Online Software Engineering Graduate Certificate Programs

Advance your career in tech with a convenient & affordable online certificate in a software-focused field. Discover how easy it is to earn an accredited online certificate in software engineering, software development, and more. Start with an undergraduate certificate or sharpen your professional skills with a graduate certificate. Our guide will walk you through all of your virtual options.

Ready to make your choice? Use our state-by-state listings to discover the best schools offering online software engineering certificate programs.

Can You Earn a Software-Focused Certificate Online?

You bet. In our listings, you’ll find scores of online undergraduate and graduate certificates in software-related disciplines. These handy programs are offered by respected universities and colleges across the country. You can choose to start with a certificate that focuses on the basics (e.g. programming fundamentals, web & application development, etc.) or hone your skills in a specialist area (e.g. secure software and information engineering).

Note: Stay away from for-profit schools that offer online certificates—they don’t have the same level of quality as programs from regionally accredited colleges & universities.

What Types of Software Certificates Are Available Online?

Undergraduate vs. Graduate

Online certificates in software-related areas can be divided into two broad categories:

• Online Undergraduate Certificates: Designed for current bachelor’s degree students, community college students, or recent high school graduates who would like to acquire key concepts & skill sets in software fields. These types of certificates can add an extra shine to your résumé.
• Online Graduate Certificates: Designed for students who already hold a BA or BS degree and want to take their knowledge to the next level. Many online graduate certificate students already have some experience working in a software-related field. They may also wish to apply certificate credits towards a master’s degree in the future.

Popular Online Certificate Subjects

Explore our listings to get a sense of what’s on offer. At the undergraduate level, you’ll notice online certificates in:

• Programming: Write code for computer programs; some schools offer certificates in specific languages (e.g. Java, C++, etc.).
• Software Design: Design, build, and maintain software applications.
• Web Design & Development: Design, build, and maintain websites.
• Mobile App Development: Design, build, and maintain mobile applications.

At the graduate level, online certificates in software are usually offered in more advanced topics. Think of areas such as:

• Software Engineering: Oversee & manage the software development life cycle.
• Software Design & Development: Design, write, test, maintain, and evaluate software programs.
• Software Architecture: Design, analyze, document & implement software architectures.

What to Expect From an Online Certificate in Software Engineering

Online Certificate in Software: Program Length

Online certificates in software-related fields are designed to be short & sweet! You’ll notice that many programs in our listings only consist of 3-6 courses. If each course is 3 credits long, that’s around 9-18 credits in total.

• Full-Time: On a full-time plan of study, you may be able to polish off an online undergraduate or graduate certificate in 1-2 semesters. In this scenario, you would be taking 2-3 courses per semester.
• Part-Time: Online certificates in software fields are a great choice for folks who have other commitments (e.g. work, family, etc.). So almost all schools will allow you to pursue a part-time plan of study (e.g. one course per semester). This might stretch your schedule out to 3-4 semesters.

Each online certificate program is unique, so it pays to do a little bit of forward planning to see how much work you’ll need to complete each week. When in doubt, ask the program coordinator for a sample calendar.

Online Certificate Delivery Options

Almost all online certificates in software-related fields are 100% online with zero in-person components—you won’t be required to visit the campus. You’ll usually be able to communicate with your classmates & professors through an online platform (e.g. WebEx, Zoom, etc.) and access instructor lectures, coursework, and group assignments through a learning management system (e.g. Blackboard, Canvas, etc.).

You may run into two styles of delivery in a virtual setting:

• Synchronous: Synchronous learning is the equivalent of “real-time” learning. You’ll be expected to join group discussions or lectures at the same time as all of your other online classmates. Synchronous elements are much more common in online degrees, but some online certificates in software engineering contain them.
• Asynchronous: Asynchronous study is a hands-off, “learn on your own time” method. You’ll be able watch recorded lectures at any time in the day and work on assignments when it suits you. However, you may miss the experience of working through problems with fellow students.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Should You Pursue an Online Certificate in a Software-Related Field?

Online certificate programs provide a way to investigate new realms without sinking tens of thousands of dollars into a degree program. If you’re a recent high school graduate or a current undergraduate, you can get up-to-speed in critical skill sets (e.g. programming). If you’re a working software professional with a four-year degree, you can vault yourself into a better job or higher pay bracket. Have a look at our listings to see what jumps out at you.

Can You Start with an Online Certificate in Software Before Pursuing a Degree?

Absolutely. Many software professionals have used an online undergraduate or graduate certificate as a stepping-stone toward a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Taking 3-6 courses in a specific area of interest is a great way to decide if you’re passionate enough to continue in the subject.

We always recommend that you discuss your education plans with the program coordinator. For example, some undergraduate certificates may have been designed as stand-alone skills programs; others may be closely tied to earning an associate degree. If you wish to enroll in a degree program in the future, you need to be sure that your course credits will transfer.

How Much Do Online Certificates in Software-Related Fields Cost?

The answer depends on the level of instruction (e.g. undergraduate vs. graduate), reputation of the school, and a host of other factors. Inexpensive online certificates at a community college may cost as little as $400 per credit. Online graduate certificates from a prestigious university with an outstanding School of Engineering or Computer Science may cost upwards of $1,000 per credit. Use the cost links in our listings to get a quick sense of your financial commitment.

What’s the Difference Between an Online Certificate in Software and Professional Certification?

Certificate programs are academic qualifications that are offered by regionally accredited colleges and universities across the country. Like a degree program, you’ll be expected to take courses, attend lectures, complete assignments, and pass tests. Academic certificates can be delivered online (see our listings) or on-campus. Many colleges & universities offer both versions.

Certifications are professional qualifications that are offered by well-known tech companies (e.g. Amazon) or respected industry organizations (e.g. IEEE Computer Society). They prove to employers that you have mastered a certain product (e.g. Microsoft’s Azure) or realm of expertise (e.g. cloud computing). To earn a certification, you may have to pass a challenging exam and prove that you have a certain number of years of experience. Almost all certifications can be earned online.

Will Employers Care if You Earn a Certificate in Software Engineering Online?

Probably not. As long as you can show that you’ve successfully passed your courses and earned good grades, employers won’t care how you did it. Virtual learning is common in the world of tech and there is no stigma attached to online studies. Employers are more likely to be interested in what school you attended and whether that college or university has a strong track record in software engineering & computer science. They primarily want to see job candidates with hands-on experience.

Is an Online Certificate in a Software-Related Field Worth It?

Yes—if you don’t want to commit to a degree right now, if you hate self-directed learning; and if you enjoy the discipline of a conventional academic program. Think of an online software certificate as a “taster” of things to come. Once you have completed 3-6 courses, you’ll be in a much stronger position to decide what you’d like to do next.

Planning to tackle an online graduate certificate in software engineering? Before you choose a program in our online listings, have a look at our on-campus listings. At the graduate level, you may wish to consider in-person learning. On-campus certificate students are often able to take advantage of resources like networking events, job fairs, company visits, and internship opportunities.