There are an uncountable amount of programs out there created to make tasks easier and more streamlined, and many others to provide entertainment, security, knowledge, and far more. This is why the work of a programmer is so valuable and why programmers are such sought-after employees in several companies.
Many careers fall under the umbrella of programming or require basic programming knowledge, including software engineers, data scientists, web developers, game developers, cybersecurity specialists, and several others. This means that several careers open up to those willing to pursue programming knowledge, and certificate or certification programs offer great opportunities to both novice and relatively experienced programmers in Philadelphia who hope to enter the workforce in one of these positions.
Noble Desktop: Software Engineering Certificate
Key Information: Noble Desktop’s Software Engineering Certificate program totals 510 hours of course instruction over 20 weeks. Full tuition costs $10,995, and this amount can be paid upfront or following one of multiple interest-free financing options. The entire program or any individual unit can be retaken for free within one year. No prior knowledge of programming is required; participants only need to be comfortable using a computer and have basic computer skills.
Several of Noble Desktop’s individual programs and bootcamps make up this certificate program, giving students a comprehensive view of software engineering and preparing them for related careers. Topics covered include programming languages like Python and JavaScript, as well as other key programming tools like HTML, CSS, Django, SQL, and WordPress.
This is a live online certificate program, so anyone in the Chicago area is eligible to enroll. Because of this, participants can ask any questions to Noble Desktop’s team of expert instructors and get detailed answers or help in real time. If you miss a class day or simply want to review material, you can access the session recording within one day of the session’s end, and then you have access to that recording for a month.
This interactive certificate program is great for those looking to begin their careers as programmers, developers, software engineers, or similar positions. It’s also great for current employees in these fields who hope to expand their current skill sets. To further enhance the learning experience, each student gets twelve 1-on-1 mentoring sessions where they can review challenging class concepts and get professional advice among other things,
Nucamp: Complete Software Engineering Bootcamp Path
Key Information: Nucamp’s Complete Software Engineering Bootcamp Path offers 1,400 total course hours of instructional content over eleven months. This is a classroom-based and instructor-led learning experience in Philadelphia. Tuition totals $6,439, and there are multiple financing options, including some which are interest-free. No prior experience or knowledge is necessary to enroll.
This path combines four distinct bootcamps and puts them in sequence over the eleven months with slight breaks in between each bootcamp. The bootcamp topics in order are: Web Development Fundamentals; Full Stack Web + Mobile Development; Back End, SQL, and DevOps with Python; and Job Hunting. Python and JavaScript will both be covered, as well as several other helpful programming tools like SQL, NoSQL, cloud storage providers, and plenty more.
Participants in the course are also eligible to take advantage of other benefits, including a 1-on-1 support session with a career advisor, the ability to search for work using Nucamp’s nationwide job board, and lifetime access to the course content so you can refresh your memory on any skills learned anytime you need to. Overall, Nucamp’s Complete Software Engineering Bootcamp Path is a great option for those hoping to break into programming for the first time and go on the job search quickly.
NextGen Bootcamp: Computer Science Summer Certificate Program
Key Information: NextGen Bootcamp offers a computer science certificate to those who enroll in this live online summer program. This 95-hour course is open to high school students interested in learning to program with Python and Java. It also promises students a tremendous headstart on their preparation for the AP Computer Science exam should they plan on taking it. Tuition is $3,695 if you apply early. No prior knowledge or experience is required to enroll in this program.
In this program, high school students will become familiar with industry-standard coding languages and some of their associated tools, including Python, Java, Matplotlib, and Pandas. By the program’s end, students will be able to write and use industry-standard algorithms, write their own programs, write their own codes and functions, and several other things required for thinking and performing like a programmer.
The complete certificate program is split into two units. The first comprises 50 hours and focuses on programming with Java. The second lasts 45 hours and emphasizes Python data science and machine learning. In both units, students will receive hands-on instruction and work on real-world projects to learn course concepts. Because classes are both small and offered in a live format, students will have plenty of opportunities to ask questions and get help in real time.
Upon finishing the course, each student will receive a certificate of completion, which speaks to their newfound mastery of the curriculum. A digital copy of the certificate can be downloaded and posted to LinkedIn if desired. For students who miss a session, a recording of that session can be downloaded within one business day, and then students will have access to that recording for one month.
Tech Elevator: Coding Bootcamp
Key Information: Tech Elevator’s Coding Bootcamp comes in both full-time and part-time options, lasting 14 weeks for the former and 30 weeks for the latter. Tuition for the program totals $16,500, and there are several financing options available, including income sharing agreements and some scholarships or grants available. While there are technically no skills or knowledge prerequisites to enroll, there is an application process involved for this bootcamp, part of which involves taking an aptitude test and having an interview. Upon acceptance, there are some suggested resources for students to look at to become acquainted with computer science basics before the program begins.
Aspiring programmers will go through the bootcamp focusing on one of two major programming languages: Java or C#. While this choice should be made based on your personal and professional goals, other tools you’ll learn regardless include HTML, SQL, CSS, and JavaScript. Part-time students will largely do the program from home pacing themselves to complete material within the 30-week span. Full-time students who meet in person will start the mornings with lectures and coding work, then move to peer work and instructor collaboration in the afternoons.
In addition to working with peers and expert instructors, students will also get the opportunity to work with academic fellows and career coaches. Academic fellows are recent graduates of Tech Elevator’s bootcamp, someone who has been in the shoes of current students and is available to offer daily support and guidance. The career coach is there to help with building resumes, helping with mock interviews, and assisting with networking.
Springboard: Software Engineering Bootcamp
Key Information: Springboard’s Software Engineering Bootcamp is a 100% online, part-time, nine-month program. While tuition totals $13,860 with multiple financing options, there’s also a discounted price of $9,900 for those who pay upfront. There are some prerequisites to joining the program, including fundamental knowledge of JavaScript, and programmatic problem-solving skills. It’s also recommended that participants know the fundamentals of HTML and CSS.
In the bootcamp, not only will participants continue to increase their knowledge of JavaScript, HTML, and CSS, but they’ll also learn how to code using Python, SQL, and React. Along the way, there will be plenty of opportunities to work 1-on-1 with both a mentor and a career coach. Springboard’s bootcamp also includes a unit detailing AI for engineers and how to increase productivity with prompt engineering, meaning this is a great bootcamp for those who want skills related to current industry trends.
Springboard is also one of the few bootcamps that offers a job guarantee; while certain terms apply, the company is willing to offer a full refund if you don’t land a job within six months of graduating from their program. For those with no coding experience, a Software Engineering Foundations to Core Bootcamp is also available, which will cover the basics of JavaScript, HTML, CSS, GitHub, and others.
Thinkful: Software Engineering Bootcamp
Key Information: Thinkful’s online Software Engineering Bootcamp is offered in both full-time and part-time options. The full-time option allows you to study with a cohort at an accelerated pace. Full-time students pay a tuition of $16,000 upfront (with certain financing options available), must commit to about 50 hours per week, and have access to help from dedicated learning assistants. Part-time students pay a tuition of $9,975 upfront (again with financing options available), can use optional office hours to get help, and must put in roughly 20-30 hours per week. This bootcamp will teach the necessary skills for both front end and back end development, so you’ll learn tools like JavaScript, React, Node, and others too. One prerequisite is that students must have a computer with a webcam, microphone, and speakers, as well as access to high-speed internet access. Thinkful also recommends a computer with at least 16 GB of RAM, a 2.0 GHz processor, and at least a 256 GB hard drive.
Full-time students will need to complete a four-week, self-paced prep course before beginning the bootcamp proper. Part-time students can start the bootcamp immediately. Both part-time and full-time students get matched with a mentor whose focus is to get you hired by helping you build a profile that highlights your skills and strengths. You’ll also get access to Thinkful’s Slack community to collaborate with and learn from other students.
Thinkful also offers a tuition refund policy. If you qualify and aren’t hired within six months of completing the program, you are eligible for a refund. There are plenty of career services open to students upon finishing the program, however, including mock behavioral and technical interviews, thematic workshops, career-focused Q&As, and individual and group sessions.
ONLC Training Centers: Python Programming Level 1
Key Information: This course from ONLC Training Centers is meant to be an introduction to Python for non-programmers. Because of this, there are no prerequisites to enrollment save basic computer navigation skills. The course lasts four days and is available in person at the Philadelphia ONLC Training Center. Tuition totals $1,595 if participants register early. The course aims to provide a strong foundation for future programming coursework and professionalization.
The course opens with an overview of Python and its capabilities before allowing students to start building simple applications of their own. As the course goes on, students will be able to understand the different types of Python applications, recognize source code, manage source files, and fix both syntax and runtime errors. Much more topics and skills will be covered than just these, however.
For those interested in taking a certification exam, ONLC offers courses beyond this non-programmer beginner’s course. These include the Level 2: Advanced Programming Techniques class and the Level 3: Data Analysis Using Python class. An alternative Level 1 course is also offered for those with prior programming experience but who have little to no background in Python.
FAQ for Programming Certificates
What is the Difference Between a Certificate and a Certification?
Certificates are usually awarded to students who have completed a training course or structured program. The certificate can be a physical object or a digital badge that can be displayed on a LinkedIn profile. In some cases, students can receive both a physical and digital certificate.
A certification, on the other hand, is given to students who pass an exam. Generally, certifications in programming are focused on certain programming languages and related tools, such as Python, JavaScript, C#, and various others. Programmers generally work toward a combination of certifications, including the PCAP for Python and OCJP for Java among several options available for other programs, coding languages, and programming tools.
Certificates are awarded by the school or program which is providing the training courses or classes in which a student is enrolled. Such programs will rarely, if ever, provide their own certification exams, however; such exams usually need to be taken from a third party. Certification prep courses or introductory classes will provide the knowledge and skills needed to pass these exams, but students will often be responsible for scheduling and paying for their exams. On some occasions, schools will offer to cover exam fees as part of their tuition costs.
Should I Pursue a Certificate or a Certification?
Whether you decide to enroll in a certificate program or pursue certification through one or multiple exams, your decision should largely be motivated by your own professional goals. Certificate programs can be great for mid-career professionals looking to acquire a new and in-demand skill set or build upon current skills and expose themselves to current industry trends and practices.
Certifications show potential employers that you have some level of training as a programmer, and the certification generally will be recognized across the industry. Certifications are usually a good option for jobseekers and those relatively new to programming who might be looking for an entry-level position. Some working professionals choose to acquire more certifications to work their way up in the industry or enter a position that requires additional skills.
Again, your own needs and skills should help you determine whether to pursue a certificate or certification. Certificate programs are likely to be elongated in terms of time, but generally will offer both full-time and part-time options and cover a larger spectrum of material than certification prep courses might. Certification programs, while much shorter than a certificate program, are very likely to be considerably more intensive for their duration, and you’ll likely need to take care of your exam scheduling and payment on your own. In some cases, it might also be difficult to find standardized certifications for certain subjects. In such a circumstance, a certificate from an accredited, well-renowned program that covers such topics might be a better option when going on the job market.
Do I Need to Become Certified to Find a Job?
While not always the case, some companies do require certification for you to be considered for certain roles. An industry-recognized certification allows employers some immediate guarantee that you can work with software and tools that will be integral parts of your job. Because certification exams are standardized, companies will know right away you meet the required skill level for certain positions.
Some companies are willing to provide you with the necessary training to prepare you for a certification exam and even cover your exam costs. If you’re interested in pursuing a position that requires skills you don’t currently have, or if the demands of your current position could be performed more efficiently with additional skills, a certificate or certification program can provide exactly what you need.
What Certificate Program is Right for Me?
It’s best to consider your own learning style and needs when trying to answer this question. Things you ought to think about include how much time you’re willing and able to dedicate to a program, cost, commute requirements, whether you prefer a traditional classroom experience or learning at your own pace, and what your professional goals include.
Which is Better: In-Person or Online Classes
In-person classes offer a traditional classroom experience: dedicated meeting times for instruction, a group of peers to collaborate with, and expert instructors who are available and willing to offer help and answer any questions you might have. It also means you need to commute to a physical location, so the commute must be factored into your schedule in addition to the class itself. Still, the chance to collaborate and network with peers and experienced instructors in your area often makes the trade-off worth it.
Online classes are taught by expert instructors just as in-person classes are. However, there’s a bit more flexibility in terms of how an online class delivers its material to students. For example, many online classes allow students to complete material at their own pace, albeit usually within a certain timeframe. Others are offered live online to simulate a traditional classroom experience that can eliminate the need to commute and allow you to complete a certificate or certification program from the comfort of your home or office. However, any online format also means that the opportunities for socialization and networking available will likely be decreased in comparison to an in-person program.
At the end of the day, in-person classes are best suited to those who are willing to commute, want a traditional classroom experience, and value time for networking and socialization with peers and instructors. Online classes are best for those who can’t commute to an in-person program due to distance or preference, want the option to learn at their own pace, or are generally more comfortable in online settings.
Which is Better: Live Online or Asynchronous Classes?
Live online classes attempt to mimic the experience of learning in a traditional classroom; these classes are led live by expert instructors and have scheduled meeting times that students must attend. In a setting like this, students get the benefit of real-time interaction with instructors, so questions can be immediately answered if they are having difficulty grasping a challenging concept or need a demonstration repeated.
Asynchronous classes require all work to be done at the student’s own pace, though generally within a specified timeframe. These classes may or may not include access to a mentor or supervisor that students can reach out to with questions, and even if they do, answers to said questions may often be delayed due to the asynchronous format.
When deciding between live online and asynchronous formats, you must consider your own schedule and whether you think you’ll need additional structure and instruction to learn the course material. If you have the time to spare and know that scheduled course times can be worked fairly easily into your current schedule, then a live online class is a great option. For those who are frequently busy or have unpredictable schedules, asynchronous formats are better for allowing self-paced learning and progress.