Where to Find the Best Online PHP Courses, Classes, and Training

According to the TIOBE index, the PHP programming language is one of the most popular programming languages among web developers and designers. Its capacity to build interactive and dynamic websites contributes to its popular appeal, which explains why online PHP courses are always trending on search engines and educational platforms.  

If you’re curious about coding in PHP and want to master the language to become an expert PHP developer, this article provides information on some of the best online courses, certificates, and providers.

What Is PHP?

PHP stands for Hypertext Preprocessor, though it was previously known as Personal Home Pages. It’s an open source, server-side programming language used for desktop operations, command-line scripting, and graphics. PHP is also applicable for complicated processes like object-oriented programming or procedural programming. 

Why Online PHP Courses Are Important for Professional Development

It is vital to regularly sharpen and update your skills as a professional in the tech world, and online PHP training is a convenient way to do this. It can help you stay relevant in the competitive tech industry by giving you a better understanding of several segments of database functions. You will also be better supported and more plugged into the programming community.

Should You Attend a Coding Bootcamp to Learn PHP? 

If you want to learn PHP and gain proficiency in the language, a coding bootcamp is your best option. Coding bootcamps provide intensive and accelerated learning programs that enable beginners to master the target subject. Coding bootcamps also provide project-based training, which helps students prepare for their careers.

Overview: The Best Online PHP Courses, Classes, or Training

Whether you’re interested in pursuing PHP training for personal or professional reasons, there are many learning options available through courses, classes, and other forms of training. You can sign up and learn regardless of your skill level.

Listed below are some great options to consider in your pursuit to learn PHP.

In Detail: The Best Online PHP Classes, Courses, or Training 

Learn PHP | Codecademy 

• Learning Format: Course
• Level: Beginner
• Subjects covered: PHP variables, PHP functions, ordered arrays, associative arrays, PHP and HTML, comparison operators, logical operators, loops in HTML, PHP form validations, regular expressions

Codecademy offers an excellent course for beginners to learn and become proficient in the basics of PHP. The lessons are thoroughly and uniquely tailored to students without prior PHP experience.  

In this 25-hour course, students learn about essential PHP components like built-in functions, variables, classes, loops, and functions. Through engaging and effective instruction, students develop a solid foundation in PHP concepts. Students are advised to get a basic grasp of HTML before enrolling in the course.

Key Takeaway: Learn PHP by Codecademy is a go-to resource for anyone who wants to master PHP from scratch. 

Building Database Applications in PHP | Coursera

• Learning Format: Course
• Level: Intermediate
• Subjects covered: PHP objects, MySQL, PDO library, cookies, session data, routing and redirect, authentication, CRUD applications

This course, offered by Coursera and the University of Michigan, teaches PHP from the standpoint of database technology. It is intended for intermediate learners who have some prior experience using PHP for front end development. By the end of the course, students will be able to combine their front end PHP skills with complementary skills in backend data processing.

This program uses an applied learning project model featuring a lot of assignments and quizzes. This way, students can practice basic concepts as they learn.

Key Takeaway: This course teaches students how to build a complete application with PHP.  

Building Web Applications in PHP | Coursera 

• Learning Format: Course
• Level: Intermediate
• Subjects covered: PHP language, variables, logic, iteration, arrays, HTML, CSS, error handling, superglobal variables

Like the previous offering, this intermediate course is offered by Coursera and the University of Michigan. Although designed for intermediate students, it begins with foundational lessons on PHP, CSS, and HTML, making the course accessible to beginners as well. 

It briefly visits basic PHP concepts before introducing the basic structure of web applications, CSS, HTML, and other concepts that explain how web apps interact with the Internet. Additionally, the course also delves into PHP arrays, modularity, functions, and variable scope.

Key Takeaway: This course covers HTML and CSS basics and serves as a solid PHP foundation, especially for intermediate students.

Learn PHP from Scratch | Educative

• Learning Format: Course
• Level: Beginner
• Subjects covered: Variables, operators, conditional statements, loops, functions, strings, arrays, classes and inheritance, exception handling

Learn PHP from Scratch is a highly interactive course that introduces beginners to the fundamentals of PHP programming. It starts by having students code a basic program. It will then explain more complex programming concepts, such as functions, arrays, loops, and exception handling. By the end, you’ll be able to build more sophisticated applications.

Key Takeaway: The course is entirely text-based, so it is perfect for students who prefer to read than watch videos. 

Object Oriented PHP | Eduonix

• Learning Format: Course
• Level: Intermediate
• Subjects covered: PHP language, OOP, variables, logic, iteration, arrays, HTML, CSS, error handling, superglobal variables

Eduonix offers a PHP course that focuses on object-oriented programming for website development, and it is intended for intermediate learners. It begins with an overview of PHP and progresses to server and environment setup, variables, arrays, loops, and functions. 

This course also introduces students to object-oriented programming (OOP), while tying it into the use of PHP. There are two PHP projects toward the end of the program that require students to build an application with OOP, one of which is a login or registration system. 

Key Takeaway: This solid course breaks down the fundamentals of PHP using OOP coding practices.

Introduction to PHP | GoSkills

• Learning Format: Course
• Level: Beginner
• Subjects covered: PHP language, variables, logic, data types, comparison operators, arithmetic operators, arrays, loops, functions, sessions, iteration

This introductory course by GoSkills helps students without any prior experience learn and master PHP. It allows each learner to learn at their own pace. Throughout the program, students have access to video tutorials and unlimited tests and quizzes. 

This course focuses on the fundamentals of PHP, GitHub, arrays, and environments. You will learn how to process HTML with GET and POST, pass information between pages, and several other related topics. The course ends by having you build a math flashcard application and a website template project. 

Key Takeaway: This course is suitable for a variety of learners due to the flexibility and personalization of each module. 

PHP Essential Training | LinkedIn Learning

• Learning Format: Class
• Level: Beginner
• Subjects covered: PHP language, variables, logic, iteration, arrays, HTML

PHP Essential Training is an online course offered by LinkedIn Learning. It is specifically designed for beginners who wish to learn PHP from scratch. The instructor covers embedding PHP code, basic PHP data types, strings and arrays, custom functions, and built-in PHP functions. By the end, students will be able to write simple code for web applications in PHP.

This course has an introduction, conclusion, and several modules in between. These modules include a PHP overview, first steps with PHP, data types, control structures, user-defined functions, and debugging.   

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Key Takeaway: Ideal for busy students, this class makes it possible to study all the material and earn a certificate in under five hours.

Functional Programming with PHP | LinkedIn Learning

• Learning Format: Class
• Level: Advanced 
• Subjects covered: Functional programming, first-class functions, declarative programming, mapping, filtering, arrays, composition, recursion, code conversion

This advanced course is offered by LinkedIn Learning and is ideal for advanced students who are already skilled PHP coders and have experience creating interactive web applications. The course begins with two introductory modules, including an overview of the functional approach for transforming code, as opposed to object oriented programming methods. 

The next modules cover first-class functions, the functional parts of PHP, advanced functional concepts, code conversion challenges, and a conclusion.

Key Takeaway: Advanced students who have already mastered OOP can take this course and learn functional programming with PHP. 

The Beginner’s Guide to PHP Mastery | Skillshare

• Learning Format: Course
• Level: Beginner
• Subjects covered: PHP language, variables, syntax, functions, loops logic, iteration, arrays

The is a highly interactive, nine-hour, beginner-level course that trains students on PHP variables, functions, conditional syntax, loops, as well as many other fundamental and functional aspects of PHP. John Morris, the instructor, structures the lessons around a hands-on project that students use their accumulating knowledge to work on. 

Once students have completed this course, they have the option to continue pursuing their PHP knowledge and experience through more advanced courses offered by the same instructor. 

Key Takeaway:  This course is one of the best online PHP courses for beginners, primarily because of its interactive lessons, PHP tutorials, and engaging student community.  

Getting Started with PHP Unit Testing | Treehouse

• Learning Format: Class
• Level: Intermediate
• Subjects covered: Unit testing, PHPUnit, test-driven development, code coverage, test doubles

This class teaches intermediate-level programming concepts. It teaches PHP testing with a major emphasis on test-driven development. Students learn the fundamentals of unit testing, how to run example tests, and how to use PHPUnit to test object oriented programs.

The curriculum features video lessons, interactive practice sessions, and access to an online community of fellow students. You can take the course on a subscription basis for $25 per month. For $49 per month, you will get additional course content and a few more resources to help you study.

Key Takeaway: This is a great crash course on PHP programming and unit testing. 

Practical PHP: Master the Basics and Code Dynamic Websites | Udemy

• Learning Format: Class with hands-on training
• Level: Beginner
• Subjects covered: PHP language, variables, logic, iteration, arrays, loops, functions, operators

In six hours, you’ll learn how to use PHP to create interactive websites and PHP applications. You’ll also learn a wide range of basic components of PHP, such as arrays, loops, operators, conditionals, and functions. The course has tons of hands-on assignments, including a final project. 

The free version allows students to access online video content but restricts them from all other course content. The paid version allows students to access online video content and PHP tutorials, participate in the question and answer sessions, communicate with the instructor, and receive a certificate of completion.  

Key Takeaway: This course is available for free to students who prefer self-directed learning and believe they can learn PHP without one-on-one attention. 

The Complete PHP MySQL Professional Course | Udemy

• Learning Format: Course
• Level: Beginner
• Subjects covered: PHP fundamentals and building blocks, content management systems, PDO, form validation, URL tracking

Udemy offers an in-depth PHP course, best suited to PHP beginners without prior experience. This course covers introductory lessons on PHP, coding, and web development, and includes dynamic PHP techniques for web development and functional blocks for developing projects in PHP.

By the end of the course, you’ll know how to send emails using PHP, create dynamic web pages using PHP, build a professional CRUD interface, and use PHP for sophisticated functions.

Key Takeaway: This course is ideal for beginners who want to gain advanced skills quickly.

PHP for Beginners: Become a PHP Master | Udemy

• Learning Format: Course with hands-on training
• Level: Beginner
• Subjects covered: PHP language, MySQL, password hashing, OOP, PHP security, databases, pagination, debugging

This course is designed for beginners who are interested in learning content management Systems (CMS) to help them understand how to work with any given PHP framework. The course includes practical lessons on PHP data types, PHP basics, control structures, OOP, SQL, and functions. 

Though the primary emphasis of the course is content management systems, it doesn’t change the fact that there is still a considerable emphasis on PHP.

Based on student reviews, this is one of the best online courses to learn PHP. Over 100,000 students have taken this beginner-level course, many of whom have given it favorable reviews. 

Key Takeaway: This incredibly popular course is ideal for beginners who wish to pursue PHP for personal or professional reasons.

PHP OOP: Object-Oriented Programming for Beginners | Udemy

• Learning Format: Course with hands-on training
• Level: Intermediate
• Subjects covered: PHP fundamentals, OOP fundamentals, databases, CRUD, admin photos, front end development, pagination

This nearly 20-hour Udemy course has 11 downloadable resources, comes with lifetime access, and awards students with a certificate of completion. It’s designed for intermediate learners and requires attendees to have procedural knowledge of PHP and HTML. 

Some of the topics covered in this course include basic concepts of PHP, OOP fundamentals, databases, users, sessions, files, CRUD, and front end functions.

Key Takeaway: The course is suitable for intermediate students who want to advance their existing knowledge of PHP.

PHP with Lavarel for Beginners | Udemy

• Learning Format: Course with hands-on training
• Level: Beginner
• Subjects covered: PHP language, variables, logic, iteration, arrays, Lavarel, form validation, Github, databases

This 42-hour course provided by Udemy includes 52 sections and 409 lectures. It’s particularly ideal for beginners who are looking to build PHP and Laravel skills. There are 43 hours of on-demand video, 19 articles, and 32 downloadable resources. It allows students lifetime access and awards them with a certificate of completion.

Some of the topics covered include Laravel, controllers, and database fundamentals. Although this is a beginner course, students should already have basic PHP knowledge and experience.

Key Takeaway: The course is for beginners who want to learn Laravel and PHP in conjunction.

Online PHP Classes, Training, or Courses: Which is the Right Option? 

Online classes, courses, and training each provide an excellent educational route for learning PHP. Training programs are hands-on, interactive treatments of a particular subject. Courses are usually longer, more in-depth, and provide theoretical and hands-on experience. Classes are typically short and can usually be completed in one sitting. 

How to Choose the Right Online PHP Course, Class, or Training Program

Learning Format

The learning format will likely loom large in your program evaluation. You’ll have your pick of full-time, part-time, intensive, slow-paced, long-term, short-term, and flexible options. If you’re pursuing PHP for personal growth, you should choose an option that easily fits into your schedule. If it’s for professional reasons, something in-depth will look better on your resume.

Certificate of Completion

A certificate may or may not be the deciding factor. If it’s for personal growth, you might not care whether or not you receive a certificate of completion. However, if it’s for a professional reason, it’s best to choose an option that offers a certificate. These are more likely to come with courses and training programs than with classes.

Cost

Another critical factor is the enrollment fee. Although many programs are offered for free, many free programs restrict your access or don’t offer certificates. You might want to consider exploring financing options for courses and training programs, as they usually offer a variety of payment plans.

PHP Course Certificates vs Certifications 

A PHP course certificate represents the completion of the related program. These are typically issued by course providers, although this isn’t always the case. On the other hand, PHP certification is typically awarded after passing a related exam that meets industry standards. Certifications are often issued by professional organizations rather than course providers.

Importance of PHP Certifications 

PHP certifications demonstrate to employers that your technical knowledge and skills meet current industry standards. It’s a convenient way to signal that you’re up to date on the latest developments and trends in PHP programming. While you can get hired without PHP certification, having a certification will give you a competitive edge in the hiring process. 

Why You Should Take Online PHP Courses or Classes

Enrolling in PHP courses or classes is an excellent way to gain PHP knowledge and skills. They’re usually short, flexible, hands-on, affordable, and suitable for a variety of educational levels. If you’re interested in pursuing PHP, there are a variety of online programs available that are tailored to your preferences.