Answering the demand with simplicity
4 - 6 months
7538455
This Program is Perfect For
- Beginners looking to quickly gain industry-ready Java skills
- Learners aiming to master fundamentals vital for job interviews and real-world development
- Self-motivated individuals seeking flexible, credentialed learning
Program review underway
As we evolve our programs to reflect today’s technology landscape, the specialization in Java Development is under review and is not currently open for new enrollment. If you are enrolled in this specialization and are finishing up your courses, please reach out to us at extension@ucsc.edu. We will help you plan your journey.
After reviewing the current market conditions and engaging with industry, we are now offering new short programs, that are flexible paths to get the skills you need fast. During this time, our specialization programs continue to be under review and we are committed to assisting all enrolled students to finish the specialization programs. To learn more, visit our Short Programs page.
Courses are open to everyone
You are invited to enroll in individual courses to build your knowledge and develop new skills.
Meet the growing demand for Java developers
Java, one of the easiest object-oriented programming languages to learn and use, has been the dominant language for decades. No longer just a web development language, it’s now used in general-purpose programming. Developers use this platform-independent, open-source programming language for web, mobile, and server-side applications development.
The growth of Android OS, wearables, and appliances in the Internet of Everything (IoE) has contributed to the soaring popularity of Java and it's the language of choice for backend development for high-performance concurrent applications. It also has a simplicity; it doesn’t use the complicated concepts of pointers and thereby avoids the challenges of dealing with memory leaks.
The Java community
In this 8-unit Java Programming specialization, you can start as a novice and, in just four to six months of hands-on practice, master the fundamentals, and start articulating the intricacies of efficient algorithms using Java. Java is ubiquitous. Students of Java find a wide range of community support while they develop this skill. Once you’ve completed this specialization, you’ll have a competitive edge in the job market.
Courses
Program Requirements
Total 3 courses
- 3 courses
- 8 units
- End with specialization completion review.
1. Required Course(s):
CMPR.X413
$980
You may enroll in this offering at any time.
Sep. 22 - Dec. 15, Tue, 12:01am - 11:59pm
- Online Self-Paced Work online at your own pace.
CMPR.X413.(835)
Schedule
| Date | Start Time | End Time | Meeting Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue, 09-22-2026 | 12:01am | 12:02am | Online Self-Paced | ONLINE |
| Tue, 12-15-2026 | 11:58pm | 11:59pm | Online Self-Paced | ONLINE |
Online Self-Paced courses have a structured learning environment where students are allowed to complete the work at their own pace. Students may complete the coursework early or use the entire duration of the course. This course is largely self-study with instructor guidance and includes online learning modules, assignments, and/or quizzes. All course materials and assignments will be available at the beginning of the course on Canvas, our learning management system.
For this section, student access begins on September 22, but you may still enroll until October 13. All course work must be completed by 11:59 pm on December 15, 2026.
You will be granted access in Canvas to your course site and course materials approximately 24 hours prior to the published start date of the course.
Required Texts: None
Recommended Text:
Murach's Java Programming, 6th Edition, Joel Murach, Mike Murach & Associates, 2021, ISBN- 9781943872879.
|| Prerequisites:
Prerequisites / Skills Needed
Fall
Currently no classes scheduled. Would you like to be notified when a class is available?
Summer
Currently no classes scheduled. Would you like to be notified when a class is available?
2. Completion Review:
O-CE0528
$50
You may enroll in this offering at any time.
Schedule
Please enroll in the Specialization in Java Development Completion Fee only once all of the certificate requirements have been met and your final grades are posted.
Recommended course sequence
We suggest: Java Programming I, followed by Java Programmings II, and on to the more advanced Data Structures and Algorithms using Java.
Establish Candidacy
