Program Overview

Introduction to the Software Quality Assurance Program

The Software Quality Assurance program is designed to provide effective tools and knowledge for those involved in all stages of software development and testing processes. This program aims to equip students with the skills necessary to ensure that testing is well-documented, processes are established, and results are correctly interpreted and repeatable.

Program Overview

The Software Quality Assurance certificate program will teach the skills necessary to ensure that testing is well-documented, processes are established, and results are correctly interpreted and repeatable. The program includes required and elective courses that are well-rounded, enabling those enrolling in the Software Quality Assurance certificate to satisfy the requirements for job openings in various areas of QA.

Learning Objectives

The program's learning objectives include:

• Understanding and applying software development processes and release management
• Learning testing types, methodologies, stages, and application to software life cycle
• Gaining hands-on experience with planning, writing, and running tests
• Interpreting data and metrics obtained during the testing process
• Exposure to DevOps tools and concepts

Prerequisites

General knowledge in programming or a background in Computer Science or professional experience in software development is desirable but not required.

Who Will Benefit

The program is designed for:

• Testers to update their knowledge in testing procedures used in the industry
• Developers interested in understanding the methodologies used in QA
• Managers that work closely with the QA department
• Career changers planning to join the job force as a Quality Assurance Engineer

Program Benefits

The program offers several benefits, including:

• Online and in-class formats available
• Hands-on training with tools and methodologies relevant to the industry
• Immediately applicable skills that satisfy the requirements of current job openings
• Taught by leading industry practitioners
• Access to a dedicated Career Resources Hub with career information, job postings, events, and tutorials

Required Courses

The program includes three required courses:

1. Managing Software Quality Assurance and Testing (CSE-41265)
2. Software Testing for Quality Assurance (CSE-41266)
3. Web Performance Testing and Test Automation (CSE-41267)

Elective Courses

One elective course is required, and options include:

1. Introduction to Programming (CSE-40028)
2. Python Unit Testing (CSE-41316)
3. Agile Power Practices (BUSA-40860)
4. User Experience (UX) Metrics (CSE-41260)
5. Build Automation with Jenkins (CSE-41379)
6. Continuous Integration and Continuous Testing (CSE-41380)
7. Deployment Automation (CSE-41381)

Program Schedule

The required courses are offered on a rotating basis, with the anticipated course schedule as follows:

• Summer '25: CSE-41265, Managing Software Quality Assurance and Testing
• Fall '25: CSE-41266, Software Testing for Quality Assurance
• Winter '26: CSE-41267, Web Performance Testing and Test Automation
• Spring '26: CSE-41265, Managing Software Quality Assurance and Testing

Program Duration and Cost

The program can be completed in as quickly as 9 months, with a total cost of $2,950, which includes only the required courses and one elective. A one-time certificate fee of $95 is also required, which will increase to $125 effective May 2nd, 2025.

FAQs

• Can this program be completed entirely online? Currently, all three required courses are only offered in in-class format, but some electives are offered online.
• Is this certificate program open to non-California residents? Yes, the program is open to non-California residents, including non-US residents, with the same tuition rate.
• How long is this program? Students can complete all courses in as quickly as 9 months, with up to five years to complete all requirements for the certificate.

Advisory Board

The program's advisory board includes industry professionals from various companies, including:

• Skip Andrews, Founder, Andrews Consulting International
• Enrico Bernardo, Associate Vice President, Quality Assurance, American Specialty Health
• Donald Demuth, Verizon
• Victor Garcia, Senior Director, Global Quality & Compliance, Illumina
• William Griswold, Ph.D., Professor, Computer Science & Engineering, UC San Diego
• Mark James, Information Technology Consultant
• Johnathan Kies, Senior Director, User Experience Group, Qualcomm
• Alicia McLain, Principal Agile Coach, Operational Innovations
• Steven Wade, IT Systems Analyst, Qualcomm

Related Programs

Related programs include:

• Cybersecurity
• Database Management
• DevOps CI/CD