Best Senior Software Engineer certifications

Senior software engineer certifications allow job seekers to demonstrate their competency as an senior software engineer to employers. However, not all senior software engineer certifications provide the same value for job seekers.

The best certifications for a senior software engineer are Certified Scrum Master (CSM), Software Engineering Master Certification (SEMC), and Project Management Professional (PMP).

Below is a list of the best senior software engineer certifications. Obtaining an senior software engineer certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.

Senior Software Engineer Jobs

20 best senior software engineer certifications

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1. Certified Scrum Master (CSM)

A Certified ScrumMaster helps project teams properly use Scrum, increasing the likelihood of the project's overall success. CSMs understand Scrum values, practices, and applications and provide a level of knowledge and expertise above and beyond that of typical project managers. CSMs act as "servant leaders," helping the rest of the Scrum team work together and learn the Scrum framework.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? 
Certifying Website
Certified Scrum Master
Certifying Organization
Scrum Alliance
Course That Help You To Prepare For Certification
Certified Scrum Master Exam Prep: Scrum Practice Tests
udemy
4.4
(74)
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2. Software Engineering Master Certification (SEMC)

This professional competency certification requires successful completion of Certificates of Proficiency in twelve key knowledge areas: Software Engineering Requirements, Software Engineering Design, Software Engineering Construction, Software Engineering Testing, Software Engineering Maintenance, Software Engineering Configuration Management, Software Engineering Quality, Software Engineering Processes, Software Engineering Models & Methods, Software Engineering Management, Software Engineering Project Management, Software Engineering Economics and the successful completion of two advanced applied modules.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 3 year(s)
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3. Project Management Professional (PMP)

The PMP designation following your name tells current and potential employers that you have demonstrated a solid foundation of knowledge from which you can competently practice project management.To be eligible for a PMP Credential, you must first meet specific educational and project management experience requirements and agree to adhere to a code of professional conduct. The final step to becoming a PMP is passing a rigorous multiple-choice examination designed to objectively assess and measure your ability to apply project management knowledge in the following six domains: initiating the project, planning the project, executing the project, monitoring and controlling the project, closing the project, and professional and social responsibility. This computer-based examination is administered globally with translation aids in 10 languages.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 3 year(s)
Course That Help You To Prepare For Certification
Project Management Certification Training + 2 Practice Exams
udemy
4
(144)
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4. Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD)

Microsoft Certified Solution Developers (MCSDs) can actively design and develop leading-edge business solutions with the latest development tools, technologies, platforms, and architectures.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? No
Certifying Organization
Global Knowledge
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5. Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: .NET Framework 3.5, Windows Workflow Fnd Applications (MCTS)

Candidates work on a team in a medium-sized or large development environment that uses Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003 Enterprise Developer, Microsoft Visual Studio 2005, or Microsoft Visual Studio 2008. Candidates should have at least two to three years of experience developing Web-based, Windows-based, or distributed applications by using the Microsoft .NET Framework 1.0, the .NET Framework 1.1, the .NET Framework 2.0, or the .NET Framework 3.5. Candidates should have a working knowledge of Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 or Visual Studio 2008.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? 
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6. Certified Information Systems Security Professional - Architecture (CISSP)

CISSP-ISSAP requires a candidate to demonstrate 2 years of professional experience in the area of architecture and is an appropriate credential for Chief Security Architects and Analysts who may typically work as independent consultants or in similar capacities. The architect plays a key role within the information security department with responsibilities that functionally fit between the C-suite and upper managerial level and the implementation of the security program. The candidate would generally develop, design, or analyze the overall security plan. Although this role may typically be tied closely to technology, it may be fundamentally closer to the consultative and analytical process of information security.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 3 year(s)
Course That Help You To Prepare For Certification
Certified Information Systems Security Officer (CISSO)
udemy
4.5
(656)
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7. The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF)

The TOGAF® standard, a standard of The Open Group, is the open Enterprise Architecture standard used by the world's leading organizations to improve business efficiency. The Open Group TOGAF Certification Program, with over 75,000 certifications, enables Enterprise Architects and trainers around the globe to demonstrate their proven knowledge of the framework. The TOGAF 9 Certified qualification is achieved through passing two exams, following a course of self-study or attendance at an Accredited Training Course. There is also an entry level qualification, TOGAF 9 Foundation, which is achieved by passing just the first exam.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? No
  • Renewal Required? Every 2 year(s)
Certifying Organization
The Open Group
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8. ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL)

The Foundation Level qualification is aimed at anyone linvolved in software testing. The Foundation level qualification is also appropriated for anyone who wants a basic understanding of software testing, such as project managers, quality managers, software development managers, business analysts, IT directors and management consultants.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? 
Course That Help You To Prepare For Certification
ISTQB CTFL 2018 Practice Tests
udemy
4.3
(123)
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9. Certified Chemical Engineer (CCE)

The purpose of the certification program is to recognize chemists and chemical engineers who have a certain basic level of education and/or experience and who have participated in professional career development and continuing education during the immediate past one to three years.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 3 year(s)
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10. Object-Oriented Software Engineering Certified Professional

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? No
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11. Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP)

The IEEE Computer Society is proud to offer professional certification for software development professionals. The program is intended for experienced software development and software engineering professionals.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 3 year(s)
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12. Programming in HTML5 with JavaScript and CSS3

Candidates for this exam should have one or more years of experience programming the essential business/application logic for a variety of application types and hardware/software platforms using JavaScript. Candidates should also have a minimum of one to two years of experience developing with HTML in an object-oriented, event-driven programming model.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? 
Certifying Organization
Microsoft Corporation
Course That Help You To Prepare For Certification
HTML5, CSS3 And JavaScript Fundamentals 2016
udemy
3.4
(132)
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13. Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA)

Demonstrate your ability to design, implement, and manage the administration of Microsoft SQL Server 2000 databases successfully. The Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) credential shows customers and employers you can effectively lead their database administration programs, and provides you with the option to upgrade your credential to support Microsoft SQL Server 2005 as business needs dictate.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? No
Certifying Organization
Microsoft Corporation
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14. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

The Certified Information Security Manager® (CISM®) certification program is developed specifically for experienced information security managers and those who have information security management responsibilities. The CISM certification is for the individual who manages, designs, oversees and/or assesses an enterprise's information security (IS). The CISM certification promotes international practices and provides executive management with assurance that those earning the designation have the required experience and knowledge to provide effective security management and consulting services. Individuals earning the CISM certification become part of an elite peer network, attaining a one-of-a-kind credential. The CISM job practice also defines a global job description for the information security manager and a method to measure existing staff or compare prospective new hires.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 1 year(s)
Certifying Organization
Information Systems Audit and...
Course That Help You To Prepare For Certification
Certified Information Systems Security Officer (CISSO)
udemy
4.5
(656)
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15. Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

The CISA designation is a globally recognized certification for IS audit control, assurance and security professionals. Being CISA-certified showcases your audit experience, skills and knowledge, and demonstrates you are capable to manage vulnerabilities, ensure compliance and institute controls within the enterprise.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 1 year(s)
Certifying Organization
Information Systems Audit and...
Course That Help You To Prepare For Certification
Technology Systems Auditing (Part 1 of 2)
udemy
4.6
(1,262)
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16. Sun Certified Java Associate (SCJA)

The Sun Certified Associate for the Java Platform, Standard Edition, Exam Version 1.0 certification exam provides an ideal entry into an application development or a software project management career using Java technologies. This worldwide credential validates basic knowledge of Object-Oriented Concepts, UML representation of OO concepts, the Java programming language, and general knowledge of Java Platforms and Technologies. Candidates for this exam include: entry level Java programmers, students studying to become Java programmers, project or program managers working with Java technology in the software development industry.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? No
Certifying Organization
Sun Microsystems, Inc.
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17. IBM Certified Application Developer - DB2 9

This certification is intended for an intermediate or advanced level application developer specializing in creating applications that run on any of the DB2 platforms: Linux, UNIX (including AIX, HP-UX, and Sun Solaris), and Windows, z/OS, s/390, and iSeries.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? 
Certifying Organization
IBM Corporation
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18. Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP)

Targeted towards systems engineers with five or more years of systems engineering work experience

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 5 year(s)
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19. Certified Senior System Architect (CSSA)

The Certified Senior System Architect (CSSA) Professional Certification Path is for Certified System Architects that wish to increase their PRPC skills. This certification validates your ability to use PRPC to design and build for reusability across multiple lines of business.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? 
Certifying Organization
Pegasystems
Course That Help You To Prepare For Certification
AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional Practice Exam
udemy
4.5
(3,871)
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20. Program Management Professional (PgMP)

Project Management Institute's newest credential is specifically developed to acknowledge the qualifications of the professional who leads the coordinated management of multiple projects and ensures the ultimate success of a program. You will benefit from the many advantages of this new designation. Candidates earning this credential will be internationally recognized as professionals with the knowledge and experience to make and implement the important decisions and accomplish the strategic objectives that enhance business results.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 3 year(s)

Senior Software Engineer Jobs

What is the best certification for a senior software engineer?

The best senior software engineer certification is Certified Scrum Master (CSM). The Certified Scrum Master (CSM) is awarded by the Scrum Alliance. This certification corresponds to a specialty within a recognized occupation.

Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this senior software engineer certification:

  • To become a certified Certified Scrum Master (CSM), you need to pass the exam.
  • Lucky you - certification doesn't require more than two years of work experience.
  • Renew certification every year.

What are some of the most in-demand certifications for senior software engineers?

The most in-demand senior software engineer certification is Certified Scrum Master based on all active job postings. Having this senior software engineer certification will give you access to more senior software engineer jobs with higher salaries.

Best Certifications

The most common combination of senior software engineer certifications include: Certified Scrum Master (CSM), Software Engineering Master Certification (SEMC), and Project Management Professional (PMP).

Online courses for senior software engineers to earn certifications

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