16 Best Software Architecture Courses to Take in 2024
In a world of increasingly complex software systems, designing effective and scalable architecture is one of the most challenging aspects of a developer's career.
You might be struggling with scaling your applications to accommodate growth, dealing with technical debt that makes every new feature a headache, or trying to balance system flexibility with performance. Software architecture is the key to addressing these problems, and a well-chosen course can equip you with the right skills and strategies to navigate these complexities.
Whether you’re looking to solidify your understanding of distributed systems, master microservices, or learn best practices for maintaining clean, flexible architecture, the right course can be a game-changer.
In this article, we'll guide you through the best software architecture courses tailored to meet the needs of technical leaders who want to solve real-world architecture challenges and take their skills to the next level. Here's a summary of each course to help you understand who it's for and why it's great.
Best Software Architecture Courses Shortlist
Here's a shortlist of the best software architecture courses I think are worth your time in 2024:
- Software Design and Architecture Specialization (University of Alberta)
- Architecting with Google Kubernetes Engine Specialization (Google Cloud)
- Software Architecture for Big Data Specialization (University of Colorado Boulder)
- Introduction to Software Architecture (Pluralsight)
- IBM Cloud Advanced Architect (IBM)
- Software Architecture for the Internet of Things (EIT Digital)
- Software Architecture Foundations (LinkedIn Learning)
- Software Architecture: From Developer to Architect (LinkedIn Learning)
- Developer to Architect (Pluralsight)
- SEI Software Architecture Professional Certificate (Carnegie Mellon University)
- Introduction to Cloud Foundry and Cloud Native Software Architecture (The Linux Foundation)
- The Complete Guide to Becoming a Software Architect (Udemy)
- Software Architecture & Design of Modern Large Scale Systems (Udemy)
- SOLID Principles: Introducing Software Architecture & Design (Udemy)
- React: Software Architecture (LinkedIn Learning)
- Architecting on AWS (AWS)
Find more details about each course below.
Overview Of The Best Software Architecture Courses
1. Software Design and Architecture Specialization (University of Alberta)
This course offers a comprehensive introduction to the principles of software design and architecture for learners in computer science, with a focus on Python. It includes hands-on projects to apply the learned concepts in real-world scenarios. Participants will also explore best practices for creating scalable and efficient systems.
- Who It’s For: Aspiring software architects
- Topics Covered:
- Object-oriented design
- Design patterns
- Architecture analysis
- Online, In-Person, or Both?: Online
- Exam Required?: No
- Duration: 1 month
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: 10 hours per week
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price: Free
- Take The Course: Coursera
2. Architecting with Google Kubernetes Engine Specialization (Google Cloud)
This course focuses on deploying and managing applications using Google Kubernetes Engine. It provides practical experience in configuring and managing production-ready environments, with coverage of using JavaScript for optimized integrations. Participants will also learn how to optimize resource usage for improved performance.
- Who It’s For: IT professionals with experience in cloud computing
- Topics Covered:
- Kubernetes fundamentals
- Application management
- Monitoring and logging
- Online, In-Person, or Both?: Online
- Exam Required?: Yes
- Duration: 1 month
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: 10 hours per week
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price: Free
- Take The Course: Coursera
3. Software Architecture for Big Data Specialization (University of Colorado Boulder)
This course covers the techniques and tools necessary for designing architectures for big data applications, with a focus on web application development and project management skills essential for a web developer. It includes case studies and practical exercises for implementing these architectures. Participants will also learn how to handle scalability and performance challenges in big data systems.
- Who It’s For: Software engineers interested in big data
- Topics Covered:
- Data-intensive applications
- Distributed systems
- Stream processing
- Online, In-Person, or Both?: Online
- Exam Required?: No
- Duration: 2 months
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: 10 hours per week
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price: Free
- Take The Course: Coursera
4. Introduction to Software Architecture (Pluralsight)
This course provides a foundational understanding of software architecture, ideal for aspiring solution architects. It covers key concepts and best practices for designing robust software systems, including tradeoff analysis to make informed design decisions. Participants will also explore methods for ensuring scalability and maintainability in their designs.
- Who It’s For: Beginners in software architecture
- Topics Covered:
- Core principles of architecture
- Design patterns
- Architectural styles
- Online, In-Person, or Both?: Online
- Exam Required?: No
- Duration: 4 days
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price: $29 per month after 10-day trial
- Take The Course: Pluralsight
5. IBM Cloud Advanced Architect (IBM)
This online course provides advanced insights into designing cloud-based solutions using IBM Cloud, with guidance on using Microsoft technologies where relevant. It includes practical labs to reinforce concepts and introduces participants to the programming languages essential for cloud development. Participants will also learn how to optimize cloud architectures for performance and cost efficiency.
- Who It’s For: Cloud architects looking to specialize in IBM Cloud
- Topics Covered:
- Cloud architecture design
- Security and compliance
- DevOps integration
- Online, In-Person, or Both?: Online
- Exam Required?: Yes
- Duration: 6 hours per week
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: 2 to 3 hours per week
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price:
- Without certificate: Free
- With certificate: $99
- Take The Course: edX
6. Software Architecture for the Internet of Things (EIT Digital)
This course explores the unique challenges and solutions involved in designing software architectures for IoT systems, with an emphasis on skills relevant to product management. It includes practical examples and case studies, with no prerequisites required. Participants will also learn how to ensure security and scalability in IoT architectures.
- Who It’s For: Professionals interested in IoT architecture
- Topics Covered:
- IoT system design
- Security and privacy
- Connectivity and integration
- Online, In-Person, or Both?: Online
- Exam Required?: No
- Duration: 26 hours
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: 8 hours per week
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price: Free
- Take The Course: Coursera
7. Software Architecture Foundations (LinkedIn Learning)
This course introduces the fundamental concepts of software architecture, inviting participants to enroll and explore principles and methodologies necessary for designing effective software systems, with a focus on practical applications in Java. Participants will also gain insight into how to evaluate and improve system performance.
- Who It’s For: Aspiring architects and developers
- Topics Covered:
- Architectural styles
- Design principles
- Quality attributes
- Online, In-Person, or Both?: Online
- Exam Required?: Yes
- Duration: 1 hour and 36 minutes
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price: 1-month free trial
- Take The Course: LinkedIn Learning
8. Software Architecture: From Developer to Architect (LinkedIn Learning)
This course guides software developers through the transition to becoming software architects. It highlights the skills and mindset required for successful architectural design. Participants will also learn how to lead development teams and make critical design decisions.
- Who It’s For: Experienced developers
- Topics Covered:
- Role of a software architect
- Architectural patterns
- Communication and leadership
- Online, In-Person, or Both?: Online
- Exam Required?: No
- Duration: 47 minutes
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price: 1-month free trial
- Take The Course: LinkedIn Learning
9. Developer to Architect (Pluralsight)
This course helps software developers transition to the role of software architect. It emphasizes the skills necessary for designing large-scale systems. Participants will also learn how to manage system complexity and ensure long-term maintainability.
- Who It’s For: Software developers
- Topics Covered:
- Architectural patterns
- Design principles
- Leadership skills
- Online, In-Person, or Both?: Online
- Exam Required?: No
- Duration: 2 hours and 41 minutes
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price: $29 per month after 10-day trial
- Take The Course: Pluralsight
10. SEI Software Architecture Professional Certificate (Carnegie Mellon University)
This course provides in-depth knowledge of software architecture principles and practices. It includes practical workshops and assessments to validate skills. Participants will also explore real-world challenges in designing scalable and reliable systems.
- Who It’s For: Experienced software professionals
- Topics Covered:
- Architecture evaluation
- Design documentation
- Risk management
- Online, In-Person, or Both?: Both
- Exam Required?: Yes
- Duration: 2 years
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
- Eligibility Requirements:
- Experience in the software-reliant systems development
- Must have a copy of the textbook: Software Architecture in Practice, 3rd Edition.
- Take The Course: Carnegie Mellon University
11. Introduction to Cloud Foundry and Cloud Native Software Architecture (The Linux Foundation)
This course introduces the fundamentals of Cloud Foundry and cloud-native architecture. It focuses on deploying and managing applications in a cloud environment. Participants will also learn how to optimize applications for cloud-native platforms.
- Who It’s For: Developers and IT professionals
- Topics Covered:
- Cloud Foundry basics
- Microservices architecture
- Continuous delivery
- Online, In-Person, or Both?: Online
- Exam Required?: No
- Duration: 14 weeks
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: 3 to 4 hours per week
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price:
- Without certificate: Free
- With certificate: $169
- Take The Course: edX
12. The Complete Guide to Becoming a Software Architect (Udemy)
This course offers insights into the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful software architect. It includes detailed modules on various architectural frameworks. Participants will also learn how to choose the right framework for different project needs.
- Who It’s For: Aspiring software architects
- Topics Covered:
- Architectural frameworks
- Design patterns
- Communication skills
- Online, In-Person, or Both?: Online
- Exam Required?: No
- Duration: 5 hours and 30 minutes
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price: $27.99 (discounted)
- Take The Course: Udemy
13. Software Architecture & Design of Modern Large Scale Systems (Udemy)
This course provides detailed insights into designing and managing large-scale software systems. It includes case studies and practical exercises for real-world application. Participants will also explore strategies for optimizing system performance and scalability.
- Who It’s For: Software architects and developers
- Topics Covered:
- Scalability and performance
- Distributed systems
- Architectural patterns
- Online, In-Person, or Both?: Online
- Exam Required?: No
- Duration: 7 hours
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price: $19.99 (discounted)
- Take The Course: Udemy
14. SOLID Principles: Introducing Software Architecture & Design (Udemy)
This course introduces SOLID principles and their application in software architecture and design. It includes practical examples for understanding these principles. Participants will also learn how to apply SOLID principles to improve code maintainability and flexibility.
- Who It’s For: Developers and software engineers
- Topics Covered:
- SOLID principles
- Design patterns
- Code quality
- Online, In-Person, or Both?: Online
- Exam Required?: No
- Duration: 2 hours
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price: $17.99 (discounted)
- Take The Course: Udemy
15. React: Software Architecture (LinkedIn Learning)
This course focuses on applying architectural principles within React applications. It covers best practices and patterns for building scalable React applications. Participants will also learn how to optimize performance and maintainability in large React projects.
- Who It’s For: React developers
- Topics Covered:
- React architecture
- Component design
- State management
- Online, In-Person, or Both?: Online
- Exam Required?: No
- Duration: 2 hours and 39 minutes
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price: 1-month free trial
- Take The Course: LinkedIn Learning
16. Architecting on AWS (AWS)
This course provides practical knowledge for designing and deploying secure, robust applications on AWS. It includes hands-on labs and exercises to reinforce learning. Participants will also explore strategies for optimizing cost and performance in AWS environments.
- Who It’s For: Cloud architects and IT professionals
- Topics Covered:
- AWS services
- Security and compliance
- Infrastructure design
- Online, In-Person, or Both?: Both
- Exam Required?: Yes
- Duration: 3 days
- Eligibility Requirements:
- Taken the AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials classroom or digital training
- Familiarity with general cloud computing concepts
- Working knowledge of multi-tier architectures
- Take The Course: AWS
What’s Next?
Boost your SaaS growth and leadership skills. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest insights from CTOs and aspiring tech leaders. We'll help you scale smarter and lead stronger with guides, resources, and strategies from top experts!
