Qualified software test engineers are in demand in the technology industry. The skills employers are seeking include computer proficiency, programming fundamentals, strong communication skills, team working ability, test planning and automation experience, and the capability to successfully find software bugs and provide logical, concise written bug reports.

Bellevue College’s Software Testing & Quality Assurance courses emphasize learning by doing, and utilize extensive lab exercises to teach skills such as client-server testing and bug eradication. All instructors are experienced professionals currently working in the field. Classes may be taken individually, or as part of a Software Testing & Quality Assurance certificate program.

Bellevue College offers three Software Testing & Quality Assurance certificates:

• Software Test Engineer (STE)
• Software Test & Development Engineer (STDE)
• Database Test Engineer (DTE)

The STE certificate program is designed to prepare the student to become an entry-level software tester, and provides a solid foundation in testing principles and an introduction to automation and database testing. Completion of this certificate is required to obtain the STDE and DTE certificates. The STDE program provides the advanced level of programming skills and testing knowledge needed to be a successful tester in today’s development environment. The DTE program familiarizes test engineers with the variety of ways data can be stored and accessed, and provides broad knowledge of SQL, database design and major relational databases.

The curriculum for each program was designed with the assistance of software testing industry professionals to best reflect the skills needed to succeed in today’s workplace. Bellevue College has been successfully training software testers for more than ten years.

The programs are designed to accommodate the varying time schedules of individual students. Our flexible program is offered on your schedule: start any time you like and complete at your own pace, taking as few as 1 to 2 classes a week. Each program can be completed in as little as six months or as long as two years.

• Software engineer positions are found in a variety of industries in Washington State.
  _{Source: Washington State's Interactive Labor Market Access (WILMA)}
• Washington is one of the top five states in the U.S with the highest concentration of workers in the software engineering field.
  _{Source: U.S. Department of Labor}
• The median salary for software engineers varies based on the level of experience, geographic market, and company size. Highly experienced software engineers can earn salaries of $100,000 or more.
  _{Source: Salary.com}

• Interactive courses that emphasize lab work and demonstrations
• All instructors are experienced professionals currently working in the field
• Program has been successfully training software testers for more than 10 years
• Evening and weekend classes are tailored to working professionals

Request a Certificate of Completion for this program.