Top 10 Software Development & Architecture Certifications

Certifications are important to a software development & architecture job market because they demonstrate the knowledge and skills that employers are looking for in potential candidates. Certified professionals are more likely to be hired and promoted than those without certifications, as they have proven their ability to perform at a high level within the software development & architecture field. Certifications also provide assurance to employers that the candidate has been trained on the most current technologies, techniques, and best practices. Additionally, certifications can help individuals stand out from other applicants in a competitive job market.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Software Development & Architectures and explains how they can help to advance a software development & architecture's career.

What are Software Development & Architecture Certifications?

Software development and architecture certification is an industry-recognized credential that demonstrates a professional’s understanding of the principles involved in designing, building, and maintaining software applications. This certification can be beneficial to those who are looking to advance their career in software development and architecture by gaining recognition for their knowledge and skills.

Certification programs typically cover topics such as programming languages, database design, system security, object-oriented programming, user interface design, web development technologies, software testing methods, project management principles, and more. With this certification, professionals can demonstrate their expertise in these areas as well as their ability to create reliable and efficient software solutions.

Having a certification also provides employers with an objective measure of a candidate’s qualifications for the job. In addition to providing proof of proficiency in key areas of software development and architecture, earning a certification can also give applicants an edge over other job seekers who may not have the same level of experience or education. It can also provide professionals with additional learning opportunities that they may not have access to otherwise.

Overall, obtaining a software development & architecture certification can open up many doors for individuals looking to further their career in the field. It is an invaluable asset that can help them stand out from other candidates while giving them the necessary tools and resources they need to be successful in the workplace.

Pro Tip: Software development and architecture certifications can be a great way to increase your knowledge of the field and demonstrate your expertise to employers. When considering certification, make sure to research the different types available, their requirements, and their cost. Additionally, consider if the certification is applicable to the job you are seeking or if it could help you move up in your current role.

Related: What does a Software Development & Architecture do?

Top 10 Software Development & Architecture Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Software Development & Architectures today.

1. Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP)

Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP) is a certification program designed to recognize software development professionals who have the knowledge and skills necessary to develop, maintain, and manage software. The CSDP certification is offered by the International Association of Software Architects (IASA).

The CSDP certification requires applicants to have three years of professional experience in software development and at least two years of experience in software architecture. Applicants must also demonstrate knowledge of software engineering principles and practices, such as design patterns, object-oriented programming, system analysis and design, agile development methods, and project management.

The CSDP certification process involves passing an online exam that consists of multiple-choice questions. The exam covers topics such as software engineering principles and practices, system architecture, project management, testing techniques, security considerations, and more. Applicants must score at least 70% on the exam in order to pass.

The cost for taking the CSDP exam is $295 USD. The exam takes approximately four hours to complete. Once applicants pass the exam they will receive their official CSDP certificate from IASA.

2. Certified Software Architect (CSA)

A Certified Software Architect (CSA) is a professional certification which recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of knowledge and experience in designing, developing, and deploying software applications. The CSA designation is awarded by the International Association of Software Architects (IASA).

To become a CSA, an individual must pass an examination that covers topics such as software architecture principles, design patterns, object-oriented analysis and design, system integration, application development lifecycle management, and other related topics. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately four hours to complete.

In order to take the CSA exam, candidates must first register with IASA and pay a fee of $495 USD. After registering for the exam, candidates can access study materials on the IASA website. Candidates are also encouraged to attend IASA training courses or workshops prior to taking the exam.

Once a candidate has successfully passed the CSA exam they will receive their certificate from IASA. The certificate is valid for three years after which time it must be renewed by passing another examination or attending additional training courses.

3. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate is an industry-recognized certification that validates an individual's ability to design, deploy and manage applications on the Amazon Web Services (AWS) platform. This certification demonstrates a professional’s knowledge of AWS services, architecture best practices, and the ability to design cost-effective solutions on the AWS platform.

The certification exam typically takes around 80 minutes to complete and covers a variety of topics related to designing and deploying applications on AWS. It is designed for individuals who have at least one year of experience working with AWS technologies.

To get this certification, you must pass the associated exam which consists of multiple-choice questions. The exam can be taken online or in person at a testing center. You can find more information about the exam requirements and format on the AWS website.

The cost of taking the exam varies by region but typically ranges from $150-$300 USD depending on where you take it.

4. Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD) is an industry-recognized certification for software developers. It is designed to validate the skills and knowledge necessary to develop, design, and build solutions using Microsoft technologies.

To earn the MCSD certification, candidates must pass a series of exams that measure their proficiency in developing solutions on the Microsoft platform. The exams cover topics such as Windows Store Apps, Web Applications, SharePoint Applications, and Azure Solutions.

The exact number of exams required depends on which track you choose: App Builder or Solution Developer. To become an App Builder, you need to pass two exams; for the Solution Developer track, three exams are required. Each exam takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete and costs around $165 USD per exam.

In total, it can take anywhere from 6-9 months to prepare for and pass all of the required exams depending on your experience level with Microsoft technologies. After passing all of the exams, you will receive your official MCSD certificate in the mail within 4-6 weeks.

5. Oracle Certified Master, Java EE Enterprise Architect

Oracle Certified Master, Java EE Enterprise Architect (OCMJEA) is an advanced-level certification designed to recognize the expertise of experienced enterprise architects in developing and deploying applications using Oracle's Java Platform, Enterprise Edition (Java EE). The certification requires a comprehensive understanding of the Java EE platform, including its components, services, APIs, and best practices.

To become certified as an Oracle Certified Master, Java EE Enterprise Architect, you must pass two exams: 1Z0-807: Java Enterprise Edition 6 Enterprise Architect Certified Master Exam and 1Z0-865: Java Enterprise Edition 5/6/7 Certified Master Assignment. The first exam tests your knowledge of the core concepts of the Java EE platform while the second exam tests your ability to apply this knowledge in a real-world scenario.

The exams can be taken at any authorized Pearson Vue testing center or online through Oracle University. The cost for each exam is $245 USD. It typically takes 4-6 months to prepare for both exams depending on your experience level with the subject matter. To help you prepare for the exams, Oracle University offers instructor-led training courses as well as self-paced learning paths which include practice exams and sample questions.

6. IBM Certified Solution Architect – Cloud Computing Architecture V2

IBM Certified Solution Architect – Cloud Computing Architecture V2 is a professional certification offered by IBM. It is designed to validate the skills and knowledge of IT professionals who are responsible for designing, developing, and deploying cloud computing solutions. This certification demonstrates that an individual has the skills to design, build and manage cloud-based solutions on the IBM Cloud platform.

The duration of this certification is approximately 4-6 months depending on your experience level. To get this certification you must pass two exams: C1000-031: IBM Cloud Computing Architecture V2 and C1000-032: IBM Cloud Computing Architecture Design. Both exams have a fee associated with them and can be purchased online or through a local testing center.

To prepare for these exams, you should have a good understanding of cloud computing concepts such as virtualization, storage, networking, security, scalability, availability and disaster recovery. You should also be familiar with IBM Cloud technologies such as Bluemix Platform Services (BPS), Watson IoT Platform (WIP), Watson Machine Learning (WML) and SoftLayer Infrastructure Services (SLIS). Additionally, it is recommended that you have hands-on experience in building applications using IBM Cloud technologies.

The cost of this certification varies depending on the country you live in but generally ranges from $200 - $400 USD for both exams combined.

7. CompTIA Cloud+ Certification

CompTIA Cloud+ is an industry-recognized certification that validates the skills and knowledge of IT professionals who manage, maintain, and deploy cloud technologies. It is designed to validate a candidate’s ability to securely implement and maintain cloud technologies, as well as identify areas for improvement in a cloud environment.

The CompTIA Cloud+ certification exam consists of 90 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within 90 minutes. To receive the certification, candidates must score at least 750 on a scale from 100-900.

To get CompTIA Cloud+, you must first register for the exam through Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers. The cost of the exam varies depending on your location but typically costs around $320 USD.

Once you have registered for the exam, it is recommended that you study using official CompTIA resources such as practice tests and study guides. Additionally, there are many online courses available to help you prepare for the exam. Once you feel confident in your knowledge and abilities, schedule your exam with Pearson VUE or Prometric and take the test!

8. Red Hat Certified Architect (RHCA)

Red Hat Certified Architect (RHCA) is the highest level of certification offered by Red Hat, Inc. It is a certification program that validates an individual's ability to design, deploy, and manage complex IT solutions using Red Hat technologies. The RHCA certification requires a candidate to demonstrate their skills in the areas of system administration, virtualization, storage management, networking, security, and automation.

In order to become certified as an RHCA, candidates must first pass the Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) exam. After passing the RHCSA exam, candidates can then pursue additional certifications such as Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE), Red Hat Certified Virtualization Administrator (RHCVA), or Red Hat Certified JBoss Developer (RHCJD). Once all of these certifications have been achieved, candidates can then take the RHCA exam.

The RHCA exam typically takes around four hours to complete and consists of multiple-choice questions and hands-on tasks that require candidates to demonstrate their knowledge and skills. The cost of taking the RHCA exam varies depending on location but typically ranges from $400-$600 USD.

9. Salesforce Platform App Builder Certification

Salesforce Platform App Builder Certification is a certification program designed to help professionals demonstrate their knowledge and skills in building custom applications on the Salesforce platform. This certification is ideal for those who are looking to become certified developers, administrators, or consultants on the Salesforce platform.

The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and takes about 90 minutes to complete. It covers topics such as data modeling, security, process automation, application development, and deployment. To get certified, you must pass the exam with a score of 65% or higher.

To get started with this certification, you must first purchase an exam voucher from Salesforce. The cost of the exam voucher varies depending on your location but typically ranges between $200-$300 USD. After purchasing the exam voucher, you will be able to register for and take the exam at any authorized testing center near you.

Once you have successfully completed the exam, you will receive your official Salesforce Platform App Builder Certification badge which can be displayed on your resume or LinkedIn profile as proof of your expertise in developing custom applications on the Salesforce platform.

10. Cloudera Certified Associate (CCA) Data Analyst

Cloudera Certified Associate (CCA) Data Analyst is a certification program for individuals who want to demonstrate their skills in data analysis using Cloudera’s open source platform. It is intended for professionals who are just starting out in the field of data analysis or those who have some experience but need to validate their knowledge. The certification covers core concepts such as Hive, Impala, and Pig, as well as advanced topics such as machine learning and data engineering.

The CCA Data Analyst exam consists of 8-12 performance-based tasks on a CDH 5 cluster that must be completed within two hours. This exam requires hands-on experience with Cloudera's open source platform and its associated tools. The exam fee is $295 USD and it can be taken online or at an authorized testing center.

To prepare for the CCA Data Analyst exam, Cloudera recommends taking the Cloudera Data Analyst Training course which covers all the topics included in the exam. This course costs $2,000 USD and takes approximately five days to complete. Additionally, there are several online resources available to help you prepare for the exam such as practice tests, study guides, and tutorials.

Do You Really Need a Software Development & Architecture Certificate?

Software development and architecture is a rapidly growing field in the IT industry, and many employers are increasingly looking for professionals who have a certificate in software development and architecture. A certification demonstrates that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in this role.

If you’re interested in pursuing a career as a software developer or architect, getting certified can help you stand out from other job applicants. It also shows potential employers that you understand the principles of software engineering and architecture, which can give them confidence that you will be able to perform well on the job. Additionally, having a certificate may give you access to more specialized positions or higher salaries than someone without certification.

However, obtaining certification is not always necessary for success in this field. Many employers value experience over certificates, so having relevant work experience can be just as important as having a certificate when applying for jobs. Furthermore, some employers may prefer to hire employees with specific skillsets rather than those with general certifications. Therefore, it’s important to consider your individual needs when deciding whether or not to pursue certification.

Ultimately, obtaining a software development & architecture certificate can be beneficial for those looking to move into this field or advance their careers within it. However, it’s important to consider your own goals and experience before deciding whether or not to pursue certification.

Related: Software Development & Architecture Resume Examples

FAQs About Software Development & Architecture Certifications

Q1. What are the benefits of Software Development & Architecture Certifications?

A1. Software Development & Architecture Certifications provide a number of benefits, such as increasing job prospects and salary potential, validating knowledge and skills, providing recognition for expertise in the field, and staying up-to-date with industry trends and best practices.

Q2. How long does it take to get a Software Development & Architecture Certification?

A2. The amount of time required to obtain a Software Development & Architecture Certification depends on the type of certification being pursued. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from several months to two years or more to complete all requirements for certification.

Q3. What is the cost of obtaining a Software Development & Architecture Certification?

A3. The cost for obtaining a Software Development & Architecture Certification varies depending on the type of certification being sought and the institution offering the program or coursework associated with it. Generally speaking, costs may range from several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars or more.

Q4. Is there an age requirement for obtaining a Software Development & Architecture Certification?

A4. No, there is no age requirement for obtaining a Software Development & Architecture Certification; however, some certifying bodies may have specific requirements that must be met in order to obtain certain certifications (e.g., certain educational qualifications).

Q5. Are there any prerequisites for obtaining a Software Development & Architecture Certification?

A5. Yes, most certifying bodies have prerequisites that must be met prior to applying for certification (e.g., having certain educational qualifications or experience in the field). It is important to check with each certifying body before beginning the application process in order to ensure all necessary requirements are fulfilled prior to submitting your application materials and fees.