
Linux Programming and Administration
The operating system of choice
Certificate Description
Master Linux—the operating system of choice
Linux is the operating system of choice for servers, network infrastructure, embedded systems, and mobile devices. In our Linux Programming and Administration professional certificate program you will learn both core and advanced Linux skills needed to work at top companies in Silicon Valley.
Many of our courses are not available in traditional colleges, yet they are highly applicable in a real-world work environment. From basic installation and tools to kernel customization for advanced systems—you can tailor your Linux study path to your interests.
Two Linux study tracks
You’ll take three core courses and then choose from two popular tracks of study.
Linux System Administration
In the Linux System Administration track, you’ll get a solid foundation in configuring, operating, and administrating open, multi-user, multi-tasking Linux operating systems.
Linux System Development
In the Linux System Development track, you’ll learn skills you’ll need to customize and optimize processes, IOs, and kernel modules.Linux Programming and Administration certificate program objectives
Linux Programming and Administration certificate program objectives
- Master shell commands and shell scripting in the Linux operating system Develop software programs and applications tailored for Linux, leveraging Linux system calls Build competence in managing, maintaining, updating, and supporting Linux installations
Our Linux students
- Software developers wanting to enhance programming knowledge
- Entry-level or career changers looking to enter the software development or support fields
- IT support staff wishing to expand their knowledge of Linux
- People interested in developing open source applications or advancing the Linux operating system and manage multiple VMware ESXi hosts and virtual machines using the vCenter Server
Cost: Up to $4,400. | International Tuition Cost
Required Credits: Total Required: 5–6 courses (14 units). Required: 2 core courses (6 units) + 1 programming course and 2–3 electives (6 units). Note: Only 1 programming course may be applied to the certificate. End with certificate of completion review.
Duration: A full-time student can complete the certificate in 9–12 months.
Courses
Course | Units | Fall | Winter | Spring | Summer |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Linux Shell Programming | 3.0 | Fall Live-Online | Spring Live-Online | Summer Live-Online | |
Linux System and Network Administration | 3.0 | Winter Live-Online | Summer Live-Online | ||
C Programming, Advanced | 3.0 | Fall Online | Spring Live-Online | ||
C++ Programming, Comprehensive | 3.0 | Fall Online | Winter Live-Online | Spring Online | Summer Live-Online |
C Programming for Beginners | 2.0 | Fall Live-Online | Winter Online | Spring Live-Online | Summer Online |
Go Programming, Fundamentals | 3.0 | Fall Online | Winter Live-Online | Spring Online | Summer Live-Online |
Introduction to Web Programming: JavaScript and Python Django | 2.0 | Winter Live-Online | Summer Live-Online | ||
Java Programming, Comprehensive | 3.0 | Fall Live-Online | Winter Online | Spring Live-Online | Summer Online |
Java Programming for Beginners | 2.0 | Fall Online | Winter Online Winter Live-Online | Spring Online | Summer Online Summer Live-Online |
Python for Programmers | 3.0 | Fall Live-Online | Winter Online | Spring Live-Online | Summer Online |
Python: Object-Oriented Programming | 2.0 | Fall Online | Winter Live-Online | Spring Online | Summer Live-Online |
Cloud Computing, Introduction | 0.5 | Fall Live-Online | Spring Live-Online | ||
Linux, Introduction | 2.5 | Fall Live-Online | Spring Live-Online | ||
Linux Kernel and Drivers, Advanced | 3.0 | Winter Live-Online | Summer Live-Online | ||
Linux Kernel & Drivers | 3.0 | Fall Live-Online | Spring Live-Online | ||
Linux System Performance in the Cloud and Data Center | 3.0 | Fall Live-Online | Spring Live-Online | ||
Linux Systems Programming | 3.0 | Winter Live-Online | Summer Live-Online | ||
Networking Fundamentals | 3.0 | Winter Live-Online | Summer Live-Online | ||
Storage Technology in Data Centers | 3.0 | Winter Live-Online | Summer Live-Online | ||
System Virtualization Fundamentals | 2.5 | Fall Live-Online | Spring Live-Online | ||
Linux Shell Programming | 3.0 | Fall Live-Online | Spring Live-Online | Summer Live-Online | |
Linux Systems Programming | 3.0 | Winter Live-Online | Summer Live-Online | ||
C Programming, Advanced | 3.0 | Fall Online | Spring Live-Online | ||
C++ Programming, Comprehensive | 3.0 | Fall Online | Winter Live-Online | Spring Online | Summer Live-Online |
Java Programming, Comprehensive | 3.0 | Fall Live-Online | Winter Online | Spring Live-Online | Summer Online |
Cloud-Based Web Application Development using Linux | 3.0 | ||||
Cloud Computing, Introduction | 0.5 | Fall Live-Online | Spring Live-Online | ||
Embedded Linux Design and Programming | 3.0 | Winter Live-Online | Summer Live-Online | ||
Linux, Introduction | 2.5 | Fall Live-Online | Spring Live-Online | ||
Linux Kernel and Drivers, Advanced | 3.0 | Winter Live-Online | Summer Live-Online | ||
Linux Kernel & Drivers | 3.0 | Fall Live-Online | Spring Live-Online | ||
Linux System and Network Administration | 3.0 | Winter Live-Online | Summer Live-Online | ||
Linux Programming and Administration Certificate Completion Fee | None | Fall Online | Winter Online | Spring Online | Summer Online |
Certificate Inquiry Form
Start with Linux, Introduction
If you have limited or no UNIX or Linux experience, we strongly recommend that you begin with Linux, Introduction.
In addition to the two required core courses you need to take a programming course and two to three electives. Note: If you take more than one programming course, only one will count toward the certificate.
Substitutions
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.
To receive your certificate
Licensure and Certification
Developers and system programmers in the Development Track learn to customize and optimize processes, IOs and kernel modules. Our virtual server courses can also prepare you for optional VMware professional certification exams.
Please see our Licensure and Certification Policy to learn more.
Please review the course descriptions to ensure that you have taken necessary prerequisites or meet the requirements through job experience or previous education.

Certificate Program Chair
SULEMAN SAYA, B.S., is a senior software engineer with over 20 years of experience designing, developing, debugging, and testing embedded software. He has taught at UCSC Extension since 1997. Saya has worked in telecom, networking and storage companies in Silicon Valley. He has extensive experience with projects involving embedded Linux and C/C++.
You can enroll in a certificate program any time during your studies.
Once you create your student account, you can enroll in a certificate program. Although you can enroll in a program at any time, the benefit of enrolling early is that it locks in your certificate requirements. This means that even if program requirements change, the requirements to complete your certificate will remain the same for you.
- You must enroll in the certificate program before enrolling in the Certificate Completion Review.
You have a total of five years to complete all necessary courses in a certificate program.
All the necessary units in a certificate must be completed within a five-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, 2017, you would have to complete all of the required units in this certificate by Sept. 4, 2022.
- Enrolling in a certificate program does not trigger the beginning of the five-year window. It begins the first day of the first course that applies to a certificate program.
- The Certificate Completion Review process does not have to occur within the five-year timeframe.
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.