three students looking at computer

Pursue the Technology Career You Always Wanted

Computer Software Certificate

Advance your career in an IT-related field, earn credits toward a computer science degree, or take the first step to become a software developer.

Request Information Apply now

Program Snapshot

Next Start Date

January 16, 2024

Next Application Deadline

January 9, 2024

How Often

Start dates every semester

Cost

Certificate: In-State: $8,140 / Out-of-State:$20,640

Visit Student Financial Services

Learning Format

Hybrid

Duration

1-3 years

VA Benefit Eligible

Yes

Scholarships

No

Discounts

No

Credits

15

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
Apply Now

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 2480 Database Design for the Web

Plus one other advisor-approved courses.

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 2240 has a prerequisite of Intermediate Programming (CS 2100).

Self-Designed Track

  • CS 1210 Computer Programming I

Plus four other advisor-approved courses.

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 2240 has a prerequisite of Intermediate Programming (CS 2100).

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.

There are no courses that meet this criteria.

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

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.

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

In general, students can take the courses in any order they wish; however, CS 1080 and CS 1210 serve as prerequisites for more advanced courses and should be completed first.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ready to get started?

Request Information

Submit this form to receive additional program information.