Do UC Berkeley Extension courses transfer to other colleges?

UC Berkeley Extension courses can be a great way to explore new subjects and show academic motivation, but whether they transfer for college credit depends a lot on the specific university you eventually attend and the type of Extension course you take.

First, UC Berkeley Extension courses generally fall into two categories: those for the general public (Extension) and those specifically designed for high school students, such as the Pre-College Scholars program. These Extension courses typically award continuing education units (CEUs) rather than standard college credits, and they are considered separate from regular UC Berkeley undergraduate classes. Regular UC Berkeley courses, taken by enrolled college students, almost always carry transferrable credits within the UC system and often at other universities.

For most UC Berkeley Extension courses (excluding those listed as "concurrent enrollment" or cross-listed with actual UC Berkeley offerings), the credits are not always guaranteed to transfer to other colleges. Some universities, especially within the UC system, may evaluate Extension courses for possible elective credit, but they are less likely to count toward major or general education requirements, and some schools may not accept them at all.

If your main priority is credit transfer, look for Extension classes labeled "credit-bearing" or "concurrent enrollment," where you're officially enrolled in a real UC Berkeley course (not just an Extension one). For example, if you take a math class through Extension that is cross-listed as a UC Berkeley course, UCs and sometimes other colleges may accept it for credit.

As a high school student, your best bet is to:
1. Check the policies of the schools where you might apply. Each college’s registrar or transfer credit website will have a policy on Extension or summer course credits.
2. Ask UC Berkeley Extension directly which of their classes are most likely to transfer, and request guidance on transcript records.
3. Save your syllabi, assignments, and grades. Colleges sometimes ask to review course content before granting credit.

For example, a student who took an Extension Pre-Calculus course found that their UC campus reviewed it but granted credit only as a general elective, not as a math requirement. Another student who did a concurrent enrollment chemistry class received full credit because the class was on the regular UC Berkeley transcript.

Even if the course doesn’t transfer for credit, Extension courses still look good on college applications by showing your commitment and curiosity, especially if they align with your academic interests. Just remember that transfer policies can vary a lot, so it’s worth reaching out to both Extension advisors and prospective colleges for the most up-to-date information.