Program Overview

Program Overview

The Immersive Program in Entrepreneurship is a full-time, in-person certificate program that provides students with the unique opportunity to draw from the inspiring ecosystem of Berkeley, San Francisco, and Silicon Valley. Through this program, students can gain real-world knowledge from seasoned business founders and industry veterans in just four courses.

Program Details

• Total Program Cost: $10,300 (USD)
• Fees include:
  • Course tuition
  • Housing advice and visa support
  • Orientation to UC Berkeley
  • Program support from advisers
  • Professional skills workshops
  • Community-building events
  • End of program celebration
  • Access to campus services (libraries, recreational services, local transit pass and more!)
  • OPT application support (where eligible)
• Fees do not include:
  • Textbooks
  • Supplies
  • Travel and housing costs
  • Meals or daily expenses
  • Comprehensive health insurance

Admission Requirements

To participate in this program, students must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Minimum Academic Requirements:
  • Undergraduate Coursework: Three years
  • GPA: 3.0
• Minimum English-Language Proficiency Requirements:
  • TOEFL: 90
  • IELTS: 7
  • DAAD: C1
  • TEM-4 or TEM-8: 70
  • Cambridge C1 Advanced
  • Duolingo: 125

Program Structure

The curriculum comprises four core courses, totaling 8 semester units (120 hours of instruction). To earn the certificate, students must take all courses for a letter grade and earn a grade of C or better in each course.

• Core Courses:
  • Building a Business Plan | BUS ADM X467.8 (2 units)
  • Design Thinking and Prototyping | BUS ADM X458.8 (2 units)
  • Marketing Research: Concepts and Techniques | BUS ADM X460.6 (2 units)
  • Negotiation Unlocked: Strategy, Tactics & Conflict Resolution | BUS ADM X451.3 (2 units)

Learning Outcomes

Upon completing the program, students will be able to:

• Understand the process of starting new ventures and the mindset of successful entrepreneurs
• Identify and evaluate new venture opportunities
• Interpret customer needs and prototype innovative solutions
• Design a financial plan for a scalable business model
• Navigate the venture capital investment process
• Understand the objectives, principles, terms and procedures in a negotiation process

Program Schedule

• Program Dates:
  • Fall 2026: August 19–December 18
  • Priority Deadline: April 3, 2026
  • Final Deadline: June 5, 2026
• Sample weekly schedule:
  • Monday: Negotiation Unlocked: Strategy, Tactics & Conflict Resolution class (10 am–12 pm)
  • Tuesday: Marketing Research: Concepts and Techniques class (10 am–12 pm)
  • Wednesday: Building a Business Plan class (11:30 am–2:30 pm)
  • Thursday: Design Thinking and Prototyping class (10 am–12 pm)
  • Friday: Studying, completing assignments, networking, exploring life at Berkeley (on your schedule)

Beyond the Classroom

• Professional Skills Workshops: Each semester, students will attend a workshop focused on professional skill development led by experts in their fields
• Networking: Throughout the semester, students will attend community-building events to meet their peers and future colleagues
• Sightsee: Students can take advantage of many free and low-cost events on campus, opportunities to hear from world-class speakers, and proximity to some of California's most beautiful parks and landmarks

OPT Eligibility

Upon successful completion of the program, students will receive a certificate of completion. Completing two semesters and earning a certificate makes students eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows them to work in the United States and gain practical experience in a field directly related to their area of study for one year following the completion of their program.