Top Computer Science Certifications
Updated June 28, 2024
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College degrees are great for launching a tech career, but employers often seek more — especially when filling high-level vacancies or promoting internally. The tech industry changes quickly, and professionals need modern skills to remain relevant in an increasingly competitive job market. Computer science certifications offer a highly marketable way to stay current.
Certifications also provide an alternative path for self-trained tech professionals. You can often earn these credentials if you have the necessary knowledge and skills, regardless of your educational background.
This guide profiles common, widely recognized computer science certifications that may help boost your career. Use our research to identify credentials to target as you work to advance your professional prospects.
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What Are Computer Science Certifications?
Tech professionals earn computer science and IT certifications to demonstrate skills, knowledge, and areas of competency and/or expertise.
Unlike licenses, which the government may require for jobs in healthcare or education, certifications are voluntary. These credentials also differ from academic certificates — which educational institutions confer.
Professional organizations typically provide computer science certifications. To qualify for certification, applicants usually must pass an exam. The time it takes to earn a certification varies depending on the candidate's previous knowledge and whether they complete certification courses.
The tech industry prefers or requires certifications for some positions. Candidates can pursue various computer science certifications for different specializations and levels of experience.
Top Computer Science Certifications
CISCO
Cisco Systems offers popular computer science and information technology certification programs with a special focus on Cisco products. As of 2024, more than four million tech professionals have earned a Cisco certification.
CCIE Data Center Certification
The CCIE data center certification demonstrates expert-level competency in data center automation. It prepares candidates for technical leadership positions in data centers. Applicants must pass core and lab exams.
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Cost: $400 (core exam), $1,600-$1,900 (lab exam) -
Prerequisites: 5-7 years of experience with data center solutions and technologies recommended -
How to Prepare: Take practice labs similar to what appears on the exam; take the Implementing Cisco Data Center Core Technologies class -
Maintaining Certification: Recertify every three years by completing continuing education, taking exams, or a combination of these requirements -
Designed For: Tech professionals seeking leadership roles at data centers
Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE) Certification
Cisco's CCDE certification demonstrates expertise in technology and business. This credential validates advanced knowledge of the science and art of enterprise network design. Each candidate must pass a qualifying exam and an eight-hour practical exam.
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Cost: $450 (CCDE written exam), $1,600-$1,900 (lab exam) -
Prerequisites: Recommended 5-7 years of experience designing and architecting network solutions and related work -
How to Prepare: Explore the CCDE book list for recommended reading -
Maintaining Certification: Recertify every three years by earning continuing education credits, passing an exam, or a combination of both -
Designed For: Candidates seeking expert-level roles in network architecture and designs
Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) Security Certification
Cisco's CCIE Security certification validates advanced skills in building, managing, and improving advanced cybersecurity defenses for large organizations. This certification offers strong job market relevance as employers around the world continue to grapple with a cybersecurity talent shortage amid rising cybercrime.
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Cost: $400 (core exam) and $1,600 (hands-on lab exam) -
Prerequisites: 5-7 years of professional cybersecurity experience recommended; no formal prerequisites required -
How to Prepare: Enroll in Cisco U. to access self-paced online training courses, simulation tools, learning labs, and mock examinations. You can also prepare by taking classes with an authorized Cisco Learning Partner. -
Maintaining Certification: Recertify every three years by retaking and passing the core exam plus 1-3 additional core, professional concentration, or expert-level practical exams. You can also recertify by earning 40-80 continuing education credits and passing 1-2 core or professional concentration exams, depending on how many credits you earned. For exam-free recertification, you must earn 120 continuing education credits. -
Designed For: Mid-level cybersecurity and information security professionals seeking credentials that may advance their career development potential.
Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA)
CompTIA offers many vendor-neutral computer science certifications, events, training programs, and continuing education opportunities.
CompTIA A+
The CompTIA A+ certification demonstrates competencies in hardware, operating systems, software troubleshooting, and mobile devices. Companies like Intel, HP, and Dell use A+ for critical entry-level IT support roles.
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Cost: $253 per exam -
Prerequisites: None; 9-12 months of experience recommended -
How to Prepare: Virtual labs, e-learning, exam prep, and study guides -
Maintaining Certification: Complete 20 continuing education units every three years -
Designed For: Entry-level professionals inIT support jobs like help desk tech, junior systems administrator, and system support technician
CompTIA Security+
The CompTIA Security+ certification demonstrates mastery of skills necessary for IT security careers. Candidates learn about architecture and design, operations and incident response, and threats and vulnerabilities.
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Cost: $404 -
Prerequisites: Two years of experience in IT administration with a security focus and experience with CompTIA Network+ -
How to Prepare: Virtual labs, study guides, and instructor-led training -
Maintaining Certification: Complete 50 continuing education units every three years -
Designed For: Entry-level cybersecurity professionals in roles like security administrator, security engineer, or IT project manager
CompTIA Network+
The CompTIA Network+ credential indicates expertise in networking fundamentals, network operations, and network troubleshooting.
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Cost: $369 -
Prerequisites: Must hold the CompTIA A+ Certification and 9-12 months of networking experience -
How to Prepare: Study guides, instructor-led training, and virtual labs -
Maintaining Certification: Complete 30 continuing education units every three years -
Designed For: Early-career professionals in roles like network engineer, system administrator, and junior network administrator
The EC-Council
The EC-Council offers professional certifications related to information security and e-business. Many of the credentials have global recognition and received endorsements from government agencies.
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
The EC-Council's vendor-neutral CEH certification demonstrates aptitude in thinking like a hacker to identify vulnerabilities and make computer systems more secure. Candidates must pass a four-hour, 125-question CEH exam.
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Cost: $950-$1,199 -
Prerequisites: At least two years of professional experience in information security, complete an official EC-Council training or hold a CEH certification of version 1-7 -
How to Prepare: See the CEH Handbook and CEH Exam Blueprint -
Maintaining Certification: Complete 120 continuing education credits every three years -
Designed For: Information security professionals, website administrators, auditors
Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI)
The EC-Council's CHFI vendor-neutral certification prepares applicants to become computer hacking forensic investigators. Candidates must pass the four-hour, 150-question exam EC0 312-49. Participants learn to investigate security threats and prevent future cyberattacks.
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Cost: $650 -
Prerequisites: Possess at least two years of professional experience in information security and education in digital security or complete an official EC-Council training -
How to Prepare: Read the CHFI Handbook and CHFI Blueprint -
Maintaining Certification: Complete120 continuing education credits every three years -
Designed For: Systems administrators, IT managers, law enforcement, military and defense personnel
Microsoft
Microsoft offers many globally recognized computer science certifications that demonstrate technical skills using Microsoft products.
Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals
This certification demonstrates mastery of working with data in Azure, Microsoft's cloud computing platform. Candidates understand core concepts related to big data, relational and nonrelational data, and analytics. This certification is good for anyone beginning to work with Azure data services. Each applicant must pass the DP-900: Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals exam.
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Cost: $99 -
Prerequisites: Azure fundamentals training and certification (for anyone new to Azure) and familiarity with relational and nonrelational data and data workloads -
How to Prepare: Take the practice exam, study relevant self-paced content or attend an instructor-led training event, and practice with a trial subscription -
Maintaining Certification: No expiration -
Designed For: Database administrators, data engineers, developers, data analysts
Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate
This credential assesses skill in designing and preparing machine learning solutions, deploying and retraining models, and preparing models for deployment. Candidates must pass the Exam DP-100: Designing and Implementing a Data Science Solution on Azure.
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Cost: $165 -
Prerequisites: Expertise in applying machine learning and data science to Azure workloads -
How to Prepare: Take the official practice test; complete free self-paced online training or paid instructor-led courses -
Maintaining Certification: Pass the renewal assessment for this certification yearly -
Designed For: Data scientists and other computer science professionals working in data science
Microsoft 365 Certified: Fundamentals
This certification endorses advanced technical knowledge of the Microsoft 365 productivity software suite. Successful candidates can design basic but secure cloud-focused services for enterprise clients and employers.
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Cost: $99 -
Prerequisites: No specific prerequisites apply; candidates typically have a strong working knowledge of cloud computing and Microsoft 365 software -
How to Prepare: Complete the Microsoft 365 Fundamentals training course, or prepare via self-directed study -
Maintaining Certification: Fundamental certifications do not expire, but credential-holders can renew during their six-month eligibility window by passing an online assessment test -
Designed For: Beginners and entry-level tech professionals in administrator career tracks
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Amazon Web Services offers 10 certifications that attest to cloud expertise and technical skills using AWS at different experience levels.
AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional
This professional-level certification demonstrates advanced skills in implementing cloud initiatives on Amazon Web Services. Candidates learn to optimize security, automate manual processes, and develop solutions to complex problems. Candidates must pass the 180-minute AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional exam (SAP-C02).
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Cost: $300 -
Prerequisites: Minimum of two years of AWS Cloud experience recommended -
How to Prepare: Attend a paid in-person or online exam prep bootcamp; download a free exam guide and sample questions -
Maintaining Certification: Pass the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional Exam every three years -
Designed For: Requires advanced skills and knowledge
Learn More About AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional
AWS Certified Developer - Associate
This associate-level credential indicates its holder's understanding of core AWS uses, services, and basic architecture. The certification also demonstrates skills in using AWS to debug, deploy, and develop cloud-based applications. Each candidate must pass a 130-minute, 65-question exam.
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Cost: $150 -
Prerequisites: Recommended experience with AWS technology, working in a developer position and in-depth knowledge of at least one programming language, strong IT experience, or working on other cloud services -
How to Prepare: Explore the exam guide and sample questions; complete a webinar or digital training -
Maintaining Certification: Pass the associate exam every three years -
Designed For: AWS developers
AWS Certified Machine Learning - Specialty
This AWS certification demonstrates that candidates can build, train, and deploy machine learning models. The credential requires them to pass the 65-question, 180-minute specialty exam.
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Cost: $300 -
Prerequisites: At least two years of experience developing, running, and architecting AWS Cloud workloads recommended; other recommendations include experience with machine learning and deep learning and knowledge of basic machine learning algorithms -
How to Prepare: Explore digital training, the exam guide, and sample questions -
Maintaining Certification: Pass the certification every three years -
Designed For: Machine learning professionals using AWS
ISC2
This global cybersecurity-focused organization offers nine certification programs for information security professionals at all stages of their careers.
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
CISSP certification covers eight information security domains in security, software development, and risk management. The three-hour exam covers 100-150 questions, and you must earn at least 700 out of a possible 1,000 points to pass.
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Cost: $749 -
Prerequisites: Candidates must have at least five years of paid work experience in at least two of the eight domains covered by the examination to qualify. They can substitute each for a bachelor's or master's degree, and/or an additional ISC2 certification to reduce the experiential requirements by one year each. -
How to Prepare: Use one or more authoritative guides from the CISSP section of ISC2's Common Body of Knowledge Suggested References -
Maintaining Certification: Earn 120 continuing education credits every three years -
Designed For: Experienced information security professionals looking to advance their careers or deepen their technical insights in support of managerial or executive duties
Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
This advancement-oriented certification is available to established information security professionals. To obtain this certification, they must pass a four-hour, 150-question multiple choice test covering four domains spanning information security governance, risk management, security, and incident management.
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Cost: $575-$760 -
Prerequisites: You must have at least five years of professional information security management experience -
How to Prepare: Connect with exam prep materials on ISC2's CISM resource portal -
Maintaining Certification: Complete at least 120 continuing education units every three-year renewal cycle, including a minimum of 20 units per year -
Designed For: Information security engineers, managers, and stakeholders responsible for designing and maintaining enterprise security systems
Why Get a Computer Science Certification?
Earning computer science certifications can help computer science professionals improve their job prospects, expand their knowledge of the field, and pursue advancement opportunities. Although employers may not require certifications, they are very popular in the computer science field. Computer science professionals who do not hold certifications may miss out on career opportunities.
Which Computer Science Certification Should You Get?
When looking for the right computer science certification, think about your career goals and the certifications that can best help you meet them. For example, if you work in information security, consider the EC-Council's CEH credential.
Factor in cost, time commitment, and whether you meet any prerequisites. Do you have the minimum education level and/or work experience to apply? Sometimes, it makes sense to pursue multiple certifications.
Consider where the certification is valid, as well. Some certifications have worldwide recognition, while others only apply to specific areas. Most certifications require renewal every few years by completing continuing education credits.
Additional Computer Science Resources
More FAQ About Computer Science Certifications
What is the best certification to get for computer science?
It depends on both your specialization and where you are in your career. Solid entry-level options include the certified ethical hacker and Microsoft certified fundamentals programs. For established professionals, options from AWS, ISC2, and Cisco count among the most valuable in terms of boosting earning potential.
Do computer science majors need certifications?
While computer science majors can benefit from earning certifications, they are typically not an industry requirement. However, some employers and jobs require specific certifications. Look at job listings to develop a sense of the certifications companies prefer or require.
Which computer science certification is the hardest to get?
Some of the most difficult computer science certifications to earn include Cisco's certified internetwork expert certifications and the ISC2 certified information systems security professional credential.
Do computer science certifications help you get a job?
Yes — computer science certifications can help you get a job. They do not guarantee any job but can help you differentiate yourself from other applicants. Earning a certification demonstrates to potential employers that you possess the necessary skills and knowledge for the job.
Page last reviewed June 5, 2024.
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