Certificate Program.

If you have any questions or need more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Technology Management Advising Team at Click here to show mail address or scroll to the Advising section to make an appointment.

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The certificate program consists of 18 required units.

Required coursework is a combination of UC Santa Barbara coursework and a course taught through UCSB Professional and Continuing Education (also known as UCSB Extension). Students are eligible to begin the program as soon as they have reached Sophomore standing. All requirements must be completed within five years, and students must maintain a B average across all certificate course requirements, and earn no less than a "C" in any particular course. The program can be completed once a student is in sophomore standing. After you complete your third course, please make sure to complete the Request for Certificate Release

Courses taken through UCSB Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE) will not count as units towards qualifying as a full time student for the quarter. To earn degree or unit credit for courses taken through PaCE, upon course completion students must order an official transcript from Extension and have it sent to the UCSB Office of Admissions at Click here to show mail address. Grades for any PaCE courses transferred to your UC Santa Barbara transcript will not be factored into your GPA.

Scholarships

Young Innovator Scholars (Open to All Majors)

Through the generosity of an anonymous donor who is a successful entrepreneur and business leader, as well as a friend and alumnus of UCSB, the Technology Management Department is able to offer the Young Innovator Scholarship. This scholarship is open to students from all majors in both graduate and undergraduate programs, who have demonstrated some form of innovative passion and are active in the Technology Management Department. If you are creating something new or better in whatever you do, this is the scholarship for you.

Eligibility: Applicants must be either an undergraduate or graduate student enrolled at UCSB,
in good academic standing and active in the Technology Management Program.
(MTM students are not eligible)

Criteria: The Young Innovator Scholarship criteria for awards include:

  • Graduate or upper division undergraduate student in any major (MTM students not eligible)
  • Demonstrate innovative interest(s)
  • Show evidence of a strong academic record. Overall GPA must be at least 3.0
  • Demonstrate financial need

Deadline: January 20, 2025 (The Letter of Endorsement must be submitted no later than 01/24/2025). See application for details.

APPLY HERE

Harold Frank Scholars (College of Engineering Majors Only)

Due to the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Frank, the Technology Management Program is proud to offer a scholarship to support students completing their undergraduate or graduate degree in engineering who are active in the Technology Management Department.

Eligibility: Applicants must be either an undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in the College of Engineering at UCSB, in good academic standing and active in the Technology Management Department. (MTM students are not eligible)

Criteria: The Harold Frank Scholarship criteria for awards include:

  • Engineering undergraduate or graduate student
  • Demonstrate financial need
  • Show evidence of a strong academic record. Overall GPA must be at least 3.0
  • Demonstrate interest in entrepreneurship or technology management

Deadline: January 20, 2025 (The Letter of Endorsement must be submitted no later than 01/24/2025). See application for details.

APPLY HERE

Program Cost

The certificate fee is $1250, payable at the time of registration for TMP X111.

Note: Financial aid through the university will not cover this cost, as this course is not charged through BARC. However, our team will be periodically updating this page when scholarships open for applications. Please keep an eye out or bookmark the Scholarships section above if needed! 

If you have any questions about the program, contact an admissions advisor at Click here to show mail address.

Academic
Advising

Schedule a Zoom appointment with an advisor. If you have any questions, email us at Click here to show mail address.

Monday 3:00PM - 4:30PM

Tuesday 2:00PM - 4:00PM

Wednesday 11:00AM -12:00PM

Thursday 2:00PM - 4:00PM

Friday 10:00AM -11:30PM

*If you wish to cancel or reschedule, please send an email to the corresponding advisor.

innovator stories logo

UCSB's Technology Management presents fascinating and sometimes surprising candid conversations with industry leaders who have distinguished themselves in their fields. Hosted by John Greathouse. Check it out at UCTV.

Technology Management prepared me for work in the technology sector without a technical degree. Certificate recipient, global studies major.

student standing with father