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Software development courses for students: Summer 2020

Looking to improve your software development skills while quarantining this summer? Here’s how to get started.

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Edtech

Software development courses for students: Summer 2020

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Summer 2020 will be vastly different from any other in memory. While many states and businesses are in the process of reopening, it’s likely that students will be staying home more than in years past.

Online courses are still enrolling for summer semester, and individuals interested in kick-starting a career in software development have many choices, from individual classes to full certificate programs.

Here are some great options for students to build valuable software development skills.

 

 

Coding Bootcamps Summer 2020

Coding bootcamps provide a low-cost introduction to software development and using software development tools. Most full-time bootcamps require just 12 weeks to complete, and many include a job placement guarantee.

The for-profit, vocational model makes some lofty promises, but major tech industries, including Google, have invested in their potential. The following camps consistently make top rankings in the field.

 

1. General Assembly

General Assembly will host bootcamps and workshops this summer in major cities around the world. GA provides full-time, 10-13 week programs in user experience design, software engineering, and data science, plus part-time options in specific programming languages.

 Many of the courses are designed for beginners in the information technology field. GA provides tuition discounts for women and offers the Catalyst program, a tuition deferment option with payments required only after students find employment.

 

2. Juno College

Juno College offers a full-time immersive bootcamp in web design and building geared toward those with some coding experience. Tuition includes nine weeks of study and four weeks of part-time career labs.

Job placement support continues post-program completion. Free workshops and need-based scholarships are also available, as well as income-sharing options once employment is obtained. 

 

3. Metis

Metis offers a 12-week in-person or online data science summer bootcamp. Universities have even partnered with this Kaplan sister company for training courses and support services. Classes are taught through Metis by experienced data scientists.

Candidates should have experience in both programming and statistics. Students have access to career advisors, events with industry leaders, and scholarship opportunities for underrepresented populations.

 

4. Fullstack Academy

Fullstack Academy is an immersive software development program that focuses on core concepts and a project-based curriculum. Individuals may take classes at the New York City or Chicago campuses, or they can pursue the entire 17-week program online this summer.

Students are encouraged to take a bootcamp prep course before beginning the program’s foundations, as not everyone enters with the same experience level. Prep classes are currently being offered for free. Fullstack Academy offers deferred tuition for female students and additional scholarships.

 

 

Coursera Classes Summer 2020

Coursera is an online education company known for providing free classes from major universities. Certificates and professional credentials are also available through its accessible, user-friendly format.

Students learn at their own pace with recorded lecture videos, hands-on projects, and quizzes. The following list includes individual courses offered for free this summer:

 

1. Programming for Everybody

Offered through the University of Michigan, the Programming for Everybody course introduces students to the programming language Python. Python programming jobs have exploded in demand, making this a valuable skill for the real world.

Students will learn how to create their own program along with other software development basics. This introductory course requires approximately 19 hours to complete.

 

2.  Algorithms, Part 1

This is an intermediate course offered through Princeton University. Available for free, the content requires roughly 53 hours to finish. Major areas of study include algorithms, data structures, and Java implementations. Students will watch videos, read articles, and complete quizzes for each module.

 

3. Introduction to Programming with MATLAB

Vanderbilt University partners with Coursera to provide this introductory course in the programming language, MATLAB, popular in the field of natural sciences and engineering.

This course is not simply a how-to guide; participants will learn general computer science concepts and applicable skills in programming and development. The content requires about 35 hours to complete.

 

4. Android App Development

Also from Vanderbilt University is an introductory course for those interested in mobile application development, specifically on Android. This is a great option for those with existing skills in Java, as it is based on applying core features and software patterns to develop maintainable mobile apps.

Students will earn a shareable certificate upon completion, and career outcome statistics boast that 58% of learners were able to start a new career after completing this specialization.

 

 

Certificate Programs Summer 2020

Certificate programs are typically designed for individuals seeking specialized training in a specific skill, though many take longer than a summer to complete.

Still, aspiring software developers can kick-start their academic study this summer by enrolling for the summer term in one of the following programs:

 

1. Full Stack Web Development

UC Irvine’s certificate in Full Stack Web Development is an online, 12-unit set of five courses that can be completed in under a year.

Students will learn how to test code, build applications, and create a website from start to finish. An intermediate course in JavaScript begins this summer.  

 

2. Computer Science Undergraduate Certificate

Kansas State University has a 14-credit, four-course program that prepares students with the core knowledge needed for careers in software development. A beginner course in data structures and algorithms is available in the summer.

 

There are many types of course options for software development, and students at all stages can find just about any match for their time commitment, budget, subject matter preference and skill level.

It is worth noting that the course options here are only a small example of what is available on the internet. Especially due to the current global situation, courses on myriad topics from machine learning to business intelligence are now available online from many of the sources provided in this article.

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