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General Discussion

Alan Kemsley
Alan Kemsley
5,816 Points
Posted by Alan Kemsley
Alan Kemsley
5,816 Points

Front-end or Full-stack Techdegree? Both?

I'm interested in becoming a full-stack web developer, so I assumed I should pursue the "Fullstack Javascript Techdegree". However, after looking at the detailed syllabus, it seems it's not really "full stack", but rather back-end focused. Will I need both the "front-end" AND "full-stack" Techdegrees to become a full stack web developer? Thanks in advance.

2 Answers

Dave McFarland
STAFF
Dave McFarland
Treehouse Teacher
Dave McFarland
Dave McFarland
Treehouse Teacher

Alan Kemsley -- it depends on what "part" of the stack you want to concentrate on most. The Front End Techdegree covers a lot of CSS and HTML. If you want to be really proficient at taking design mock-ups and turning them into HTML and CSS, then this is a really good Techdegree.

If you're more interested in the programming aspect of web development (both front end JavaScript programming and back end programming) then you might take the Full Stack Techdegree. That degree covers a handful of HTML and CSS, but not as much as Front End; nor does it include as many front end projects where you build out designs from scratch.

They are complimentary -- doing Front End then Full Stack would give you an AMAZING set of skills -- but you do learn some front end technologies in Full Stack as well. You're also able to take ALL of Treehouse's courses regardless of which Techdegree you are in, so you could increase your HTML and CSS skills on your own by taking our courses while still progressing along the Full Stack Techdegree path.

Alan Kemsley
Alan Kemsley
5,816 Points
Alan Kemsley
Alan Kemsley
5,816 Points

Excellent answer, Dave McFarland. Thanks for the quick response.

Follow-up question: Are many companies willing to hire entry-level full-stack developers without any prior experience? I'd imagine I would end up having to accept a job in front-end anyway, and wouldn't be as competitive if my training was mostly in back-end. What are your thoughts?