They write the code that’s behind every webpage and maintain websites, applications, and digital platforms. They design the interface that users interact with as they surf the web. The internet should be a functional and engaging space, and web developers provide this to users.
With technology rapidly changing and evolving, it’s important that web developers stay abreast of the latest technologies and methodologies in use in their field. This is usually done through certificates and certifications. Think of them as professional credentials that demonstrate a developer’s dedication to their craft and commitment to professional development. Being certified in in-demand skills, updated industry standards, and vendor-specific tech can inspire more confidence from clients and employers.
Noble Desktop: Full-Stack Web Development Certificate
Key Information: This certificate course is for adult programmers of all levels for $7,995. There are no prerequisites to take this course, however, it is helpful to have knowledge of basic computer skills. It is a four-month course that includes 84 sessions that will be held three days a week. Noble Desktop offers 1-on-1 mentoring outside of class, and you can retake this course for free should you need the reinforcement.
In this five-month hands-on certificate course, you will get acquainted with developing every aspect of digital applications and webpages. By the end of the course, you’ll know how to develop both the front-end and the back-end of a webpage using programming languages like HTML and CSS and JavaScript. This includes the visual appearance that users will interact with online and the infrastructure that powers it. And with the help of the MERN tech stack, you’ll add databases, APIs, server environments, and interactivity to your web applications projects.
As a project-centered class, you’ll be coding websites from scratch. And you’ll be working on building a portfolio of working web applications that you can shop around to leverage your newfound web development skills. This certificate course will give you a strong foundation in programming that can push you into web development, computer science, and software engineering.
As the internet continues to grow, and technology evolves, there is a high demand for web developers. Every course, service, retailer, and influencer needs to have a strong online presence, and a website is the best way to do that. Full stack developers are needed to build and maintain all of this online real estate, as well as to develop software programs and mobile applications. Full stack development is a career that will be in high demand for the foreseeable future.
Code Platoon: Full-Stack Engineering: Immersive
Key Information: This class is taught by professional software engineers and covers both hard and soft skills to increase the chances of succeeding in a new career. This is a 15-week course for veterans and military spouses in and around Chicago. All students will need to complete a pre-work course of 60 to 100 hours covering computer basics and tools of the trade before classes begin. The program costs $18,000 and also includes a paid apprenticeship program.
This course will take students through coding, personal development, and industry best practices to create a firm foundation in web development that can be built upon. Students will learn Python and JavaScript to program webpages, software, and applications using Django and ReactJS frameworks. The course covers programming fundamentals, creating internet content, and creating web applications.
Every student will be given an industry mentor as well as an opportunity to build professional relationships to form a support network that can grow career potential. Students will work with Code Platoon’s career services team to prepare for a career in full-stack web development. And by the end of the course, students will be ready to launch their careers as web developers, software engineers, and applications developers.
NobleProg: User Experience (UX) Design Training Course
Key Information: This four-day course has no prerequisites and is for adult learners who are interested in the UX aspect of web development. The price of the course is $3607.
Students will be guided through essential UX tools and processes and be prepared to pass the exam and achieve a BCS certificate in 9 syllabus areas by the end of the course. The course covers topics including user-centered design principles, ISO 9241 as a standard, research techniques, product personas, information architecture, interaction design, and usability evaluation.
This course packs a lot of information into 28 hours and will give participants what they need to know to successfully pass the BCS certification exam. As students learn to create user interface designs that leverage universal visual design principles, use interactive controls in a user interface design, and get better research insights via eye-tracking methodology, they’ll be gaining the skills needed to get started on the path to UX design.
FAQ for Web Development Certificates
One of the most asked questions is, “How long does it take to become a web developer?” The answer to this question is different for everybody. Depending on the program you choose, becoming a certified web developer can take as little as a few months or as long as a few years. The depth of the program and the energy you put into the program are the biggest factors in the length of time.
There are a lot of things that you can do with a web development certificate. The most obvious is landing the web developer job that you want. But you can also use it to go after a promotion or pay raise, be seen as a more credible developer, or switch career paths within web development. Getting into the mobile app space or UI/UX may seem like a dream to you, but a certificate may help you to make it your reality.
What is the Difference Between a Certificate and a Certification?
Certificates are generally awarded to students who successfully complete a class that is niche or very specific to a narrow topic, like HTML coding; although topics can also be very broad, like full-stack development. Certification is often offered to students who complete a course or group of courses within a broader topic, like computer programming and pass a qualifying exam to demonstrate their mastery of the concept after successfully completing the course.
Certificate training programs don’t typically take up as much of your time as certification does. And there are a lot of niche topics being offered as certificate courses, like user experience design or mobile applications. Getting certification generally requires taking a course and studying for and passing a cumulative exam. Certifications are often used or perceived as the industry standard by many employers, however, many employers do not require them to work in web development.
Should I Pursue a Certificate or a Certification?
The choice to pursue a certificate or a certification should depend largely on your goals. If the reason driving you is upward career mobility, perhaps certification is going to be more useful. If you’re looking to expand your knowledge or get up-to-date on certain technology, a certificate training course may be adequate.
Sometimes your employer will have a better idea of what is the better course of action to take, so reaching out to your employer can also help you make this decision. Earning certificates is a big part of professional development and many times the costs are covered by your employer. Certificates and certifications are a way to demonstrate your commitment to progressing professionally and expertise in web development.
Both a certificate and certification give you more credibility as a web developer, whether you’re experienced or just starting out. Clients and employers want to know that someone competent is doing the work that is needed to get the right type of results. You’ll also need to be practical when deciding which is better for you. Be sure to take into consideration your budget, skill level, and strengths and weaknesses. If there’s an area you want to improve in, you may need to focus on that first.
Do I Need to Become Certified to Find a Job?
There is no clear answer to this question. Yes, you can find a job without being certified. And some jobs will require that you are certified in certain things to be considered for the position, however, this is not always the case. Being certified will most likely give you more room to negotiate your salary or pay rate. But becoming certified can also demonstrate to others that you are invested in professional development and that you want to deliver excellent results with the best tools and current technology. The greater your skill set, the better your outcomes will be professionally.
Keep in mind that showing potential employers and clients your expertise with a combination of previous web development projects, professional experience, and reputable certifications can also help you land a web developer job. Although education is a feather in anyone’s cap, experience and a healthy and hearty portfolio of successful work is going to bear a lot of weight wherever you go. When you know what you’re doing and you have strong evidence of that, you’re going to get noticed.
What Certificate Program is Right for Me?
Choosing a certificate program can be a big step in the web development direction. And if you’re already in web development, it could mean more job opportunities or a pay increase. There are a lot of advantages to obtaining certificates or becoming certified, and only you can determine what’s right for you. Sometimes your employer or potential employer will let you know what they’re looking for from you, so it’s a good idea to start there if you’re unsure.
Some of the simple factors that can help you in choosing a certificate program include the location, the class schedule, topics that interest you, the class format, and the instructor. Doing a little research into these things can help you make the right decision for your situation and personal preferences. Another thing to consider is your goals and aspirations. Be sure to choose a program that is advancing you in the direction that you want to go.
Accreditation can also play a role in your decision. There are three types of accreditation, regional, national, and industry-specific. Regional accreditation is the standard for most institutions, like colleges and universities. National accreditation typically applies to vocational and trade schools. While the industry-specific accreditation that most employers look for is ABET accredited. ABET governs the tech field and ensures that ABET-accredited courses meet the tech industry standard.
Which is Better: In-Person or Online Classes?
The answer to this question hinges on how you best learn, your location, and what your schedule looks like. Traditional in-person classes are the preferred and most widely accepted way of learning. Not only do they allow for more human contact, but it’s also easier to pick up on visual cues like body language in a traditional classroom setting. Other advantages to in-person classes include having the use of computers, software, and other equipment and class materials. In online classes, students will often have to provide their own supplies and course materials.
Online classes are a great option for busy professionals who don’t have the time for a commute to class. You can take an online class from anywhere in the world, so if the in-person location isn’t accessible to you, this makes learning web development a real possibility for you. Taking online classes is very convenient for many people, but if you don’t want to be worried about spotty internet connections, internet lag time, or any other technical difficulty that sometimes occurs in online classes, in-person classes may serve you better.
Which is Better: Live Online or Asynchronous Classes?
Live online classes aren’t very different from in-person classes, but online and in-person classes are very different from asynchronous classes. Asynchronous classes or self-paced online courses are recorded and are an excellent choice for people who prefer to learn on their own time. Because they do not run in real-time, they give you the freedom to learn the material in a few hours or over the course of a year. You can take whatever time you need, speed through things that are easy or that you already know, repeat or slow down topics that are challenging, and explore topics in whatever order makes the most sense for you.
Asynchronous classes don’t allow you to ask questions and get answers right away, Typically you’ll have to email the instructor or training center and await the response. If this is problematic, a self-paced course may not be the best option for you. You’ll also need to be a self-starter who enjoys independent learning. It’s easier to procrastinate with asynchronous classes because there is no set learning schedule where students and instructors have to be together online or in-person.
Again, the type of class you choose to take to break into web development or further your breadth and depth of professional knowledge and skill is up to you. Only you know how you best respond to instruction, and it’s up to you to match your learning style and factors like location and scheduling needs to the class modality.