The Internet and cell phones are among the most widely utilized technologies on the planet.
There are now over 2.3 billion Internet users, while cell phone penetration is now estimated at 87 percent of the world’s population with approximately 6.2 billion mobile subscriptions.
Web and mobile applications enhance professional, educational, and personal communications, and there is high demand for specialists skilled in their development.
San Diego State University is helping prepare people to work in the lucrative, high-growth fields of mobile and Web applications development by offering an award-winning graduate-level Advanced Certificate in Web and Mobile Application Development.
About the program
Students can attend either online or on campus, and courses may be applied toward a master's degree in Computer Science with graduate advisor approval. SDSU’s Department of Computer Science is offering the program in partnership with the College of Extended Studies.
In a story titled “Seven hot tech jobs for 2012,” U-T San Diego stated:
"There should be an app for finding out which jobs will do the most hiring. But if there was one, it would show that people who develop mobile apps are at the top of the list," according to a survey by the Robert Half professional staffing firm.
According to the story, Half thinks web and mobile related jobs are among those with the most potential. Unlike the stark economic climate affecting many other fields, U.S. salary ranges are on the rise for these careers.
The job demand is so high for mobile applications developers that employers have been contacting SDSU’s faculty for references and students regarding job openings. “Employers are calling to ask about our program’s students. One was even waiting outside the classroom to offer my students jobs,” said Roger Whitney, an associate professor who teaches in the program.
“The goal here is to train professionals so that they can immediately begin working in the industry to develop web applications,” instructor Alan Riggins added.
Prashanth Govindaraj, a program student, did just that when he landed a job with top tech company Apple after completing SDSU courses. He explained that learning the programming language used by Apple gave him a competitive edge.
“The course helped me learn the language,” Govindaraj said. “Learning a new language and adapting to it always helps you get a challenging job.”
According to the current edition of the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, computer software engineers “are among the occupations projected to grow the fastest and add the most new jobs…with more than 295,000 created between 2008-18.” This translates to a 34 percent increase in computer software engineers in the next decade.
An extensive program
In the program, students study and gain experience with the languages and frameworks that are most commonly used in developing web and mobile applications, with the design of user interfaces and software systems, as well as associated topics such as networking, hosting infrastructure, and security.
They also learn the fundamental principles on which these topics are based, so that they will be prepared for the new technologies that are constantly being developed.
This program is an advanced academic certificate at the post-baccalaureate level, and admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a closely related field.
Students with an equivalent knowledge of the background materials through work or self-study may be accepted into this program at the discretion of the program director.
The certificate requires completion of at least four courses (12 units) from the list of courses below, selected with the approval of the program advisor. These courses will be offered on a regular rotation:
- *iPad/iPhone Mobile Application Development
- *Introduction to Web Application Development
- *Human Computer Interfaces
- Emerging Web and Mobile Technologies
- Programming and Scripting Languages for Web Applications
- Advanced Web Application Development
- Android Mobile Application Development
(*Course will be offered fall 2012)
Three courses will be offered each fall and spring semester, so the certificate can be completed in as little as two semesters (one year).
For more information, visit the program's website, or SDSU’s Department of Computer Science.