Computer Science Certifications and Certificates

If you’re looking for a way to demonstrate your skills in computer science, you might be overwhelmed by the different certifications and certificate programs available. You might also have a lot of questions, such as:

• Will a certificate help me get a job?
• What’s the difference between a certificate and a certification?
• How do I prepare for these credentials?

This article aims to provide answers so you can efficiently choose the right path toward a computer science certification. Read on to learn more.

What is Computer Science?

Computer science is an immense field that encompasses the study of information systems, computation, and automation. Hardware and software design, machine learning algorithms, and data visualization fall under the computer science purview.

On the theoretical side, computer science includes information theory, algorithms, and computational theory. The practical side of computer science covers hardware and software design and implementation. While data science has emerged as a discrete discipline in recent years, many computer science pros still consider it a subcategory of the larger computer science field. 

Read more about what computer science is and why you should learn it.

What Can You Do with Computer Science?

Computer science classes cover a wide range of subjects, encompassing anything from web development and software engineering to data science. Tools like Python and Java are popular among numerous career paths in this growing field, and as far as computer science applications go, the sky’s the limit.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Computer and Information Research Scientist job outlook is especially bright: they estimate a 21% growth rate between 2021-2031, well above the average growth rate of five percent. Top positions for computer science professionals include Software Developers, IT Security Analysts, Data Scientists, and Product Managers.

Areas of specialization for computer science professionals include programming languages like Java, the development and application of robotics, and the development of new systems, tools, and programming languages. In our ever-more connected digital world, computer science generalists and specialists can thrive both now and in the future.

Certifications vs. Certificates: What’s the Difference?

With certifications, you typically must sit for an exam administered by a third party to demonstrate your mastery of a subject. Many professional certifications require years of on-the-job experience. Others may require less time for associate-level certification, more for intermediate-level, and still more for expert-level certification.

Certificates, on the other hand, are usually completion-based programs. For example, Noble Desktop hosts numerous certificate programs applicable to computer science. Their Full Stack Web Development Certificate offers training for front end and back end development. The Data Science Certificate program teaches fundamentals to budding Data Analysts and Data Scientists alike. And their Software Engineering Certificate provides a combined JavaScript, HTML/CSS, and Python curriculum in a bootcamp format.

Certifications popular among computer science professionals include multiple categories. Some are specific to particular vendors, like Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and Cisco. Others are more vendor-neutral, such as:

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
• CompTIA Security+
• Project Management Professional (PMP)

Top Certifications & Certificates for Computer Science

Some of the best certificate programs for computer science include Noble Desktop’s immersive Software Engineering Certificate and Full Stack Web Development Certificate programs.

The Full Stack Web Development Certificate offers a bootcamp-style program with a broad computer science curriculum. Topics include Flexbox, Grid, Bootstrap, and MongoDB, to name a few. Noble’s Software Engineering Certificate includes training in React.js, Node.js, and Express.js, along with Django for Python.

Their CAPM Certification Bootcamp and PMP Certification Bootcamp are also worthy of consideration, especially for those planning to be Project Managers or Product Managers.

Top certification programs include those listed above (CISSP, CEH, CISM), as well as:

• Amazon AWS Certified Big Data
• Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate
• Google Cloud Certified Professional Architect

Should I Get Certified in Computer Science?

Whether you should get certified in computer science depends on the career you choose. While you typically do not need a certification to get an entry-level computer science position, someone with several years in the field may find a particular certification essential to advance to a higher position.

But getting a computer science certificate can benefit anyone starting out—especially a comprehensive program like Noble Desktop’s Full Stack Web Development Certificate or Software Engineering Certificate. These programs are designed to train novices in a way that saves the time and cost of going through a full-length degree program.

So remember: if you’re starting in the field, you most likely can get work by completing a certificate program. But if you’ve got some experience under your belt, professional certification may help you to advance.

How to Get Certified in Computer Science

Instead of enrolling on a certification you may or may not need, you should focus on getting a computer science certificate first. Certificate program graduates report high levels of satisfaction with their experience, and employers often find them ready to hit the ground running.

If you get a certificate in web development, software engineering, or data science, make sure you have a solid plan for using the skills you learn. Courses like Noble Desktop’s computer science certificate programs can train you for numerous positions, including:

• Business Analyst
• Cybersecurity Analyst
• Data Scientist
• Machine Learning Engineer
• Web Developer

If you decide later to get a vendor-specific or vendor-neutral certification, you may need to train for the exam. Check online for prerequisite information for the certification you plan to get.

Learn Computer Science with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

If you want comprehensive computer science training in an interactive environment, check out the Full Stack Web Development Certificate from Noble Desktop. This in-depth program gives participants all the tools they need to build webpages and apps, plus training in hosting, server, and network environments. Featured topics include HTML/CSS, JavaScript, and MongoDB, to name a few.

Is software engineering your main goal? Consider enrolling in Noble’s Software Engineering Certificate program. Here you’ll learn front end development with JavaScript and React along with back end development using Django (Python), all taught by instructors with expertise in the field. Small class sizes and 1-on-1 mentoring mean you always get individual attention and gain essential skills in Flexbox, Grid, and Bootstrap.

If you focus your computer science training on the subcategory of data science, Noble Desktop’s Data Science Certificate gives you the skills you need for an entry-level position. This immersive program provides training in essential tools from Python programming to machine learning fundamentals. It’s a great way to prepare to work as a Data Scientist, Data Analyst, or Machine Learning Engineer.

High school students preparing for the AP Computer Science exam can benefit from Noble’s live online computer science NextGen Bootcamps. These summer classes offer an ideal way to learn disciplines like web development, Python programming, or data science in a beginner-friendly environment.

Key Insights

• Computer science is an immense field that encompasses the study of information systems, computation, and automation.
• Top computer science certifications include: 
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
• You can get comprehensive computer science training through an in-person or live online course with Noble Desktop. Their top computer science certificate programs include:
• Full Stack Web Development Certificate
• Software Engineering Certificate
• Data Science Certificate