UC Berkeley Extension Admission Requirements: A Comprehensive Guide

UC Berkeley Extension provides various avenues for individuals to access UC Berkeley's academic resources, whether for personal enrichment, career advancement, or preparation for graduate studies. This article delves into the admission requirements for UC Berkeley Extension programs, with a particular focus on GPA requirements and other essential criteria.

Concurrent Enrollment: Accessing UC Berkeley Courses

The Concurrent Enrollment program at UC Berkeley Extension offers a unique opportunity to enroll in UC Berkeley campus courses on a space-available basis, without requiring formal admission to the University. This program caters to a diverse range of students, including those seeking to explore academic interests, gain valuable skills, or enhance their qualifications for future academic pursuits.

Eligibility and Application

To participate in Concurrent Enrollment, students must submit applications to UC Berkeley classes as visiting students. The program is available during the fall and spring terms. It's important to note that special programs or cohort programs may have different application instructions and deadlines, so applicants should carefully review the specific requirements for their program of interest.

English Language Proficiency

A critical requirement for international students is demonstrating English language proficiency. All students from countries where English is not the official language must provide official evidence of their proficiency. Accepted minimum test scores include:

TOEFL score of 90 (iBT)
IELTS Academic Format score of 7.0
Duolingo score of 125

Enrollment and Visa Requirements for International Students

International students who do not wish to apply to a degree-granting program at UC Berkeley are welcome to apply for concurrent enrollment. There are two primary pathways for international students:

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Berkeley Global Programs: These programs offer 1-2 semester-long experiences where international students take courses at UC Berkeley, receive academic support, and participate in a cohort of other international students. Some programs may offer a Certificate and an opportunity for Optional Practical Training (OPT).
Individual Concurrent Enrollment Program: This option requires students to independently arrange their studies with a specific campus department. Students must first contact and be officially invited by a UC Berkeley campus department to study in the Concurrent Enrollment program, generally for one or two semesters. Not every department accepts Concurrent Enrollment students. Once an invitation has been secured, apply via the Concurrent Enrollment Application.

Once admitted to the Concurrent Enrollment program, international students will be invited to apply for their F/J visa documents. To maintain valid F/J student visa status while in the Concurrent Enrollment Program and/or to continue studies for an additional term(s), students must enroll full time (usually a minimum of 12 semester units per term) and be making satisfactory progress as defined by the inviting department. Students are limited to 2 semesters in the individual Concurrent Enrollment program and must maintain an overall GPA of 2.5.

Health Insurance and Other Fees

Health insurance is mandatory for students participating in full-time international programs. Students will be enrolled in a comprehensive health insurance plan for the duration of their studies. A $900 health insurance fee is required of all full-time students on an Extension-sponsored student visa (nonrefundable after the start of the term).

The International Service Fee is assessed to all international visitors participating in the Concurrent Enrollment program.

An additional course materials and services fee (CSMF) is assessed for certain classes. This fee varies by section and is indicated in the course listings. Specific cohort programs may charge a flat fee or additional program fee. These fees are generally non-refundable after the Program Fee Payment Deadline listed above.

Important Deadlines and Policies

Students can change their letter grade or pass/no pass grading basis through CalCentral until the deadline.
The deadline to withdraw from the term is the last day of instruction (Friday of RRR Week) and before the final exam or assignment.

If students wish to cancel, they must submit the Term Cancellation/Withdrawal Form found under the My Academics page of CalCentral. All fees are due on or before the payment deadline for each term. Students who fail to meet the payment deadline may have late fees imposed and/or lose access to services, such as bCourses or other University services, while payment is pending. Fees that are outstanding for more than 60 days will result in a hold on a student's account that will prevent future registration and enrollment.

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Payment Information

You will pay all of your fees (except the $100 application fee) via CalCentral in the “My Finances” tab. Online payments via e-check or credit card (A non-refundable service fee applies to credit card payments. Concurrent students may be eligible for private student loans. UC Berkeley Extension is the system of record for all coursework taken through Concurrent Enrollment.

Health Requirements

All students attending UC Berkeley classes must satisfy TB screening and immunization requirements as mandated by the UC Office of the President. The Influenza (flu) Vaccine may be required yearly in the fall semester. Please note that most concurrent enrollment students are not eligible for Tang Vaccination Services. You will need to arrange these directly with your health care provider or program.

Graduate Application Requirements

For those aiming for graduate studies, UC Berkeley Extension also plays a role in preparing students for the application process.

Required Records

As part of the graduate application, you will need to provide the following records:

Upload a scanned copy of your transcript and degree certificate for each institution after high school.
Submit translations prepared by certified translators from the American Translators Association or the Ministry of Education.
Submit an official World Education Services (WES) International Credential Advantage Package (ICAP) evaluation. To electronically submit your WES ICAP, follow the instructions provided by WES.

English Language Proficiency for Graduate Applicants

Applicants who have completed a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a country or region where English is not the primary language used in both daily life and academic instruction must submit official proof of English language proficiency. There are two standardized tests you may take: the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

TOEFL is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). We accept the internet based (iBT) and iBT Home Edition. For Fall 2026, tests taken before June 1, 2024 will not be accepted even if your score was reported to UC Berkeley.

You can also submit scores from the Academic Modules of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), which is jointly managed by the British Council, IDP:IELTS Australia, and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations. We accept the IELTS and IELTS Online. For Fall 2026, tests taken before June 1, 2024 will not be accepted. All IELTS scores must be sent electronically from the testing center, and no institution code is required. Our address for identification purposes is: University of California, Berkeley, Graduate Division, Sproul Hall Rm 318, MC 5900, Berkeley, CA 94720.

Once admitted, graduate students who do not speak English as a native language must satisfy the oral English proficiency requirement before they can be appointed to teach. Please note that the oral English proficiency level required for GSI positions is higher than for admissions. One way to qualify is by achieving a TOEFL Speaking score of 26 or above or an IELTS Speaking score of 8 or above. Other options are also available to fulfill this requirement.

Standardized Tests and Letters of Recommendation

Some programs require applicants to take a standardized test such as the GRE General Test, a GRE Subject Test, the GMAT or MCAT. For the GRE, send your test score directly from ETS to the institution code for UC Berkeley: 4833 for Graduate Organizations. No department code is needed unless specified by the specific program.

The application requires letters of recommendation. Please check with your program of interest for questions. Your recommenders are asked to give their personal impressions of your intellectual ability, your aptitude in research or professional skills, your character, and the quality of your previous work and potential for future productive scholarship. Applicants may waive the right to inspect their letters of recommendation on a voluntary basis.

Statement of Purpose and Personal History Statement

The Statement of Purpose should describe your aptitude and motivation to enter the program. This can include relevant details about your preparation or specialization in the field. This is a good place to share your academic plans, research interests, and future career goals.

The Personal History statement describes how your own background and life experiences influenced your decision to pursue a graduate degree. citizens or permanent residents who demonstrate financial need or have participated in an eligible program may apply for an application fee waiver.

Fee Exemption

Some programs do not require the application fee payment.

Post-Baccalaureate Program in Health Professions

UC Berkeley Extension offers a Post-Baccalaureate Program designed for individuals looking to strengthen their academic record for admission to health professional schools. This program is particularly beneficial for career changers and academic enhancers.

GPA Requirements and Holistic Review

College graduates who hold at least a baccalaureate degree and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 are eligible to apply. BCPM GPA is also considered for students interested in particular health fields (such as medical, dental, veterinary, physical therapy) as relevant.

All applications received are considered individually and holistically by the admissions committee, regardless of whether an applicant meets the minimum 3.0 GPA requirement. However, applying to our program with a cumulative GPA below 3.0 puts you at a significant disadvantage. Depending on your professional program of interest, it may not be possible to become academically competitive through our program.

Program Structure and Curriculum

Our program is designed to be flexible and customizable. Rather than adhering to a prescribed curriculum, each student creates an individualized course plan to meet their specific needs with guidance from an academic adviser.

To receive the optional Award of Completion, you must maintain an overall minimum 3.0 GPA, with a grade of C or better in each course. All coursework must be completed within three years of being accepted into the program. The curriculum to obtain an optional Award of Completion comprises four required Health Careers Seminar courses and a varied number of electives (depending on specific courses taken) for a total of 1.9 CEU and 24 semester units.

As the continuing education branch of UC Berkeley, one of the finest public research institutions in the United States, UC Berkeley Extension has an unmatched reputation for excellence.

Online Course Options

For Career Changers, up to 12 online units can be applied toward the 24 units required for the optional Award of Completion. Courses must be from the approved list of electives. For Academic Enhancers, all 24 units can be completed online for the optional Award of Completion.

Course Load and Duration

Depending on the prerequisites you have already completed, 24 credits may not be necessary to achieve your academic or professional school goals. We offer all lower-division prerequisite courses and several upper-division courses in the fall and spring semesters, with a more limited selection available in the summer semester. Course offerings can vary by semester and by location. Most classes take place during the evenings, with some courses also offered during weekday afternoons and weekends.

Academic Enhancers typically spend 1-2 calendar years taking courses, whereas Career Changers typically spend 2-3 calendar years. Depending on your situation (working full time, financial burdens, the number of prerequisite courses you need to take, etc.), this time may increase or decrease. We recommend taking advantage of the fact that the majority of our courses are offered in Fall, Spring and Summer semesters.

Online Course Formats

Start Anytime Online: These courses begin when you enroll. To make sure you get the most out of your Start Anytime online course, you have a minimum of 90 days and a maximum of 180 days after you enroll to complete the course. That means the course begins when you enroll. This allows you to participate in instructor-led interaction and get feedback in-between assignments. You complete one module at a time, turn in your assignment, receive feedback from your instructor and then you’re on to the next module. After all your work is submitted and graded, your final exam is released to a proctoring site in your area.

Fixed-Date Online: These courses have specific start and end dates. Your access to the course content begins on the course start date.

Benefits of Enrolling in the Program

The main difference between being officially accepted into the program and taking classes independently is access to program resources and benefits. eligibility to receive a composite letter of recommendation written by our program director that combines evaluations from at least four instructors you have taken classes with at Extension.

Recent credits from applicable classroom courses will retroactively apply toward the program requirements upon acceptance into the program.

Test Preparation and Program Fees

We currently do not have test prep built into the program for MCAT, DAT, etc. We do not have traditional per-semester tuition like many other colleges and universities. There is a $2,000 program fee that must be paid in order to begin the program. This program fee covers the cost of the program's benefits, including the registration and course fees associated with the Health Careers Seminars. Otherwise, students pay on a per-course basis.

Application Process

All applicants must apply through PostBacCAS.

As part of the application, you will need to submit:

Current C.V.
Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended. International transcripts must be professionally translated.

Questions regarding the application system (for example, sending transcripts, uploading your C.V., submitting letters) can be directed to PostBacCAS Help Center.

Letters of Recommendation

If you have not taken an academic course in over five years, you may submit a third professional letter of recommendation in place of an academic letter. These references should be professional in nature, as they are not meant to serve as character references. Family members, family friends, personal physicians and religious leaders should be avoided.

You should be able to see the status of your application through the Dashboard in PostBacCAS.

Rolling Admissions and Provisional Acceptance

We have a rolling admissions policy, which means that we consider applications every month of the year and that there is no application deadline.

Yes, completed applications received before an applicant has completed their undergraduate degree may still be reviewed for provisional acceptance. If you are granted provisional acceptance, you will not be fully accepted into the program or have full access to program resources until proof of your degree has been received. This can be sent either as an updated official transcript or an official letter from your institution’s Registrar bearing the notation that you were awarded your degree.

Financial Assistance

Please visit our Financial Assistance page for more information on private student loans and other financial discounts available to Extension students.

Composite Letter of Recommendation

Obtaining a composite letter of recommendation is a benefit of being in the post-bacc program, but not an automatic given. The composite letter process begins in January of each year. An announcement will be sent to all active Post-Bacc students through the UNEX 1247 Canvas page. If you plan on applying to your intended health profession schools during that year's cycle, you must first submit the Intent to Apply form-the link will be in the announcement. Then consult the "Composite Letter Procedure" document found in Canvas to confirm that you meet the eligibility requirements to request and obtain a letter.

Taking a Break from Coursework

Students often take a semester break in order to study and take their entrance exam (MCAT, DAT, GRE, etc.) as studying for these exams can be quite time intensive. If you would like to take a break from coursework, we request that you communicate that with the program staff beforehand.

Award of Completion

Obtaining your Award of Completion does not mean you must exit the program or are done with the program. You are welcome to continue taking classes beyond the 24-unit elective minimum, and many of our students do so. Even if you have completed the requirements for the award, we consider you a post-bacc student until you matriculate.

Acceptance to a Health Profession School

If you have applied for and been accepted to a health profession program you intend to pursue, congratulations!

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