Community College Certification

SWE (Software Engineer) Career Guide Path, 1-A

Understanding Requirements

Necessitates the possession of a high school diploma.

Please be aware that there may be associated costs with certain programs (notably, CCSF is tuition-free for San Francisco residents). Generally, community colleges tend to be more cost-effective compared to boot camps and have the added benefit of providing college credits. It is important to note that colleges may offer a selection of courses that are not accredited.

Certification Search

Search for a certification in any of the following domains:

  • Front End: Involves developing the user-facing part of websites and applications, focusing on design and interactivity.
  • Back End: Refers to the server-side of a website or application, handling data storage, processing, and security.
  • Full Stack: Development involves both Front End and Back End technologies, managing the entire web application from user interface to server-side functions.
  • Data Science: Involves using statistical methods and AI/machine learning to analyze data and develop generative AI (GenAI).
Finding a specific certificate program at your college can be challenging. Consider consulting a college counselor or a seasoned software engineer for guidance.

Front End Web Development/Engineer (FEW)

You may want to contemplate the Advanced Web Development Techniques Certificate program offered by City College of San Francisco (CCSF) as a notable example.

While this program might not be explicitly labeled as a Front End Web Development (FEW) program, it comprehensively covers the vital topics essential for you to acquire the skills needed for a career as a Front End Web Engineer.

Back End Web Development/Engineer (BEW)

The Build Automation for DevOps & QA offered by City College of San Francisco (CCSF) could potentially fulfill the requirements for back-end web (BEW) development expertise.

This is contingent on the selection of either the optional "CS 131B - Programming Fundamentals: Python" or the "CS 132A - Ruby Programming" course. Opting for "CNIT 133 - JavaScript, jQuery, AJAX" in lieu of Python or Ruby does not align with the back-end web focus, as JavaScript is predominantly a front-end language.

While the program does include instruction in shell scripting and DevOps, essential components of back-end web development, proficiency in a back-end specific language, such as Python or Ruby, is crucial. Mastery of these languages, in combination with DevOps skills, is integral to being fully versed as a back-end developer.

While the program does include instruction in shell scripting and DevOps, essential components of back-end web development, proficiency in a back-end specific language, such as Python or Ruby, is crucial. Mastery of these languages, in combination with DevOps skills, is integral to being fully versed as a back-end developer.

Choosing the Python course over Ruby may be more advantageous, as Python is a more widely used language in the industry.

Full Stack Web Development/Engineer (FSW/FWE)

Consider the Web Application Programming Certificate program provided by City College of San Francisco (CCSF) as an illustrative case.

Although this program may not be specifically categorized as an FWE (Full-Stack Web Engineer) program, it does encompass the essential subjects required to equip you with the skills necessary for a career as a Full Stack Software Engineer.

Data Science (DS) | AI/ML Engineer

The fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) experienced significant growth in 2022, leading to a heightened demand for experts. Acquiring skills in these areas is highly advantageous.

The surge in demand for AI (Artificial Intelligence) and ML (Machine Learning) expertise is attributed to advancements in neural network technology. Due to the novelty of these technologies, it may be challenging to find colleges offering specialized certificates in these fields.

While there are various disciplines within DS (Data Science), it is advisable to specifically pursue artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) within the data science concentration.