Top 11 Software Development Manager Certifications

Certifications for a software development manager are important in the job market because they demonstrate to potential employers that a candidate has the knowledge and skills necessary to manage software development projects. Certifications also provide evidence of professional development, which is attractive to many employers. Furthermore, certifications can help managers stand out from other candidates. They show that the individual has taken the initiative to invest in their own growth and training, which speaks to their commitment and dedication. Finally, certifications can give managers access to networks of professionals who can provide advice on best practices and strategies as well as job opportunities.

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

What are Software Development Manager Certifications?

Software Development Manager Certification is a certificate program designed to help software development managers gain the knowledge and skills needed to effectively manage software development projects. This certification is intended to provide a comprehensive understanding of the processes, techniques, technologies, and tools used in successful software development. It includes courses in project management, requirements analysis and design, coding and testing, implementation, maintenance and support, as well as topics such as communication strategies and customer relations.

This certification can help software development managers stay up-to-date on industry trends and emerging technologies so they can make informed decisions about their projects. Additionally, the certification can give them an edge when it comes to competing for jobs or promotions. Having this certification shows employers that an individual has taken initiative to build their skillset in order to better serve their organization. It also demonstrates a commitment to excellence in the field of software development management.

Pro Tip: When considering software development manager certification, be sure to research the different types of certifications available and the specific requirements for each. Additionally, look into courses or trainings that may help you prepare for the certification exam. Lastly, take advantage of resources such as practice exams or study guides to ensure you are fully prepared before taking the test.

Related: What does a Software Development Manager do?

Top 11 Software Development Manager Certifications

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

1. Certified Scrum Master (CSM)

A Certified Scrum Master (CSM) is a professional certification for individuals who have demonstrated their knowledge and understanding of the Scrum framework. The CSM certification is offered by the Scrum Alliance, an international organization that provides training, resources, and support for practitioners of Scrum.

In order to become a Certified Scrum Master, individuals must attend an official two-day CSM course taught by a certified instructor. During this course, participants learn about the principles and practices of Scrum, as well as how to apply them in a real-world setting. After completing the course, participants must pass an online assessment in order to receive their certification.

The cost of attending a CSM course varies depending on the instructor and location. Generally speaking, courses range from $500 - $1,500 USD. Additionally, there is an annual membership fee of $100 USD required to maintain your certification status with the Scrum Alliance.

2. Certified Agile Project Manager (CAPM)

Certified Agile Project Manager (CAPM) is a certification program offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is designed to help project managers understand and apply agile principles to their projects. The CAPM certification demonstrates that a project manager has the knowledge and experience necessary to successfully manage agile projects.

The CAPM certification requires applicants to have at least 1,500 hours of project management experience or 23 hours of project management education. Applicants must also pass an exam administered by PMI. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes up to three hours to complete.

To get the CAPM certification, applicants must submit an application fee of $225 USD and register for the exam with PMI. After registering, applicants can take the exam at any authorized testing center around the world.

The cost of taking the CAPM exam varies depending on where you take it, but generally ranges from around $200 - $400 USD.

3. PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)

The PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) is a certification program offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated their knowledge and experience in agile project management. The PMI-ACP certification validates an individual’s ability to apply agile principles, practices, tools, and techniques to successfully manage projects.

It typically takes three to six months of preparation to get the PMI-ACP certification. Preparation includes taking an approved training course, gaining experience in agile project management, and studying for the exam.

To get the PMI-ACP certification, you must meet certain eligibility requirements. These include having a minimum of 2,000 hours of general project experience within the last five years and 1,500 hours of agile project experience within the last three years; holding a current Project Management Professional (PMP) or Program Management Professional (PgMP) credential; or holding a current Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO), or similar agile certification from an approved organization.

The cost for the PMI-ACP exam varies depending on your country of residence and whether you are a member of PMI. In the United States, it costs $435 for members and $495 for nonmembers.

4. Professional Scrum Product Owner (PSPO I & II)

Professional Scrum Product Owner (PSPO) is a certification program that provides individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively manage product backlogs, prioritize work, and deliver value. The PSPO I & II certifications are designed for experienced Product Owners who have already achieved a basic understanding of Scrum.

The PSPO I exam is a 60-minute multiple choice test that covers topics such as Scrum fundamentals, product ownership, and working with stakeholders. The PSPO II exam is a 120-minute multiple choice test that covers advanced topics such as creating an effective product vision, managing stakeholders, and leading organizational change.

To get the PSPO I & II certifications, you must first pass the respective exams. You can take the exams online or at a testing center near you. The cost of each exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $200 to $250 USD per exam.

Once you have passed both exams, you will receive your official Professional Scrum Product Owner certification from Scrum.org. This certification is valid for two years and can be renewed by taking additional courses or passing recertification exams.

5. Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP)

Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP) is a certification offered by the International Association of Software Architects (IASA). The CSDP certification is designed to validate the knowledge and skills of software development professionals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in software development.

The CSDP certification requires applicants to demonstrate their knowledge and experience in software development, including project management, system design, coding, testing, and documentation. To become certified, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as software engineering principles and practices, object-oriented programming concepts, database design and administration, web technologies, and system security.

The exam can be taken online or at an authorized testing center. It takes approximately three hours to complete the exam. The cost of the exam varies depending on location but typically ranges from $200-400 USD.

To maintain their certification status, CSDPs must complete continuing education requirements every two years. This can be done by attending conferences or workshops related to software development or by taking additional courses or exams related to the field.

6. Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD): App Builder

Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD): App Builder is a certification that validates an individual’s skills in developing applications for the Microsoft platform. It demonstrates expertise in designing, building, testing, and deploying Windows Store apps, Windows Phone apps, and web services built on Microsoft Visual Studio 2013/2015.

It takes approximately 6-9 months to complete the training and pass the three required exams. The first exam is Programming in HTML5 with JavaScript and CSS3 (Exam 70-480), the second exam is Developing ASP.NET MVC Web Applications (Exam 70-486), and the third exam is Developing Windows Azure and Web Services (Exam 70-487).

To get certified, you must register for each of the exams through Pearson VUE or Prometric. You will need to pay an exam fee for each one. The cost of each exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $150-$200 USD per exam.

Once you have passed all three exams, you will be awarded the MCSD: App Builder certification. This certification indicates that you have demonstrated expertise in building applications using Microsoft technology.

7. Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 8 Programmer

Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 8 Programmer is a professional certification offered by Oracle that validates a programmer’s knowledge and skills in the Java programming language. It is designed for experienced programmers who want to demonstrate their mastery of the Java language and platform.

It typically takes about 2-3 months of preparation to get certified. To become an Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 8 Programmer, you must pass the 1Z0-809 exam. The exam covers topics such as object-oriented programming, exception handling, generics, collections, and concurrency.

You can register for the 1Z0-809 exam through Oracle's website or through a third-party testing center. The cost of the exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $250-$300 USD.

In addition to passing the 1Z0-809 exam, you must also have at least 6 months of experience developing applications with Java SE 8 or later in order to become an Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 8 Programmer.

8. ITIL Foundation Certification

ITIL Foundation Certification is a globally recognized qualification that provides individuals with a comprehensive understanding of the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) best practices for IT service management. It is designed to help IT professionals understand how to use ITIL processes and procedures to improve the quality of services delivered by an organization.

The certification takes approximately two days to complete and requires successful completion of an exam at the end. The exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions, each worth one mark, and must be completed within 60 minutes. To pass the exam, candidates must score at least 65% (26 out of 40).

To get certified, individuals must first take an accredited training course from an approved training provider. This will provide them with the knowledge and skills required to successfully pass the ITIL Foundation Certification Exam. The cost of the course varies depending on the provider but typically ranges from $1,000 - $2,000 USD.

Once they have completed their training course, they can register for their exam online through Prometric or Pearson VUE's website. The cost for taking the exam is usually around $200 USD. After passing their exam, candidates will receive their official certificate via email and can begin using their newly acquired credentials in their professional career.

9. CompTIA Project+

CompTIA Project+ is a certification program designed to help project managers, business analysts, and other professionals demonstrate their knowledge of project management. It is an industry-recognized credential that validates the skills and knowledge needed to manage projects successfully.

The CompTIA Project+ exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete and consists of 100 multiple-choice questions. The exam covers topics such as project initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and controlling, closure, as well as communication and risk management.

In order to get CompTIA Project+, you must pass the CompTIA Project+ exam (PK0-004). You can take the exam at any Pearson VUE testing center or online through OnVUE. You must also have a minimum of 12 months of professional experience in managing projects or have completed a CompTIA approved training course prior to taking the exam.

The cost of the CompTIA Project+ exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $200-$300 USD.

10. Six Sigma Green Belt Certification

Six Sigma Green Belt Certification is a professional certification program designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively lead Six Sigma projects. The certification is intended for professionals who are responsible for leading improvement projects within their organization, as well as those who are looking to further their career in process improvement.

The Six Sigma Green Belt Certification requires a minimum of three weeks of training, which can be done online or in-person. During the training, participants will learn about the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control) methodology and how to apply it to various business processes. They will also learn about problem solving techniques and tools such as root cause analysis and data collection methods. Additionally, they will gain experience with project management techniques such as budgeting and scheduling.

In order to become certified, individuals must pass an exam administered by the American Society for Quality (ASQ). The exam consists of multiple choice questions that test an individual’s understanding of the material covered during the training.

The cost of obtaining a Six Sigma Green Belt Certification varies depending on the provider chosen; however, most providers offer packages ranging from $1,000-$2,500 USD. This includes both the cost of the training and the cost of taking the certification exam.

11. AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional

AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional is a certification offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS) that validates an individual’s ability to design, develop, and deploy applications on the AWS platform. It is designed for professionals who have experience in developing, managing, and operating distributed systems on the AWS platform. This certification requires a minimum of two years of practical experience with the AWS platform.

The exam for this certification consists of multiple-choice questions and lasts for 170 minutes. The cost of the exam is $300 USD. To obtain this certification, you must pass both the Associate-level and Professional-level exams.

To prepare for the exam, it is recommended that you take an official AWS training course or use online resources such as blogs and tutorials to gain knowledge on topics such as security best practices, automation techniques, scalability strategies, and more. Additionally, there are practice exams available online that can help you prepare for the actual exam.

Do You Really Need a Software Development Manager Certificate?

A software development manager certificate may be beneficial for some people, depending on their experience and career goals. However, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. It is important to consider your own personal situation before deciding whether or not to pursue a certificate in software development management.

For those who are new to the field of software development, a certificate can provide an excellent foundation of knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the role. A certification program can also demonstrate commitment and dedication to employers, which may lead to more job opportunities or better salaries. Additionally, many courses will provide hands-on experience with industry-standard tools and processes that are essential for managing software projects.

On the other hand, if you already have experience in software development and project management, a certificate may not be necessary. Depending on your current level of knowledge and understanding of the subject matter, it may be more cost effective and efficient to focus on gaining additional practical experience rather than pursuing a formal certification.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a software development manager certificate depends on your individual circumstances. If you are new to the field or feel that extra credentials would improve your chances of success in the job market, then obtaining a certificate could be beneficial for you. However, if you already have extensive experience in the field and feel confident in your ability to manage software projects effectively without additional credentials then pursuing a certification program might not be necessary for you at this time.

Related: Software Development Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About Software Development Manager Certifications

1. What is a Software Development Manager Certification?

Answer: A Software Development Manager Certification is an industry-recognized certification that provides verification of an individual's expertise in software development management. It covers topics such as project management, software architecture, system design, and quality assurance.

2. What are the benefits of having a Software Development Manager Certification?

Answer: Having a Software Development Manager Certification can give you an edge over other job candidates, demonstrate your commitment to professional development, and provide employers with evidence of your skillset. Additionally, it can help you negotiate better salaries and career advancement opportunities.

3. How much does it cost to get a Software Development Manager Certification?

Answer: The cost of obtaining a Software Development Manager Certification varies depending on the program or institution offering it. Generally speaking, costs range from $2,000 - $3,000 USD (not including study materials).

4. How long does it take to get a Software Development Manager Certification?

Answer: The time required to obtain a Software Development Manager Certification depends on the program or institution offering it. Generally speaking, most programs require between 6 - 12 months of study and preparation for successful completion of the certification exam.

5. What kind of jobs can I get with a Software Development Manager Certificate?

Answer: With a Software Development Manager Certificate, you may be eligible for roles such as Senior Project Managers, IT Directors/Managers, Program Managers/Analysts, and Application Developers/Architects in both the public and private sectors.