Throughout, I’ve strived to explain deep and complex topics to the broadest possible audience and, I hope, share some of the thrill and fascination I find in this field every day. Others contain multiple modules and are designed to take several weeks or months. If you can explain to your employer how the course material is related to your job and will benefit the company, they may be willing to pay for it as a professional development expense. On the other hand, if you’re just starting out in the industry, you may be expected to acquire appropriate training yourself before being hired. Expect to pay more if you’re taking a course provided by a major college or university, or if you’ll get a professional credential when the course is finished.

Nurture your inner tech pro with personalized guidance from not one, but two industry experts. Online certifications in IT might provide you an edge in the crowded IT employment market. It’s critical to find the top certifications to guarantee that they adhere to industry standards and provide the most thorough IT training accessible. You’ll be job-ready in 6 months thanks to systematic learning and guidance from qualified educators.

The Best IT Certifications: The 2024 Guide

If you don’t want a specific Python course, this one will start you with the basics, including syntax, functions, data types, and libraries. Then, you will can use pandas to manipulate data, and matplotlib to produce graphs and plots. This course comprises the DataCamp Python Programmer and Data Analyst tracks. Naturally, this certification requires relevant previous experience—at least five to seven years, to be exact. But even for mid-level professionals, becoming CCIE certified is a surefire way to propel your career forward. Created in 2021, the Google Cloud Digital Leader is a foundational-level certification that demonstrates an in-depth knowledge of the Google Cloud Platform.

For IT certification programs that are exclusively online, check out our list of the best 12. Microsoft recommends exam-takers have some experience in Azure administration, as well as DevOps, networking, and data security. This certification verifies that an individual has the knowledge, experience, and capability to develop and manage information security programs. Professionals holding the CISM Certification have demonstrated their ability to function as trusted advisors on security strategies, making them highly valuable for any organization.

Here’s what learners are saying regarding our programs:

If you’re an aspiring network engineer with your eyes set on CCNA status, this is a fantastic entry point as it’s one of three Cisco courses on the CCNA track. You’ll study network architecture, models, protocols, IP addressing, network security, router/switch configuration, and even build simple LANs (local area networks). That all adds up to more than 16 hours of content on web development, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript frameworks. Having this credential will see you establish yourself as a reliable source in data privacy solutions engineering. You’ll be able to demonstrate their expertise in understanding industry standards, best practices, and compliance requirements for protecting sensitive information.

This course contains 1.5 hours of content broken down into 32 lectures, making this the shortest course on our list. You’ll get an overview of jobs in the IT industry, including UX designers, system administrators, and project managers. Then, you’ll cover cloud and IoT technology, programming languages, and development methodologies.

Professional Certificates from tech industry leaders

Professionals in the field of artificial intelligence and machine learning need to be excellent coders, have a deep understanding of statistics, and be able to articulate their ideas clearly to colleagues and clients. Securing a certification in your area of expertise can give you a competitive edge during job applications, making you more noticeable in a crowded marketplace. For example, certifications like those from Simplilearn, including practical lab exercises and real-world project experience, are tangible evidence of your readiness for specific tasks or roles.

• All you need to get started is access to a computer for programming and a willingness to learn.
• The career path for a software developer typically involves starting out as a junior developer or intern, and then progressing to become a senior developer, team leader, project manager, or software architect.
• The complete IT Fundamentals for Business Professionals program includes five courses in all and is designed to prepare you for the CLEP ISCA exam.
• You’ll also work with a mentor, tutor, and career change specialist who’ll keep you on track on the road to landing your first data role; the program comes with a job guarantee, after all.
• The demand for experienced cybersecurity specialists is expanding as digital technology becomes more pervasive in our daily lives.

Moreover, you will gain experience using various technologies such as Binary Code, Linux systems, DNS networks, and command line interfaces. All these abilities are key components needed to begin a career in the IT field. When evaluating online IT certifications, it’s important to consider the quality of content, long-term access and support, overall brand reputation, and cost-effectiveness to learners. In addition, evaluating the content quality helps ensure its accuracy compared to industry standards. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that computer and information technology jobs are expected to grow faster than average for all occupations from 2022 to 2032 [4]. The average entry-level salary in the US for IT professionals is $48,739, according to Glassdoor, as of September 2023 [3].

Cybersecurity for Everyone

Our annual industry analysis includes tech trends and an information technology industry overview. Yes, several of the courses on this list are free, and only cost money if you want to get a formal certificate upon completion. This course is best for IT professionals who want to take the CLEP ISCA exam and pursue more advanced opportunities in the IT industry. This course is perfect for learners who want to take the CLEP Information Systems and Computer Applications exam and work in the IT industry. Whether you’re a recent graduate or looking to enter a new field in the world of IT, it can be hard to know which beginner IT course is the best way to go. An IT certification is a great way to show employers you’re qualified, credible, and ready to make an impact.

A Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) is catered to professionals with a wealth of knowledge and technical expertise in networking. In short, the CCNP allows you to design and implement complex local and wide area networks, as well as troubleshoot technical issues. This career-change IT online certification is perfect for those who prefer autonomous, self-paced learning—but also like to be kept on track with structured modules. You’ll also work with a mentor, tutor, and career change specialist who’ll keep you on track on the road to landing your first data role; the program comes with a job guarantee, after all. Are you looking for a way to supercharge your career and stand out in the IT job market?

In summary, here are 10 of our most popular it courses

The Certified Data Professional (CDP) is a widely respected credential in the data world. Being CDP qualified showcases a mastery of the core concepts of modern data management, and a working knowledge of the latest data technologies and trends. The term ‘ethical hacker’ might seem like a contradiction, but ethical hackers play a crucial role in cybersecurity. They find and exploit vulnerabilities in computer systems, so the organization can address them (and avoid non-ethical hackers attacking).

Jaye Hannah is a freelance content writer and strategist, based between London and Lisbon. She’s worked in EdTech for over five years, inspiring career changers on their journey into tech. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her whipping partnership with Gyfted up new recipes in the kitchen. There you have it, our complete guide to the best IT online certifications in 2024. You’ll get an in-depth understanding of essential functions like social media management and web analytics.

Salesforce Certified Development Lifecycle and Deployment Designer certification

As more companies move their marketing efforts online, there is a high demand for digital marketers, and that demand is only going to grow. Individuals who are interested in a career in Cyber Security, and who have a background in IT, computer science, or related fields are ideal candidates for this certification course. Additionally, professionals who are already working in the IT industry and wish to transition into Cyber Security can benefit from this certification as well. Professionals who want to work with data, analyze business performance, and make decisions based on data should take the Business Intelligence certification course.