They are also responsible for debugging, troubleshooting, testing, updating, and translating code to other applications. Programming is an exciting career field that involves continuous learning and a variety of high paying positions for professionals to explore.
Software Developers and Web Developers are in high demand in the United States. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the growth of these positions to increase between 23% and 25% from 2021 to 2031, which is above average for most professions in the country. Just last year, Houston led Texas and was 5th in the nation for tech job growth. Texas itself is growing into a major tech hub to rival Silicon Valley as many companies are moving their headquarters from California to Texas. Chevron, Hewlett Packard, NRG Energy, and Amazon are just a few companies making the move to Houston. The recent tech serge within the city has garnered it the name, “Silicon Bayou.”
The top industries in Houston, TX include aerospace and aviation, manufacturing, energy, life sciences and biotech, technology, and transportation. All of these fields rely on programmers to maintain and develop client-facing and operations-critical technology. Entry level programmers can expect to enter the field with a higher-end salary with room to grow. Glassdoor reports that entry-level Web Developers in Houston earn an average salary of $65,000, and Senior Software Engineer in Houston earns nearly $160,000 a year.
Programmers can work in a variety of development areas, including web, web and mobile applications, software, cloud technology, databases and networks, data science, machine learning, and video games, among others. Whatever career a student pursues, a certificate program can provide them with the necessary skills and industry insights to land their first entry-level position. Even experienced programmers can benefit from certificate programs through the opportunity to gain the skills and techniques needed to successfully switch careers or specializations.
Noble Desktop: JavaScript Development Certificate
Key Information: The JavaScript Development Certificate prepares students for a career in web and web application development. The course can be completed online for 14 weeks (full-time schedule) or seven months (part-time, evening classes). Tuition for the program is $5,995. Financing options are available along with VA benefits. Students need to be comfortable with programming with HTML and CSS before attending this course.
Students learn the fundamentals of JavaScript, including variables, conditionals, objects, loops, arrays, and strings, among others. The course also covers popular JavaScript libraries and APIs for improving efficiency and building processes. Students learn how to work with React, Node.js, ExpressJS, and MongoDB. An option course in SQL is also available to students enrolled in the programming.
Students receive a certificate upon completion. They also receive the option of one free retake of the program to refresh course materials. Career support services include one-on-one mentoring where students can workshop portfolios, polish resumes, and receive job search tips.
Noble Desktop provides several other programming certificates in JavaScript, Python, FinTech, Data Science, Web Development, and Data Analytics.
DevMountain: Web Development Immersive Bootcamp
Key Information: The Web Development Immersive Bootcamp is available online as well as in-person in Houston and other major Texas cities. Tuition for the in-person program is $5,000 while tuition for the online program is $9,900. Both formats are available for full and part-time learning schedules, ranging from 13 to 34 weeks in length, respectively. Scholarships applicable for $2,000 toward tuition are available. Alternatively, students can apply for financing through DevMountain partners. While there are no prerequisites for the program, DevMountain recommends that students are comfortable using a computer and installing programs without assistance.
The Web Development Immersive Bootcamp is designed to teach students the skills necessary to become Front-end Web Developers. Students learn the essential web code foundations of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript in addition to React for modular coding that allows web applications to be built faster and more efficiently than with the use of vanilla code. The course also covers Node.js and PostgreSQL. While these languages aren’t commonly thought of as front-end web development programs, learning them provides front-end web developers a greater understanding of back-end processes, which front-end coding can affect. This not only shapes students into better Front-end Programmers but also provides them skills in back-end programming that can help them stand out against other job candidates. Students also learn Git and GitHub for code management and project collaboration. With projects at each stage of the course, students will complete a professional portfolio to showcase their skills to potential employers. Students also receive a certificate of completion.
Throughout the program and after, students have access to career support services. Through these services, students can workshop their resumes, portfolios, and LinkedIn profiles. They also receive interview prep and networking opportunities.
DevMountain provides additional programming bootcamps, including Java Software Engineering, Python Software Engineering, iOS App Development, and Data Analytics.
ONLC Training Centers: Python Certification Path
Key Information: Students complete ONLC’s Python Certification Path by attending two separate Python courses. These include a choice between Python Programming Level 1: For Non-Programmers and Python Programming Level 1: Introduction for Programmers in addition to Python Programming Level 2: Advanced Programming Techniques. The Level 1 course for non-programmers is designed for students with no experience with object-oriented programming. Students can complete these courses online, in-person in ONLC’s training centers in Houston, or on-demand. The Level 1 non-programmers course is not available on-demand.
The Python Certification Path can be completed in as few as five days (six days for students attending the non-programmers Level 1 course). The on-demand path can be completed in the same amount of time but students are given six months of access to the course content. The program costs $2,590 for both course levels, and the on-demand option costs $895.
The Python Programming Level 1 course teaches all the essentials of programming with Python, including strings, conditionals, loops, and variables, among other structures. Students also learn debugging techniques and how to work with files and graphs using Python. The Level 1 course provides students with the skills to build their own programs and functions with Python. The Level 2 course dives into more advanced techniques. Students learn about dictionaries, methods, inheritance, classes, and collections. The course also provides instruction on the software development process. Upon completing both courses, students possess the skills to complete the Python IT Specialist Certification exam. The cost of the exam ($127) is not included in the program, and students will need to schedule the exam themselves.
Students interested in data analysis may continue their education with ONLC’s Python Programming Level 3: Data Analysis Using Python course. However, this class is not required for the certification.
Rice University: Coding Boot Camp
Key Information: Rice University in Houston provides a Coding Boot Camp for career seekers in the tech industry. The program can be completed online in 24 weeks and is part-time with 9 hours of class time per week. Tuition for the program is $12,000. Scholarships and payment plans are available. There are no prerequisites for the bootcamp. Students receive pre-course tutorials to prepare them for the curriculum.
The program teaches full-stack web development. Students learn the basics of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript before jumping into JavaScript libraries and frameworks. The program teaches jQuery for simplified programming, Bootstrap for improved performance, Node.js for network coding, and MySQL for database management, among others. Students receive a certificate upon completion of the program. They also gain access to career services that assist with interview prep, coaching, job matching, and resume and social media support, among other benefits. Each student has their own dedicated academic success and career support team.
Rice University also provides programming bootcamps in Data Analytics and FinTech.
University of Houston Clear Lake: Software Engineering Certificate
Key Information: To be accepted into the software Engineering Certificate program, prospective students must have a bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field with a GPA of 3.0 or more and have completed a course or work experience in computer programming. The Software Engineering Certificate program includes 12 credit hours of course that must be completed within four years. Tuition for the course is not listed online.
The program teaches coding with programming languages such as C and Java in addition to others. Students learn essential programming concepts such as statements, data types, object-oriented programming, arrays, lists, and more. Students then learn advanced programming techniques before diving into software process models and project planning. The program also includes testing and verification techniques. Students who do well in the program (with at least a B in all courses) can apply for the Master’s program in Software Engineering with a reduction in course requirements.
Houston Community College: Mobile Application Developer Certificate
Key Information: The Mobile Application Developer Certificate is designed to provide students with the skills to design mobile applications. The program consists of a total of 31 credit hours spread out over three semesters or 1.5 years. The program can be completed in-person on campus or online. Prospective students must complete a Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA exam) to demonstrate their preparedness for college-level courses. Tuition for the certificate is not specified.
The course begins with a basis in programming fundamentals such as syntax and data structures before diving into web programming with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The second semester includes classes in iOS application development, database design, Oracle SQL, and cloud computing. The final semester includes advanced web programming and a capstone course in iOS applications where students complete final projects along with processes for becoming registered Apple iOS Developers.
The University of Houston offers additional programming certificates in video games and web application development.
Tech Elevator: Coding Bootcamp
Key Information: The Coding Bootcamp is designed to give students the skills to become full-stack developers. The course can be completed part-time or full-time (14 to 30 weeks) on campus in Houston or remotely online. Tuition for the program is $16,500. There are multiple payment options available, including grants, scholarships, income share agreements, traditional financing, and financial aid. There are no prerequisites for this course.
Upon entering the program, students choose to specialize in either the Java or C# coding language. The course also covers instruction in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and SQL. Students learn web programming, full-stack application development, and back-end processes for managing, storing, and retrieving data. From the beginning of the program, each student is also paired with a personal career coach to assist with their job search.
FAQ for Programming Certificates
What is the Difference Between a Certificate and a Certification?
In general, a “certification” is an official document awarded by a nationally or internationally recognized organization certifying an individual’s skills in a specific area. A certification must be gained by passing a standardized exam. On the other hand, a “certificate” is awarded by a learning institution upon an individual’s completion of a training program. These programs are not standardized. Thus, while a certification may be demonstrative of an individual’s skills, a certificate from a training program may not be. However, that does not mean that one document is necessarily more advantageous for an individual to pursue than another.
Should I Pursue a Certificate or a Certification?
Whether you should pursue a certificate or certification largely depends on your career goals. A certification is best pursued by an individual who already has the necessary skills to pass the exam. Otherwise, a certificate program would be more ideal. These training programs are designed to provide students with the necessary skills and industry insights to start a new career. After such a course, a student could pursue an officially recognized certificate in addition to their education.
Do I Need to Become Certified to Find a Job?
Many programming positions do not require candidates to possess a certificate. However, some job seekers pursue certificates in an effort to stand out among other applicants. Regardless of whether or not you choose to become certified, an employer will likely still desire further information on a candidate's capabilities. A professional portfolio can in many ways be more indicative of an individual’s skills and problem solving abilities. Thus, a polished professional portfolio is perhaps the most important tool a programmer can possess in obtaining a job position.
While becoming certified may not seem important, it can serve a purpose in boosting an individual’s resume. However, it is not a critical component of the job hunt.
What Certificate Program is Right for Me?
Certificate programs can be in-person, live online, or asynchronous. Each option has advantages and disadvantages. Which option you should choose depends on your personal learning goals, budget, and schedule.
Which is Better: In-Person or Online Classes
Both in-person and live online classes host environments that allow students to interact directly with their peers and instructor. The main difference lies in where classes are held. In-person classes take place in a physical classroom or computer lab, requiring students to travel from their homes. Online classes are virtual, allowing students to attend from home or another study location without the need to travel.
In general, while some hands-on topics don’t translate as well to online coursework (such as physical arts), students should find instruction to be of similar quality between both formats. However, some students simply prefer one environment over the other. In-person classes are often considered more personable and contain fewer distractions than attending class from home. Students without a personal computer or a reliable internet connection would benefit most from attending an in-person course at a training facility with a computer lab.
On the other hand, availability is a huge advantage of online classes. Since they can be taken online from anywhere, students can choose from classes all over the county rather than being limited to courses that are feasible to physically travel to. Students living in small towns or even more rural areas might not be able to find in-person courses near them, making online classes a necessity. Lastly, online classes tend to offer more flexible schedule options than in-person courses, making them more accessible.
Which is Better: Live Online or Asynchronous Classes?
Live online and asynchronous classes (also known as “on-demand”) are both conducted online. However, students of asynchronous classes study course material without an instructor or classmates. Upon registering for a class, students are given access to all required course material and are left to work through it at their own pace. Some students seek out this style of learning as it allows them to tailor their education to their own speed. Students can take course content as fast or slow or repeat sections as needed rather than being pushed through a course at the average speed of their peers. Other students choose on-demand courses due to hectic life and work schedules that simply cannot accommodate the time requirements or day-hour schedules of traditional classes.
The downside of such learning is the lack of guidance. With many on-demand courses, students aren’t provided an instructor to evaluate their work or provide feedback. They also lack a community of peers to turn to for support or motivation. However, there are asynchronous classes that seek to fill these gaps. While students still work through the course material at their own pace, they may have access to a 24/7 online learning community of their peers to collaborate with and seek support from. Other courses may provide online dropboxes for submitting assignments or online chats for questions or assistance.
Some asynchronous classes require students to schedule weekly online mentorship sessions with instructors to evaluate their process and receive feedback. While this requirement may be thought of as providing a more quality learning experience, it can be detrimental for students who seek on-demand courses due to high-demand schedules and may have difficulty scheduling such meetings.
Ultimately, many students feel they learn best when guided by an expert instructor. However, online courses are not for everyone. If you do seek an asynchronous or on-demand course, make sure to define your learning goals and judge what level of support you feel you need to succeed before choosing a class.