Another main draw that contributes to Python’s reputation for usability is Python’s commitment to an open-source license, which has drawn a vibrant community of users who share their work in public code libraries so that other users don’t need to develop their own code from scratch to perform common tasks. Because of its versatility and ease of use, Python is used in a wide range of industries, including not only software development but also fields like data science, machine learning, and FinTech.Â
Although there is not a single, official industry-standard Python certification, there are several private organizations, including The Python Institute and Pearson, that administer certification assessments. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Washington DC is the state with the highest concentration of jobs for Data Scientists. Because Python is a popular programming language in this field because of its functionality for analyzing data, a certification in Python can be a boon to finding work in this field.Â
General Assembly: Python Programming
Key Information:$4,500; 40 hours (10 weeks part-time); online class; no prerequisites
Though General Assembly, an organization that provides training in practical tech skills, has not yet reopened the doors of their Washington DC facilities, they still offer quality certificate programs that operate on a live online model, including a Python Programming course that offers weeknight classes to build fundamental skills with Python. Acknowledging that Python is used in various industries, this course focuses primarily on Python’s applications for Web Development and Data Science.Â
This course’s project-based curriculum helps to build a portfolio-ready application. In addition to the smaller projects completed throughout the course, the capstone project involves creating an app that either pulls in third-party data with Python’s Pandas data analysis library or integrates functionality from APIs using the Python web framework Flask. Participants earn a signed certificate of completion upon passing the course.
ONLC Training Centers: IT Specialist: Python
Key Information:$2,595 ($1,595 and $995); 6 days; remote instructor (live online with lab access @ 1325 G Street NW Suite 500, Washington, District of Columbia); no prior programming experience required
ONLC Training Centers, one of the largest IT training companies in the United States, offers classes on a remote instructor model, whereby students engage in a virtual classroom in real time but are also granted in-person access to ONLC training facilities in DC to complete training. ONLC organizes a Python Certification track that prepares students to take the IT Specialist: Python certification examadministered by Pearson. In addition to exam prep, this course provides hands-on experience working on real-world projects using Python. To prepare for the exam, students are advised to take both Introduction for Non-Programmers and Advanced Programming Techniques offered by ONLC.
Students without prior programming experience will learn to program in Python, developing a working familiarity with Python’s syntax and its tools for manipulating strings, performing math operations, working with sequences, collecting user input and output results, and handling exceptions. Focuses on Python 3, with some attention to the differences between Python 3 and the earlier Python 2.
George Washington University College of Professional Studies: FinTech Bootcamp
Key Information:$12,245; 24 weeks part-time (240 hours); online class; no prior experience needed
Washington DC’s George Washington University offers a series of tech-related bootcamps through the College of Professional Studies that are designed to train participants in some of the most in-demand career skills. As part of the College of Professional Studies, these bootcamps are open to the whole community, not just George Washington students. While each program leverages George Washington’s resources in the Washington DC and Arlington area, classes have recently moved to an online model, meaning these classes are open to anybody with an internet connection.
Python serves as a foundational element of the FinTech bootcamp, which operates on a project-based curriculum that uses real-world examples to teach the most in-demand FinTech skills. These projects provide firsthand experience using Python and its libraries like Pandas and NumPy to not only learn the fundamentals of Python but to employ them directly in the FinTech industry. Projects include tasks like using Python to model the projected future financial performance of a company and using Python’s PyViz data visualization tool to model financial data. Each participant will earn a George Washington non-credit professional certificate and will also gain access to career services, including resume and portfolio reviews, interview training, and 1-on-1 career coaching, services that can be utilized throughout the boot camp and for up to 90 days after completion.
Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies: Certificate in Data Science
Key Information:$7,496; online class; some familiarity with Python required, but can be provided; must hold a bachelor's degree or the equivalent to enroll, including completion of at least two college-level math courses
Georgetown University’s School of Continuing Studies offers more than 30 flexible professional certificate programs designed to build professional skills and improve employability. Those looking to leverage the high concentration of Data Science positions in Washington DC can look to the Certificate in Data Science to develop the technical and analytical skills to collect, clean, model, and visualize data using Python.Â
Note that this certificate program carries more advanced prerequisites, including a bachelor’s degree that involves taking some math courses. The course also requires a working knowledge of Python, though the School of Continuing Studies does offer a free optional course, Python Basics for Data Analysis, which is strongly recommended as an option for those with little programming experience to hone their fundamental skills.Â
Developer Bootcamp: Python Programmer Bootcamp
Key Information:$1,495; 28 hours; online, on-demand class; some prior scripting experience or knowledge of fundamental programming concepts required
The self-paced courses from Developer Bootcamp provide self-sufficient learners the ability to progress through content at their own individual pace. The Python Programmer Bootcamp’s unique approach combines on-demand streaming with interactive exercises to help participants build competency in developing and maintaining Python programs
Participants will learn the basic principles of object-oriented programming and Python’s syntax, while also getting hands-on experience working with numbers and strings, using modules, handling exceptions, and otherwise familiarizing themselves with Python’s capabilities for manipulating data and automating tasks. While this course does not provide a certification on its own, the curriculum is designed to prepare students to take the entry-levelPython Certification exam offered by the Python Institute if they so choose
Noble Desktop: Python Developer Certificate
Key Information:$3,995; 90 Hours (3 weeks full-time); certificate licensed by New York State Department of Education; online class; includes 1-on-1 mentoring; basic HTML and CSS coding skills requiredÂ
This online certificate program fromNoble Desktop, a leading design school based in New York City, teaches all of the essential skills needed to launch a career as a Python Developer. Because Python is the most common language used to code the back-end of websites, this course is designed with special attention to back-end programming and assumes some prior knowledge of the front-end experience using languages like HTML or CSS. The bulk of course content is devoted to developing skills with Django, a Python web framework that is used for back-end web development and one of the most in-demand skills in web development. After an introductory crash course in Python programming, where students learn the fundamentals of Python and object-oriented programming, the course delves deeply into Python web development with Django, where they learn how to automate tasks with Python and Django and how to use Django to interact with APIs.Â
Participants will develop these fundamental skills by working on several hands-on projects that will, on completion of the program, form a portfolio that can be shown to employers as evidence of practical experience. This portfolio, in addition to a signed New York State-licenced certificate, ensures that students will leave the class with not only the skills to succeed in a career but also an official testament to their skills in the form of tangible proof.
In addition to the cutting-edge curriculum, this certificate program provides extensive career service support in the form of six 1-on-1 mentoring sessions that can be used for job support, as your mentor can offer advice on polishing a resume, preparing for interviews, and reviewing your portfolio.Â
Noble Desktop: Data Science Certificate
Key Information:$3,995; 114 hours (4 weeks full-time or 20 weeks part-time); certificate licensed by New York State Department of Education; online class; includes 1-on-1 mentoring; no prior knowledge required
Those looking to start a career in DC’s thriving Data Science industry can look to Noble Desktop’s Data Science Certificate, which provides a foundation for a career in data by exploring Python’s utilization in data-centric fields. Python skills form the core of the certificate’s curriculum, which includes courses on Python for Data Science, Python for Machine Learning, Python for Automation, and a SQL Bootcamp. While most of the course content is focused on different applications of Python, SQL training is included because Data Scientists are frequently tasked with exploring databases and modifying the data therein, and SQL is the premier tool for performing these functions.
This certificate’s interactive training is designed to provide individualized attention to each participant. Through a combination of small classrooms of at most fifteen students and a curriculum that has each participant complete real-world projects to build a portfolio of work, including data analyses and visualizations that can be shown to employers, this certificate both provides a general foundation of Python knowledge and also allows for each student to pursue her specific career goals. In addition to this hands-on curriculum, this class features six 1-on-1 mentoring sessions that can be used for job support services, including resume polishing and interview practice.Â
Upon completion of the class, students will meet all the prerequisites needed to secure an entry-level position as a Data Scientist, which they should have no trouble finding in DC. A signed certificate licensed by the New York State Department of Education is awarded upon completion of the program, officially testifying to mastery of the course curriculum and qualifications as a Data Scientist. This official credential, in conjunction with the portfolio of projects, greatly contributes to hireability by providing tangible evidence of Python skills when seeking employment.
FAQ for Python Certificates
What is the Difference Between a Certificate and a Certification?
A certificate is a credential that confirms completion of a specific course or program of courses, attesting that the holder has adequately completed the course content. A certificate program is designed to provide short-term training in a specific skill or set of skills, preparing the certificate holder for a particular career path.
While a certificate attests to the fact that someone has been trained in a particular skill set, a certification testifies that someone has demonstrated mastery in a field by passing a standardized exam designed to test competency. While a certificate program is, first and foremost, focused on providing instruction and training, a certification program’s primary goal is to assess skill proficiencies. Rather than preparing someone for a certain career, as is the case with a certificate program, a certification is a way to validate experience and demonstrate the necessary skills to advance in a career.
Should I Pursue a Certificate or a Certification?
Because certificates and certifications signify different things, evaluating personal career goals is an essential first step in determining whether the pursuit of a credential is a prudent move. Since acquiring a certificate involves training in new skills while certification is a means of demonstrating mastery, they play different roles in career advancement; while either one can be a positive move, the specific outcomes will vary.
A certificate is an appropriate option for those in the early stages of a career path, either because they are just entering the workforce or are making a career change from another field. Because certificate programs are designed to provide training, they are a cheap and effective method for picking up the practical skills necessary for success in a career path. Consider pursuing a certificate if you need to learn how to code in Python.
Certification would be a more fitting choice for established Python programmers. Rather than learning new skills, experienced programmers are likely looking for ways to advance in their current career path, and certification provides two main benefits in this regard. First, certification can be a path to a higher salary. Data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that employees holding a certification command higher salary numbers than their non-certified counterparts, which means that becoming certified does hold a concrete monetary value. Secondly, certifications can be a way to demonstrate a specialized skill set, which can help an employee stand out as appropriate for higher-level jobs.Â
Do I Need to Become Certified to Find a Job?
Because there is no single industry-standard certification for Python skills, with many organizations offering their own certifications instead, there are very few positions where certification is listed as a prerequisite for a job.Â
That said, becoming certified can still be useful during a job search, even if no position lists a certification as an absolute necessity. Any position will have hiring prerequisites related to knowledge and work experience, and certification can go a long way in tangibly demonstrating one’s qualifications for a job. Moreover, becoming certified can show an extra degree of dedication to your career that helps to stand out somewhat from other comparable candidates.Â
What Certificate Program is Right for Me?
Which is Better: In-Person or Online Classes
In recent years, online classes have become the most common option for organizations offering professional certificate programs. Whereas in the past online courses were typically an inferior alternative to in-person offerings, the current post-COVID landscape has seen the rise of tools that have made online classes a competitive, and in many cases preferable, option. The question is no longer about a difference in quality but rather about the different affordances of each format. In either format, the core benefit remains the same: an expert instructor operating in a dedicated classroom environment. Whether the classroom is physical or virtual, it provides a dedicated space to interact with the instructor in real-time, which is an effective model for learning. The ability to discuss concepts or projects, ask questions, and receive feedback, all in real-time can help smooth out the learning process by ensuring concepts are understood and difficulties are addressed immediately.
Online classes hold an advantage when it comes to flexibility. While in-person classes are limited by geographic location, online classes can be accessed from anywhere, which provides both a level of convenience in removing a lengthy commute from the equation and also greater access to quality training organizations from around the world. Moreover, online classes frequently operate on flexible schedules with night and weekend class time and can more readily accommodate learners with already struggling with work-life balance.
Which is Better: Live Online or Asynchronous Classes?
Online classes provide not only flexibility in terms of geographic location and scheduling but also add a degree of flexibility to the mode of instruction. While a live online class follows an instructor-centric model that closely replicates the experience of an in-person class, other online classes operate asynchronously, meaning the content is provided for each participant to review and work on at her own pace. Rather than convening in a live classroom environment, students in asynchronous classes interact with content like recorded lectures, discussion forums, and guided assignments. Deciding between a live online class or an asynchronous class is, again, not so much about the quality of instruction as it is about learning styles and personal preferences.
A live online class is a great option for anyone seeking a more traditional classroom environment and consistent, real-time interaction with a trained professional. While the materials of an asynchronous class will be selected and produced by a professional, the ability to interact in real-time is only possible through the live online format. Although the content may be similar, a pre-recorded lecture will never be quite the same as an in-class delivery where students can ask questions outside the scope of pre-selected material.
While live online classes are comparable to in-person classes, asynchronous classes represent a radically different approach to learning. While the former both rely on a teacher-centric paradigm, asynchronous classes shift much of the responsibility onto the individual student. With this added responsibility, however, comes a great deal of added flexibility, making asynchronous classes a strong option for those with busy schedules and who need to work outside the scope of dedicated class time. Because course content can be accessed as literally any time, asynchronous allows participants to work at any schedule and at any pace, which can be valuable for those working irregular hours or those who need to dedicate more time to certain subjects and less time to others. The added responsibility of this type of class does require a bit of self-discipline, but many who seek out a certificate program are often self-driven enough to handle it.