Program Overview

Program Overview

The Programming certificate helps students develop essential, in-demand skills in programming. Working with Java, Python, and using principles of full stack development, students learn how to program, how to meet the business requirements of enterprise design, software implementation, data needs and databases, and how information systems serve the larger goals of a business or organization.

Undergraduate Certificates

• Programming
  • Course Schedule
• Admission
• Admission Advising
• Registration Information
• Tuition
• Important Dates
• Resources and FAQs

Programming Online Certificate Program

Program Details

• Build Pathways: Advance your career, apply credits to Northwestern online bachelor's degree
• Format: Online, asynchronous classes
• Time to Completion: Four to five quarters*
• Quarter of Entry: Summer quarter*
• Number of Credits: Four courses to complete the certificate
• Tuition: Estimated cost $2,300 per course

*If prerequisite courses are needed, entry quarter is Summer and completion time is 4-5 quarters

About the Programming Certificate Program

Program Goals

• Programming Certificate students will:
  • Demonstrate proficiency with object-oriented programming and the software development life cycle to develop domain agnostic business applications using Java
  • Build a variety of machine learning algorithms in Python using real-world datasets to solve practical business problems
  • Apply principles of full stack development to demonstrate how modern web applications are built

Curriculum

• Four courses are required:
  • CIS 323-DL Python for Data Science
  • CIS 324-DL Applied Data Science
  • CIS 212-DL Intro to Object Oriented Programming*
  • CIS 385-DL Programming for the Web*

*if prerequisite course CIS 110-DL is needed, entry quarter is summer

Admission for the Programming Certificate

In addition to completing an online application, you'll also need to submit a few supplemental materials. A list of requirements for admission including application deadlines and tips on how to apply can be found at the Admission page.

Programming Tuition

Certificate students in the School of Professional Studies pay per course. For more information about tuition and financial obligations, see the Tuition page.

Programming Registration Information

Registration for courses opens 8 to 10 weeks before each quarter and is accessed CAESAR, Northwestern's online student records system. View course registration timelines and instructions on the Registration Information page.

Applying Credit to an Online Bachelor of Science Program

Students interested in the option of applying credit earned in an online undergraduate certificate to an SPS online bachelor's degree program should submit an online application and all required application materials. Students who elect to apply to a bachelor’s degree program before completing the certificate will be able to count completed courses toward the applicable bachelor’s degree, but a certificate will not be conferred.

If you are interested in exploring this option, contact an admission advisor for details.