Top courses for full stack developers
Being a full-stack developer means you cover a wide range of languages and skills, including both back-end and front-end development. No longer do companies need teams of both. Instead, full-stack developers are there to do the job of many.
But web development isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it job. You’ll need to continually work and improve your skills, and take advantage of available resources for developers. Whether you’re on track to becoming a full stack developer or you’re already one, here are the best courses for full-stack developers.
Best for beginners
The Complete 2021 Web Development Bootcamp
Dr. Angela Yu created this bootcamp for beginners on Udemy. This is an all-encompassing course, covering languages from front-end and back-end development.
Pros
- Almost 55 hours of on-demand video. This gives you the chance to learn at your own pace.
- Nearly 400,000 class graduates. The course boasts a 4.7/5 user rating among hundreds of thousands of course-takers.
- Learn everything it takes to become a full-stack developer. Including working as a freelance developer, setting your freelance rates and building your own portfolio.
Cons
- There’s a cost. If you don’t catch the course on sale, the regular price is $130. This might be a little too steep for students just starting out as full-stack developers. If the price is too much for you, try to get it when it’s on sale or find one that’s more in line with your budget.
- Extremely comprehensive. Aside from 50+ hours of on-demand video, there are also more than 100 articles and downloadable resources. This might be overwhelming for developers who are just starting out.
Other full-stack development courses at Udemy.
Become a Full-Stack Web Developer
This LinkedIn Learning course is a must for to-be full-stack developers. You’ll learn front-end and back-end development and get to practice your new skills in 42 hours worth of course material.
Pros
- Easily accessible. If you already have a LinkedIn account, you don’t need to sign up for another site. Your LinkedIn profile is your login.
- Essential language training. Even though a working knowledge of programming languages is helpful, it isn’t required. You’ll get to know HTML, CSS, and JavaScript through essential training courses.
- Offline access. This course has an option to download onto your phone and watch offline.
- Free 30-day trial. Once you sign up, you have free access to all the coursework for 30 days. After that, you’ll need to pay $30 a month to continue (or make an annual payment that comes out to $20 a month). The price gives you full access to LinkedIn Premium and unlimited library access—not just this course. So you get way more than what you signed up for.
Cons
- Some older material. Many courses update the material as new languages, skills, and programs arise. But this course has material almost three years old. This should be fine, but other courses may have newer course material.
More full-stack web development courses from LinkedIn Learning.
Best for mid-level developers
Full Stack Web Developer
This Udacity Nanodegree program gives students a chance to learn what industry leaders are looking for in potential employees. This course is best for established full-stack developers.
Pros
- Project-based learning. You’ll need to complete a project at the end of every module, giving you the chance to apply what you’ve learned by putting your work into practice.
- Extra perks. Along with a full course load, you’ll have access to mentor support, resume and LinkedIn optimization, and a student community.
- Flexible pace. You’ll get a custom learning program to fit your schedule, but there is an expectation that you’ll spend five to ten hours per week on this course.
Cons
- Prerequisites required for this course. You’ll need to have beginner-level experience in Python, using Git, and HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
- Hefty price point. The full cost of this course is $1,356. If you have an employer who can invest in your continuing education, this is great. But if you have to pay out-of-pocket, the high price could be a dealbreaker.
Full-Stack Web Development with React Specialization
This course on Coursera comes from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, one of Asia’s top 10 universities. You don’t have to enroll in the university to take advantage of their teachings.
Pros
- Get a free week of access. You can get full access to the course in a 7-day free trial. After that, there’s a fee. If you can’t afford it, you can apply for financial aid.
- Shareable certificate. Once you complete the course, you’ll get a certificate of completion. This isn’t university credit but does allow you to show that you completed full-stack development coursework.
- Self-paced option. There’s a chance to enroll with thousands of other students at once, but you’re not required to follow their timeline. You can complete as much or as little as you want when you can.
Cons
- Expected completion takes four months. If you follow the standard pacing of completing one module per week, it’ll take you 16 weeks to complete.
- Some development knowledge is required. Before you get started, you should have a good working knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
More full-stack web development courses from Coursera.
Best for long-time full-stack developers
The Advanced Web Developer Bootcamp
If you’re already a full-stack developer, this Udemy course will refine and update your skills with the newest and latest technology available.
Pros
- Next-level material. If you’re already well-versed in traditional programming languages, this is your course. You’ll learn how to build dynamic visualizations and become well-versed in experimental JavaScript additions.
- Full lifetime access. Even after you’ve gone through the course, you’ll always have access to it once you buy. This is great as new material gets implemented.
Cons
- A little pricey. If you don’t get this course on sale, you could pay $140 for it.
- Many instructors. If you’re used to one teacher, you may have trouble following a few different instructors.
