Degree Plus: Enriching Career Preparation for UC Students

 Degree Plus logo: undergraduate degrees, skills-based certificates, paid internahsips

The University of California’s Degree Plus is a two-year pilot initiative designed to strengthen workforce preparedness for UC undergraduates. Degree Plus integrates rigorous undergraduate degrees with paid internship-based work experience and market-aligned certificate programs. The pilot is a collaborative effort between the UC Office of the President, UC San Diego, and UC Santa Barbara. It is designed to improve student outcomes in an increasingly competitive labor market, which in turn supports California’s economic and talent development needs. Funded by institutional and philanthropic support, the program expects to serve 480 students across two campuses, expanding pathways to high-quality employment and fostering stronger alignment between academic offerings and employer needs. Evaluation, communications, and data infrastructure will enable long-term institutional learning and potential systemwide scale-up.

Background

Degree Plus responds to national concerns around the return on investment of a college degree. It supplements UC’s classroom-based education with professional work experience, advanced skill-building, and strong faculty–employer partnerships. The pilot runs from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027, at UC San Diego and UC Santa Barbara.

The initiative is funded by grants from the Lumina Foundation, Strada Education Foundation, and support from UCOP and the campuses. Alumni associations across the UC system are also expected to contribute by promoting paid internship opportunities in multiple sectors.

Anticipated Outcomes

  • Enhanced student preparation for the labor market
  • Clearer alignment of UC liberal arts education with employer needs
  • Stronger industry and public sector partnerships
  • A scalable model for UC-wide implementation
  • Strengthened case for federal financial aid for certificate-based programs

Program Evaluation

The Degree Plus initiative will be rigorously evaluated to assess the impact of skills-based, work-integrated learning on post-graduation employment outcomes.

Key metrics include:
  • Retention and completion rates
  • Time to employment
  • Job quality, earnings growth, and retention
  • Career alignment with degree and certificates