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Programming Online Certificate Program
The Programming certificate helps students develop essential, in-demand skills in programming. Working with Java, Python, and using principles of full stack development, students learn how to program, how to meet the business requirements of enterprise design, software implementation, data needs and databases, and how information systems serve the larger goals of a business or organization.
Learn from a faculty of industry leaders in this fully online certificate. Enhance your professional skillset and advance your career.
Or, apply credit earned to one of five SPS online bachelor's degrees.
Format
Online, asynchronous classes
Time to Completion
Four to five quarters*
Quarter of Entry
Summer quarter*
Number of Credits
Four courses to complete the certificate
Tuition
Estimated cost $2,300 per course
*If prerequisite courses are needed, entry quarter is Summer and completion time is 4-5 quarters
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About the Programming Certificate Program
Programming Goals and Courses
Program Goals
Programming Certificate students will:
- Demonstrate proficiency with object-oriented programming and the software development life cycle to develop domain agnostic business applications using Java
- Build a variety of machine learning algorithms in Python using real-world datasets to solve practical business problems
- Apply principles of full stack development to demonstrate how modern web applications are built
Curriculum
Four courses are required:
- CIS 323-DL Python for Data Science
- CIS 324-DL Applied Data Science
- CIS 212-DL Intro to Object Oriented Programming*
- CIS 385-DL Programming for the Web*
*if prerequisite course CIS 110-DL is needed, entry quarter is summer
VIEW COURSE SCHEDULE & DESCRIPTIONS
Admission for the Programming Certificate
In addition to completing an online application, you'll also need to submit a few supplemental materials. A list of requirements for admission including application deadlines and tips on how to apply can be found at the Admission page.
Programming Tuition
Certificate students in the School of Professional Studies pay per course. For more information about tuition and financial obligations, see the Tuition page.
Programming Registration Information
Registration for courses opens 8 to 10 weeks before each quarter and is accessed CAESAR, Northwestern's online student records system. View course registration timelines and instructions on the Registration Information page.
Applying Credit to an Online Bachelor of Science Program
Students interested in the option of applying credit earned in an online undergraduate certificate to an SPS online bachelor's degree program should submit an online application and all required application materials. Students who elect to apply to a bachelor’s degree program before completing the certificate will be able to count completed courses toward the applicable bachelor’s degree, but a certificate will not be conferred.
If you are interested in exploring this option, contact an admission advisor for details.