The GDI certificate is offered every year between late-May and mid-August. At this time, it is entirely remote and can be taken in an asynchronous format.

Students from UC Berkeley, other UC campuses, and other U.S. colleges and educational institutions are eligible to apply. Working professionals who want to upskill or pivot into the digital infrastructure field are also more than welcome to join. Students younger than 18—such as current high school students—should apply through UC Berkeley’s “Pre-College Scholars” or other high-school–specific programs rather than the general visiting-student application. 

No particular major is required for the GDI Certificate, though an interest in technology, infrastructure, environment, or policy is recommended to make the most of the coursework.

The specific eligibility criteria depend on which category you fall into.

Current UC Berkeley students

• Must be actively enrolled as a UC Berkeley undergraduate or graduate student.

• Eligible students can count Summer Sessions courses toward their degree program, subject to departmental approval.

• Alumni are not considered current students and must apply as visiting students through Summer Sessions.

Visiting Students, All Other Students & General Public

Visiting U.S. students (including those from other colleges or UC campuses and the general public) and professionals need to submit a Summer Sessions application through UC Berkeley’s online portal.

International Visiting Students

We are also open to current students and professionals residing outside the U.S., and have had dozens of students from over 15 countries in the past. To qualify for enrollment, applicants must:

• Meet English language proficiency requirements if they are non-native speakers (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, or other accepted proof).

Once a student’s application is processed, you will receive an email with instructions to create a UC Berkeley CalNet ID (login credentials), which is then used to enroll in classes and pay fees online.

The application process depends on whether you are a current UC Berkeley student, a visiting U.S. student or professional, or an international applicant.

• Current UC Berkeley students do not need to submit a separate application. You can simply log into CalCentral, browse the Summer Sessions schedule, and enroll directly in GDI-eligible courses. Tuition and deadlines appear automatically in their student portal.

• Visiting U.S. students and professionals apply through the UC Berkeley Summer Sessions online application. Once their application is reviewed and approved, they receive instructions to create a CalNet ID, access CalCentral, enroll in courses, and pay tuition and fees.

• International visiting students follow the same online application process but must also meet the English-language proficiency requirement. Those planning to attend classes on campus will request an I-20 form, apply for an F-1 visa, and enroll in a full-time summer course load. International applicants taking only online courses from abroad do not need a visa but still enroll through the Summer Sessions portal.

You can find all the detailed information on how to submit your application and register for the courses here: https://summer.berkeley.edu/apply 

There is dedicated financial aid support available for UC Berkeley students taking Summer Sessions courses, and eligible students are encouraged to consult the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office to explore grants, loans, or work-study options that may apply to summer enrollment. For international students, funding is more limited but still possible: in some cases, scholarships or partial support may be available through one of our fellowship programs or partner initiatives connected to the GDI Certificate. While these opportunities are competitive and not guaranteed, interested students should indicate their need on the program interest form or reach out to our program manager.

Our GDI Certificate follows the official UC Berkeley Summer Sessions calendar, with the full class schedule typically released each December and enrollment opening between February and March. 

UC Berkeley students, including those from other UC campuses, usually gain early access to enrollment in early February, while visiting U.S. and international students can begin enrolling in mid-February. 

Courses run across two main sessions from late May through mid-August, and application deadlines vary by student category: international students requiring an I-20 and F-1 visa must apply earlier to allow sufficient processing time, whereas domestic visiting students and international students taking only online courses generally have deadlines closer to the session start date. 

Because specific dates shift each year, all students should consult the official Summer Sessions “Session Schedule & Deadlines” page to confirm exact application deadlines, enrollment periods, and course start dates. 

Join us for our GDI Certificate Online Open House on February 24 at 10:00 a.m. PT—a chance to meet the team, explore the curriculum, and get personalized guidance on how to enroll. If you’d like to attend or have any questions about the program, please email our Program Manager, Federica Tortorella Casilla, at federica.tortorella@berkeley.edu. We look forward to welcoming you!