What Degree Do You Need to Become a Python Developer?

People looking into a career in Python development may have concerns about their college education or lack thereof. Consider the following three categories of prospective Python development pros:

• Those who have a degree in computer science, information management systems, or a comparable degree
• Those with a degree in another discipline
• Those who have no college or university degree

The graduate with a bachelor's degree in computer science or information management has an advantage over other applicants for certain positions. However, in many cases, nearly any degree can help a prospective Python Developer to attain their dream career. Depending on the role, a degree in another field, like marketing, graphic design, or finance, might be essential.

Finally, not everyone has a college degree. Depending on the position, some prospective Python Developers will qualify for entry-level roles after graduating from a certificate program. Read on to learn more about the relative importance of formal education for Python development.

What is a Python Developer?

Python Developers are tech professionals who can work on websites, software, games, or digital applications. Unlike some career tracks, those who fit the requirements of Python Developer often hold alternate titles; these can include Web Developer, Back End Developer, and Database Engineer, to name a few. Therefore, while most of these tech pros know tools like Django, SQL, and Git, not all Python development positions require the same skill set.

Responsibilities for Python Developers vary by industry as well as position. Some have to implement and maintain cybersecurity or integrate data storage solutions, while others mainly design and integrate front end elements with back end applications. Additional responsibilities can include web scraping, automation testing, and data visualization. Check online job postings for detailed lists of industry-specific Python development skills and responsibilities.

Read more about what a Python Developer does.

Do I Need a Degree to Become a Python Developer?

Python Developers enter their careers from varying points: some go through a four-year degree program, others take on entry-level work and level up, and others work remotely as independent contractors. Depending on your current skill set and the role you seek, you may be able to find the Python development job of your dreams without a related degree. Building a career as a Python Developer requires learning this object-oriented language and typically involves tools like SQL, Django, and Github. To get started, consider an in-person or online bootcamp or certificate like Noble Desktop’s Python Developer Certificate, Python Web Development with Django, or Python Programming Bootcamp.

Of course, some companies offer particular positions only to applicants with college or university degrees. Again, this can depend on the industry or organization. Thanks to the urgent demand for tech workers with Python expertise, an employer may pay for part or all of your tuition; the current high demand causes many employers to value practical experience over formal education.

If you decide on a college or university to learn Python fundamentals, you may choose a major tailored to a specific career path. Python Developers come from diverse backgrounds, but popular degrees in the field include computer science, information management systems, and software engineering.

Read more about whether you need a degree to become a Python Developer.

Common Degrees for Python Developers

Degrees for Python Developers vary, with some professionals holding a bachelor's or master's degree and others working in the field without any degree. While degrees in other disciplines can help, consider the following as the most common: 

• Computer Science - Computer science is the most obvious choice among Python Developers, although many get high-paying jobs with other degrees. For some positions, employers expect a bachelor's but prefer a master's, while other job postings do not mention degree requirements.

• Software Engineering - Many Software Engineers hold computer science or math degrees rather than software engineering degrees. However, a Python Developer with a software engineering degree can expect to find at least an entry-level position, if not better.

• Management Information Systems (MIS) - Management information systems degrees are not as popular as others for development, but they can land graduates solid-paying jobs. MIS expertise is associated more with programming or database management, though some MIS grads work in software development.

• Information Technology (IT) - The IT degree is typically more appropriate for development than the MIS degree, as it focuses more on computers and their functions than MIS programs. Most IT degree holders work in systems or security analysis, but some take on development roles. 

• Mathematics - Math is a popular related degree for many computer science professionals, including Developers. While math majors are more likely to seek roles as physicists, statisticians, or engineers, some work in computer science roles like financial analysis, data science, or software engineering.

• Cloud Computing & Solutions - Some students seek specialized degrees like cloud computing rather than a broader math or computer science degree. Most choose cloud-centered roles like Cloud Architect or Cloud Engineer, but others work in software or web development, including Python development.

• Computer Programming - It may hold less prestige than an MIS or IT degree, but the straightforward computer programming degree can lead to numerous roles. Computer programming majors typically learn several programming languages, including Python, and some Python Developer positions are best suited to this background.

These are popular degrees for Python development pros, but not all Python Developers have one of these degrees. Depending on the organization or position, a discipline like graphic or web design may be appropriate. And some entry-level positions do not require you to have a degree to qualify.

Read on to learn how professionals without a degree can break into Python development.

Tips for Starting a Python Developer Career Without a Degree

The number of self-taught Python Developers is growing. Because Python is one of the most popular programming languages in the world, the need for Python continues to outpace the supply of skilled development pros. That means more opportunities for those without formal degrees, even if a company has to train an employee in areas other than Python.

Self-taught development candidates face another competitor in a category between those with only high school diplomas and those with college or university degrees: graduates of bootcamps or certificate programs.

The following are tips for how to start a Python career without a college or university degree:

• Get oriented - Python development professionals can have a range of titles across virtually every industry. To learn what a new Python Developer does, check listings on sites like LinkedIn, Indeed, and ZipRecruiter. If you don't know where you want to apply your Python skills, this can help you narrow the search.

• Start small - Once you know where you want to apply Python, learn more about this object-oriented language and what else you will do with it. You can find help through resources like:

• The Python online community
• Other online forums
• Free tutorials and webinars

• Level up logically - The next step after free classes or on-demand webinars is usually a coding bootcamp or certificate program. These immersive courses combine Python training with related tools and skills like SQL (Structured Query Language), version control systems like Git, and some of Python's many libraries and frameworks.

• Consider non-traditional options - Not every bootcamp graduate automatically gets their dream job after training. You might benefit first from an internship or temp-to-perm position. Other alternatives include contract work, freelancing, and even tutoring.

Whatever path you choose, remember that a Python development career requires ongoing education. With the right approach, you can navigate this exciting field—whether you have a college degree or not.

Learn the Skills to Become a Python Developer at Noble Desktop

To become a Python Developer, everyone needs a range of skills and knowledge. Most people start with basics, like functions, variables, and the principles of object-oriented programming (OOP). Progressing to a development role also can include additional server-side languages like React (JSX), machine learning algorithms, and object-relational mapping (ORM).

Noble Desktop offers a range of online and in-person Python classes and bootcamps for development, data science and analytics, FinTech, and cybersecurity. Instructors with practical expertise teach these programs, which feature small class sizes to ensure individual attention. Each graduate receives a certificate of completion and can even retake the course for up to one year at no additional charge.

Many Python novices review some free online resources to prepare for one of these courses. Noble Desktop’s Learn Hub includes a comprehensive guide to learning Python for development or data-centered roles. Here you can check out free on-demand courses and tutorials on topics like exchanging Excel for Python and making a Twitter bot with Python. 

If you’re new to Python training, you might want to start with an immersive course like Noble’s Python Programming Bootcamp. However, you can also save by taking this bootcamp as part of their immersive Python Developer Certificate. This program provides Python fundamentals before taking participants through in-demand tools like Django REST, Git, and SQL. Check course listings for more details, including prerequisite information.

Key Takeaways

• Python Developers comprise three categories:
• Those with relevant degrees
• Those with degrees in other disciplines
• Those with no degrees

• Python Developers can hold many alternate titles, including:
• Web Developer
• Back End Developer
• Database Engineer

• Top skills for Python pros can include:
• Django
• SQL
• Git
• Data visualization

• Some Python Developers gain their skills through a bootcamp or certificate program like those from Noble Desktop. These include:
• Python Developer Certificate
• Python Web Development with Django
• Python Programming Bootcamp

• Popular degrees for Python Developers include:
• Computer Science
• Software Engineering
• Management Information Systems (MIS)
• Information Technology (IT)
• Mathematics
• Cloud Computing & Solutions
• Computer Programming

• You can also get comprehensive training to become a Python Developer through an in-person or live online course with Noble Desktop.