Given how ubiquitous computer technology has become (particularly in the era of the Internet of Things, wherein our beds and toasters are likely to be running computer code), programming skills have become some of the most in-demand career skills on the market. Learning to program will open the door to a wide range of different career opportunities (with jobs opening up in almost every field), and students who learn advanced programming skills can work on elaborate projects on the cutting edge of technology.
Programming involves writing code, a script that a computer reads to determine what it should do and how it should react to various conditions. They do this by writing in various programming languages that have their own grammar, vocabulary and syntax. The function of each of these programming languages varies, with most being geared towards optimizing certain tasks or running certain types of applications (so you’d use SQL for databases and JavaScript for webpages). Becoming a certified programmer might take some time, particularly if you are new to computer science, but it is an excellent way to ensure that you have the professional skills you need to find work in this in-demand field.
Noble Desktop: Software Engineering Certificate
Key Information: Noble Desktop’s Software Engineering Certificate program is an immersive coding bootcamp available in full-time or part-time sessions and covers over 500 hours of training. Students can attend in-person at Noble’s Manhattan campus or in a live online classroom. All participants will receive one-on-one career mentorship, and students can retake the course, for free, within one year.
Noble Desktop is one of the country's most well-established tech training providers. Located in NYC, they offer all of their classes in immersive, live online class sessions that allow students to learn programming skills without leaving their homes. In the Software Engineering Certificate program, students will learn all the skills they need to become professionals in software development. Software is an essential part of almost every job in the country, and it is so ubiquitous that we often don’t even notice its presence. Learning to become a software engineer will involve learning a range of programming languages, each serving a different purpose in the final product. This course is still ideally suited for beginners since even if you don’t have any experience programming, this course will teach you how to start building simple web pages and building on those skills until you are ready to create complex software applications.
Students will start by learning the basics of computer programming as they design simple webpages using HTML and CSS, the foundational languages undergirding almost all modern websites. Once students have an understanding of how to write and read this code, they will move on to working with JavaScript, one of the most popular and versatile programming languages in the world. JavaScript is an essential part of designing modern interactive webpages, digital applications and user interfaces, and it is an important part of the IoTs. In addition to learning the language itself, students in this course will learn how to write code using important JavaScript frameworks such as React, Node.js, Express.js and MongoDB (colloquially known as the MERN stack) that are used to build complete, fully functioning software applications using primarily JavaScript. Finally, students will learn the basics of Python development with Django, a vital skill for anyone hoping to build applications that require the use of large databases. By the end of this course, students will have a robust knowledge of a range of programming languages, and they will have received practical skills training in how to think like a programmer and how to write, compile and debug code.
This is a career-focused course, so all of the lessons and exercises are designed with real-world applications in mind. Students will receive personalized instruction and can get direct feedback from live instructors who have years of experience developing software applications and teaching the science of programming. This is a beginner-friendly course, so there are no prerequisites, even if you have no prior coding experience. Since this is a career-focused course, students who enroll in the class will receive access to Noble Desktop’s career support services, including one-on-one career mentoring sessions and private tutoring opportunities. All of the exercises are built with practical development tasks in mind, and students will receive hands-on training in writing their own software code. Once students complete the course, they will have a portfolio of sample designs that they can take with them onto the job market, and all students enrolled in the course will have an opportunity to retake the class for free within one year, giving them even more time to practice their programming skills.
Noble Desktop: Data Science Certificate
Key Information: This career-focused data science program is available to students in-person or through live online instruction. The course covers over 150 hours of classroom instruction, and all of the courses are taught by data science professionals. Students enrolled in this course will receive one-on-one career mentoring support, and they will have the opportunity to retake the course, for free, within one year.
If you are looking for more focused programming training, you can enroll in a course like Noble Desktop’s Data Science Certificate program. This program trains students to become adept programmers using the Python programming language, which is the most popular and widely used programming language in the world. This course looks at the professional world of data science, which deals with all of the applications and systems that companies and institutions use to collect, organize, query and analyze the massive amounts of data that they and their customers produce. Businesses and institutions are beginning to understand the tremendous advantages of having solid data collection and analysis systems in place, and data science is one of the most in-demand career paths in the country.Â
Students will start by learning the basics of writing computer code in Python, and they will be trained in the science of building and querying databases. This means that in addition to learning Python, students will become proficient in Microsoft Excel and the SQL programming language, both of which are important parts of database construction and management. Students will learn how to write programs that organize and visualize datasets and how to build tools that automate the data collection and input processes, which are vital aspects of building robust data science systems. Finally, students will begin to familiarize themselves with machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms. These automated data interpretation tools offer a wide range of possibilities as more and more industries begin to utilize them, so knowing how to produce and train an AI algorithm is an invaluable skill in the modern marketplace.
This course aims to prepare students for a career in the field of data science or data analytics. Students will receive guided career support from expert instructors, and the course is always taught by a live professional. Students will receive personalized feedback on their work, and with their permission, their instructors can even interact with their desktops remotely, helping students get a firmer grasp of the process of writing code. Since this is a career-focused course, the exercises and lessons are all aimed at helping students build a practical design portfolio that they can take with them onto the job market. Students enrolled in this course will be able to participate in one-on-one career mentoring sessions, during which they can start to build a plan for applying for jobs. Finally, all students who enroll in this course will be able to take the course a second time within one year, giving them even more opportunity to develop their skills and portfolio.
Thinkful: Web Development Full-Time
Key Information: Thinkful’s Web Development Full-Time program is a career-focused web development certificate program that runs for four months and includes 40 hours of weekly classes. Students enrolled in this course will receive personalized career development support; a modified part-time version of the class is also available.
Thinkful is an online tech training service offering a wide range of courses for students looking to work as professional programmers. In their Web Development Full-Time course, students will have the opportunity to learn web development and programming skills from scratch with the help of expert instructors. In this course, students will learn how to write, read and compile code in HTML and CSS and JavaScript and its various important frameworks. During this course, students will get hands-on instruction in the process that goes into developing complex web applications. As a full-stack web development course, this class will see students learning how to design client and server-side infrastructure for web applications, giving them vital job skills applicable to various professional roles. Students who complete this course will understand the totality of the web development process and will be prepared to start coding web applications immediately upon graduation.
As a career-focused certificate course, this class is designed for beginners looking to make a career change in mind. As such, the course is an immersive, professional training program, and students will be expected to attend classes for approximately 40 hours each week. There is a part-time version of the course available for students who cannot attend full-time (the curriculum is slightly different). All of the online classes are taught in real-time, and students will receive live instruction from experts in their field. Students who enroll in this course will also receive tailored career support services to help them find a job as professional Web Developers once the course is completed.
Full Stack Academy: Live Online Coding Bootcamp
Key Information: Full Stack Academy offers live online coding courses in full-time or part-time sessions, giving students the option to attend class at their own pace. This is a career-focused certificate program, so students will receive career-support from industry experts and they will work on projects that they can add to their job portfolio.
Full Stack Academy’s Live Online Coding Bootcamp is an immersive, career-focused certificate program that aims to provide students with the career skills they need to find work as professional JavaScript programmers and developers. In this course, students will learn how to write code in HTML and CSS and JavaScript, with an emphasis on these languages key functions in web development projects. Then, students will begin working with SQL and several JavaScript libraries (like React) to create the back-end of web applications, giving students a more robust educational experience. Students will also learn how to use important efficiency tools like Git and VScode, giving them the early training they need to start making use of all of the tools the world of programming has to offer.
This is a career-focused certificate program, so students who enroll in the course are expected to be job seekers looking to build long-term professional skills. All of the lessons students learn are designed to be practical, hands-on experiences that students can replicate in their own professional lives and learning how to approach real-world problems is an important part of the course. Students will develop projects that they can add to their professional design portfolios, and they will receive personalized feedback on their work so that they can continue to iterate on their designs outside of the classroom. Students enrolled in this class will work with Full Stack Academy’s team of career coaches to shape their resumes and portfolio and prepare themselves for entering the job market.
BrainStation: Python Programming Certificate
Key Information: BrainStation offers a 15-hour Python Programming Certificate program that is ideally suited for novice programmers looking to pick up the fundamentals of the language. This course covers a range of topics concerning Python, and students will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the course.
Another option for becoming certified as a programmer is to take certificate-granting courses that emphasize specific programming languages. In BrainStation’s Python Programming Certificate course, students will learn about the versatility and functionality of Python. Students will learn the basics of reading and writing code with Python, and they will get hands-on experience creating practical programs that run on Python, like simple games and database applications. Once students are comfortable with the basics of Python programming, they will begin to work on more complex projects, including data science applications and machine learning algorithms. Students enrolled in this course will receive training in a wide range of Python skills and they will leave the course with a foundational understanding of the language that they can build on in more specialized courses.
This certificate-program isn’t intended to prepare students for a single career path, since Python is such a widely utilized language. Students will learn the various ways that the language can be leveraged in different projects and scenarios. This course provides students with a robust understanding of the language and a foundation for future training, but students are likely to need additional training if they are looking for work in Python-centric fields. Students will, however, receive focused skills training and graduate from the course with a certificate of completion that they can use to demonstrate their Python experience to prospective employers.
General Assembly: JavaScript Development
Key Information: General Assembly offers a 60-hour immersive JavaScript Development certificate program for students looking to learn how to design interactive web applications and assets at a professional level. Students who complete this course will receive a certificate from General Assembly and access to the General Assembly alumni network, which helps connect prospective employees with the over 97,000 past graduates of General Assembly courses.
General Assembly offers an immersive JavaScript Development course aimed at students looking to learn how to program complex web applications and software utilized in IoTs technology. Students enrolled in this class will receive hands-on instruction working with JavaScript to create interactive, constantly updating elements and assets for web applications and they will learn how the language can be used to run web applications without needing to access a browser. Once students are comfortable working with JavaScript, they will begin to work with its significant libraries, including jQuery and React. This training will let students produce more robust applications and handle server-side functionalities using JavaScript.
This course aims to provide students with all of the professional skills necessary to start developing JavaScript projects on their own. Students will receive hands-on instruction and work on building a portfolio of sample projects that they can add to their job materials. Students will receive personalized career-support and get access to the alumni networking tools offered by General Assembly, giving them the opportunity to meet tens of thousands of former students who are currently working in the industry. Students who graduate from the program will receive a certificate of completion that they can use to demonstrate their JavaScript skills when they are on the job market.
Code Immersives: Web Development with AWS Certificate {link to Certificate Program}
Key Information: Include details like the price of the course, how long it runs and prerequisites. You can also highlight important details like Noble’s free retake option.
Code Immersives offers a three-stage Web Development with AWS Certificate program for students looking to learn the detailed process of designing and developing web applications and utilizing Amazon Web Services as a platform. In this course, students will start from the beginning, learning how to write simple code in HTML and CSS and basic JavaScript. Then, they will move on to more advanced programming skills such as with JavaScript libraries like React and MongoDB and utilizing API design to facilitate web applications. Finally, students will learn to work with advanced algorithms and data structures and begin their work with the AWS platform. One of the goals of the course is to prepare students to pass the AWS certification exam, so the final lessons are built with this goal in mind.
This career-focused course aims to help students become professional Web Developers trained to work with some of the most common tools and platforms on the market. Students will learn vital career skills and how to approach problems like programmers, which requires a different approach than other fields. In addition to expert instruction in everything from HTML to advanced JavaScript, this course is an Official Amazon Academy, meaning that the instruction that students receive is in line with the kinds of training that Amazon expects its certified programmers to have. By the end of the program, students will be prepared to sit for many of the AWS certification exams, and they will receive a certificate of completion, signifying their professional training in web development.
Amazon: AWS Certified Developer- Associate
Key Information: This certification exam tests a student’s understanding of basic application development skills, programming languages and the AWS platform. The certification lasts for three years before requiring recertification. Free and paid study options are available through Amazon.
Students with prior training in web development may want to pursue certification in the use of specific hosting and development platforms, like the one offered by Amazon through their AWS Certified Developer- Associate exam. This exam tests programmers’ proficiency with the Amazon Web Services platform’s tools for developing, debugging and launching cloud-based applications. The exam gauges how well a student understands the features and functionalities the AWS platform offers developers and how to use those tools to develop complex applications and webpages. Students will also need a background in cloud-based IT skills to pass the exam since Amazon handles sensitive consumer information. As more and more employers are turning to services like AWS to assist in the programming and development process, becoming certified in using the platform can be a significant boon for prospective programmers.
This exam lasts a bit over two hours and contains sixty-five multiple-choice and multiple-response questions. Amazon expects that students have at least one year of formal training or hands-on experience working with AWS for development projects, and, as such, questions will cover a wide range of AWS and application development concerns. Amazon offers a range of free and paid study materials. These study options include an exam guide, an on-demand exam prep course and sample exams for students to practice. Higher-level certifications are available to students with more experience. AWS certifications last for three years and can be renewed by taking the latest version of the exam or by passing a more advanced certification exam (which will also require additional training).
Google: Associate Android Developer
Key Information: This certification exam tests the developer’s understanding of basic application programming and their knowledge of Android-specific concerns. The exam consists of a practical programming design assignment and an exit interview. The process lasts eight hours. The certification lasts for 36 months.
Another option for students seeking to become platform certified is completing Google’s Associate Android Developer exam. This exam tests students’ understanding of Android-specific development techniques and languages as well as their practical programming skills. The exam covers application functionality, user interface design, user testing and debugging and data management. The exam sections on practical design are available in Java and Klotin and the elements of the exam testing skills and platform-specific skills can include things like knowledge of app store policies and data management regulations. Passing this certification demonstrates a programmer’s proficiency in app development and their readiness to start publishing and maintaining applications on Google’s various platforms and the Android OS.
This exam tests programmers’ ability to work in an entry-level application development role and more advanced certification exams are available. The exam includes a live programming project and an exit interview, which must be completed in English. Students will have eight hours to complete the exam though Google reports they often take less time, and they did not build the exam with the expectation that all eight hours will be necessary. Students do have the option to take the exam again if they are unsuccessful their first time. Google offers paid and free study materials for students looking to prepare for the exam. The certification lasts 36 months, after which students must pass a recertification exam.
FAQ for Programming Certificates
What is the Difference Between a Certificate and a Certification?
While they are both means of becoming certified and demonstrating your skill proficiency to prospective employers, certificates and certifications are not the same thing. Each serves as a different gauge of a student’s skill in programming.Â
Certificates are akin to diplomas and are awarded to students who complete industry-recognized training courses providing them with necessary programming skills. Certificates tend to be long, involved courses, often lasting several months and they are intended for students who are looking to learn new career skills and pursue a job in programming.
Certification is awarded to students who pass proctored exams hosted by industry-recognized third party providers, first-party publishers or the organizations that maintain programming languages. These exams tend to only last for a few hours (some not even an hour) and they are designed to test existing knowledge, so very few certification exams come with additional training. However, most service providers offer either free or paid study materials to help students prepare. Certifications tend to expire after a fixed period of time (usually a few years), meaning certified professionals may need to retake the exams regularly.
Should I Pursue a Certificate or a Certification?
Deciding whether to pursue a certificate or a certification is most likely to hinge on how much programming experience you have. Students with a significant amount of programming experience, either through prior training or on-the-job experience, are more likely to want to pass a certification exam, since they have all of the required skills to demonstrate their proficiency and may only need to spend a few hours brushing up on their skills or purchasing study materials.Â
Students without a significant background in programming are more likely to benefit from enrolling in a certificate program, since these courses are designed to teach beginners the skills they need to find work as professional programmers. Thus, even if you don’t know how to write basic code in HTML, you’ll be able to benefit from taking a certificate course. Largely, the benefit of these courses lies in the education that students will receive, rather than the certificate itself (though the certificate is important for signaling to employers that the training you received is industry-standard).
Do I Need to Become Certified to Find a Job?
As a general rule, no, you don’t need to become certified to find a job as a programmer, Web Developer or Software Engineer. While this varies from job opening to job opening, most employers won’t require a specific certification (most exceptions will be for companies looking for specific platform certification or certified cybersecurity experts). However, becoming certified is an excellent way to set yourself apart from others who are seeking the same job and to demonstrate to employers that you are ready to start working on projects immediately. Certificate programs are also a good way to build up a competitive design portfolio.
What Certificate Program is Right for Me?
Given that there are so many different certificate programs and training options available to students, it can be daunting to find the course that is right for you. First, you’ll need to decide what kind of programming you want to learn and what aspects of computer science you want to specialize in, since a web development bootcamp is going to teach different programming languages and skills than a data science bootcamp. Beyond this, students will want to seriously consider the merits of enrolling in an online certificate program and they will want to explore the different options available to them in terms of online course modalities.
Which is Better: In-Person or Online Classes
With recent developments in online education and telecommunication applications in the last five years, the quality of online education has virtually caught up with in-person classes in terms of content delivery. Thus, there are a number of advantages to online training courses and students should consider whether or not they will benefit more from an online class or an in-person course.
Online classes allow students to learn from anywhere, which can vastly expand their options for online training. Students can enroll in courses taught all over the country without having to leave their homes, which can be especially useful for students who don’t live in major metropolitan areas and don’t have access to many options for in-person classes. Students can also avoid lengthy commutes (especially useful for students learning part-time or after work), and they won’t have to spend money on things like gas. Finally, students will be able to learn on their own devices, which can be a major advantage for some students since they will be more comfortable using their computers. The drawback to these courses is that students will need to work to ensure that they have minimized the potential to become distracted during class, which can be hard when you are learning in a digital classroom. In addition, while it isn’t the most intensive process, you’ll need a computer that can compile complex code while running a virtual classroom.
Which is Better: Live Online or Asynchronous Classes?
If you decide that an online course is ideal for you, you’ll have the option to choose between live online classes, which operate like regular classes but occur in a digital environment, and asynchronous classes, which are courses composed of recorded materials that students are able to move through at their own pace. Live online classes are likely to be preferable for most students since they have all of the benefits of live, in-person instruction. Students can ask their instructors questions and receive feedback in real-time, and with their permission, students can allow their instructors to interact directly with their desktops and code editing applications.
Asynchronous courses are ideal for students who need the flexibility offered by being able to work whenever they have free time. Many aspiring programmers have work and family obligations that prevent them from enrolling in full-time classes, and taking a collection of asynchronous certificate courses can be a good compromise. However, these classes can take significantly longer to complete as students must self-motivate themselves to avoid falling behind in their studies. Plus, since there is no live instructor, students will need to address challenges and hurdles on their own, which can be difficult (not to mention the risk that the course you are studying from is out of date). While the freedom and flexibility these courses offer are nice, they provide a noticeably worse educational experience relative to live online classes.