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  1. Academics
  2. Graduate Certificates

Back End Web Development Certificate

Learn how to build and maintain the technology that powers the administrator side of a website. Through this professional graduate certificate, you'll gain vital knowledge and skills to drive communication between technology platforms and to power the back-end of a website.

Key learning outcomes

  • Understand applications' operation with databases and learn to evolve simple, static websites into dynamic, database-driven web applications. 
  • Master the fundamentals of back-end website development, such as JavaScript, HTTP, Grails, AngularJS, Groovy, and other scripting languages.
  • Learn about vital technologies, processes, and platforms, such as object-oriented PHP, Laravel, basic server setup and management, version control with Git, dependency management, and Drupal 8. 
  • Develop understanding of the fundamentals of rapid application and plugin development, artifacts; internationalization; testing, building, and deploying; security; performance tuning, and dynamic and static typing.

Getting started

No application is required. You simply register for courses during our fall, spring, or summer registration periods. 

Earning the Certificate

To meet the requirements for the certificate, you must:

  • Complete four certificate courses for graduate credit.
  • Earn at least a B grade in each course.
  • Complete the courses within three years.

Learn more about pursuing a certificate and the process of requesting your certificate.

Certificate Courses

The professional graduate certificate in Back-end Web Development requires four courses:

  • Required course (choose one course from select group)
  • Electives (choose any three courses from select group)

Please note: 

  • This certificate assumes prior programming experience and familiarity with the content covered in CSCI 12 and CSCI 3. Students without this knowledge may wish to first pursue the Front End Web Development Certificate. 
  • Courses taken before the 2016–17 academic year do not apply toward this certificate.

Find Certificate Courses

If you’re also considering a master’s degree, select certificate courses can be counted toward a related degree field of study.

Digital Media Design Degree Program

Learn to design engaging and effective digital media, and explore the artistic and technical aspects of creating interactive systems.

Learn more about Digital Media Design Degree Program

Information Management Systems Degree Program

Learn to build information systems while gaining a deep understanding of the practical frameworks for solving complex technology problems.

Learn more about Information Management Systems Degree Program

Software Engineering Degree Program

Learn to apply systematic engineering principles to the design, construction, and maintenance of large software applications.

Learn more about Software Engineering Degree Program

Related Certificates

Web Technologies Certificate

Start or advance a career as a web developer with the web technologies certificate at Harvard Extension School.

Learn more about Web Technologies Certificate

Front End Web Development Certificate

Build skills in front-end development in this 4-course certificate

Learn more about Front End Web Development Certificate

 

Registration

Register for Jan. 2020 courses now through Jan. 6. Registration for Spring 2020 is open now through Jan 23.

Course Catalog

Have a question?

Our Enrollment Services team can answer questions about our graduate certificates.

Get Information

Certificate at a Glance

Required Courses

4

Number of courses for this certificate.

Start browsing courses

Average Cost

$11,360

Cost of completing the certificate courses, at current tuition rates.

Time Investment

1.5

Number of years, on average, it takes to complete this certificate. You may take up to three years.

Learn more about requirements

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