Accelerated IBM Back-End Developer Professional Certificate
Accelerate your career in back-end developement with a program designed by IBM's industry leaders and delivered by Nexford University. Get job-ready in under 8 months, earn an IBM-recognized certification, and build the skillset and portfolio you need to break into the field.
Pre-requisites: Beginner level. No previous experience required.
Start date: Begin November 1 for just .

IBM Back-End Developer Professional Certificate
Duration
Complete an IBM back end developer certificate in as little as 8 months.
Effort
12 hours per week which fits into your schedule so you can prepare for your future at your own pace.
Format
100% online with engaging study groups and mentorship sessions so you stay inspired and on track for success.
Cost
Pay tuition monthly at a cost of , or prepay for the entire course and secure a 15% discount.
The global demand for back-end developers is surging
As industries undergo digital transformation, the role of back-end developers has never been more important. Software spending is expected to hit $4.5 trillion this year, marking a 2.4% increase, while IT services are set to reach $1.3 trillion with a 5.5% growth.
In line with this financial momentum, the employment of web developers is expected to rise by 23% by 2031. Amid these financial and employment trends, the opportunity for a fulfilling career in back-end development has never been greater.

Why choose Nexford for your Professional Certificate
Expert-Designed Curriculum
The IBM back-end developer professional certification is designed by seasoned experts at IBM and delivered with the academic rigor and attention to practical application that Nexford is renowned for.
Unparalleled Mentorship
At Nexford, you're never alone in your learning journey. You'll receive continuous guidance, insights, and support from our experienced mentors who make sure you grasp even the most complex data science concepts with clarity.
Success-Oriented Approach
Our dedicated success advisors are there every step of the way, offering guidance, resources, and strategies to ensure you reach your career and learning objectives efficiently.
Local Currency
We understand the varied economic landscapes our students come from. That's why Nexford allows payment in your local currency, easing the financial journey for our diverse global learners.
Location-Free Career
Our Accelerated IBM Back-End Developer Professional Certificate prepares you to thrive in back end development roles, whether local or remote, ensuring you're competitive in job markets irrespective of your geographical location.
You will learn
Practical Skills
Learn the latest practical skills and knowledge that are integral to a back-end developer's daily responsibilities.
Application Deployment and Scaling
Understand the art of deploying and scaling applications through methodologies and tools like Docker, Kubernetes, microservices, and serverless functions.
Back-End Development Languages and Tools
Write strong back-end applications using object-oriented programming languages such as server-side Python, while leveraging version control and package managers.
CI/CD and Software Automation
Adopt continuous integration and continuous development (CI/CD) methodologies, along with monitoring techniques to automate the software development life-cycle.
IBM Back-End Developer Professional Certificate: Courses
Explore the ins and outs of SDLC, Agile, Scrum, and design principles, and unlock the secrets to developing great software.
This course provides a practical introduction to Linux and commonly used Linux / UNIX shell commands. It teaches you the basics of Bash shell scripting to automate various tasks. You will learn how to interact with the Linux Terminal, execute commands, navigate directories, edit files, and install and update software.
Collaboration and social coding are crucial parts of contemporary software engineering and DevOps practices, and collaborative version control is a critical enabling factor for these practices. This course will cover key Git concepts, including repositories, branching, forking, cloning, and merging.
Python is one of the most popular languages in the programming and data science world and demand for individuals who have the ability to apply Python has never been higher. This introduction to Python course will take you from zero to programming in Python in a matter of hours — no prior programming experience necessary.
Apply basic Python skills for developing Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled applications. In this hands-on project you will assume the role of a developer and demonstrate your foundational Python skills by employing different techniques to develop web applications and AI powered solutions.
In this course, you will learn foundational database concepts and the basics of SQL, a powerful programming language for managing data. Additionally, you will explore how Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) enables you to use Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) languages like Python to work with databases. You will acquire full-stack Django skills by creating a Django web app to persist, process, and present data, as well as hands-on experience deploying your Django web app on the cloud.
Microservices and serverless are crucial for cloud-native and application modernization. Microservices break down large applications into smaller, independent parts that are easier to maintain and scale. This architecture is used by the biggest software organizations worldwide, providing cost benefits, team autonomy, and other advantages. Serverless has also become a popular option, allowing developers and operators to run applications without managing underlying infrastructure.
This course will teach you how to identify vulnerabilities in your applications and systems, implement secure code practices to prevent data breaches and leaks, and utilize monitoring and observability to maintain system security.
This capstone project course will give you the chance to practice the work that back-end developers do in real life when working with applications. In this course, you will assume the role of a real-life developer working to develop and deploy back-end microservices and applications.
Gain skills to strategically search for a job that aligns with your career goals. This proctored course introduces the knowledge and techniques to prepare, plan, and execute a modern job search in a global market. Learn how to develop a personal brand; prepare an effective resume or CV, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile; build a strong professional network; and successfully interview for roles that can help you launch your future career.
In-Demand Career Options in Back-End Development
Back-End Developer
Website Developer
Software Engineer
IBM Back-End Developer Professional Certificate FAQ
What does a back-end developer do?
Back-End Developers are the magic behind the scenes of a website. They build and maintain the technology that enables the user-facing side of the website to exist. While the user doesn’t see the back-end or interact with it, the back-end is always running in the background, delivering functionality and a desktop-like web experience. If you like fixing things, thinking logically or solving complex problems, this is a great career path for you.
Why start a career in back-end development?
Back-end developers play a critical role in web development teams and are needed in nearly every industry, every business and for every function. They help build, design and develop technology. The demand for this skillset has grown immensely over the last year and will continue to rise as new technologies emerge.
What resources will be available to help me with my job search?
Nexford is committed to helping learners launch their careers. The Nexford Career Strategies for Success course and access to Nexford Career Services will be available to all people who complete the certificate. Completion of this certificate program also provides you with special access to join the IBM Talent Network, which provides you with notifications of job opportunities as soon as they are posted, as well as the tools, tips, and tricks for landing a job with IBM and other companies.
What background knowledge is necessary?
None. Whether you are a beginner or a professional in a relevant field, we are committed to assisting you in achieving success. Basic internet navigation skills and a desire to begin coding are required, but prior web development experience is not necessary.