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This is the first within a series of three Nanodegree programs designed to take you from no programming experience to a senior-level position. Check out the entire series of Nanodegree programs:
Do you want to build applications for the web? Great! Are you new to programming? No problem. You’ve just got a few things to learn first, because in order to succeed as a web developer, you need a strong foundation in programming. The good news is, this Nanodegree program will provide that for you.
In this program, you’ll be learning Ruby, a modern programming language that reads almost like English, making it perfect for beginners! This will prepare you to learn Ruby on Rails, a powerful framework which uses Ruby and powers websites like GitHub, Groupon, and Twitter. Throughout the Nanodegree program, you’ll hear from major voices in the industry, including the creator of the Ruby language himself!
At Udacity, we have an outcome-based approach. You will work on projects that showcase your progressive skills mastery, with an end goal of creating a diverse student portfolio that highlights your newfound skills as a Ruby developer. Over the course of the Nanodegree program, you’ll develop a strong foundation in practical application development and object-oriented programming. These are critical skills for anyone interested in a career in web application development. You’ll create a game simulator, analyze data and produce reports, and even build your own program.
According to Indeed, there are currently over 19,000 unfilled Ruby on Rails developer positions, making Ruby an in-demand language for startups around the world. To be a successful Ruby on Rails developer, you’ll need to first understand the principles of programming with Ruby. We’ve partnered with industry leaders to craft a curriculum expressly designed to set you up for success in this exciting field. You’ll gain exclusive insights from industry leaders, including Yukihiro “Matz” Matsumoto, the creator of Ruby.
In this Nanodegree program, you’ll complete a number of projects focused on developing a strong foundation in the Ruby language and the tools you’ll actually use on the job, such as Sublime Text, the command line, version control, and GitHub. Upon graduating from the program, you will have built a strong portfolio that will showcase your Ruby programming skills. You will also be prepared to move on to Ruby on Rails development.
You have access to a computer with a broadband connection, on which you’ll install a professional code/text editor (e.g. Sublime Text or Atom).
See the Technology Requirements for using Udacity.
Like all educational opportunities, you'll get out what you put in. The ND program is still very new. A certification certainly won't guarantee you employment on its own merit, but I can safely say that active participation will give you industry-relevant skills. It's also important to note that by participating in the ND program, you can make use of Udacity's excellent career services. You'll get more exposure to employers, tips and mentorship on how to conduct interviews and prepare your resume, and you'll have a full, robust portfolio of projects to demonstrate your capabilities.
A Nanodegree gives you the blueprint for building a strong portfolio according to industry best practices and standards. The overall value of the Nanodegree lies in the student's ability to take the knowledge and support provided to them to create great projects. No certificate is a 'golden ticket' to employment.
I'm going to be working as a software developer at athenahealth starting in April. I was in the first cohort for the Front-End Web Developer Nanodegree, which I completed in December. The program is still very early (started in October), so there are only a handful of people who have completed it. There are no statistics to give at this point, but I know several people who either have new jobs, were promoted, or are currently looking (and getting interviews).
I really liked Udacity when it started. When they stopped giving free certificates away I became disgruntled, but they are stepping up the quality again. To have me pay for Udacity courses, they must become a lot more challenging and in depth, and I expect to learn from industry experts - not someone younger than myself who is still doing their university degree, which was my experience with paying for the Data Science track.
In response to Reviews of: Data Analyst Nanodegree (Udacity) on Quora
In my opinion, you are only watching the top of the iceberg. You will miss one of the most important benefits of being enrolled. Support. Support provided both by students and instructors. I learned even more on the forums and with 1st hand support by instructors than in the lessons themselves. Not to mention google+ and linkedin private groups, where you will be able to grow your network.
In response to Why should I pay for a Udacity Nanodegree when the classes are already free? on Quora
As you progress through this program you’ll learn core skills in 45-60 minute sessions. You’ll have the opportunity to apply these skills to three portfolio-worthy projects that will both challenge and reward you.
Analyze complex inventory data and generate human-readable reports. You’ll hook up to an external API to provide a steady stream of new data.
Create a task manager built to run on the command line to help you keep track of everything you’ll be learning.
Build a program that simulates the game mechanics of the hit new show, Survivr.
Walter Latimer has been a longtime advocate of alternative and online education. Before Udacity, he designed curriculum for Wyncode Academy in Miami and taught beginners to code with Codecademy.
Colt Steele is a Content Developer at Udacity and was previously Curriculum Director at Galvanize and a Lead Instructor at General Assembly. He studied Computer Science and Marketing at New York University, and enjoys running, origami, and backpacking in his spare time. He also has an adorable cat named Blue Steele.
Julia Van Cleve is a Content Developer at Udacity and was previously a middle school math teacher in San Jose, CA. She also dabbled in freelance web development, designing websites for small businesses in the Bay Area. She graduated with a B.S. in Mathematics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and earned an M.A. in Education from Stanford University. In her spare time, Julia enjoys Ingressing, dancing, and adding cute cat photos to her lessons.
Job-ready project portfolio
Coach-supported forums
Access to course materials
Personalized feedback on projects
Career guidance (interview, resume, etc.)
Verified Nanodegree Credential
Job-ready project portfolio
Personalized feedback on projects
Coach-supported forums
Career guidance (interview, resume, etc.)
Access to course materials
Verified Nanodegree Credential
