• For Individuals
  • For Businesses
  • For Universities
  • For Governments
Coursera
  • Online Degrees
  • Careers
  • Log In
  • Join for Free
    Coursera
    • Browse
    • Software Design

    Software Design Courses Online

    Learn software design for developing robust applications. Understand design patterns, object-oriented principles, and user-centered design.

    Skip to search results

    Filter by

    Subject
    Required
     *

    Language
    Required
     *

    The language used throughout the course, in both instruction and assessments.

    Learning Product
    Required
     *

    Level
    Required
     *

    Duration
    Required
     *

    Skills
    Required
     *

    Subtitles
    Required
     *

    Educator
    Required
     *

    Explore the Software Design Course Catalog

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      I

      IBM

      Databases and SQL for Data Science with Python

      Skills you'll gain: SQL, Relational Databases, Stored Procedure, Databases, Query Languages, Jupyter, Data Manipulation, Data Analysis, Pandas (Python Package), Transaction Processing

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      22K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      D

      DeepLearning.AI

      Introduction to TensorFlow for Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning

      Skills you'll gain: Tensorflow, Computer Vision, Image Analysis, Keras (Neural Network Library), Deep Learning, Artificial Neural Networks, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML)

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      20K reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      G

      Google Cloud

      Preparing for Google Cloud Certification: Cloud Data Engineer

      Skills you'll gain: Data Pipelines, Dataflow, Google Cloud Platform, Real Time Data, Data Maintenance, Data Lakes, Data Storage, MLOps (Machine Learning Operations), Data Analysis, Dashboard, Data Warehousing, Data Processing, Extract, Transform, Load, Cloud Engineering, Data Infrastructure, Cloud Infrastructure, Cloud Storage, Big Data, Tensorflow, Unstructured Data

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      19K reviews

      Intermediate · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      G

      Google Cloud

      Data Engineering, Big Data, and Machine Learning on GCP

      Skills you'll gain: Data Pipelines, Dataflow, Google Cloud Platform, Real Time Data, Data Lakes, MLOps (Machine Learning Operations), Dashboard, Data Warehousing, Extract, Transform, Load, Cloud Engineering, Data Infrastructure, Cloud Infrastructure, Cloud Storage, Big Data, Tensorflow, Unstructured Data, Data Integration, Data Migration, Data Processing, Data Visualization Software

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      18K reviews

      Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • A

      Amazon Web Services

      AWS Cloud Technology Consultant

      Skills you'll gain: AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM), Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Amazon CloudWatch, AWS CloudFormation, Software Development Life Cycle, CI/CD, Amazon Web Services, Professional Networking, IT Automation, Cloud Computing, Amazon S3, Extract, Transform, Load, DevOps, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Software Architecture, Cloud Computing Architecture, Amazon DynamoDB, Cloud Infrastructure, Web Applications, Leadership Development

      Build toward a degree

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      6.6K reviews

      Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      U

      University of Virginia

      Entrepreneurship: Growing Your Business

      Skills you'll gain: Financial Statements, Financial Accounting, Balance Sheet, Financial Reporting, Financial Statement Analysis, Design Thinking, Annual Reports, Innovation, Process Design, Business Modeling, Customer experience strategy (CX), Entrepreneurship, Philanthropy, Courage, Leadership Development, Strategic Leadership, Corporate Sustainability, Stakeholder Engagement, Professional Development, Business Ethics

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      7.6K reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      M

      Microsoft

      Microsoft Front-End Developer

      Skills you'll gain: GitHub, C# (Programming Language), Secure Coding, HTML and CSS, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Figma (Design Software), Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), Git (Version Control System), Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Web Development, Web Design, Debugging, Mockups, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Microsoft Copilot, Adobe XD, Authentications, Front-End Web Development, Programming Principles, UI Components

      4.4
      Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
      ·
      96 reviews

      Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      U

      University of Michigan

      Generative AI as a Learning Design Partner

      Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, Generative AI Agents, Prompt Engineering, Ideation, Education Software and Technology, ChatGPT, Persona Development, Artificial Intelligence, Design Strategies, Design, Data Ethics, Creative Design, Information Privacy

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      50 reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      V

      Vanderbilt University

      Prompt Engineering for ChatGPT

      Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, ChatGPT, Productivity, Generative AI, Artificial Intelligence, Large Language Modeling, Creative Thinking, Ingenuity, Brainstorming, Problem Solving, Application Development, Collaboration

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      6K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      U

      University of Maryland, College Park

      Creative Design, Prototyping, and Testing

      Skills you'll gain: Product Development, New Product Development, Wireframing, Product Design, User Experience Design, Prototyping, Design Thinking, Conceptual Design, Product Testing, Project Management, Agile Methodology

      4.2
      Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
      ·
      90 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • E

      Eindhoven University of Technology

      RF and millimeter-Wave Circuit Design

      Skills you'll gain: Electronics Engineering, Electronics, Telecommunications, Electronic Systems, Electronic Components, Hardware Design, Electrical Engineering, Wireless Networks, Electronic Hardware, Systems Design, Simulation and Simulation Software, Simulations, Laboratory Experience

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      232 reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • A

      Amazon Web Services

      AWS Cloud Support Associate

      Skills you'll gain: AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM), Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Command-Line Interface, Amazon CloudWatch, AWS CloudFormation, Root Cause Analysis, Amazon DynamoDB, Customer Relationship Building, Network Troubleshooting, Amazon Web Services, Customer Relationship Management, Software Architecture, IT Automation, Linux Commands, Cloud Computing, Linux, Amazon S3, Scalability, Technical Support, Web Applications

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      6.4K reviews

      Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

    Software Design learners also search

    Software
    Software Development
    Software Engineering
    C
    Software Project Management
    Software Engineering Projects
    Development
    C Programming
    1…232425…734

    In summary, here are 10 of our most popular software design courses

    • Databases and SQL for Data Science with Python: IBM
    • Introduction to TensorFlow for Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning: DeepLearning.AI
    • Preparing for Google Cloud Certification: Cloud Data Engineer: Google Cloud
    • Data Engineering, Big Data, and Machine Learning on GCP: Google Cloud
    • AWS Cloud Technology Consultant: Amazon Web Services
    • Entrepreneurship: Growing Your Business: University of Virginia
    • Microsoft Front-End Developer: Microsoft
    • Generative AI as a Learning Design Partner: University of Michigan
    • Prompt Engineering for ChatGPT: Vanderbilt University
    • Creative Design, Prototyping, and Testing: University of Maryland, College Park

    Skills you can learn in Software Development

    Programming Language (34)
    Google (25)
    Computer Program (21)
    Software Testing (21)
    Web (19)
    Google Cloud Platform (18)
    Application Programming Interfaces (17)
    Data Structure (16)
    Problem Solving (14)
    Object-oriented Programming (13)
    Kubernetes (10)
    List & Label (10)

    Frequently Asked Questions about Software Design

    Software design is the process of creating a plan to guide the development of a software solution based on an assessment of user requirements determined through research and testing. It is a very important phase of the software development lifecycle, as software design provides the foundation for subsequent coding and implementation by programmers and software engineers.

    The software design process may encompass many aspects including planning for software architecture, design of user interfaces and other visual elements, and the selection of software design patterns and other components. Application security is another critical consideration for software design, and implementing secure practices as early as possible in the software development lifecycle can help ensure that the final product provides adequate protections for business and customer data.‎

    An understanding of software design principles can be a terrific asset for a career in software development, as it provides an overarching view of the entire software development lifecycle. In some ways, you can think of the software designer as the architect whose vision directs the work of a team of engineers and construction workers. According to Glassdoor, software designers in the U.S. earn an average annual salary of $92,046 - significantly more than software programmers, whose average salary according to Glassdoor is $76,526.‎

    Certainly. Taking online courses on Coursera has become an incredibly popular way for students from around the world to learn about a wide range of computer science topics, including software design. Top-ranked schools like the University of Alberta, the University of Colorado, and the University of Minnesota offer individual courses as well as Specializations spanning multiple courses covering software design and related topics such as application security and software design patterns. And, since you can view lessons and complete coursework on a flexible schedule, you can build these valuable, job-ready skills regardless of whether you’re a student or a mid-career professional looking to upgrade your skill set.‎

    The skills and experience you might want to acquire before starting to learn software design would include practical knowledge and work experience in all kinds of software development work, from websites to apps to network maintenance and more. You may already have skills or experience in designing, developing, and installing software for enterprise information systems via an internship or job role.‎

    Some of the common career paths for someone in software design might include starting out in junior roles in web design and development, and possibly moving into creative director roles for gaming systems (if on the creative side), or software analysis manager, if more geared to the operational side of the business. Software design workers could also possibly branch off into deeply analytical roles like computer science engineer, or information research scientist, depending on the company and industry.‎

    The kind of people best suited for roles in software design are computer science enthusiasts, who love programming and are excited about creating new software possibilities. These people are often creative, focused, and cerebral individuals who know programming languages such as Java, SQL, and Python. These languages are important to know as a software designer’s work may include developing software projects and programs for external clients or internal company usage. They might also write code, create charts and diagrams to represent the software, and may even supervise a team of programmers.‎

    Learning software design may be right for you if you love design challenges, love working with new software tools, and are interested in building a lucrative career in software design. You may be able to earn a good income in software design, as jobs for software developers are expected to rise by over 20% in the next decade, according to projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you find passion in work that involves designing computer systems, projecting network capabilities, and determining performance interfaces, then learning software design may be a good step in the right direction.‎

    Online Software Design courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Software Design skills. Choose from a wide range of Software Design courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.‎

    When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Software Design, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here.‎

    This FAQ content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

    Other topics to explore

    Arts and Humanities
    338 courses
    Business
    1095 courses
    Computer Science
    668 courses
    Data Science
    425 courses
    Information Technology
    145 courses
    Health
    471 courses
    Math and Logic
    70 courses
    Personal Development
    137 courses
    Physical Science and Engineering
    413 courses
    Social Sciences
    401 courses
    Language Learning
    150 courses

    Coursera Footer

    Technical Skills

    • ChatGPT
    • Coding
    • Computer Science
    • Cybersecurity
    • DevOps
    • Ethical Hacking
    • Generative AI
    • Java Programming
    • Python
    • Web Development

    Analytical Skills

    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Big Data
    • Business Analysis
    • Data Analytics
    • Data Science
    • Financial Modeling
    • Machine Learning
    • Microsoft Excel
    • Microsoft Power BI
    • SQL

    Business Skills

    • Accounting
    • Digital Marketing
    • E-commerce
    • Finance
    • Google
    • Graphic Design
    • IBM
    • Marketing
    • Project Management
    • Social Media Marketing

    Career Resources

    • Essential IT Certifications
    • High-Income Skills to Learn
    • How to Get a PMP Certification
    • How to Learn Artificial Intelligence
    • Popular Cybersecurity Certifications
    • Popular Data Analytics Certifications
    • What Does a Data Analyst Do?
    • Career Development Resources
    • Career Aptitude Test
    • Share your Coursera Learning Story

    Coursera

    • About
    • What We Offer
    • Leadership
    • Careers
    • Catalog
    • Coursera Plus
    • Professional Certificates
    • MasterTrack® Certificates
    • Degrees
    • For Enterprise
    • For Government
    • For Campus
    • Become a Partner
    • Social Impact
    • Free Courses
    • ECTS Credit Recommendations

    Community

    • Learners
    • Partners
    • Beta Testers
    • Blog
    • The Coursera Podcast
    • Tech Blog
    • Teaching Center

    More

    • Press
    • Investors
    • Terms
    • Privacy
    • Help
    • Accessibility
    • Contact
    • Articles
    • Directory
    • Affiliates
    • Modern Slavery Statement
    • Do Not Sell/Share
    Learn Anywhere
    Download on the App Store
    Get it on Google Play
    Logo of Certified B Corporation
    © 2025 Coursera Inc. All rights reserved.
    • Coursera Facebook
    • Coursera Linkedin
    • Coursera Twitter
    • Coursera YouTube
    • Coursera Instagram
    • Coursera TikTok