Computer Software Certificate

Overview

Choose from four preset tracks or a self-designed track in our flexible program

UVM’s Certificate in Computer Software allows you to enroll in courses that suit your interests and experience, plus offers a highly flexible curriculum. All courses in this program receive UVM credit, and you can apply them toward a UVM degree. The flexible nature of this certificate allows you to enroll in a variety of courses, available online and on campus.

You can select a course of study from one of the following tracks:

• Web Development Track
• Cybersecurity Track
• Software Development Track
• Computer Science Master’s Preparation Track
• Self-Designed Track

Earn UVM Credit in Our Flexible, Versatile Program

The highly flexible nature of the certificate allows you to enroll in a variety of courses suitable to your experience and interests.

Choose from a variety of different tracks, including web development, cybersecurity and software development.

Receive UVM credit and apply them toward a UVM degree.

Admissions

Is This Program For You?

Apply to our program if you are interested in:

• Improving or advance your career in an IT-related field
• Enhancing your computer science skills and becoming a more valuable employee
• Receiving a certification prior to entering or while working toward a degree in Computer Science
• Preparing for graduate studies in Computer Science

Curriculum

The flexible nature of this certificate allows you to enroll in a variety of courses, available online and on campus.

Courses in our program are available online and on campus. You will complete five courses, for at least 15 credits, in approved computer software courses, with a minimum GPA of 2.0 in each course.

Tracks

Web Development Track

• CS 1080 Intro to Web Site Development
• CS 1210 Computer Programming I
• CS 2100 Computer Programming II
• CS 142 Advanced Web Design
• CS 2480 Database Design for the Web

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Software Development Track

• CS 1210 Computer Programming I
• CS 2100 Computer Programming II
• CS 2240 Data Structures & Algorithms¹
• CS 3050 Software Engineering
• CS 3750 Mobile Apps & Embedded Devices

¹Please note that CS 124 has a prerequisite of Intermediate Programming (CS 110).

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Self-Designed Track

• CS 1210 Computer Programming I

Plus four other advisor-approved courses.

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Computer Science Master’s Preparation Track¹

• CS 1210 Computer Programming I
• CS 2100 Computer Programming II
• CS 2210 Computer Organization
• CS 2240 Data Structures & Algorithms²
• CS 2250 Computability and Complexity

¹Please note that acceptance to the MS in Computer Science also requires prior coursework in calculus, linear algebra, and probability & statistics.
²Please note that CS 124 has a prerequisite of Intermediate Programming (CS 110).

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Cybersecurity Track

• CS 1080 Introduction: WWW Design
• CS 1210 Computer Programming I
• CS 2660 Cybersecurity Principles OR CS 3660 Network security and cryptography

Plus two advisor-approved cybersecurity courses. Existing approved cybersecurity electives are listed below (this list may change as offerings are updated):

• CIS 1010¹: Cybersecurity Law and Policy
• CS 1060²: Cybersecurity: Introduction and Exploration
• CS 2660³: Cybersecurity Principles
• CS 2670⁴: Cybersecurity Defense
• CS 3660: Network security and cryptography
• CS 3250: Programming Languages
• CS 3650: Computer Networks

¹Initially CIS 1990 will be offered as a special topics course, but we will give it a permanent course number should this course attract sufficient student interest.
²CS 1060 will not count towards the certificate if taken after CS 2660 or CS 3660. CS 1060 was formerly run as special topics courses CIS 1990 and CS 5 Exploring Cybersecurity
³CS 2660 will not count towards the certificate if taken after CS 3660. CS 2660 was formerly run as special topics courses CIS 2990 and CS 2990 Applied Cybersecurity I
⁴CS 2670 was formerly run as special topics courses CIS 2990 and CS 2990 Applied Cybersecurity II

Visit UVM’s Catalogue Course List for a full list of Computer Science courses

View all

Course Logistics

Course Scheduling Options

• Several courses are offered during the day and evening on UVM’s Burlington campus, as well as online.
• Several courses are available on campus and online and offered during the summer.

Although computer labs are available on campus for student use during limited hours, students will be at a significant disadvantage if they do not have access to their own computer. Specific courses, including those offered live on campus or online, require a computer. Some courses require the purchase of software.

Students may enroll in the certificate at any time before the start of a new term or semester; however it’s recommended that students speak with an advisor prior to beginning any coursework.

Course Requirements

The highly flexible nature of the certificate allows students to enroll in a variety of courses suitable to their experience and interests. Courses are available online and on campus. In all cases, students must complete five courses, for at least 15 credits, in approved computer software courses, with a minimum GPA of 2.0 in each course.

Browse the complete list of computer science courses. Most, but not all, CS courses are applicable to the Certificate in Computer Software, so be sure to get preapproval for any courses you wish to apply to the certificate from the CS Certificate Advisor Jason Hibbeler.

Career Outlook

Computer and information technology jobs are projected to grow 15 percent between now and 2031

Our certificate can help you advance or start your career to become a

• Web developer
• Cybersecurity professional
• Software developer
• Computer programmer
• IT professional Database administrator

FAQ

What is the Computer Software Certificate program?

The Certificate in Computer Software is a 15-credit academic certificate. Students choose from three pre-set tracks or a self-designed track. The three preset tracks are:

• Web Development Track
• Software Development Track
• Computer Science Master’s Preparation Track

The Master’s Prep Track is appropriate for students looking to prepare for a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science.

The Master’s Prep Track is the only track eligible for financial aid unless otherwise specified by the CS faculty advisor.

The Software Development and Master’s Prep Tracks may require additional MATH or CS courses beyond the five courses required for track/Certificate completion.

What do I need to do to create a self-designed track?

For the self-designed track, students will work with faculty advisor Jason Hibbeler in the Computer Science department to develop their academic plan.

Do I have to take the courses in order?

In general, students can take the courses in any order they wish; however, CS 008 and CS 021 serve as prerequisites for more advanced courses and should be completed first.

What does the Computer Software Certificate cost?

To view the Professional and Continuing Education estimated tuition and fees rates, please visit: http://www.uvm.edu/studentfinancialservices/continuing_education_tuition_and_fees

Summer tuition is offered at a discounted rate.  Information can be found here:  http://www.uvm.edu/studentfinancialservices/summer_university_tuition_and_fees

What types of financial support are available?

Learn about options for discounts, grants, loans, scholarships, and more on our tuition and financial aid page.

Can I transfer credits into the Certificate Program, either from UVM or another institution?

Students may transfer one course (3 credits) from another institution to be applied to the Certificate

If a student transfers a course from another institution to be applied to the Certificate, it will not appear on the student’s UVM transcript.

What do students use this Certificate for?

This program can help students improve or advance their career in an IT-related field, enhance their computer science skills to become a valuable employee, receive certification prior to entering or while working toward a degree in Computer Science, or prepare for graduate studies in Computer Science.

How do I receive my Certificate of Completion?

Please submit this completion form after you have received your final grades for the program. Once your request has been reviewed and successful completion of program has been confirmed, a certificate of completion will be emailed to you.

Can I complete this program as an international student?

The University cannot issue immigration documents for entry to the US for purposes of enrolling in credit courses as a non-degree student, thus you will not be able to complete this program.

Can the Certificate Program be completed entirely online?

The Certificate in Computer Software courses are available online and on-campus; however, to complete all the required courses students will need to enroll in several on-campus courses in Burlington, Vermont.

Are VA Benefits available for this program?

The University of Vermont is able to certify VA benefits for this program. If you intend to use VA benefits for this program, please apply to the program and contact UVM’s Veterans Affairs Coordinator, David Carlson, via email at dcarlson@uvm.edu or by phone at (802) 656-0581 to inform the university of these intentions.