9 Best Java Courses in 2024

Are you considering improving your career prospects by learning Java? Various industries and organizations rely on this programming language, and its popularity has produced impressive learning material. The workload can be daunting, but we’ve gathered a list of the best Java courses to help you learn the ins and outs of Java programming.

Best Java Courses

Java Programming I From the University of Helsinki

The Java Programming I course from the University of Helsinki caters to complete beginners looking to dip their toes into Java programming.

The syllabus is demanding, and each section concludes with exercises, solutions, and automated testing. Moreover, course volunteers run an active Telegram group where you can connect with others and share your experiences with Java. Upon completion, you’ll receive a free certificate.

Another aspect where this course shines is its NetBeans integration. NetBeans is a powerful code editor, so you’ll work with top-grade industry tools from the beginning of your coding journey.

By the time you finish the final task, you’ll have a firm grasp of the basics of computer programming.

What the Course Covers

This course is an excellent starting point if you’ve never written code before.

The first unit is a general introduction to programming, explaining basic concepts like loops, variables, and logical and mathematical operators. Moreover, it highlights what kind of mindset aspiring programmers should adopt. You’ll train your brain to break down complex problems into smaller, more manageable tasks and learn to find errors and debug your code.

The course covers standard algorithms and data structures. Structures regulate data storage and representation, while algorithms are responsible for retrieving data from their structures. You’ll learn how to efficiently implement data and structures so your programs can store and retrieve information quickly.

Another aspect of the course focuses on programming paradigms. Since Java is an object-oriented language, the course explores object-oriented programming.

The course has seven units. It should take approximately 10-20 hours to complete each part, depending on your schedule and abilities. You’ll tackle an exercise set at the end of the units and receive an automated grade to track your progress. After going through at least 80% of the activities in each part, you’ll receive a certificate of completion.

If you have difficulty using NetBeans, the course has an IntelliJ integration.

Computer Science: Programming With a Purpose From Princeton University

Computer Science: Programming with a Purpose from Princeton University boasts more than 900 bookmarks on ClassCentral and is an excellent introduction to programming in Java.

This free-to-audit course helps learners understand the crucial aspects of all programming languages and highlights how these concepts relate to Java.

This course is geared toward those with little to no coding experience.

What the Course Covers

The beginning explores the history of Java and examines a skeleton of a basic Java app. You’ll learn about variables, arrays, conditional statements, loops, and more. The tutorials not only define these concepts but teach you how to implement them to create an interactive program.

The next part of the course introduces you to modular programming and Java libraries.

Modular programming isn’t suitable for long strings of code. Instead, it operates best with concise and clean lines. The course then goes into a discussion of algorithms, which allow you to control computer behavior. By the end of the section, you’ll know how to determine an algorithm’s efficiency.

After creating data types to implement replicas of real-world concepts in your program, the course challenges you to create an app with complex numbers. The finished product should mimic the Mandelbrot set.

The final part focuses on the critical aspects of programming languages and addresses functional programming, object-oriented programming, and garbage collection.

This intensive course has 88 hours of video and reading materials and takes 10 weeks to complete.

Introduction to Java Programming: Starting to Code in Java From Universidad Carlos III de Madrid

This course offers a paid certificate, but anyone can audit it for free. It will teach you how to code while using software engineering methods.

The class explains programming through simple concepts like games and calculators. After covering the basics, you’ll learn about more complex notions like the OOP (object-oriented programming) paradigm, functional abstraction, and APIs (Application Programming Interfaces.)

The workload is suitable for beginners.

What the Course Covers

The course consists of three units:

• The basics of Java
• Writing good programs
• Working with data structures

The first section focuses on Java fundamentals, handling expressions and values, and improving a program’s functionality with loops.

Next, the course explores Java methods, teaching you how to manage reusable strings of code. After completing this unit, you’ll be able to build and use recursive algorithms.

Additionally, you’ll learn about the OOP paradigm, exploring its core mechanisms like polymorphism and inheritance.

The course lasts five weeks, and learners are expected to spend 7-10 hours studying each week.

It uses three tools that will aid you in developing programs: Greenfoot, Blocky, and Codeboard. With Blocky, you code using clocks, which minimizes the chances of syntax errors. Codeboard provides a detailed insight into Java syntax, while Greenfoot is an Integrated Developed Environment you’ll install on your PC.

You’ll take an exam at the end of each week to test your knowledge. The course also contains case studies where you can implement pieces of your code.

Intro to Java Programming – Course for Absolute Beginners From freeCodeCamp

If you’re on a tight schedule, consider taking this four-hour course on freeCodeCamp. This free class will show you how to set up a Java environment and break down enums and object-oriented programming. As the title suggests, the course requires no prior coding experience.

What the Course Covers

The first part discusses how to create a basic Java program. You’ll learn about loops, variables, logical and mathematical operators, conditional statements, and data types.

The course moves on to data structures, explaining lists, arrays, and sets.

Finally, it covers object-oriented programming. It discusses classes, objects, and inheritance. The final part introduces a few advanced notions like enums and interfaces.

The course provides no exercises or supplementary materials since it’s a four-hour video. You’ll master Java by following the instructor in a code editor on your PC.

Java Programming: Solving Problems With Software From Duke University

This course takes a dynamic approach to Java and introduces concepts like DNA analysis and image processing.

A paid certificate is available, but you can audit the class for free.

Following a seven-step process, you’ll learn the theory behind Java and use it to design and develop programs. Furthermore, the course explains the divide-and-conquer paradigm and how it can help you create algorithms.

The final task is unlike anything similar online programs offer. Your job will be to create a program that analyzes the popularity of baby names using CSV files.

Java Programming: Solving Problems with Software is suitable for beginners.

What the Course Covers

This is one of the best Java courses available, examining the semantics and syntax of the language. Simply put, it will teach you how to use correct programming grammar and embed your code with meaning. This knowledge will allow you to quickly identify which elements and functions will achieve the desired results.

You’ll then tackle methods, variables, and loops, before moving on to hands-on learning. One of the first exercises presents you with DNA; you’ll have to identify genes using your knowledge of strings.

The course also introduces multiple data processing methods. It offers various small projects, and you’ll use your existing code to work on larger issues. For example, you’ll use a robust CSV package instead of resolving a problem with a basic Excel spreadsheet.

This four-week class requires approximately 4-8 self-study hours each week. You’ll learn about Java through pre-recorded video lessons. Note that the coding assignments are available only to paying learners. The good news is that anyone can take the practice quizzes.

Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming With Java I: Foundations and Syntax Basics From Georgia Institute of Technology

This free-to-audit course teaches learners how to build console programs through formatting and data processing.

It also provides a historical overview of Java, its development, and the object-oriented paradigm.

Although beginners can take the course, it’s most suitable for those with basic coding skills. If you can execute commands on a line program or terminal and are eager to learn more, this may be the course for you.

What the Course Covers

After a historical introduction to Java, you’ll dissect the basic structure of Java programs. The course discusses the object-oriented programming paradigm, covering concepts like objects, classes, inheritance, and encapsulation. It then introduces hands-on programming, teaching you about arrays, loops, conditionals, input, and output. You’ll test your Java skills and recreate the battleship game at the end of the course.

This six-week course requires approximately 5-6 hours of weekly studying. You can access the video slides, reading materials, and demos upon signing up.

Object Oriented Programming in Java From the University of California, San Diego

Those with some experience in Java who want to master data visualization should consider taking this excellent course from the University of California, San Diego.

What the Course Covers

It takes a hands-on approach to learning, guiding students through creating an interactive map that displays earthquake data on a map. The course explores Java’s extensive libraries and teaches learners how to analyze geospatial datasets with data structures and algorithms.

Moreover, you’ll understand how debugging works and produce clean and polished code with memory models.

The course dedicates a section to GUI programming, showing learners how polymorphism affects run-time decisions and compile-time. Finally, you’ll learn about the most common algorithms for retrieving map information from data structures. By studying the examples, you’ll identify the most useful algorithms.

This six-week course provides the necessary video and reading materials and requires approximately 4-6 hours of self-studying each week.

The primary purpose of the course is to help learners with an intermediate skillset to create a data visualization app. After completing the assignments, you should have an interactive and functional program.

Paying learners receive a certificate of completion and can share their app with other course-takers.

Java for Beginners From JetBrains Academy

If you’re unsure where to start with Java, this beginner-friendly paid course will guide you through the basics of Java programming.

Created by the team behind the IntelliJ IDEA, the course has activities with varying difficulty levels. Beginners should start with the simpler tasks, while experienced developers can try the more challenging projects.

What the Course Covers

You’ll first explore the fundamentals, building simple programs using variables, loops, data types, and control flow statements. You’ll also learn how to work with the IntelliJ IDEA and about the Java Virtual Machine.

Next, the course dives into object-oriented programming. It covers classes, objects, and inheritance and touches on advanced topics like encapsulation and unit testing.

You’ll learn to keep your code tidy to help other developers interpret your work.

The 74-hour workload takes approximately 15 weeks to complete. Learners are required to complete a personal project to receive a certificate.

The Complete Java Masterclass for Software Developers From Udemy

No “best Java courses” roundup would be complete without the Complete Java Masterclass for Software Developers.

This up-to-date and intensive course boasts a nearly perfect rating on Udemy and is one of the most extensive resources available.

Your instructor is Tim Buchalaka, a well-respected developer who’s been in the business for nearly 40 years.

What the Course Covers

The start of the course explains how to set up IntelliJ IDEA and provides an overview of fundamental Java concepts. You’ll also use switch statements and expressions to create a simple Hello World program. A set of exercises follows each section to ensure you’ve mastered the basics.

Since Java is an object-oriented programming language, Buchalaka dedicates two sections to the essential OOP skills. They’ll help you write concise code that’s easy to understand and debug. Buchakala discusses advanced Java topics like generic classes, abstract classes, built-in lists, and packages to implement functionalities into programs.

The JavaFX section introduces students to the JavaFX platform, where you’ll create multi-platform user interfaces. To do so, you’ll learn how to store data using database technology.

In the final section, Buchalaka teaches how to connect programs to the web and explains data extraction and server connections.

This course is packed with over 80 hours of video materials and includes quizzes and practice exercises.

It’s a helpful resource for novice Java developers and those with intermediate coding skills.

Why Learn Java

Java is one of the most widely used programming languages for mobile and web development, data visualization, and data analysis.

It has remained popular for over two decades due to its versatility and reliability.

Companies in various industries are always on the lookout for Java developers. If you want to become a successful developer, you’ll have to learn Java sooner or later.

Moreover, Java developers don’t have to worry about a lack of job opportunities. Thanks to Java’s wide use, developers can enter nearly any industry.

Consolidate Your Knowledge

Although Java has been around for a while, it will likely remain an in-demand programming language for years. If you’re unsure where to start, the above list of the best Java courses will help kickstart your Java journey, regardless of your skill level. They’re low-cost classes that allow learners to access materials without paying for certification, so anyone can master the basics of Java without breaking the bank.