Whether you’re a total newbie or an experienced coder who wants to brush up on your skills, we’ve rounded up the best online courses for this in-demand programming language.
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By Nicole Bonaccorso
Learning to code can be a game-changer for your career. Java is one of the most popular programming languages out there, so it’s a great place to start, and online learning is the way to go these days.
Java is one of the most widely-used programming languages in the world. It’s the most in-demand programming language in the job market, of Indeed.com job listings.
So what is Java?
Java is an object oriented programming language used just about everywhere in the world of computing. Android apps, many financial groups, Airbnb and Uber all use Java.
Java is an excellent place to start if you’re new to programming, because it’s explicit and easy to read, its strict coding rules leave less room for mistakes, and its syntax is similar to other languages, making for a smooth transition if you’re planning to round out your education by learning other programming languages in the future.
There are plenty of online courses for beginners, as well as classes to help experienced coders learn new skills. Online courses are a great way to beef up your resume and to show future employers that you’re proactive in your skill development.
The benefits of learning web development online are virtually endless. You’ll be learning at your own pace, and you can log on to complete modules any time of the day or night. This is ideal if you’re working full time, have kids, or your schedule is already packed. Many online courses are credited by esteemed universities, and taught by leaders in the computer programming field.
How do I get the most out of a Java course?
The best way to learn new coding skills is by doing. Coding takes much more than reading and memorization. It’s something you’ll want to play around and experiment with after you learn each new skill. Prioritize using exercises as a way to get the most out of your class.
It’s also very important to pay attention when learning the fundamentals. The more advanced aspects of coding will come easier if you know the basics like the back of your hand.
Once you’re comfortable with Java, you’ll be able to look for positions as a web or application developer, a software developer, a database administrator, and so much more. Even if you’re not looking for a job in programming, knowing how to code is a huge plus on any resume.
Here are the best online courses we found for learning Java coding:
Estimated as a 5 month class • Offered by Duke University • Earn a shareable certificate upon completion
Moves quickly • Assignments are lengthy
If you’re new to Java, this fundamentals class will help you get acquainted.
Offered by Coursera, this class focuses on the fundamentals as you get started on your path towards becoming a developer. With a focus on core concepts, this class also teaches you how to think like a programmer. You’ll start building a portfolio of work to share with interviewers as you complete this course at your own pace.
This is a five-course series, and starts with the foundations of JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. By the end of the class, you’ll understand how to design algorithms and how to test and debug your programs.
The course brags that 62% of students started a new career after taking this class, and 17% received a pay increase or promotion. One reviewer on :
“It is apparent that the Duke Course team has put in enormous effort into creating this course (and other courses in the series). They are challenging and intensive despite the friendly and fun vibe that instructors always give during their video presentations. The learning experience has been very good with all the courses in this specialization.”
Course is estimated to take about four months • Five to 10 hours of work per week • Focus on concepts as well as fundamentals
Intermediate knowledge is recommended • Experience tends to depend on instructor
This may be one of the best online learning experiences out there, and its focus on community and mentorship is great.
If you have intermediate coding knowledge, but are looking to deepen your understanding of Java, this one’s for you. You’ll work on real-world projects while getting acquainted with data stores, the differences between web services, APIs, and microservices, as well as learning about Git, version control and best practices for authorization and authentication. It’s a portfolio builder for sure. The best thing about Udacity’s Java Developer Nanodegree Program is that you’ll have your very own mentor to answer your questions and to help you troubleshoot, day or night. It helps to have support at your fingertips when learning something new. Personalized feedback on projects and assignments help to get your coding skills into tip-top shape. At the end of the program, you’ll receive a certificate, or nanodegree, which may help open doors to graduates’ entry-level positions. The company’s career-coaching platform helps with that, too.
Community access and support • Learning roadmaps to guide your education • Fun and hands-on
Not incredibly challenging • No certificate • Additional learning may be desired.
This course will direct you on a map to learning basics to more detailed expertise.
Treehouse’s A-to-Z approach is a great system for online classes, especially when it comes to learning to code.
In this 133-minute course you will learn everything you need in order to build an interactive command line program in Java. It’s a fun way to learn by doing, as you’ll be coding an interactive game, as well as using the console to interact with users. By the end of the course, you’ll have written your first program in Java, putting you on the path to becoming a Java developer. Treehouse will set you on a learning path to guide you from an introduction to Java code to mastering the language. The subscription-based platform will suggest each next class for you to take, and you’ll have access to thousands of hours of courses. You’ll get on-demand, expert-led video courses as well as interactive practice sessions and access to an online community of fellow students.
80 hours of online video • 36 coding exercises • Frequently updated
Not for visual learners • Lengthy lectures. • Not much focus on concepts
Since Buchalka keeps his finger on the pulse of the language’s updates, this is a great refresher for those familiar with Java but out of practice with the most recent releases.
Instructor Tim Buchalka has worked as a software engineer for over 30 years, so who would be better to teach the intricacies of Java? This class is one of Udemy’s most popular, with more than 400,000 students currently enrolled. The intensive class spans over 356 lectures and 76 hours in total. The class focuses on the programming skills employers are seeking in job candidates. You’ll learn enough to be able to transition to core Java technologies like Android development, the Spring framework, Java EE, as well as other technologies. This class teaches proficiency in Java 8 and Java 11 and the goal is for you to pass the Oracle Java Certificate exam after completion. The class description touts that some of its students have landed programming jobs even before completing the course.
12 weeks • Free university credited classes • Focused on “good” code
Not for beginners • Only the first of a two-course sequence
This is a thorough intermediate-level course for those looking to deepen their knowledge of software development.
This free class, brought to edX by MIT, will help those already familiar with core Java perfect their code. It’s a challenging online course that will help budding developers take the next step on their way to becoming skilled software engineers. The class focuses on learning to write “good” software, meaning you’ll be challenged to write software that is safe from bugs, easy to understand, and adaptable to future changes.
edX offers a MicroMasters program, enabling students to earn credits toward a masters degree. You can also receive a certificate for your work for $49.
Reviews for this class are excellent. One reviewer on wrote:
“Excellent course for software developers. The course demonstrated real world problems using real world tools. This is one of the best courses I have taken online.”
No long-term commitment • Two month free trial • Get to know the very basics
No live q&a • May take time to find the class you need • Additional education may be desired
Skillshare is a great place to find specific tutorials, or to just start your exploration of Java.
This class starts from the very beginning, with the very basics of programming. It’s a great place to learn what coding even means, and whether it’s for you. You’ll gain an understanding of the concepts other beginner classes might assume you already know. The first few minutes of the class explains the first few terms you’ll need to know to understand any programming language. Next, you’ll learn how to safely set up Java, and then get started on some projects. Students upload their projects to the site, so you’ll get a peek at what others are coding during the class. It’ll give a bit of a sense of community, and help with brainstorming and thinking like a programmer. If you’re not quite sure of your level, and you want to test the waters before committing to a class, Skillshare might be the place for you to dip a toe in. There are classes available for beginners as well as for experts looking for specific know-how. Weed through a variety of options, and if one instructor isn’t working for you, move on to the next. Classes span from 15 minutes to over an hour.
The site will recommend courses based on your interests. • Learn on the go on your phone • Show off your skills on your LinkedIn profile by earning badges
No reliable instructor support • May take some weeding to find the best and most recent courses • Some additional education may be needed
This isn’t the place for career-changing education, but is a great way to add new skills to your resume.
Learn Java fundamentals with this 21-hour class that employs the know-how of seven experts in the field. You’ll discover solutions common to Java programming challenges and learn to build mobile, desktop, and web applications in the language. This is also a great tool for businesses looking for a Java class for their team. LinkedIn Learning offers more than 15,000 expert-led courses, and students will love that the modules and activities can be accessed anytime via computer or phone. The Java tutorials cover all the basics needed to understand core fundamentals of the language, from syntax and flows to problem-solving. You’ll be able to explore complex concepts as well to build upon the basics. One of the most helpful aspects of LinkedIn Learning is that its algorithm will suggest the best classes for you to take next.
