UCLA Extension courses

Of interest to DIY musicians, producers, managers, startup record label personnel and anyone interested in learning fundamental marketing concepts used by the most innovative companies today. You learn how to describe your vision; identify a market need;…

This course provides an overview of the role of the record producer and their responsibility through all the stages of making a record: pre-production, recording, overdubs, editing, mixing and mastering. Topics include how to use appropriate terminology to…

Focusing on the vital business skills needed to build and maintain your career as a film and television composer, this course features comprehensive coverage of current business and financial practices in the industry. You learn about the role of agents,…

The music manager's role is crucial to a musician's career success, yet very few people who enter the entertainment industry have any idea what a manager does or how one can help their career. This course is designed to explain the management side of the…

A definitive analysis of the functions of the A&R professional, this course stresses the collective effort needed from all departments--artist and label--in the creation of recorded music in all format from creation to acquisition and release. Topics include…

Specifically tailored to independent artists, this course presents a practical and effective introduction to the theory, art and craft of sound recording. Instruction covers the basics of audio, acoustics and electronics, as well as the theory and operation…

Learn the ins and outs of the creative side of music production. Classes are hands-on, real-world, intensive and cover such concepts as choosing musicians and finessing the best performance out of artists. In this workshop-style class, you are required to…

This is a workshop for songwriters who are seeking to hone their craft through support and critique. Each class is divided into two parts: the first section is devoted to critiques of songs students perform live or on a recording; the second section features…

In this course, you learn the techniques of twentieth/twenty-first century harmony while also applying the theoretical concepts to your own compositions. You are exposed to a wide variety of modern-era harmonic practices, starting with an introduction to the…

The study of harmony has been the foundation of composers for centuries. This intensive crash course not only serves as a complete review of diatonic harmony but also teaches you how to apply theoretical concepts to your own compositions. Instruction consists…

Designed for both musicians and lyricists, this hands-on introduction to the craft of songwriting focuses on collaboration and teaches a step-by-step method for writing a professional-quality song. Instruction emphasizes the elements that make up a successful…

This course covers the biological properties of bacterial and animal viruses, replication, methods of detection, interactions with host cells, and multicellular hosts. Topics provide a general overview of the viral world and its diversity. The main focus will…

UCLA Extension’s Individual Leadership Studies course delves into the evolving field of Emerging / Needs Review, equipping students with advanced leadership strategies and tools. Designed for professionals seeking to enhance their decision-making and…

Lecture, two hours. Introduction to various individual leadership personality types, in combined lecture, discussion, and experiential learning, to assist students in development of their own individual leadership style. Additional emphasis on military…

Lecture, three hours; laboratory, four hours. Interactive course to develop student proficiency in planning and executing complex training operations. Counseling techniques and development of skills needed to lead various organizations. Exploration of…

UCLA Extension's Foundations of Officership course offers an in-depth exploration of essential leadership principles within the Emerging/Needs Review category. Designed for aspiring professionals, this program examines core military leadership concepts,…

UCLA Extension presents 'Tactical Planning, Analysis and Communication,' a meticulously designed course in the Emerging / Needs Review category. This program offers an in-depth exploration of strategic planning methodologies, analytical frameworks, and…

Lecture, three hours; laboratory, four hours. Introduction to leadership development process used to evaluate military leadership performance. Examination of how to conduct individual and small unit training as well as introduction to basic principles of…

Lecture, one hour. Introduction to issues and competencies that are central to commissioned officer's responsibilities. Framework established to understand officership, leadership, military customs, briefings, and life skills such as physical fitness,…

A majority of businesses fail within the first two years, and a significant percentage of the initial survivors don't last much longer. There are many reasons for this, including inexperienced management, lack of sufficient capital, failure to do proper…

This course provides practical ideas and applications of marketing, advertising, and sales promotion techniques for managers, owners, and marketing personnel of small- to medium-size businesses. Topics include marketing, planning, and budgeting; company…

Learn all aspects of creating a solid first draft of your own business plan. This course begins with a comprehensive "situation analysis" of your (or your employer's) small business (or case study, if more applicable). You then learn the key components for…

This course surveys the factors essential for turning a great idea into a successful business and explores various benefits/costs of sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations and franchises. Topics include market surveys, site analysis, permits and…

This course is designed to improve interpersonal behaviors and communication skills for those in leadership roles with the goal of improving relationships, productivity and the quality of work. Topics include a review of basic communication skills such as…

Designed to give you the knowledge and skills necessary to lead and communicate in today's highly diverse workplace, this course provides the most current approaches to communicating and motivating employees with culturally different expectations. The course…

This course examines the primary role of human resources development (HRD) in the organization to help people and organizations effectively manage change. This highly interactive course focuses on strategies for assessing, designing and implementing training…

This course provides a broad overview of global business practices in sustainability, designed to help students develop a strong foundation in this complex subject. The primary focus is helping students understand the business rationale for sustainability.…

This course examines how to analyze real estate investment property using the Argus Enterprise module. The course also prepares participants for the Argus Enterprise certification examination. Property types covered include office, retail, industrial and…

This course provides an overview of the international real estate markets and investments. The context used is the international capital markets viewed from the perspective of real estate investment. The course also covers the impact of macroeconomic policies…

A must for anyone dealing with the investment aspects of real estate. This course examines residential, multiresidential, commercial, industrial, and special-purpose real estate investments, as well as reviews application of investment ratios to expense…

Learn the techniques and strategies for successful management of commercial buildings, strip-shopping centers, and public venues. Analyze both the financial and physical management functions. Topics include various forms of real estate ownership, management…

This course identifies the steps required to conceive and execute residential and commercial development projects. Upon completion of the course, students should be able to discuss the terminology and components and identify the process required for managing…

This course focuses on the general trajectory of book publication from the launch of the book on, specifically the role of editor in the modern iterations of publishing. It covers the entire process, from a book being sold into the market to release, PR and…

Designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the multidisciplinary field of real estate development, this course begins with an introduction to the roles and responsibilities of the real estate developer, then explores various issues…

Designed for both aspiring story analysts and screenwriters who want to accelerate their careers, this course helps you master the methods used by story analysts who evaluate submissions to production companies, agencies and studios. You learn how to do an…

Today, marketing entertainment is a global enterprise, and motion pictures, television shows, streaming content and video games are the assets that drive expanding ancillary markets. How these properties are marketed determines their financial success and…

This course explores the sources of data used in economic studies and provides an in-depth analysis of trends, market activity, sales, lending, leasing and how research studies are conducted. Other topics include land-use studies and city planning, traffic…

Memorable stories are grounded by great characters. The core of who those characters are drive the story, but characters need to take action, and those actions need to ring true to their core as they move from one plot point to the next. Why is your character…

Animation is a fully creative universe without limits on sets, costumes, or special effects. All it takes is your imagination and the willingness to jump into a field friendly to new talent. This course guides you through the entire TV and Internet animation…

This workshop focuses on writing a solid draft of an original television pilot, whether half-hour or one-hour, building from an outline completed in the previous course. You begin by reworking and refining your story idea and outline as needed, addressing…

A new television show has exactly one shot at survival: its pilot episode. If the viewer isn't grabbed in the first hour, they're gone forever. But what is a pilot? How is it different from all other forms of screenwriting? What makes a good one work and a…

This workshop guides you to write a solid draft spec script from your half-hour comedy outline and move as far ahead as you can in polishing it. You begin by reworking your outline to simplify your story, nail down the essence of your characters, focus and…

An overview of California real property law and its influence on various aspects of the real estate industry. The course examines the legal issues surrounding real estate ownership and transfer, contracts, rights and duties of ownership, conveyance issues,…

Mirroring the process that professionals undergo in current episodic series production, this course guides you to write a solid first draft of your script of an existing series and work on polishing it. You begin by refining your story idea and outline as…

Dialogue may seem to be the easiest and most fun aspect of screenwriting (look at all those pages fly by, and with so much white space!), yet it's often the most difficult thing for the aspiring screenwriter to do well. Great dialogue is a vital vehicle for…

Modeled directly on how writers write in the real world of one-hour dramas, this course focuses on what is most central to creating a strong script as well as the largest piece (40 percent) of the writer's deal with any show: the story and outline. You learn…

This course teaches you how to create an airtight story and outline--the critical first step in writing a strong half-hour comedy script of an existing series and a process that makes writing your script much easier, faster and more successful. You begin by…

This advanced workshop is intended for 12 serious writers who want to turn good scripts into great ones. You first work closely with the instructor to analyze your script's overall strengths and weaknesses. Every week, you turn in pages and receive back…

The internship course provides eligible students an opportunity to earn elective credit toward the certificate program based on an internship position--comprised of at least 120 hours of practical application of course material--that the student has secured…

This workshop guides you to complete your current project. You focus on developing a successful second and third act with special attention given to structure, character development, emotional content and cinematic style. You also acquire self-editing…