Software Development CertificateSoftware Development CertificateSoftware Development Certificate

Develop a better world — and a better career

There’s a mantra across computer science fields that today every company is a technology company. As tech becomes increasingly integrated into our lives, companies across more industries will rely on software developers to build sleek, intuitive platforms and programs to support our digital-first society.

If you want to help shape society’s future, your 100% online certificate in software development can help you get started in a lucrative, high-value career. Our certificate introduces key concepts and fundamentals in software development. The program is project-based and informed by real-world challenges, issues, and opportunities in the field, so you can learn career-oriented skills you can apply in your work the next day. You’ll also get the opportunity to work with Amazon Web Services, a high-tech online resource from Amazon that offers industry-relevant application development interfaces and cloud-computing platforms.

Our increasingly digital world needs brave leaders to help build it. With your online software development certificate, you can be one of them — and pursue a career with real impact.

Apply with no application fees or entrance exams, and choose from 3 start dates

Build real-world skills through a dynamic, project-based curriculum that reflects emerging trends and technologies

Earn your certificate in as few as 6 courses (18 credit hours)

Access 100% online coursework with no campus visits required

Develop critical, in-demand skills in programming languages, web application development, DevOps, AWS, software programs and more

Learn from a faculty of experienced data science experts and industry leaders

Who should earn an online certificate in software development?

As demand skyrockets for software developers, the number of opportunities grows for programming and digital modeling professionals at all skill levels. If you want to upskill or reskill to take advantage of a booming field, your software development certificate can help you build the foundation you need in as few as six courses.

At Maryville University, our 100% online software development certificate program is designed to help you enhance your current knowledge or start from scratch as you build your introductory digital skill set. You’ll have the opportunity to study and learn the fundamentals of DevOpsAmazon Web Services (AWS)object-oriented application designweb application development, and programming in languages like PythonJavascriptC++, and Java.

Why earn your online software development certificate?

Because technology is constantly evolving and software development demands are always shifting, the field values people who are committed to learning. In fact, for at least three straight years, a willingness to learn has been the most important factor in businesses’ hiring decisions, according to a recent report by a consortium of software development and architecture firms.*

When you earn your online certificate in software development from Maryville, you can build a fundamental understanding of the tools, techniques, and technologies behind the software that supports a growing number of businesses and resources. Best of all, the dynamic online curriculum gives you the freedom to learn the skills relevant to your goals — on your time.

Dynamic, affordable, and highly streamlined.

Get personalized support. Benefit from a dedicated student support team who can assist you from application through graduation and beyond.

Learn from a streamlined curriculum. Study in-demand important topics in software development and earn your certificate in as few as six courses.

Prepare for further credentials. Complete coursework that you can apply toward a bachelor’s degree in computer science, or earn a future computer science certificate with as few as six additional courses.

Gain real-world experience. Learn from a practical, experiential program that helps you build skills you can apply to your career immediately.

earn from leaders in software development. Engage with dedicated faculty and industry experts.

Study on your schedule. Access 100% online coursework with no campus visits required.

What can you do with your online software development certificate?

The computer science field at large is booming, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projecting the job market to grow by 11% from 2019 to 2029, nearly three times the national average across all job categories. The outlook for software development careers in particular is even more promising: The BLS projects 22% growth during that same period. That amounts to hundreds of thousands of new jobs across nearly every industry.

When you earn your online certificate in software development, you can take advantage of this opportunity to find a career in a field you love — doing vital work that employers value. The potential for growth, high earnings, and job satisfaction are among the reasons U.S. News & World Report ranked software developer as the No. 2 best job in 2020.

What types of careers can I pursue?

According to the BLS, the most common field for professionals with a background in software development is computer systems design. However, your software development certificate can help you build in-demand skills that are relevant across many different industries.

When you earn your online software development certificate, you have the flexibility to pursue a career almost anywhere, or to enhance your skills even more through continued education.

Put your software development certificate to work in a variety of settings, including:

  • Banks
  • Colleges and universities
  • Computer systems design firms
  • Financial services firms
  • Insurance carriers
  • Local, state, and government offices
  • Nonprofits
  • Software publishers
  • Tech startups
  • Video game studios

Career opportunities in software development include:

  • Application developer
  • Back-end developer
  • Computer programmer
  • Front-end developer
  • Software developer
  • Software engineer
  • Software quality assurance analyst
  • Web developer

Where can your software
development certificate take you?

Pursue high-salary careers

According to Indeed.com, software development is one of the most in-demand careers in the nation. You can take advantage of this demand. Your online certificate in software development can set you on the path to qualify for high-paying career options. Salaries vary depending on factors like experience, location, and education, but your certificate can help you qualify for careers like software developer ($107,510), application developer ($108,080), computer programmer ($86,550), and web developer ($73,760).*

*Median salary data based on information compiled by the BLS

Be integral to a booming field

According to the BLS, computer science careers are growing at nearly three times the average rate for all career types (4%). Some software development careers show an especially bright outlook. Your online software development certificate can help you begin to qualify for pursue high-growth careers like software developer (22% growth projected between 2019 and 2029)*, web developer (8%)*, and software quality assurance analyst (8%)**.

*Growth data based on projections by the BLS.
**Based on projections for 2018-2028 compiled by O*Net Online.

Begin or advance a rewarding career

U.S. News & World Report lists software developer No. 2 on its list of the best jobs in America, citing not only high wages and low unemployment, but also high flexibility, upward mobility, and satisfaction. Software developers and programmers often enjoy a high degree of autonomy, and many employers offer benefits like remote work, tuition reimbursement, and profit sharing.

Why choose Maryville Online’s software development certificate?

Build the skills to thrive

Our online certificate in software development is designed to help you build a comprehensive knowledge base to utilize in areas like software creation, web development, DevOps, and computer programming. We believe the best way to learn is to do, so we offer an experiential, project-based curriculum that can help you develop real-world skills. That means you’ll have the opportunity to learn practical techniques in software development you can apply to your career the next day.

Maximize your education investment

When you earn your software development certificate from Maryville, you can focus on the topics that can help you achieve your career goals. If you already have a college-level background in the areas covered by the curriculum, you may be eligible to switch out up to two courses (6 credit hours) with electives in other areas of computer science to ensure you get the most out of your education. You can also apply coursework toward your bachelor’s in computer science from Maryville Online (up to 18 credits).

We’re continually recognized for excellence:

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Forbes America's Top Colleges 2019
Kiplinger Best College Values 2019
Money's Best Colleges 2020 Logo
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Put our reputation to work.

Maryville University was founded in 1872 and has been helping brave, motivated professionals launch or enhance their careers with industry expertise ever since. Ninety percent of our full-time faculty holds a doctorate or terminal degree, and our software development and computer science faculty comprise experienced practitioners and experts in the field.

We’re proud of our reputation for quality academics, accelerated growth, and affordability, because it demonstrates our commitment to excellence.

Online certificate in software development curriculum*

Our online software development certificate allows you to build your foundational software development skills in as few as six courses (18 credit hours). Our program is project-based and practical, so you can learn real-world skills on your own time and apply them to your career.

Focus on skills important to software development

When you earn your software development certificate online with Maryville, you get an education that can prepare you for real-world opportunities in the field. Build your foundation with a curriculum focused on in-demand areas like Amazon Web Services (AWS), computer systems, programming languages, software development tools, object-oriented design, DevOps, and advanced and emerging technologies.

Tailor your experience to your skills

Do you already have a background in software development or a similar field? Our certificate program can help accommodate your experience. You may be eligible to replace up to two courses for electives to help you develop new skills — not rehash old ones.

Expand your career potential with a second certificate

There’s so much to explore in the world of computer science. That’s why we offer five separate certificate programs in some of the most high-growth, in-demand areas of this booming industry. You can round out your computer science knowledge by choosing to earn a second 100% online certificate in artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, data science, or user experience/user interface (UX/UI).

Prerequisites

  • This course covers data types, statements, expressions, control flow, functions, object oriented programming. It emphasizes principals of software development, debugging and testing. Project based learning is used to help students develop effective problem solving skills and effective collaboration skills.

  • This course introduces students to fundamental features of Java programming language. Topics include data types, control flow and loops, objects, classes, encapsulation, inheritance and polymorphism.

Core Courses (18 credit hours)

  • This course is a survey of both computer systems and programming languages. It covers the current state of systems as well as the top programming languages in use today. Theoretical and practical application of different programming language styles are used to help students understand the effective use cases for them.

  • In this course, students conduct an in-depth exploration of the entire software development process. This includes the technology business hierarchy and structure as well as different software development methodologies. An analysis of major stakeholders and their roles and responsibilities is addressed.

  • This course explores the process steps of object-oriented analysis and design.  Using real-world application and problem sets, students explore software requirements and design principles used to make great software.

  • In this course, students will apply their experience with database management and software to deploy and manage a fully realized web-based application in the cloud. Students will complete and automate the production and deployment of the system.

  • This course explores emerging and relevant trends in technology. Students explore the application of these trends as well as their development standards and processes. Students also understand the technology acceptance cycle with an emphasis on spotting future trends as they evolve.

*To ensure the best possible educational experience for our students, we may update our curriculum to reflect emerging and changing employer and industry trends.

Ready for your next step?

Get Admission Requirements

Take your education further with your online Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

While your software development certificate can help you qualify for a great career in areas like computer programming and web design, a bachelor’s in computer science can establish you as a true leader in the field. If you choose to pursue further education, we can put you on the fast track toward your degree.

Our software development certificate program features college credit coursework, so you can apply the 18 credit hours you earned toward your bachelor’s in computer science degree. Get a head start and save time as you build an even greater understanding of software development.

Want to learn more about how your Bachelor of Science in Computer Science can help you take your software development certificate further? Schedule a call with an advisor and discuss the benefits for your career.

Learn more about the online software development certificate at Maryville University.

Be Brave

Bring us your ambition and we’ll guide you along a personalized path to a quality education that’s designed to change your life.