Learn full stack web development

What can you learn in full stack web development courses?

The skills you learn in full stack web development depend on the type and level of the program. Independent courses and certificates are offered at every level, allowing you to choose a course of study that matches your needs and goals.

• Beginner skills: As you begin to learn full stack web development, you'll develop introductory skills in HTML and CSS, like creating links and integrating different image types. Other beginner web development skills include publishing websites and using repositories like GitHub.
• Intermediate skills: At the intermediate level, you'll begin to focus more on user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) elements, along with other coding languages, such as Java, PHP, and Python.
• Advanced skills: Advanced skills in web development can help you see the big picture. These abilities include planning and deploying projects, overseeing management, and mentoring emerging developers.

Along with these hard skills, full stack development courses can help you hone soft skills like time management, communication, and teamwork. Though you may work independently, you'll need to interface with QA professionals and testers, along with non-technical executives.

How to start learning full stack web development

1. Begin with self-learning.

Research some of the most welcoming coding languages for beginners, such as Java, Python, and Ruby, and choose a language that matches your goals. Each language can help with certain types of projects, so consider some simple websites and/or apps that you frequently use. Look into how they were coded and keep that programming language in mind as you begin your journey — as your skills develop, it will become clear how they implemented their programming. You can also look to videos, message boards, and self-paced learning modules to begin your journey to learn full stack web development.

2. Start tinkering.

Your first project does not need to change the world. Start with a simple goal in mind, like building a website with an embedded calculator, and begin coding. A simple application or website also allows you to test out various types of UX/UI elements, along with different visuals. Try different colors and layouts to see what feels the most intuitive, and ask your friends to test the project out, as well. Feedback is key — what may seem logical to you may be unintuitive to someone else.

3. Connect with like-minded developers.

Reaching out to other developers of all skill levels can help you more readily learn full stack web development. You can commiserate with novices who may have encountered the same issues you have. More advanced professionals can offer advice on how to level up your skills. Use resources like Reddit, Discord, and GitHub to find other current and aspiring devs, who may help you connect with learning and career opportunities in the future.

4. Take a full stack web development course.

Sometimes, traditional learning is a logical pathway after exhausting your self-learning options. Research full stack web development courses that sharpen your fundamentals, and as you dive deeper into specific programming languages, you can also focus your course choices. The availability of these classes can also help you identify strong and weak points in your programming skills — for example, if you're comfortable building a functional site but struggle with its appearance, you can prioritize front-end development courses.

5. Enroll in a full stack web development certificate or degree program.

At this stage of your full stack journey, you've likely developed a sense of your commitment to the field. If you're looking to take it to the next level, a certificate or degree in computer science or a related subject can help you get there. A degree may take 2-4 years, depending on the program, while certificates typically only last 2-9 months. Though some employers may value experience and your portfolio over formal education credentials, a certificate or degree may be required for certain web development roles. If your schedule is currently full of personal and professional obligations, you can prioritize distance learning with programs that deliver full stack web development courses online.

How long does it take to learn full stack web development?

The amount of time it takes to learn full stack web development depends on your experience and how you measure mastery in the field. For example, if you already know front-end development and plan to explore back-end development, you will likely spend less time learning than a newcomer to the field.

If you have a technical background and want to expand your skills, you can learn facets of the subject in a few weeks through full stack web development courses. However, to master the field, you'll likely need a formal degree and/or experience building websites from the ground up, which can take several years. To excel in a leadership position, you may want to enroll in an executive education program.

*4-6 years bachelor's; 12-36 months master's; 4-8 years doctorate

Jobs for full stack web developers

Below, find jobs you can pursue after learning full stack web development, with salary and job outlook data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Web developers

Web developers use full stack development to build websites from the ground up. They apply their knowledge of computer programming languages to code applications and web pages, ensuring they meet client needs for visual elements and functionality.

• Median annual salary (May 2024): $90,930
• Projected employment growth (2024-34): +7%
• Required education: Varies; some roles require a bachelor's degree, while others only require a high school diploma and experience

Web and digital interface designers

These professionals use the front-end side of what they've learned in full stack development to craft website and application aesthetics. These efforts may be as simple as font choices and graphic design elements or more advanced aspects like building and ensuring the functionality of an embedded chatbot app or a commerce tool.

• Median annual salary (May 2024): $98,090
• Projected employment growth (2024-34): +7%
• Required education: Varies; some roles require a bachelor's degree, while others only require a high school diploma and experience

Software developers

Though learning full stack web development primarily prepares students to build websites, you'll also become familiar with coding languages used in software development to build applications for various platforms. The two fields often intersect as software increasingly includes networked and/or cloud-based elements.

• Median annual salary (May 2024): $133,080
• Projected employment growth (2024-34): +15%
• Required education: Bachelor's degree; some employers may prefer a master's

Software quality assurance analysts and testers

QA analysts and software testers evaluate applications through manual and automated testing to ensure proper functionality. Though this role is more of an entry-level position, candidates who have learned full stack development can apply their knowledge of coding, software, and web apps to thrive in this job.

• Median annual salary (May 2024): $102,610
• Projected employment growth (2024-34): +15%
• Required education: Bachelor's degree

Your next steps on edX

Are you planning to learn full stack web development or home in on specific areas to level up your existing skills? Enroll in an edX program now to begin the process of learning full stack web development.

1. Start with an edX full stack development course, like Developing Front End Apps with React.
2. Expand your knowledge with an edX certificate, such as Software Development Foundations.
3. Research available internships with local employers and begin developing experience.

Last updated June 24, 2025