Established 2002 | ||
Website computer.org/certification | ||
Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP) is a professional certification in software engineering conformal to ISO/IEC 24773.
Contents
This certification was offered by the IEEE Computer Society to experienced software engineering and software development practitioners since 2002. After December 2014 this certification program has been discontinued, all issued certificates are recognized as valid forever. A number of new similar certifications were introduced by the IEEE Computer Society, including the Professional Software Engineering Master (PSEM) and Professional Software Engineering Process Master (PSEPM) Certifications.
To become a Certified Software Development Professional candidates had to have four years (initially six years) of professional software engineering experience, pass a three-and-half-hour, 180-question examination on various knowledge areas of software engineering, and possess at least a bachelor's degree in Computer Science or Software Engineering. The CSDP examination tested candidates' proficiency in internationally accepted, industry-standard software engineering principles and practices. CSDP credential holders are also obligated to adhere to the IEEE/ACM's Software Engineering Code of Ethics and Professional Practice.
History
The IEEE Computer Society introduced the CSDP in 2002, and on October 27, 2008, it became the first certification to conform to ISO/IEC 24773 standard for software engineering certification.
Determination of eligibility
Candidates had to undergo a peer review of their education and professional qualifications in order to receive authorization to take the CSDP examination. Candidates therefore had to submit an application to the IEEE Computer Society that provided verifiable information regarding their educational background and professional experience.
The Certified Software Development Associate certification was available to graduating software engineers and early-career software professionals who did not meet the eligibility requirements for the CSDP.
CSDP examination content
The CSDP examination content was based on the Guide To The Software Engineering Body of Knowledge. The examination covered content from all primary knowledge areas in the SWEBOK Guide Version 3. Below is a list of the topics tested in terms of their proportion of the total examination.