Professional Courses And Certifications for QA Testers & Developers

A survey conducted by edX (an online learning platform) in July 2023 suggests that nearly half (49%) of the skills currently used in the workforce will become obsolete within just two years.

So, traditional learning methods may not work. In such situations, professional courses can help. Among hundreds of courses, some are perfectly designed to help you break out of a career rut and propel you forward. Keep scrolling.

Professional courses are short-term study programs that can help you gain knowledge and specific skills in a specific profession or industry.

Unlike programs that typically cover broader subjects and offer a professional degree in a field (e.g. engineering, computer science, law, and medicine.), professional courses purely focus on developing specific skills needed for a job.

Professional courses can:

• Be offered on online platforms or campuses (in-person).
• Be full-time or part-time.
• Be of different durations, ranging from a few weeks to a year.
• Cost less when compared to professional degree courses.
• Certify your job-based or industry-specific skills.
• Help build new skills to progress in your career.

Let’s look at some popular professional courses you may consider while working as a quality assurance (QA) professional or a software developer.

(Note: The courses mentioned here are solely based on current market trends and technologies for QAs and developers. They are not ranked. And we do not prefer one over the other.)

Popular Professional Courses For QA Professionals:

1 - Quality Assurance Certification

The Quality Assurance course on freeCodeCamp is a brilliant option to sharpen your QA skills. With easy-to-follow instructions, it covers QA and JavaScript testing with the Chai library, advanced Node and Express topics, and five practice projects to hone and showcase your quality assurance skills.

• Platform: freeCodeCamp
• Level: Beginner to Intermediate
• Fee: Free (Course + Certification).
• Course link here.

Also Read: What is Quality Assurance and Why It’s Important?

2 - Real World Testing with Cypress

Cypress (JavaScript end-to-end testing framework) offers a learning platform for web automation. It offers a comprehensive course track from foundational concepts for end-to-end testing to advanced Cypress testing concepts.

• Platform: Cypress.io
• Level: Beginner to Intermediate.
• Fee: Free.
• Course link here.

Also Read: What is End-to-End Testing? (With Definitions, Types, Automation Frameworks, and More)

3 - Software Testing and Automation Specialization

It’s a four-course specialization offered by the University of Minnesota. It includes courses on foundational software testing, black-box and white-box testing, automated analysis basics, and web and mobile testing with Selenium.

• Platform: Coursera
• Level: Intermediate to Advanced.
• Duration: 2-3 months
• Fee: Free to Audit. Paid certificate. Financial aid available.
• Course link here.

Also Read: Top 24 Chrome Extensions for Software Testers

4 - ISTQB Foundation Level (CTFL) V4.0

ISTQB certifications are highly sought after in the software testing field. With 34K+ ratings and 118,0000+ learners, this course is one of the most popular ones on the Udemy platform to prepare for ISTQB certification exams.

• Platform: Udemy
• Level: Beginner
• Duration: 8 hours
• Fee: Paid.
• Course link here.

Also Read: Getting Started with Software Testing

5 - Selenium WebDriver with Java - Basic to Advanced + Frameworks

This is a highly-rated course with around 119K+ reviews and 384,000+ enrollments. Includes topics from basic to intermediate level for Selenium 4 automation testing with Java.

• Platform: Udemy
• Level: Intermediate to Advanced.
• Duration: 55.5 hours
• Fee: Paid.
• Course link here.

Also Read: Top 10 Automation Testing Tools

Popular Professional Courses For Developers:

1 - Meta Front-End Developer

It’s a nine-course specialization offered by Meta. It's quite comprehensive and a good one to consider for learning front-end technologies like HTML, CSS, UI/UX design, and JavaScript. It also covers React topics from basic to advanced levels. With 16K+ reviews and 290,000+ learners, it’s great for someone who needs to gain a foothold in the React ecosystem.

• Platform: Coursera
• Level: Beginner
• Duration: 7-8 months
• Fee: Free to Audit. Paid certificate. Financial aid available.
• Course link here.

Also Read: Top 20 Chrome Extensions for Developers

2 - Google IT Automation with Python

It’s one of the top-rated courses with approx. 39k reviews and 700,000+ enrollments. It’s a specialization covering courses on configuration management on the cloud, Python programming, version control with Git and GitHub, debugging, and automation.

• Platform: Coursera
• Level: Beginner
• Duration: 6-7 months
• Fee: Free to Audit. Paid certificate. Financial aid available.
• Course link here.

3 - Data Structure and Algorithms Specialization

This is yet another solid option available through the Coursera platform. Offered by the University of California San Diego, it goes deep into DSA. It’s a six-course specialization with courses on algorithmic toolbox, data structures, algorithms on graphs, strings, advanced algorithms, and complexity.  It’s perfect for those seeking high-paying jobs at companies like Apple, Google, or Meta.

• Platform: Coursera
• Level: Intermediate to Advanced.
• Duration: 5-6 months.
• Fee: Free to Audit. Paid certificate. Financial aid available.
• Course link here.

4 - Docker Mastery: with Kubernetes + Swarm from a Docker Captain

DevOps and CI/CD pipelines have become synonymous with modern web apps. This course covers Docker, Kubernetes, Compose, and GitHub Actions CI using DevOps in a pretty detailed format. With 62K+ ratings and 318,000+ learners, you can opt for this to get on the Docker bandwagon.

• Platform: Udemy
• Level: Intermediate to Advanced.
• Duration: 21 hours
• Fee: Paid.
• Course link here.

Also Read: GitHub vs GitLab: What's Best For You?

5 - Epic React by Kent C. Dodds

It’s one of the most advanced React courses available on the Internet. It brushes you over with React fundamentals and then covers hard topics, such as advanced React hooks, advanced React patterns, React Suspense, React performance, and testing React apps in a production-level setup. It also contains a capstone project-building tutorial with a workshop that mimics a production-like environment.

• Platform: Epic React
• Level: Advanced
• Duration: 19 hours
• Fee: Paid.
• Course link here.

Also Read: React JS Suspense: Work Better with Async Data

Popular platforms, such as Coursera, Udemy, Pluralsight, or those mentioned above are extremely popular for offering professional courses and certifications, especially for working professionals. They are indeed very effective for learning purposes at just a few dollars (or even for free). But, there’s a caveat. These certifications may or may not be as widely recognized by employers as vendor-specific certifications.

However, they are perfect for learning specific development skills. You can even share the issued certifications on your resume or on social platforms like LinkedIn for potential employers.

Here are some top certifications for QAs to consider:

ISTQB (International Software Testing Qualifications Board)

ISTQB stands for International Software Testing Qualifications Board. It's a non-profit organization that provides a widely recognized certification program for software testers.

ISTQB certifications are highly valued by global employers. They help demonstrate your competency in various testing practices. The program offers a variety of levels, ranging from foundation to expert to build your skills progressively.

1# - ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level

Prerequisites: None. Anyone can take the CTFL exam. However, to appear for CTFL-AT, you must pass the CTFL.

• Certified Tester (CTFL) — foundational knowledge exam in software testing principles and techniques.
• Agile Tester (CTFL-AT) — certifies you to run testing activities in Agile projects. To apply for this certification, you must pass the CTFL first.

2# - ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level

Prerequisites: CTFL + significant industry experience. For CTAL-ATT and CTAL-ATLaS, you must pass the CTFL-AT.

• Technical Test Analyst (CTAL-TTA) — covers technical aspects of testing, such as white box testing, static and dynamic analysis, and test automation.
• Test Analyst (CTAL-TA) — certifies your analytical skills while working on test designs or test analysis.
• Test Manager (CTAL-TM) — certifies you to manage all test phases in the SDLC.
• Test Automation Engineering (CTAL-TAE) — certifies you for test automation in software.
• Agile Technical Tester (CTAL-ATT) — verifies you for Agile testing environments that require handling deployment and delivery for deliverables. It also verifies test automation skills.
• Agile Test Leadership at Scale (CTAL-ATLaS) - focuses on scaling Agile testing practices. It verifies advanced skills for running quality testing procedures for companies working in Agile (or Lean) environments.

3# - ISTQB Certified Tester Expert Level

Prerequisites: CTFL + CTAL-TM plus at least five years of practical testing experience and two years of industry experience.

• Test Management (CTEL-TM) — to get the complete certification, you must pass the following three exams:
  • Managing the Test Team (CTEL-TM-MTT) — validates you as a manager to development, deployment, and leading test teams.
  • Operational Test Management (CTEL-TM-OTM) — focuses on your skills for risk, report, test result interpretation, and test moderation management.
  • Strategic Test Management (CTEL-TM-SM) — validates your skills to manage company goals along with internal, external, and strategic matters.
• Improving Test Processes (CTEL-ITP) — you must pass the following exams to get the complete certification.
  • Assessing Test Processes (CTEL-ITP-ATP) — focuses on your skills to advise on selecting and implementing testing approaches and processes.
  • Implementing Test Process Improvement (CTEL-ITP-ITPI) — verifies your ability to improve test processes in your company projects.

4# - ISTQB Specialist Certifications

Prerequisites: You must hold the CTFL certification.

It includes specialist certification exams for:

• Acceptance Testing
• AI Testing
• Agile Tester Testing
• Gambling Industry Tester
• Mobile Application Testing
• Model-Based Tester
• Usability Testing
• Performance Testing
• Business Analysis
• Automotive Software Tester
• Proficiency Distinction

Here are some popular developer certifications that you may consider:

Popular Certifications

Here’s a list:

• AWS Certified Developer - Associate — validates your abilities in developing and maintaining AWS-based apps.
• Google Professional Cloud Developer — verifies your abilities in cloud computing and cloud-native technologies.
• CIW Web Development Series — certifies your web dev skills.
• Oracle Certified Associate and Professional — offers certifications for your Java skills at the associate and professional levels.
• (ISC)2 Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional — helps showcase your expertise in secure software development practices.
• Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) (EX294) —  verifies your expertise in configuring and managing Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems.
• GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC) — certifies your knowledge and essentials on information security and cybersecurity roles.
• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) — validates your knowledge and skills in ethical hacking to identify vulnerabilities in networks and systems.
• ITIL Foundation — provides a foundation in IT service management best practices based on the ITIL framework.

Microsoft Certifications

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert — certifies your expertise in designing and managing complex cloud solutions on Microsoft Azure.
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate — validates your skills in securing and protecting Azure cloud environments.
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate — checks your abilities in designing, writing, and engineering data solutions on Azure.
• Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate — validates your skills in building and deploying AI solutions using Azure AI services.
• Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Developer Associate — validates your app development skills on the Microsoft Power Platform.

The Linux Foundation Certifications

• Linux Foundation Certified Cloud Technician (LFCT) — certifies you for showcasing skills to configure, manage, and troubleshoot Linux systems and platform-agnostic cloud containers.
• Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS) — certifies you for a practical understanding of Linux systems and checks your Linux admin skills.
• OpenJS Node.js Services Developer (JSNSD) — tests your ability to develop and deploy Node.js services.
• OpenJS Node.js Application Developer (JSNSD) — validates your ability to develop web apps with Node.js.