A range of SQL course offerings is available to accommodate students with their unique scheduling needs. Full-time study is offered in-person and live online for those who wish to focus on acquiring SQL skills as soon as possible. Full-time classes typically meet at regularly scheduled intervals and ensure that students can learn this querying language in a relatively short span of time, such as in several days for introductory-level classes, several days or weeks for bootcamps, or several weeks or months for certificate programs. Part-time SQL study is also offered by many educators. This ensures students can complete their SQL studies around work or other commitments. Part-time learning can take place on weekends or weeknights, which makes it a popular option for those interested in learning SQL around full-time job responsibilities. Some SQL coursework allows students to decide whether to complete coursework full-time or part-time. Many top educational providers also offer asynchronous SQL coursework. This type of SQL training is the most flexible; because it’s pre-recorded, students can complete lessons on their own time, at their own pace, and do so from any location.

What is SQL?

SQL, or structured query language, is used to communicate with relational databases. Organizations across industries use SQL to access and work with the data contained in relational databases. SQL has applications for searching, updating, and maintaining databases. It can also insert or delete records from databases and change their structure by creating or deleting tables and objects. Although SQL is considered a relatively simple programming language, it’s a powerful tool for helping users retrieve the specific information they need within a large database. 

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

Benefits of Learning SQL

SQL knowledge is one of the most in-demand skills in today’s workplace. Learning SQL has applications in many industries, particularly those focused on development and data. Developers who create software and websites rely on SQL to communicate with servers and store or display data. As technology continues to evolve, one constant that remains is that most data-oriented technologies use the SQL interface. SQL can manage data pools with more than 100 million records and combine data from multiple sources, saving users valuable time.

Read more about why you should learn SQL.

How Long Do SQL Courses Last?

The length of time required to study SQL depends on the type of course offering you select. SQL skills classes are available from many educators. These courses are generally short; most can be completed in just one full-day session or several shorter classes. These classes are designed to provide training appropriate to your skill level. Learners can complete introductory-level coursework, intermediate studies, or advanced SQL training in just a few hours. Because these skills classes are short and contained, learners can complete one class, then move on to more advanced training. Skills classes provide students with the chance to master the SQL skills they need most to succeed at work without having to waste time studying a range of other topics.

SQL bootcamps are also available for those interested in more comprehensive study. Bootcamp study typically takes 18 or more hours to complete. Although the specific bootcamp requirements and lengths vary depending on the provider, most can be completed in several days. Some programs allow participants to select whether they wish to study in three full-day sessions or learn over the course of six shorter sessions. Some bootcamps combine three levels of skills classes into one program so students can progress from basic SQL training into intermediate and advanced study. Bootcamps that combine three skills classes typically offer tuition at a reduced cost for those who opt to complete all three classes.

For students interested in receiving rigorous SQL training to advance professionally or pursue a new career path, certificate programs are an excellent option. Whereas skills classes and bootcamps provide instruction on a range of SQL features and techniques, certificate programs offer more robust instruction in SQL and related skills in data science or data analytics. Most certificate programs are longer and more rigorous than bootcamp study. Some educators offer certificates in SQL that take 30 hours to complete, whereas other providers require students to finish 100-160 hours of coursework to earn a certificate. Those who enroll in an SQL or data analytics certificate should be prepared to devote weeks or months to their studies.

Different Courses with Different Schedules

Several variables determine the length of the SQL course you select. For those seeking in-depth SQL study, longer courses like certificate programs are available that can take over 150 hours to complete. Bootcamp study is generally shorter and can be completed in just a few days. Skills courses often span just a day and provide hands-on training at a beginner, intermediate, or advanced level for those looking to hone their SQL skills at that level. On-demand SQL content is pre-recorded and can take several minutes to several hours to complete, depending on the content and scope of the material. 

In-Person & Online Classes

SQL study takes two formats: in-person and online. For extroverted learners who thrive in the classroom setting, in-person study is an excellent way to learn this querying language. Those who study in person have access to a live instructor who’s leading the class and providing hands-on training in a range of SQL skills. Students not only can ask questions as they arise, but they also have the chance to connect with other learners. In-person skills courses can be completed in just a few hours, whereas bootcamps can take several days or weeks to finish. Those interested in fully mastering SQL’s many capabilities can enroll in an in-person certificate program that spans dozens of hours and may take weeks or months of time to finish, depending on whether the learner wishes to study part-time or full-time. 

Some educators offer students the option of completing coursework in person or in the live online format. Both formats take the same amount of time to complete and provide the same quality of instruction. 

In addition, on-demand SQL coursework is also offered by many educational providers. Because it’s pre-recorded, self-paced online coursework can be completed at the learner’s own speed. Lessons can be paused and rewatched as often as necessary, as well as rewound, to facilitate note taking. Some on-demand materials, like YouTube SQL tutorials, span just minutes and cover one specific skill. Other content may take only 30 minutes or an hour to complete. Some providers also have on-demand SQL training material that provides a more comprehensive approach to this language and can be completed over days or weeks. 

Synchronous & Asynchronous Classes

Another important decision you’ll need to make when selecting SQL training material is whether to study synchronously or asynchronously. Synchronous instruction means that learners connect with a live instructor in real time. They can complete coursework in person at a provided training facility or classroom or study SQL virtually using a teleconferencing platform like Zoom. Synchronous study can be in the form of skills classes that focus exclusively on SQL training, as well as certificates that provide instruction on a range of career-specific data analytics or data science programs, languages, and skills.

On the other hand, asynchronous SQL classes do not provide learners with live instruction. Content such as online tutorials, blogs, and videos are posted by an educational provider, and students can access and complete them on their own. Similar to synchronous coursework, asynchronous SQL classes take many forms. Short skill-specific classes or YouTube videos may take just an hour or so to finish, whereas longer classes require hours or weeks of study. One of the main benefits of asynchronous material is that learners can decide their own study pace. Some students may wish to spend extra time learning basic database skills before progressing into more complex SQL topics, whereas those already familiar with SQL may prefer to skim over the basics and spend more time on advanced concepts.

Career-Focused & Skills-Focused Classes

Before you enroll in an SQL course, an important question to ask yourself is why you wish to learn SQL. If you’re studying for your needs or interests, you may wish to enroll in a shorter course, such as an introductory-level class that teaches SQL basics. Beginner-friendly classes are available in-person and online for those wanting to start with this programming language. Skill courses usually take only several hours to complete and require a day or two of coursework. They teach students pragmatic SQL skills, such as how to communicate with a relational database or craft basic SQL queries. 

If you are looking to study SQL for professional reasons, such as to advance in your current career or pursue a new job, a career training program is likely a better match than a skills-focused class. Career training programs, such as data science or data analytics certificates, are designed for professionals who need comprehensive SQL instruction. These rigorous programs generally span weeks or months. They often cover a range of skills related to data and databases, such as machine learning, Python programming, Tableau, Excel, and the data science lifecycle. Some certificate programs can be completed in 30 hours, whereas others require 150-plus hours of classroom instruction in the in-person or live online format. Students often can select whether to study part-time or full-time, depending on their professional needs and current schedule. Those who successfully complete these programs are given a certificate, demonstrating to employers that they have attained a level of SQL knowledge that can be used professionally.

Introductory Classes & Immersive Courses 

When deciding on an SQL course, it’s important to choose one that is at the appropriate skill level. Short skills classes are often available in SQL at the beginner, intermediate, and advanced level. Students can select which course is most in line with their SQL background and study needs. Introductory-level coursework generally takes only a day or so to complete and provides learners with a solid understanding of what a database is, what purpose relational databases serve, and how SQL is used to communicate with and manipulate the data contained in them. Beginner-level coursework also provides an overview of SQL, the basic terminology of this programming language, and some core skills needed to write queries. 

Some training centers have the option of combining beginner, intermediate, and advanced courses into one longer bootcamp program. Learners who select this training format sometimes receive a tuition discount for enrolling in all three classes rather than paying for each individually.

For learners who already have training working with SQL, more advanced study options may be needed. Students who wish to explore complex SQL concepts and procedures or who need to learn SQL to advance in their current career may wish to enroll in a longer and more rigorous training format. Certificate study provides comprehensive training in a range of SQL skills and other tools and programs used by data professionals, like Excel, Tableau, and Python. Certificates generally take significantly longer to complete than skills classes; some take several weeks, whereas others require months of study. Certificate programs are available part-time and full-time, which ensures learners can select the course format most suited to their professional timeline.

Learn SQL Skills with Noble Desktop

Those new to SQL can receive hands-on training in Noble Desktop’s SQL Level 1, a beginner-friendly class designed to teach students about rows, columns, tables, and basic filtering. Instruction is also provided on database architecture and writing SQL queries for Microsoft SQL Server.

For more advanced SQL study, Noble also offers an SQL Bootcamp. Those enrolled in this 18-hour course learn core SQL skills, such as writing queries, filtering and grouping data, and combining information from various tables using join statements. Prospective students can also learn more about SQL with Noble’s learning resources.

Key Takeaways

• Learning SQL is an in-demand skill in many industries that work with data. Those who know how to communicate with relational databases can search for the data contained in these databases and make necessary updates. They can also change the database’s structure.
• Many different types of SQL courses are currently available. Students can select from in-person learning options as well as online coursework. In-person and live online SQL classes allow students to connect in real-time with an expert instructor. On-demand virtual training occurs asynchronously, and learners complete their studies at their own pace.
• SQL courses are available for those interested in developing specific skills, as well as for those who wish to study this language for career reasons. Skills courses are generally short and teach beginner, intermediate, or advanced SQL topics. Career-focused programs, such as certificates, tend to be much longer and provide instruction on a range of skills, in addition to SQL, with applications for data professionals.
• If you want to learn how to use SQL to communicate with a relational database, Noble Desktop offers in-person and live online courses for beginners as well as advanced learners. Classes are available in-person and live online.