Computer Programming
Language fluency for innovation
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certificate Description
Know your code—the foundation of innovation
Understanding how to write and test code has become a foundational criteria for tech jobs across most industries. In the UCSC Silicon Valley Extension Computer Programming certificate program you learn front end and back end web development technologies, gaining a strong foundation in software development. You learn to apply coding skills across platforms—from computers and mobile devices, to web development and the cloud.
Computer Programming certificate program objectives
- Demonstrate the ability to develop logically structured software solutions through the use of a high-level programming language
- Design object-oriented systems
- Implement optimal solutions for software systems using advanced concepts of algorithms and computer science theory
Our Computer Programming students
- Entry-level programmers or people changing careers
- Software developers who want to enhance their programming knowledge
- Non-technical professionals who want programming training to expand their career options
- Hobbyists who need to learn programming to build their own applications
- Project managers who want to communicate more effectively with programmers and better manage software projects
Generative AI in 2024
Technology instructor Hien Luu introduces the world of generative AI—the architecture of ChatGPT and its variants. Learn about prompt engineering, the best approach to AI tools, resources, and practices in building generative AI models. (December • 2023)
Programming with Generative AI
Technology instructor Bineet Sharma talks about the latest developments in AI and how programmers can apply new technology to create great code more efficiently. (August • 2023)
Program Overview
Estimated Cost: Starts at $4,530. (You pay only for courses you enroll in.) | International Tuition Cost
Program Requirements: 5–7 courses (minimum 14 quarter units). Take 2 required courses (6 quarter units) and 3–5 electives (minimum 8 quarter units). End with certificate of completion review.
Minimum Hours of Instruction: Minimum 140 hours of instruction.
Estimated Duration: A full-time student can complete the certificate in 9–12 months.
Special Programs:
Courses
1. Required Course(s):
2. Core Course(s): (Choose 1)
3. Electives: C Programming
4. Electives: C++ Programming
5. Electives: Java Programming
6. Electives: Scripting Languages
7. Electives: Windows Programming
8. Electives: Mobile Device Programming
9. Electives: Adv. Programming and Concepts
Completion Review:
Meet Our Instructors
What students are saying
"Jagadeesh really prepares for the sessions and the assignments, not letting students to lose focus during classes, engaging all. He has got a lot of examples to share and makes people think to apply what we learn in the class."
— SasiKumar Arumugan
International Student
Lead Software Engineer
Certificate Inquiry Form
Recommended Course Sequence
Get started
Courses are best taken in order of complexity—I, II, III; Beginners, Comprehensive, Advanced. Other courses may be taken in any order. You can learn more about each course in the Syllabus Library.
Shared credits
Some Engineering and Technology courses may be listed in more than one program. However, only one course may be shared between two E&T certificate programs unless otherwise noted.
Substitutions
To receive your certificate
Requisite Knowledge
Please review the course descriptions to ensure that you have taken necessary prerequisites or meet the requirements through job experience or previous education.
Advisory Board
Certificate Program Chair
BINEET SHARMA, M.S.C.S., is a seasoned technologist with more than 30 years’ experience in technical architecture, upper level management, professional teaching, and entrepreneurship. He has held a variety of leadership roles in all aspects of the software development life cycle, including CEO of CashonAd, a mobile advertising app platform; and co-founder of OnTick, a technical analysis tool for stock market data positions. Previously he held management and technical positions at F1Soft International, Soffront Software, Concuity, National Data Corp., and Epiphany. He is also the founding president of the Computer Association of Nepal, which focuses on regional training, education, and technical support to Nepalese communities in need. Sharma has master’s degrees in both computer science and mining engineering from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale and is a certified ScrumMaster. His passion for teaching technology has inspired more than 100 computer classes throughout Silicon Valley and the greater Bay area on topics ranging from operating systems, data structures and C to Visual C++, and Java programming. He has served as program chair of the UCSC Silicon Valley Extension Computer Programming certificate program since 2019.
Certificate Program Advisory Committee
BINEET SHARMA, M.S.C.S.
Chair/Instructor, Computer Programming Program
UCSC Silicon Valley Extension, Santa Clara, CA
IGNACIO TERRIZZANO, M.S.
Senior Research Software Architect, IBM Research
San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Establish Candidacy
Who should establish candidacy?
- People who are pursuing a certificate (and have enrolled in a course in the program).
- People who want to lock in the current requirements of a certificate or specialization.
4 Simple Steps to a Certificate or Specialization
- Complete a course in your selected program.
- Establish candidacy. Click on the Establish Candidacy button on your program page.
- Take all required courses for certificate completion.
- Once your grades are posted on your final course, enroll in the certificate review fee.
A Benefit of Establishing Candidacy
Program requirements may change. Once you commit to a program by establish your candidacy, you will not have to change your plans to meet new requirements. They are locked in for you. Timeline: 4 years to get it done (or 3 for a specialization) You must complete all the necessary units in a certificate within a four-year window. The clock begins on the first day of your first course in the certificate program. For example, if you started a course on Sept. 5, 2023, you would have to finish by Sept. 4, 2027.
Note: Establishing candidacy does not trigger the beginning of the four-year window. It begins the first day of the first course in your chosen certificate program. The Certificate Completion Review process does not have to occur within the four-year timeframe.
Exceptions to the four-year requirement
- If you Established candidacy prior to Jan. 1, 2024, you will have five years to complete a program.
- Students participating in a special program, such as workforce, international, or our curriculum partner programs, such as the Legal Studies courses (CLS by Barbri) and sales and business courses (Ziplines Education) have shorter completion requirements.
Grade Requirements
Please note that only letter grades of C or higher may be applied to a certificate, and in some programs, students may have more stringent requirements. Students in most employer- and government-sponsored payment programs, such as workforce development, as well as international students on F-1 visas, need to maintain a B average to meet their requirements. Personal Financial Planning students have additional grade requirements for individual courses to attain a certificate.
See Grading and Credits Policy for further information.