An Honest Udacity Full Stack Web Developer Nanodegree Review (2024 Updated)

I know you are looking for Udacity Full Stack Web Developer Nanodegree reviews. You might have questions like:

• Is the Full Stack Web Developer Nanodegree worth it?
• Can it help me to get a job?
• Has it helped anyone before?

Me and my friend recently graduated from Udacity’s Full Stack Web Developer Nanodegree. In this Udacity full stack review, I will take you through the entire syllabus of the course, to help you decide whether to enroll for the Nanodegree or not.

Our Story

We were a fresh graduate with a Bachelor of Computer Science when we decided to enrich our skill set with a project-based course in full-stack development. Since most of the companies asked for hands-on experience, we were looking for a practical course. Searching for an online learning platform, Udacity was the best choice that offers Full Stack Web Developer Nanodegree Program.

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Syllabus of Udacity’s Full Stack Web Developer Nanodegree

The lessons and projects will give you excellent knowledge in building API and the back-end. It is a full-stack course, but the front-end will not be covered that much, so don’t expect your front-end skill to be enhanced. Every concept you learn will be anchored throughout the projects. It is better to read the syllabus on the Udacity website for more information.

Project 1: Design a Venue Booking Database.

Designing and building a database is an essential skill in the process of developing websites. You will have a quick review of SQL commands, provide references to review deeper concepts in SQL, learn how to create SQL web application, data modeling, and migrates different versions of your database schema to one integrated version.

About the project, you will create a musical venue and artist booking site that facilitates the discovery and bookings of shows. The interfaces were prepared for you to write the database and the back-end codes, and it was the longest and most in-depth project. If you understand and pass this project, it is more likely that other projects will be much easier.

Project 2 : Trivia API

API is an important concept in developing applications. You will create and deploy a database-backed web API (Application Programming Interface or RESTful API) and learn how to write test cases for that API. You will learn HTTP methods, requests, responses, and codes. Also, it includes documenting the API. Allow us to explain. Sit tight for this Udacity Full Stack Web Developer Nanodegree review that serves you all the details.

About the project, the Trivia API project is to use APIs to control and manage a web application using existing data models. You will view and search for trivia questions and answers via category, add new questions, and play quizzes based on the category. Including best practices for API testing, error handling, and documentation. You will be given a database to build a RESTful API for react project—this project similar to the first project but with more endpoints. Also, you are expected to write documentation and test cases for the API.

Project 3: Coffee Shop Full Stack

Security and user authentication are important, since you do not want any user to change your website without permission. You will learn how to secure and manage user authentication and role-based access control (RBAC) for an application back-end. It includes concepts such as encrypting passwords before saving them in the database and how to use Auth0. Lessons on this concept are significantly comprehensive and of high quality.

About the project, the interface display graphics that are representing the ratios of ingredients in each drink. The permissions are as follows: Allow public users to view drink names and graphics. Allow the shop baristas to see the recipe information. Allow the shop managers to create new drinks and edit existing drinks. The interface is an ionic project. You are expected to secure the app by role-based access control. The project was helpful, since most colleges explain it as a concept.

Project 4: Deploy a Flask App to Kubernetes Using EKS

Deploying your application to the cloud is important to make it accessible to others. You will learn how to deploy a Flask-based web application to the cloud using Docker and Kubernetes (Amazon Web Services).

About the project, it was literally about following the instructions (videos and written text) to publish an application on Amazon EKS.

Project 5: Full Stack Web Developer Nanodegree Program Capstone

Reaching this stage, it’s the time for showing off what you have learned. You will apply the concepts in the first, second, and third projects in the final project. Then you will publish the application on Heroku.

About the project, you have the choice whether you like to come up with your own idea and then apply the project criteria on it, OR you will use the idea that has already been defined, which is: The Casting Agency, a company that is responsible for creating movies and managing and assigning actors to those movies.

How was my project experience?

The projects were a bit challenging compared to the level of the lessons. We liked every project, and we acknowledge that we have learned something new with each lesson and project. However, we think challenges are necessary to make you use your problem-solving skill. Reviewers will review each project, and comments are given to you on your work, and they verify that you have completed all project requirements, which is often done within less than 8 hours.

How much did I paid? Is the course price justifiable?

There are two payment plans:

First: Paying the full amount at once for the four months (4 Months Access) – it costs 1353.50 USD, which means 338.38 USD per month.

Second: Pay the amount monthly (Pay as You Go) – it costs 399.70 USD per month.

We preferred the second plan, since we were entirely available for full-time study. We estimated that we could finish the program in two months, and the cost was lower. If you are not entirely free or want to end the program with the estimated time from Udacity and less pressure, we recommend choosing the first plan. Other options:

• Offers on Udacity website from time to time, they make great discounts.
• Scholarships.

The Nanodegree deserves the price you pay on it.

Read further into the Udacity Full Stack Web Developer Nanodegree review to know more.

How much time I took to complete the nanodegree?

As we mentioned earlier, we were full-time studying for the Nanodegree. Thus, we managed to complete it within two months. Sometimes configuration instructions are not mentioned for Windows users, which takes time to find out which commands are equivalent to the commands mentioned in a Mac; it takes much time. But we can say that it developed our searching skills. If you want to be on track and get it done: the focus is the key. Also, Udacity has a study plan and reminders you can use to keep you on track.

Does the course expect any prerequisites?

Yes, the course is positioned between intermediate to advanced, and hence, all students are expected to come with 

• Basic knowledge in beginner-level experience in Python. 

Aspiring students can enroll in another Nanodegree titled Intro to Programming to develop a better understanding.

• Experience in
  • building front-end web sites with HTML, CSS, and Javascript.
  • using Git for version control. 

How do I prepare for the course and make most of it? 

The following two courses by Udacity are recommended to students to brush up their skills:

• Data Structures and Algorithms  

• Front End Web Developer

Also Read: Review of Udacity Front End Web Developer Nanodegree

Though not an official prerequisite, we believe the object-oriented Python programming course aids in student learning.

In this Udacity Full-stack Web Developer Nanodegree review, we advise developers to keep brushing up their skills and stay up to date with the latest technological advancements in the field.

What can the course improve?

The course is critiqued to be more expensive than similar courses on other online learning portals. However, proponents argue that the world of opportunities that the certification opens up for its students in terms of career growth and networking rises well above any monetary compensation.

In addition, the course can benefit from is to attach a partnership with a university to its title. The name of a prestigious institution such as Harvard or MIT brings added credibility to the name. 

What I liked about Nanodegree?

Developing a website using the Flask framework from A up to Z and many new concepts that can be applied to any programming language in the future if you understand and abstract it. Also, get your projects reviewed by specialized people to give you feedback.

What I didn’t liked about Nanodegree?

Some videos contain old information and update the information at the bottom of the video as a written text. For a few exercises, when answering, an incorrect answer appears, despite that the answer is correct. 

If you are a Windows user, some configuration instructions are not mentioned for Windows users, which take time to find out which commands are equivalent to the commands mentioned in a Mac. Often, if you use git bash, some commands could be run directly on Windows.

However, it will not affect your learning process.

Pros and cons of the Full Stack Web Developer Nanodegree

PROS	CONS
Well-structured course content	Expensive for some
Hands on experience	Demands intensive studying and practice
Mentorship from experts	Challenging projects
Ticket to industry-relevant communities

Is the Full Stack Web Developer Nanodegree Worth it?

To conclude our review of Udacity’s Full Stack Web Developer Nanodegree, I would say that the program not only dispenses learning but also positions students in professional communities of like-minded and relevant industry experts so that their development continues long beyond the course.

Conclusion:Do you recommend it to others?

We fully recommend this Full-Stack Web Developer Nanodegree; this Nanodegree will open new doors for you. Just do not forget to share your accomplishments with your network and keep learning.

Full Stack Web Developer Nanodegree Graduate Reviews

Meet Mr. Varun Joshi who landed a successful job after taking the full stack web developer Nanodegree.

This one is funny but interesting, found it on Twitter

Udacity is offering personalized discount.