Full Stack Developer Certifications

A certificate in full stack development has many benefits – setting you apart from other applicants, helping you create a portfolio of work, and thoroughly preparing you for a tech-focused career – but choosing the right certificate program can seem challenging. It’s also important to understand the differences between a certification and a certificate as the two are not the same. This article will help break down these differences, why obtaining a certificate or certification is a good idea, and which courses are best for you.

What is a Full Stack Developer?

A full-stack developer helps build and maintain both the front end and the back-end of a website. They must be skilled in a variety of areas: programming, database management, user experience, project management, and client communication. They are also skilled in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, NodeJS, ExpressJS, Django, and PHP. Equally, full-stack developers understand various database management systems (DBMS) like MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, and more. 

Software developers require slightly different skills, tools, and software knowledge for frontend and backend development. Full stack development combines both disciplines—meaning teams can build applications from start to finish in an integrated and cohesive manner. This makes Full Stack Developers particularly valuable in the field of web development, allowing for higher earnings and greater long-term job stability. 

Do I Need a Degree to Become a Full Stack Developer?

While not strictly required, most Full Stack Developers will have a degree in computer science, information technology, or something similar. Many job postings you see will list a bachelor’s degree as a general requirement but won’t specify the field of study, but most professionals you encounter will most likely have taken the traditional route and attended a four-year institution for a bachelor’s degree in something related to computer science and coding. 

If you don’t have this background, don’t fret. What matters most in the field of full stack development is being skilled. Full-stack development bootcamps and professional trainings are good options for those who want to enter the field without a traditional degree. These programs offer practical, hands-on experience with languages and frameworks. You can gain the skills needed, as well as develop a portfolio of work to prove those skills to potential employers. These programs also tend to offer networking opportunities, resume development, and interview prep, all of which can help you land your dream full stack development job without a four-year degree in computer science or programming. 

Do Certifications Matter for Full Stack Developers?

While not a formal requirement for most jobs, becoming certified in full stack web development is a good way to improve your long-term career prospects. Becoming certified in full stack web development or a few of the languages involved in full stack development is an excellent way to set your application apart from the competition. It’s also the best way to prove your comprehension if you don’t have a degree in web development, software engineering, or related computer science fields. Certifications are also preferred (and even sometimes required) by employers. Being certified isn’t a replacement for a strong collection of job materials, but it is a wonderful addition to any resume and can prove your commitment to and proficiency in the field. 

Certifications vs. Certificates: What’s the Difference?

Certificate and certification programs both offer a quality education, but they do have some key differences that you should keep in mind. Understanding these differences will help you decide which option is right for you.

Often categorized as continuing education or professional development, a certificate is awarded at the end of a course or training. Mid-career professionals acquire certificates to enhance or develop high-demand skills in their industry while novices might be looking to change their careers and gain much-needed new knowledge from a certificate program.

Certificates are noncredit programs sponsored by educational institutions but typically require fewer credits than an associate degree as they involve fewer courses in a particular subject matter area. With designated learning objectives and a specific curriculum, certificates are held in regular classrooms or taken online and are typically shorter than other graduate programs. A certificate can add value to your resume, but it’s important to note that it won't carry the same weight as an associate's or bachelor’s degree, which is commonly required for many jobs.

In contrast, a certification is a professional credential that you earn through a professional training program or assessment. These typically culminate in a final exam or test, and many jobs and fields require specific certifications for promotions or career advancement. 

Certifications can lead to increased pay, potential promotions, and enhanced professional expertise. For many professions, certifications must be renewed at regular intervals to prove you are up to date on current industry standards and guidelines. Some companies may even pay for your training or certification exam, as these credentials can bring value to the workplace. 

So, what do these differences mean for you? If you want to change career fields entirely and need to learn as much about your new industry as possible, then a certificate could be the right choice. If you are established in your career and looking to gain a new title or increase your pay, then a certification course is probably the right route. 

How much money and time you can commit will influence your decision as well. If your company requires a certification for you to advance in your career, they will most likely pay in full or offer assistance for your certification course. If they don’t, it’s best to know your budget before you begin your search. Both certificates and certifications can vary in length, so it’s also important to be mindful of how long the program will take you to complete. If you’re looking to change careers quickly, a shorter certificate can be a great choice.

Regardless of whether you choose to pursue a certificate or a certification, both can give you an upper hand in your professional development and expand your skill set, making you highly desirable within your current field or a new one. 

How to Get Certified as a Full Stack Developer

As previously mentioned: there are two ways to get certified: through a certificate or certification program. Once you’ve decided if a certificate or certification is best for you, you’ll want to research available programs that meet your requirements. You’ll want to consider if online or in-person is preferred, what topics you wish to cover, and what schedule works best for you. You should also consider what additional perks interest you, like one-on-one mentoring, interview prep, or networking events. From there, you’ll want to read reviews from alumni to ensure that the course delivers on its promises. 

Once you’ve chosen your course, from there it’s just a matter of enrolling, attending your classes, putting in the work, and staying committed. Regardless of if you choose in person or remote, part time or full time, a professional training program like a certificate or certification is the best way to become an expert in full stack development and begin your dream career. 

Top Certifications & Certificates for Full Stack Developer

Full Stack Web Development Certificate

Offered through Noble Desktop, this thorough certificate training teaches you how to program the visual appearance of a web application (the front end) and the infrastructure that allows it to function (the back end) to create complete web pages. Project-oriented, it will cover everything you need to know to code websites from scratch while building a portfolio of working web applications to showcase to potential employers.

Held live online and in-person in New York, this course takes 17 weeks for full-time students and ten months for part-time. This course included 1:1 mentoring and one free retake, and financial assistance options (like installments and financing) are available for those in need. You’ll receive a certificate of completion at the end of this training that can be added to your resume, cover letter, or online portfolio. 

Software Engineering Certificate

Offered by Noble Desktop, this online program is divided into front end development, React Development, and Django (Python) Development. You will learn HTML to mark up web pages and CSS for styling; the fundamentals of JavaScript and Git; and how to use Flexbox and Grid to layout, align, reorder, and adapt web page content to different size screens. You’ll then move on to the fundamental JavaScript programming concepts, including variables, data types, loops, and DOM. Plus, you’ll cover topics like React, a powerful JavaScript library for web development, and master Node.js, MongoDB, and Express.js to round out your JavaScript development skills.

By creating a portfolio of projects, preparing for common interview questions, and polishing your resume and LinkedIn profile, this course will have you ready to pursue a new job in software engineering in as little as 20 weeks (on a full-time schedule). One-on-one mentoring and a free one-year retake are included in the cost of this course. Payment plans and tuition assistance are available, and this training requires no previous experience, making it great for beginners. 

Python Developer Bootcamp

Also offered by Noble Desktop, this three-week online course teaches Python for software development with Django, Django REST, and other developer tools like Git and SQL. You’ll start by learning the basics of Python including its lexical syntax, then move to more advanced topics like dictionaries, custom functions, and sorting algorithms. In week two, you'll learn object-oriented programming, how to work with APIs, and get an introduction to web databases using SQL. By creating projects that can be added to your portfolio, you’ll master URL dispatchers, querying models, and automating tasks with Django, as well as how to work with images, authentication, and use API endpoints with Django REST. 

It’s recommended that you are comfortable coding HTML and basic CSS. You should possess equivalent knowledge of Noble Desktop’s Web Development with HTML & CSS class, and mastery of another programming language is helpful, but not required. Payment plans and financing are available, in addition to extra perks like one-on-one mentoring, a free one-year retake, and a verified digital certificate are included with your purchase.