Back-end Developer: Java

Here at OpenClassrooms, we pinpoint the key skills needed for the most in-demand jobs and develop courses and diplomas to train our students in those areas. That’s why we've developed this one-year bachelor's-level diploma in web development, which you can complete entirely online with the help of a dedicated mentor. 

What will I do as a Java developer?

A Java developer is a back-end developer who specializes in using the Java programming language to build applications. As Java is an essential part of many types of applications, Java developers are highly sought after in a wide variety of sectors. 

A Java developer may be in charge of: 

• developing and improving an application software 
• designing technical architecture 
• implementing software tests and debugging code
• producing the design schema of a database
• writing technical and functional documentation 
• analyzing customer needs
• selecting and advocating for suitable technical solutions
• keeping up with changes in technologies

How much will I earn?

Back-end web development can be a lucrative career with many prospects opening up as you continue to rack up valuable experience. Here is what you might expect to earn in your career as a Java developer:

United States

Beginner: $50,000 - $80,000

2-5 years: $70,000 - $90,000

5+ years: $100,000 +

United Kingdom

Beginner: £30,000 - £40,000 

2-5 years: £40,000 - £50,000

5+ years: £50,000 + 

What are my job prospects?

This path can prepare you for the following jobs:

• Java developer
• Back-end developer

Java is also one of the languages used to program mobile Android applications.

After a few years of experience, a developer can advance to a position of lead developer, software designer / architect, or technical director / tech lead.

Who is eligible to enroll?

To be eligible to earn this path's diploma, candidates must demonstrate proof of one of the following prerequisites:

• an associate's degree, or equivalent, in computer science, web development, or software development
• or a high school/secondary school degree, vocational certificate, or equivalent, and at least 2 years of professional experience in IT, web development, or software development

All other candidates will need to go through a specific admissions process. These candidates must have:

• an associate's degree, or equivalent, in any subject and at least 1 year of professional experience in any field
• or a high school/secondary school degree, vocational certificate, or equivalent in any subject and 3 years of professional experience in any field
• and a completed placement test consisting of:
  • OpenClassrooms course completion certificates from Build Your First Web Pages With HTML and CSS, Think like a computer: the logic of programming, and Manage Your Code Project With Git & Github
  • a personal programming project, accompanied by a 10-minute recorded video that explains the project itself and the code behind it

• Language: You will need to provide a certificate not older than 2 years to demonstrate a minimum level of English B2.

  Certificates accepted:

  • English Diploma from a secondary institution (private or public) or an accredited higher learning institution
  • Linguaskill minimum score: 160
  • BULATS minimum score: 60
  • TOEIC minimum score: 785
  • IELTS minimum score: 6.5
  • TOEFL iBT minimum score: 88
  • Cambridge FCE / CAE / BEC HIGHER / BEC VANTAGE minimum score or grade: B or 160
  • Certificate from a language center demonstrating a minimum level of B2 (including the number of training hours completed and the company signature or stamp)

  Don’t have one of these certificates? Find out where to take an exam.

• Equipment: Candidates must also have access to a computer (PC or Mac), headphones, a microphone, a webcam, and a good internet connection for mentoring sessions (3.2 Mbps upload and 1.8 Mbps for download). In addition, to master the skills on this path, you will need to:
  • Have at least 8 GB of RAM (16 GB is more comfortable) and 100 GB of storage space available on your computer.
  • Have administrator rights to your computer in order to install required programs.

What will I learn how to do?

In this path, you'll learn how to:

• Jump start your studies by defining a personal learning strategy.
• Program with the Java programming language.
• Use programming tools like an IDE, Git & GitHub and frameworks like Spring Boot.
• Ensure the basic security of a web application.
• Interpret user requirements and propose a technical solution.
• Use domain driven design to create UML diagrams.
• Design database schemas and connect to a database. 
• Test your applications using test driven development.
• Practice agile web development. 

How will I learn at OpenClassrooms?

Our learning method is unique and revolves around two elements: professional projects and dedicated mentoring sessions.

Projects
At OpenClassrooms, learning is project-driven because that’s the fastest way to become proficient. Projects offer hands-on experience so you can hit the ground running when you start your new job.  

Want to see an example of a project? Read our blog post here.

Mentorship
During your path, you will be assigned a mentor who will offer one-to-one support via weekly video conference sessions. This mentor will offer guidance on your projects, help define objectives and guide you until you reach them. Our mentors are dedicated professionals who are experts in their field and have experience in sharing their know-how with our students.

At the end of this training, you will be delivered the Java Back-end Developer OpenClassrooms certification.