What Classes to Take to Become a Full Stack Developer

Students interested in becoming Full Stack Developers will need to learn the frameworks and languages on both the back and front ends, so there is a lot to tackle. You’ll eventually want to learn everything from HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) to Python and React--if you’re starting from the ground floor, it may feel overwhelming. 

It can be helpful to start thinking of checking boxes on a to-do list: every skill you learn, every class you take, is another box checked. Before long, you will know enough about web development to start pursuing a job in the field--and with a robust portfolio, you’ll feel confident and well-prepared. A good certificate program or a series of solid boot camps can teach you everything you need to know to land that job as a Full Stack Developer.

What is a Full Stack Developer?

The job of a Full Stack Developer often involves managing the process of software development from the very beginning--and continuing to both maintain and upgrade the software once it has been launched. A Full Stack Developer will lean heavily on coding skills, and will also need to be comfortable working through the build and analyzing along the way. The development process is likely to include both oversight of program testing and feedback as well as follow-up with management as the testing progresses. Any changes that are needed will be implemented by the development team, and the process of testing and feedback will start over again.

While the back end development process relies on technical know-how, the front end process depends equally on an understanding of the needs and usage patterns of the intended audience. A Full Stack Developer should be comfortable with designing the graphical user interface, or GUI, that users will encounter and interact with directly. These elements include navigation menus, images, buttons, and graphs, along with other design elements. 

Full Stack Developers will engage with the entire web development team on a regular basis, including Designers, Project Managers, Product Managers, and any area-specific developers, whether Front End or Back End. Depending on the individual workplace and industry--anything from corporate to nonprofit to government agencies--a Full Stack Developer might be working in-house or remotely. Wherever they’re working, they’ll need to be easily accessible--web development is a fast moving field, and good communication is key to effective implementation and maintenance.

What Skills Will I Need to Learn to Become a Full Stack Developer?

Fluency in coding will be a requirement of the job, so learning HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for the front end, and languages like Node.js, Ruby, or Python for the back end will be a great place to start. A Full Stack Developer is responsible not just for writing code but for tracking changes in that code and any mistakes made along the way. The industry-standard for this type of process is the version control system, or VCS. Popular version control systems include Mercurial, GIT, and SVN, and they allow developers to work independently and merge their individual versions into a common file. Another crucial benefit of using a VCS is the opportunity for branching, which means that developers on the same team can be working on experimental code without risk of damaging the stable and tested code already in place.

On the front end,a Full Stack Developer will need to learn frameworks like Angular, React, or Vue, as well as such design tools as Sketch, Figma, or Adobe XD, and browser developer toolslike those integrated into Chrome or Safari. Integrated development environments (IDEs) and code editors like Sublime Text and IntelliJ Idea will be helpful in increasing productivity, and a basic knowledge of CSS preprocessorslike Sass and LESS will also be useful. Responsive design has become hugely important in web development, now that applications need to be accessible on screens of varying sizes, so learning Bootstrap or alternatives like Tailwind CSS and Foundation will prepare you for a Full Stack Developer position. 

On the back end, you’ll want to learn the basics of various programming languages, though it’s worth noting that you may end up specializing in one or two. Back end frameworksdepend on the language being used, and include Django (used with Python), Express (JavaScript), and Ruby on Rails (Ruby). You’ll also want to be familiar with both SQL-based and NoSQL databases, as well as API (application programming interface) tools like Postman and Insomnia. A Full Stack Developer will also be responsible for implementing security measures using authorization and authentication toolslike OAuth and Passport.js.

Some of the most important skills needed to become a Full Stack Developer are those you may already possess: patience, tenacity, open communication, attention to detail, and a willingness to try new things. 

What Courses Should I Enroll in to Become a Full Stack Developer?

A Relevant Bootcamp

Ironhack Web Development Bootcamp: This course, offered live in Miami or remotely, will teach you all the fundamentals of full stack web development. In nine weeks of full-time instruction or 24 weeks on a part-time schedule, you’ll start from the beginning, as the class is beginner-friendly and requires no previous experience. The curriculum is centered around the skills that are most in demand in the tech industry and it’s consistently evaluated, so you can be sure that you’re getting the most up-to-date training possible.

The course starts off by launching into HTML and CSS, using Git for version control. You’ll become comfortable with basic JavaScript, and will move quickly into a more advanced understanding of the language. From there, you’ll spend time learning back and front end skills independently and in tandem, so that you can create seamless integration in your programming. On the back end, you’ll learn Node.js, Express.js, and MongoDB, while you’ll use React to create a dynamic user experience on the front end--all of which will end with a project that showcases your MERN stack abilities.

Shorter Relevant Classes

Noble Desktop Web Development with HTML & CSS: A nuanced understanding of HTML and CSS is a critical first step toward becoming a Full Stack Developer, so a straightforward class like this one is a perfect place to start. You’ll learn how to use HTML to create individual webpages, and CSS to both style the content and make the page responsive based on screen size. You’ll also learn to upload files via FTP in order to make the site go live. 

For those who don’t know how to code, it may feel like learning a new language--because, of course, it is. But Noble Desktop makes the experience less intimidating and accessible for novices. In fact, the only prerequisite is a very basic understanding of how to use a computer, and the class is accessible for Mac and PC users alike. You can take the class live online, or in a small group setting at Noble’s Manhattan campus. 

Shorter Relevant Classes

NYIM SQL Bootcamp: Learning how to write SQL (structured query language) queries will give you a leg up as you pursue a career as a Full Stack Developer. With this bootcamp, you have the opportunity to take each of the three short-form SQL classes back-to-back at a discounted rate, either in-person in New York City or live online. 

SQL Server Level I covers the fundamentals of extracting and analyzing data using Microsoft SQL Server. In Level II you’ll learn how to use Outer Joins, find NULL data, and change the data type using CAST. In Level III you’ll move on to employing If-Else logic through CASE statements, using string functions to extract text, and retrieving data via subqueries. Three subsequent days of targeted instruction will help you feel confident with SQL.

Shorter Relevant Classes

Noble Desktop Python Programming Bootcamp: If you’re totally new to programming, this immersive course will be right for you. The course covers built-in data types and Control Flow Statements, as well as how to professionally structure your programs and solve real-world problems using Object-Oriented Programming. 

Your instructor will help guide you through programming exercises that will culminate in a portfolio of code samples and projects that you can show prospective clients or employers. A 30-hour course, Python Programming Bootcamp will feel comprehensive without being overwhelming, and it’s accessible in-person in New York or live online.

Learn the Skills to Become a Full Stack Developer at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop’s award-winning Full Stack Web Developer Certificate program offers learners the hands-on training and industry-oriented expertise that will allow for a seamless transition into the software engineering and web development workforce. You’ll learn the fundamentals of coding both the infrastructure on the back end and the user-facing visuals on the front end. Expert instructors provide engaging, hands-on learning through projects that will ensure you both understand and retain the material--and that you stay interested throughout the session.

Noble Desktop’s certificate program offers several advantages, including its competitive pricing structure, flexible schedule, and options for in-person learning in New York City or remote from anywhere. The Full Stack Web Developer Certificate program represents a class bundle that’s offered at a 15 to 25% discount, and Noble Desktop is happy to provide an invoice if you’d like to seek tuition reimbursement from your employer. Plus, you can retake the class for free within a year, allowing you to brush up on your skills as needed.

Perhaps you’d like to start on a smaller scale--and that’s okay too. Rather than diving into the Full Stack Web Developer Certificate Program, you could begin with a boot camp that teaches individual programming languages, like Noble Desktop’s React Development Bootcamp, Flexbox, Grid, and Bootstrap class, or Web Development with HTML & CSS course. All three offer instruction on individual skill sets that can get you started, and help you determine if your interests are on the front end, back end, or both.

With the relevant training and experience, landing a role as a Full Stack Developer will be straightforward. Noble Desktop can help.