The best certifications for software engineers give you hands-on experience and essential skills to land the job you want. Certifications display your practical experience and help you stand out among other candidates in the job market.
Software engineer certifications provide you with extensive knowledge and analytical skills. This article discusses the benefits of a certification program and options for free software engineering certifications.
What Is a Software Engineering Certification?
A software engineering certification is a credential offered after a certification exam. While college students study a broad range of subjects, a certification program for software developers narrows down the field to give a developer in-depth knowledge of fewer subjects.
Certifications showcase your skills in software development. Students who have demonstrated their competence and knowledge in software engineering will receive a professional certification. This is proof of your competence for a career in software development. This is an ideal certification to have when considering a career change at 35.
How Much Can You Earn With a Software Engineering Certification?
According to PayScale, you can earn an average salary of $75,803 per annum with a software engineering certification. The pay range of professionals with this credential ranges from $52,000 to $108,000 per year.
Why Is Software Engineering Certification Important?
A software engineering certification is important because it showcases your abilities and technical skills to potential employers. Professional certification shows that you have the programming skills needed to do the job. Below are other benefits of software engineering certifications.
Job Retention
Certifications for software developers give you the necessary skills to retain your job in today’s uncertain and competitive job market. It’s a good idea to upskill with relevant certifications so that whatever happens, you won’t lose your job. Certifications also prove that you are willing to learn new skills.
Employment Opportunities
Software certification provides a wider range of employment opportunities and gives employers proof that you can do the job. A software engineer certification can give you the edge over others in a competitive field. Having a few certifications in software development broadens your field of possible application opportunities.
Career Advancement
Programming certifications help professionals advance in their careers. To thrive in your career, you need to boost your skill level in different aspects of software development. Including professional certifications in your resume adds value and gives job security.
Best Certifications for Software Engineers at a Glance
| Certification | Cost | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Web Services (AWS Certified Developer – Associate Level) | $150 | Take and pass the AWS Certified Developer – Associate exam |
| Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) | $1,199 | Strong background in computer programming, computer science, software engineering, mathematics, and/or information security |
| Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) | $749 | 5 years of full-time experience in information security |
| Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) | $699 | Receive passing score in all 8 of the domains |
| Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional | $431 | Pass an entrance exam, minimum 4 years of experience as a software development professional |
| CIW Web Development Professional | $150 each | Take CIW exams: 1 in-person through Pearson VUE, and 1 online via remote proctoring |
| Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect | $165 | Complete the Microsoft Certified Azure Administrator Associate certification |
| Oracle Certified Master | $245 | You need 3 years of experience as an Oracle Database Administrator |
| Professional Software Developer Certification | $775 | 2 years of college education in computer science or equivalent in a related field and 2 years of relevant experience in the industry |
| Project Management Professional (PMP) | $405 | A high school diploma or an associate’s degree, 60 months of leading projects and 35 hours of project management education |
Top Software Engineering Certifications: A Closer Look
Amazon Web Services (AWS) Certified Developer – Associate Level
This vendor certification is ideal for software engineers who will work with Amazon Web Services to develop web apps. It is an associate-level exam that covers the best practices and fundamentals for AWS, web development, user support, deployment, debugging, and software lifecycle management. After passing this 130-minute exam, there are options for more certifications such as AWS Certified Machine Learning and AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional.
Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional
This software engineering certification program focuses on the software development lifecycle with security as the main topic. It teaches candidates different ways to apply application security skills to authorization, authentication, and auditing processes during the software development cycle.
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
The Certified Ethical Hacker certification is a crucial skill for software engineers if they want to prevent cyber crimes. To qualify for this certification, you need to have two years of professional experience in tech security. However, if you do not have this requirement, you can attend a training course from the certifying body.
Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
This certification is also quite common in the tech security field. It is ideal for software engineers who want to take on a managerial role in a company. It focuses on the business side of security and not just tech security. You may be required to have some experience in the field before taking the exam.
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
This is one of the most popular certifications for web development and security, and one of the most challenging to acquire. The exam covers security topics such as security operations, security and risk management, identity and access management, communication and network security, security assessment and testing, and security architecture and engineering.
CIW Web Development Professional
The CIW Web Development Professional certification consists of two courses that you must pass to be certified. The JavaScript Specialist course teaches candidates about JavaScript fundamentals, while the Database Design Specialist course focuses on MySql, MS SQL, and Oracle databases. Upon completion, the candidates will be awarded individual certifications.
Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect
The Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect certification is ideal for software engineers who want to get into mobile app development. Azure cloud services are used by several companies globally, and this certification will prove that you can create hybrid and cloud applications in Azure.
Oracle Certified Master
The Oracle Certified Master is another vendor certification for software engineers and database administrators. It is a valuable credential to add to your resume, but you need to complete three other courses, including Oracle Database 12c Administrator Certified Professional (OCP), before taking it. You may also need basic knowledge of the Linux command line.
Professional Software Developer Certification
The IEEE Computer Society offers this certification, one of the most important credentials for software engineers. Before taking the exam, you need four IEEE certifications, including software design, software requirements, software testing, and software construction. To qualify, you need to have two years of experience in the software engineering field or computer science education.
Project Management Professional (PMP)
If you want to apply for managerial roles, this Project Management Professional certification will come in handy. It gives you the technical skills needed to oversee and manage projects rather than just developing applications. A PMP is highly regarded in the project management space and will help showcase your leadership skills.
Free Software Engineering Certifications Worth Your Time
- AWS Educate. Amazon offers many courses for free to study at your own pace. You can build your cloud skills on this platform that targets courses according to your current skill and future goals.
- Coursera. This online learning platform offers many online courses for software engineers to learn IT infrastructure, programming language introduction, and machine learning. Coursera courses are mostly free, but you can pay extra to get the certificate.
- SoloLearn. This platform also offers online certificate programs. It focuses on several programming languages like Java, Python, C++, and JavaScript.
Are Software Engineers Certifications Worth It?
Yes, software engineer certifications are worth it because they can single-handedly increase your salary potential. The best certifications for software engineers will increase your chances of securing a job. Certifications are also worth it because you can advance your career in a shorter time than a degree program. So, when deciding whether or not to become a software engineer vs a developer, always consider enrolling in a certificate program to assist you I’m achieving your dreams.
Best Certifications for Software Engineers FAQ
The best certifications for software engineers are the CIW Web Development Professional, Professional Software Developer Certification, Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect, and Project Management Professional (PMP) certifications.
The highest-paid certification is the Project Management Professional certification. This respected certification proves to employers that they are not only skilled software engineers but are capable of working as project managers and managing software development projects to the highest standards.
Yes, programmers need certifications if they want to advance their careers and stand out in a competitive job market. It does not matter if you are a software engineer, a web developer, a DevOps engineer, an application developer, a systems engineer, or a software tester, a certification will enhance your resume.
A Python certification is worth it because Python is a popular programming language. Several websites use Python due to its numerous benefits, and certification in the language will positively impact your career. Certifications like Certified Professional in Python often cover useful Python tutorials to expand your knowledge as a software engineer.
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