Online Computer Programming Classes, Courses, & Certification

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Computer programmers write, test, and maintain the complex instructions referred to as programs, which computers need to perform their functions. Programmers also envision, design, and test logical structures for solving problems using a computer.

• Nature of the Work - Job titles and descriptions may differ, depending on the company, but computer programmers are people whose chief job function is programming. Programmers usually create programs according to the specifications given by computer systems analysts and software engineers.
• Online Computer Programming Classes - Several programmers have a bachelor’s degree, but a two-year degree or certificate may be fine for many jobs. Many computer programmers have a college degree in information systems, computer science, or mathematics, and others have taken specific classes in computer programming to enhance their degree in an area such as finance, accounting, or another business sector.
• Certification and Other Qualifications - Certification is a method of demonstrating a level of aptitude and may give a job applicant a competitive advantage. In addition to language-specific certificates, software firms or product vendors also provide certification and may ask that professionals who deal with their products to be certified. Voluntary certification is also provided by numerous other organizations.
  
  

Online Computer Programming Classes, Courses and Certification

Most systems programmers have a four-year computer science degree. Broad knowledge of numerous operating systems is necessary for these workers. This involves having the ability to configure an operating system to interface with different types of hardware and being able to adapt the operating system to best meet the requirements of a specific organization.

In addition to a college degree, employers place a lot of value on relevant programming skills and experience. Though familiarity of traditional programming languages is still crucial, employers are putting more emphasis on newer, object-oriented languages and tools such as Java and C++. Also, employers are looking for people experienced with fourth- and fifth-generation languages that include graphic user interface and systems programming. College graduates who are looking for a career change or are developing an area of concentration may enroll in a technical school or two-year community college for specific training. Without a degree, significant specialized expertise or experience may be required.

Junior or entry-level programmers may work solo on simple assignments after some initial training, or they may work with a team of more experienced programmers. Either way, entry-level programmers typically work under close supervision.

Since technology changes so quickly, programmers must constantly update their skills and knowledge by taking courses offered by software vendors, by their employer or, provided through local community colleges and universities.

Online Computer Programming Classes - Courses- Certification - Graduate - Job Outlook

In 2006, computer programmers held about 435,000 jobs. Programmers have jobs in nearly every industry, but the largest number is in computer systems design and related services. Many programmers are also employed by educational institutions, software publishers, government agencies, financial institutions, insurance carriers, and management of companies and enterprises. Many computer programmers work alone as consultants on a contract or temporary basis, several of whom are self-employed. In 2006, over 16,800 computer programmers were self-employed.

Employment of computer programmers is predicted to fall off slowly, decreasing by 4 percent from 2006 to 2016. The advances in programming languages and tools, centralization and consolidation of applications and systems, developments in packaged software, and the growing number of people who can design, write, and implement their own programs mean that more programming duties can be done by other information workers, like computer software engineers.

Online Computer Programming Classes - Graduates - Earnings Statistics

In May 2006, the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the average annual incomes of wage-and-salary computer programmers were $65,500. The middle 50 percent made between $49,500 and $85,000 a year. The bottom 10 percent made less than $38,500, and the top 10 percent made more than $106,500.

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, starting salary offers in 2007 for computer programmers averaged $49,750 annually.

According to Robert Half Technology, a firm that provides specialized staffing services, the average yearly starting salaries in 2007 varied from $55,200 to $90,200 for applications development programmers/analysts, and from $60,250 to $94,750 for software developers. Average starting salaries for mainframe systems programmers varied from $52,250 to $70,750.

Related Occupations: Other workers who are involved with data include computer scientists and database administrators, mathematicians, operations research analysts, computer software engineers, computer systems analysts, statisticians, engineers, and commercial and industrial designers


Online Computer Programming Classes - Courses - Certification

There are an excellent number of choices for attending online computer programming classes. Online schools and colleges now provide the same curriculum as the traditional education. Learning online provides you with so much more flexibility to suit your lifestyle and current employment. We include our top recommendations for online computer programming classes.


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