Computer Programming
UCSC Silicon Valley Extension · Santa Clara, CA
- Cost
- $6,320
- Length
- 36 weeks
- Working 6 months later
- 41%
Program names, program descriptions and occupation titles appear here in English, because that is the only language the federal and state records publish them in. Everything else on this page is translated.
What happened to people who took this
- People enrolled
- 156
- Finished the program
- 93%Based on 56 peopleTypical California program: 85% of 1,951 reportingThat median pools every California program that reported this measure, whatever its length, credential, or field, and leaves out the ones that reported nothing. It is a reference point, not a rating of this program.
- Working 6 months later
- 41%Typical California program: 69% of 1,690 reportingThat median pools every California program that reported this measure, whatever its length, credential, or field, and leaves out the ones that reported nothing. It is a reference point, not a rating of this program.
- Earnings in one quarter after
- Not reported
The jobs this trains for
This describes the jobs people do, not the classes this program teaches. It comes from the U.S. Department of Labor, which asks people already doing the work. The Department publishes it in English only, so the job names and the sentences below stay in English on this page.
Shrinking -3.8%
California projects this job will shrink over the next ten years. Fewer openings may mean a harder search.
Trains for more than one job. The outlook shown is the weakest of them.
Where California publishes a separate figure for San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara MSA (San Benito and Santa Clara Counties), it appears beneath the statewide one. Statewide stays the headline: people who train here do not necessarily work here.
Computer and Information Systems Managers
Job ads may call this: Data Processing Manager · Technical Services Manager · Computing Services Director · Application Development Director
Some of what people in this job do. The Department rates how important each one is, and they appear in that order.
- Manage backup, security and user help systems.
- Direct daily operations of department, analyzing workflow, establishing priorities, developing standards and setting deadlines.
- Meet with department heads, managers, supervisors, vendors, and others, to solicit cooperation and resolve problems.
- Review project plans to plan and coordinate project activity.
- Typical pay in California
- $221,952per yearSan Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara MSA: Not reported
- Projected openings
- 82,270San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara MSA: 16,630
- Projected change
- +16.5%
- Usually needs
- Bachelor's degree
Getting in
- Experience needed first
- 5 years or more in a related job
- Training after you are hired
- None
Most people hired for this job have already spent 5 years or more in a related one. Finishing this program may not be enough on its own. Ask the provider who hires their graduates, and what those people did before.
These are the federal government's answers for the occupation, not rules this provider sets. California publishes the same two answers for every one of these jobs.
What people in this job actually studied
Most common: Four-year degree — 46% of the people doing this work.
California says this job usually needs: Bachelor's degree. 26% of the people doing it went less far than that.
- No high school diploma
- 0.6%
- High school diploma
- 4%
- Started college, no degree
- 13%
- Two-year degree
- 8%
- Four-year degree
- 46%
- Master's degree
- 25%
- Doctorate or professional degree
- 3%
This counts people already doing this job, across the whole United States. Every other figure on this page is California's, and the federal government publishes no state version of this one. It is what people happen to have, not a rule about who gets hired. A small row does not mean you would be turned away, and a large one is not a promise of a job.
Computer Programmers
Pay, hiring, and what people studied
Job ads may call this: Programmer · Java Developer · Web Programmer · Analyst Programmer
- Write, analyze, review, and rewrite programs, using workflow chart and diagram, and applying knowledge of computer capabilities, subject matter, and symbolic logic.
- Correct errors by making appropriate changes and rechecking the program to ensure that the desired results are produced.
- Perform or direct revision, repair, or expansion of existing programs to increase operating efficiency or adapt to new requirements.
- Write, update, and maintain computer programs or software packages to handle specific jobs such as tracking inventory, storing or retrieving data, or controlling other equipment.
- Consult with managerial, engineering, and technical personnel to clarify program intent, identify problems, and suggest changes.
- Typical pay in California
- $120,028per yearSan Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara MSA: $163,578
- Projected openings
- 6,210San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara MSA: 830
- Projected change
- -3.8%
- Usually needs
- Bachelor's degree
Getting in
- Experience needed first
- None
- Training after you are hired
- None
No earlier job experience is expected, and new hires are not put through a long training period. For work like this, a program is usually the way in.
What people in this job actually studied
Most common: Four-year degree — 48% of the people doing this work.
California says this job usually needs: Bachelor's degree. 29% of the people doing it went less far than that.
- No high school diploma
- 1%
- High school diploma
- 6%
- Started college, no degree
- 13%
- Two-year degree
- 9%
- Four-year degree
- 48%
- Master's degree
- 21%
- Doctorate or professional degree
- 3%
Software Developers
Pay, hiring, and what people studied
Job ads may call this: Developer · Systems Engineer · Software Engineer · Software Architect
- Monitor functioning of equipment to ensure system operates in conformance with specifications.
- Analyze user needs and software requirements to determine feasibility of design within time and cost constraints.
- Develop or direct software system testing or validation procedures, programming, or documentation.
- Confer with systems analysts, engineers, programmers and others to design systems and to obtain information on project limitations and capabilities, performance requirements and interfaces.
Show 3 more things this job involves
- Coordinate installation of software system.
- Modify existing software to correct errors, adapt it to new hardware, or upgrade interfaces and improve performance.
- Prepare reports or correspondence concerning project specifications, activities, or status.
- Typical pay in California
- $179,292per yearSan Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara MSA: $213,930
- Projected openings
- 207,260San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara MSA: 63,580
- Projected change
- +18.4%
- Usually needs
- Bachelor's degree
Getting in
- Experience needed first
- None
- Training after you are hired
- None
No earlier job experience is expected, and new hires are not put through a long training period. For work like this, a program is usually the way in.
What people in this job actually studied
Most common: Four-year degree — 52% of the people doing this work.
California says this job usually needs: Bachelor's degree. 14% of the people doing it went less far than that.
- No high school diploma
- 0.5%
- High school diploma
- 2%
- Started college, no degree
- 7%
- Two-year degree
- 4%
- Four-year degree
- 52%
- Master's degree
- 30%
- Doctorate or professional degree
- 4%
Program details
This is a hybrid or blended program providing both in-person and online instruction.
Software applications are deployed in nearly every facet of modern life. The result is a growing demand for technical professionals who can create, code, maintain and enhance software applications. UCSC Extensions certificate in Computer Programming can help you build a strong foundation in software development and apply coding skills across a wide range of platforms, from computers and mobile devices, to Web development and the cloud. The certificate covers all major programming languages used in the industry. Each language has its application environment. We offer two levels of courses to suit students with different backgrounds and needs. Many courses use open-source tools in a lab environment to give students hands-on programming experience. This is among the longest running and successful programs at UCSC Extension.
Someone else may be able to pay for this
This program was on California's Eligible Training Provider List when the state last reported it to the U.S. Department of Labor (2026-08-04). Programs on that list can be paid for through an Individual Training Account. Listings are renewed periodically and can lapse, so a program listed when the state last reported may not be listed today. Ask before you rely on it.
The place to ask is an America's Job Center of California
A comprehensive center is where all the required partner programs can be reached; an affiliate site offers some of them. California's Employment Development Department directs people to CareerOneStop's finder to locate one. Contacting a center before traveling is worth it — the state notes that its own staff are not physically present at every location.
The rule: 20 CFR 678.305 — What is a comprehensive one-stop center? · 20 CFR 678.310 — What is an affiliated site? · California EDD — Office Locator
North San Jose America`s Job Center of CaliforniaAffiliate site
Phone: 408-216-6200
1901 Zanker RoadSan Jose, CA 95112about 2.8 miles away
Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm
Has a veterans' representative
NOVAworksComprehensive center
Phone: 408-730-7232
456 W. Olive AvenueSunnyvale City HallSunnyvale, CA 94086about 4.5 miles away
Hours: Mon - Fri 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
San Jose Job CenterComprehensive center
Phone: 408-794-1101
1608 Las Plumas AvenueWork2Future-Silicon Workforce Development BoardSan Jose, CA 95133about 5.5 miles away
Hours: Monday - Friday 8a-5p
Distances are straight-line, so the drive is longer. Call before you travel: opening hours here are as the federal directory published them, and the state notes its own staff are not present at every location.
Find a center anywhere in California, and check what is on the list today:
CareerOneStop — American Job Center Finder (U.S. DOL) · California EDD — Office Locator · California EDD — Eligible Training Provider List
How this gets paid for, and what to ask →
Whether a person can have a program paid for is decided by their local workforce development board and the America's Job Center staff who interview them — not by this site, and not by the training provider. California has 45 local workforce development areas and each sets its own policies, so the answer can differ between two people in neighboring counties. Nothing here is a promise of funding or a determination of eligibility.
The rules cited here, and the state and federal sites linked to, are published in English.
How this site gets its figures, and what they do not tell you →