What Degree Do You Need to Become a Back End Developer?

Those looking into a career in back end development often wonder: what degree, if any, do I need?

While not every development role requires a degree, almost any degree can help a prospective Back End Developer attain their dream career. Industry-specific degrees can assist new development professionals in getting their first job. For example, a finance graduate may work for a bank, and a marketing major may work for a digital marketing company.

However, most people considering a web or software development role think a computer science or IT degree will be necessary. Although some job postings list a degree or number of years of experience, others base their requirements more on what a candidate knows how to do. Read on to learn more about what degree you might or might not need to become a Back End Developer.

What is a Back End Developer?

Back End Developers work on the server or back end side of a website. While the front end of a website is what users engage with, the back end applications are behind the scenes. These can include complex programs, data storage, and third-party Application Programming Interfaces or APIs.

Back end development entails creating a website’s application processes, database, and server. Full Stack Developers are those who can perform front and back end development tasks. Though some development professionals do one or the other, the demand for Front End, Back End, or Full Stack developers depends on location, industry, skill sets, and related factors. Read on to learn more about back end development professionals.

Do I Need a Degree to Become a Back End Developer?

New development students wonder whether they need a degree to become Back End Developers. It’s understandable—many computer science professionals hold one or more degrees from colleges or universities. Some entry-level job postings list a degree requirement or even years of experience.

However, the lack of a degree should not dissuade someone from considering a new career as a Back End Developer. Depending on the company, the industry, and even the specific role, an entry-level or junior development role does not necessarily require a degree. In other cases, an industry-specific degree or demonstrated ability to do the job can suffice.

Many students new to back end development qualify for their first positions by gaining a certificate of completion from a comprehensive bootcamp or certificate program from a respected course provider. These in-depth courses typically comprise a series of training modules covering programming languages like JavaScript or Python, code editors like Visual Studio Code, or databases like MongoDB.

If you think a career in back end development will be your goal, compare and contrast a few such certificate programs. You might qualify for a new position within a few months or even weeks and get the job you want—and your company might even reimburse your tuition if you decide to go back to school.

Common Degrees for Back End Developers

If you decide to pursue a degree to meet your back end development career goals, you might want to know which are the most common. Although the following list is not all-inclusive—and not all Back End Developers have one of these degrees—consider it a starting point for a development position.

• Computer Science - By far the most common requirement among job postings that list a degree, a Bachelor of Science or master’s in computer science can prepare students for various technical roles. One potential disadvantage to this approach is that a B.S. might be too broad for a particular back end role. After all, many job listings for front end, back end, and other development positions also require this popular degree.
• Information Technology (IT) - IT is not among the most common choices for development pros, but it can be a helpful degree for back end applications. A typical B.S. in IT will include relevant training in scripting, programming, networking, security, and data management—all applicable to a back end development role. An additional benefit is that some IT programs include valuable certifications like CompTIA+ and Amazon AWS Cloud Practitioner.
• Mathematics - College-bound students often weigh their options by looking at STEM courses (science, technology, engineering, and math). Although math might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about back end development, some employers welcome new developers with varying STEM majors.
• Network Engineering & Security - Network Engineering & Security - A lesser-known Bachelor of Science degree, Network Engineering & Security, is available from a limited number of institutes of higher learning. This program can include Cisco training, certifications like CompTIA Network+ or Amazon AWS Cloud Practitioner, and security management. Degrees emphasizing network engineering and security can prepare Back End Developers, Systems Administrators, and Network Security Engineers.
• Software Engineering - Software Engineering degrees and certificate programs typically prepare students to become Full Stack Developers. These programs can offer training in top programming languages like JavaScript, Python, or C#, the Django REST framework, and the MongoDB database. Some college programs may also include certifications (CompTIA, AWS). 

Other options abound: a Drupal Back End Developer role might only require Drupal back end certification, and a company seeking a Java Back End Engineer might consider a candidate with a degree in a related field.

Tips for Starting a Back End Developer Career Without a Degree

To break into this field without a degree, professionals must learn programming concepts and technical skills. Some companies require degrees, whereas others may welcome development employees with other relevant industry-specific experience, systems knowledge, or a certificate of completion from a respected course provider. Consider the following options for launching a Back End Developer career without a technical degree.

Internships

While you might associate internships exclusively with college students, organizations seeking interns cast a wider net. After all, most students who apply for internships have not yet completed their degree programs. A company that lists an internship on a job board may not care whether you are working on a degree. On the contrary, if you come to an internship with the appropriate knowledge and skill set, they might prefer you to a student whose knowledge is mainly theoretical. Remember that some internships pay while others do not.

Freelancing

Whether you complete a degree program or get a certificate of completion from a private course provider, freelancing can be another way to work in back end development. The freelance approach means running your own company, so you must decide if you can take on networking to find clients, marketing yourself, and business-side concerns like bookkeeping and invoicing. If you already work full-time, consider starting a side business to see whether freelancing is something you want to pursue.

Self-Teaching

The self-taught approach is one that freelancers, interns, and even full-time back end development employees sometimes take. One of the main difficulties with self-teaching is that the complex nature of server-side applications and databases can be overwhelming. Most people exploring development as a career start with a few free YouTube videos or articles, but these typically work best as preparation for more formal training.

On-demand Videos

On-demand, or asynchronous, learning is a training option with unique advantages and disadvantages. You might prefer all on-demand training if you work the second or third shift, or you might use this method to orient yourself to a subject before taking paid classes. On-demand videos require less engagement from students and can be relatively inexpensive. However, most people prefer the following method: live training in person or online.

Live In-Person or Online Training

Bootcamps and certificate programs offer some of the best development training options. These engaging live online or in-person programs provide in-depth training in a concise timeframe. Students can learn significant concepts and skills in months or even weeks. Many employers hire certificate program graduates because they can do the job—whether they have a degree or not. Some companies even reimburse employees for college tuition if they return to school after hiring.

Learn the Skills to Become a Back End Developer at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop provides multiple bootcamps and certificate programs for students to learn back end development tools and skills in person or live online via teleconferencing. Subjects include JavaScript, Node.js, Python, and React, to name a few. Consider the following courses:

• JavaScript Development Certificate - The immersive JavaScript Development Certificate program is appropriate for those looking to become Front End, Full Stack, or JavaScript Developers. This 14-week program covers everything from the MERN tech stack (MongoDB, Express.js, React, and Node.js) to developing APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). Applicants should be comfortable coding HTML and CSS before enrolling. 
• Python Developer Certificate - Noble Desktop’s Python Developer Certificate combines its popular 30-hour Python Programming Bootcamp with a 60-hour unit on Python web development with Django REST in this comprehensive program. You'll learn about automation, GitHub, SQL, and URL dispatchers as you gain proficiency in designing complex web apps. As with the JavaScript Development Certificate, applicants should be comfortable coding HTML and CSS before enrolling.
• Python Web Development with Django - The 60-hour Python Web Development with Django provides a highly-reviewed standalone course for students familiar with HTML/CSS. This curriculum introduces object-oriented programming with Python, working with Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), and back end development with the Django REST framework. You can save by taking the course as part of the Python Developer Certificate program.