Learn how to research, build, and deploy cloud-enabled software applications, while navigating the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) and collaborating in Agile Scrum teams.
Kenzie Academy Software Engineering program from Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)
Learn to Code in the Software Engineering Program
-
What You’ll Learn -
Projects with Real-World Relevance
Complete mastery-based software engineering projects based on problems encountered in business application development. You’ll design software systems to solve complex problems.
-
Flexible Learning Plan
You can create your own schedule for independent, self-paced learning. Attend class live or watch on-demand recordings when it’s convenient for you.
-
The Learning Experience
This software engineering program offers instructional team-facilitated sessions and independent learning opportunities such as topic sessions, Q&A’s, project-based activities, assessments, and more.
-
Amazon Software Development Engineer (SDE)
You may qualify for a role at Amazon. Although we cannot guarantee you a job at Amazon, we will equip you with the software engineering skills and mindset to be successful in the job searching process.
-
Career Curriculum
The software engineering program covers engineer-specific job skills development, along with interview prep, mentoring, mock interviews, practice problems, and how to talk about algorithms.
Benefits of Kenzie Academy vs Traditional Bootcamps
-
Amazon Technical Academy
Amazon Technical Academy began as an internal training program designed to help non-technical Amazon employees upskill into tech careers. To expand access to this technical training, Kenzie Academy from SNHU and ATA co-developed the Software Engineering program. Anyone can gain software engineering skills through this program and train for software development engineer roles at Amazon and other tech positions.
-
Credit Transferability
You may be eligible to apply completed program credits toward a degree program at Southern New Hampshire University and other institutions. Continue your education in a degree program like SNHU’s bachelor’s in computer science and speak to your Admissions Counselor to learn more.
-
Career Services and Employer Outreach Teams
You’ll partner with a Career Advisor who will help you create a job search strategy, refine your resume, prep for interviews, network, and more. You’ll also get opportunities to connect with employers hiring Kenzie grads and find job openings in the job seeking platform Handshake.
Software Engineering Certificate Details
-
Specialize in Java:
Java is one of the most widely used programming languages for developing applications to solve business problems. It’s well-documented, which equips you with access to resources to leverage problem solving. Java’s wide usage suggests that there are, and will likely continue to be, many career opportunities for Java developers.
-
Master Software Engineering:
Learn to develop, build, and maintain computer systems, databases, and applications. You can expect to use systemic, disciplined, and measurable approaches to find efficient solutions to a problem for companies or clients. As you gain experience to become a software development engineer, you can pursue roles like Java backend developer, DevOps engineer, solutions architect, scrum master, and business analyst.
-
Accomplish Program Goals:
Curriculum is based on these goals guided by each module: syntax and logic, edge cases and testing, code efficiency, writing code readability and reusability, systems architecture, usability, security, real-world experience, and career readiness. Our Academic team of advisors, facilitators, coaches, and evaluators will help you reach these goals throughout the program.
FOUNDATIONS AND PROGRAM CURRICULUM (36 Total Credits)
Enrollment Requirement
Enrollment in the Software Engineering Certificate with Specialization in Backend Java Program is required to take the below courses:
SEBD101 - Introduction to Java 1 (3 Credits)
This course introduces Kenzie Academy’s Software Engineering program. Learners will set up their development environment and learn some fundamental programming concepts and apply them in Java. Fundamental programming concepts learners will address include how to instruct a computer to perform operations using knowledge of programming syntax and logic, how to account for a variety of possible inputs, and how to write programs that use loops to perform repetitive operations. Enrollment in the Software Engineering – Backend Development certificate program required.
SEBD102 - Introduction to Java 2 (3 Credits)
This is the second course that builds upon the foundational building blocks learned in Intro to Java 1. This course introduces more complex data by creating and updating dynamic arrays and dynamic strings in order to store and organize data, creating custom classes and associated properties and methods, using data structures like Maps, Collections, and Arrays of Objects, and beginning to understand and apply the four main concepts of object-oriented design, Abstraction, Encapsulation, Inheritance, and Polymorphism. Enrollment in the Software Engineering – Backend Development certificate program required.
SEBD103 - Introduction to Java 3 (3 Credits)
Learners in this course continue to develop skills through the application of the four main concepts of object-oriented design in Intro to Java 3 by designing Java packages modeled after actual projects. Learners will work on real-world tasks and use Java to read and send data to files as well as remote processes on the internet. Learners can expect to read and write data to files on their local computer, understand and process JSON and CSV data formats, and make requests to remote processes using HTTP. Learners will complete a comprehensive real-world capstone project incorporating skills from previous Java coursework. Enrollment in the Software Engineering – Backend Development certificate program required.
SEBD121 - Java Concepts 1 (3 Credits)
This course is the foundation to the second sequence of courses in the Certificate in Software Engineering – Backend Development and builds upon knowledge from the first sequence of courses enabling learners to code at an introductory level at enterprise level companies like Amazon. Learners are taught what to test, how to test, and how to identify the root cause when an issue is found. Learners are introduced to some basics of how programs use memory, which will help in the understanding of key concepts in later courses. Learners will become familiar with their first abstract Java collections interface (List), encapsulation, interfaces, Java wrapper classes, sorting lists, and some design tools. Enrollment in the Software Engineering – Backend Development certificate program required.
SEBD122 - Java Concepts 2 (3 Credits)
In this course, learners begin working with two new Data Structures, Maps and Sets, to provide constant time performance by utilizing hashing. Learners will be introduced to object-oriented design principles of Inheritance and Composition and will be able to integrate with and build upon code provided by others. Learners will also learn more about software design concepts with the goal of designing extendable, flexible systems. Enrollment in the Software Engineering – Backend Development certificate program required.
SEBD123 - Java Concepts 3 (3 Credits)
In this course, learners start using DynamoDB to store and retrieve data, begin using RESTful services, and work within a dependency injection framework. Learners will also continue learning data structures and algorithms including Linked Lists, searching algorithms, and recursive algorithms while analyzing the space and time complexity (Big O) of those algorithms. Enrollment in the Software Engineering – Backend Development certificate program required.
SEBD201 - Java Concepts 4 (3 Credits)
In this course, learners learn how computers operate and run applications, how developers track what their applications are up to using metrics, and ways to optimize them based on these metrics. This course will continue to build on our understanding of DynamoDB, utilizing more advanced querying techniques and deleting data. Finally, two additional data structures, Stacks and Queues, will be introduced. Enrollment in the Software Engineering – Backend Development certificate program required.
SEBD202 - Java Concepts 5 (3 Credits)
In this course, learners review what they’ve learned throughout the program and begin a group project, Learn and Be Curious. Throughout the Learn and Be Curious open-ended group project, learners practice learning and work through issues with new technologies. Learners will design, scope, and build both the frontend and backend of a system within an Agile environment calling an API Gateway/Lambda service that stores data in DynamoDB. This project spans Java Concepts 5 and 6. Culminating in learners presenting their prototype and reflection of their experiences. Enrollment in the Software Engineering – Backend Development certificate program required.
SEBD203 - Java Concepts 6 (3 Credits)
This is the second course where learners apply their learning by working on the Learn and Be Curious open-ended group project that they started in Java Concepts 5. Throughout the Learn and Be Curious open-ended group project, learners practice learning and work through issues with new technologies. Learners will design, scope, and build both the frontend and backend of a system within an Agile environment calling an API Gateway/Lambda service that stores data in DynamoDB. At the end of Java Concepts 6, learners will present their prototype and reflect upon their experiences. Additionally, learners participate within a midterm workshop consisting of white-boarding, practicing with CodeWars exercises, and participating within code reviews. Enrollment in the Software Engineering – Backend Development certificate program required.
SEBD221 - Java Concepts 7 (3 Credits)
In this course, learners learn about API Design considerations, more advanced DynamoDB features, and new Java fundamentals including developing and implementing functionalities to execute code asynchronously. By the end of the course, learners will be able to use DynamoDB scan to find and filter data, use JSON Serialization to transform Java objects to and from the text-based JSON format, and build a mental model of how Trees and Graphs work and why they’re used. Enrollment in the Software Engineering – Backend Development certificate program required.
SEBD222 - Java Concepts 8 (3 Credits)
In this course, Java Concepts 8, and the subsequent course, Java Concepts 9, learners are prepared for the critical transition from learner to a working Software Engineer by completing a Capstone Project. The Capstone Project prepares learners for this transition through exposure to similar expectations and environments similar to real on-the-job training. Throughout the Capstone Projects, learners will work independently to assist in learning what is needed to deliver results, develop previously-defined functionality, and perform and receive multiple evaluations from peers and instructional staff. The Capstone Project is a group project spreading out the responsibility and provides learners with the opportunity to work collaboratively and hold each other accountable within an Agile environment. Enrollment in the Software Engineering – Backend Development certificate program required.
SEBD223 - Java Concepts 9 (3 Credits)
In this course, Java Concepts 9, learners continue building their Capstone Project in groups from Java Concepts 8. The Capstone Project prepares learners for this transition through exposure to similar expectations and environments similar to real on-the-job training. Throughout the Capstone Projects, learners will work independently to assist in learning what is needed to deliver results, develop previously-defined functionality, and perform and receive multiple evaluations from peers and instructional staff. By the end of the Capstone Project, learners will be able to convert a design into code and deliver it using best practices, write secure, testable, and maintained code, create unit tests that thoroughly test functionality, troubleshoot by debugging and reviewing errors, logfiles, and metics, contribute to planning and design, and communicate effectively across stakeholders and teammates when projects hit roadblocks and risks. Enrollment in the Software Engineering – Backend Development certificate program required.
Ready to get started?
Fill out the application & one of our Admission Counselors will be in touch with you soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to know how to code in order to enroll in a Kenzie program?
Learn about the Admission Process
Absolutely not! We’re looking for self-starters who are curious about technology and like working with diverse groups of people. Our learners are driven problem-solvers who can handle when things get tough and who enjoy being part of a collaborative tech community. The Kenzie Academy program is open to all applicants with a good attitude, eagerness to learn, ability to adapt, and enthusiasm for gaining new knowledge and skills.
Do you offer courses in-person, online, or both?
Our courses are offered 100% online only to provide you with flexibility and the ability to self-pace your learning according to your schedule.
Can I work and take this program?
The number of hours you dedicate to the program depends on how efficiently you manage your time and how much time you need to put into your coursework. Your schedule is flexible as you can attend class live or watch on-demand recordings, as well as attend weekly kickoffs, topic sessions, study halls, and Q&A sessions that are not mandatory (although highly recommended). We support learners who are managing outside responsibilities; however, please keep in mind this program typically requires 30-40 hours per week of dedication to coursework.
What are the requirements to be accepted and enrolled in the program?
LEARN ABOUT THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS
Prospective learners must meet the following criteria:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- 18 years or older
- Fluent in English
- International learners are unable to enroll in a Kenzie Academy program from Southern New Hampshire University at this time. Please visit the Southern New Hampshire University international student admissions requirements page for more information.
What certificate will I earn and will I receive a degree when I graduate?
You’ll earn a Software Engineering – Backend Development Certificate. The Software Engineering program is not a degree program. There is a growing list of employers today that no longer require degrees for developers and other tech adjacent roles. By earning your certificate, you’ll save time and money by only learning the skills that are relevant to a job in the field of software engineering.
What are the upcoming start dates for the Software Engineering program?
Upcoming Start Dates:
- July 2023
Apply now to speak with an Admissions Counselor to determine the best time for you to start!