PHP courses can help you learn server-side scripting, web application development, database integration, and content management system creation. You can build skills in debugging, optimizing code performance, and implementing security measures for web applications. Many courses introduce tools like Laravel for framework development, MySQL for database management, and Composer for dependency management, showing how these skills are applied in real-world projects.
University of Michigan
Skills you'll gain: PHP (Scripting Language), Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), MySQL, Web Applications, Web Development, Secure Coding, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Development Environment, Back-End Web Development, Database Development, Web Servers, Debugging, Data Validation
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Board Infinity
Skills you'll gain: Bootstrap (Front-End Framework), Full-Stack Web Development, JavaScript Frameworks, Web Applications, Database Management, Software Architecture, Database Design, Development Environment, Software Testing, NoSQL, Application Frameworks, Application Security, Authentications, Middleware, Performance Tuning, Semantic Web, Authorization (Computing), Scalability
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

Board Infinity
Skills you'll gain: Restful API, Application Deployment, Web Development, Full-Stack Web Development, Cloud API, Application Development, Software Documentation, Data Validation
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Michigan
Skills you'll gain: PHP (Scripting Language), MySQL, Database Application, Database Development, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Application Development, Authentications, Web Applications, SQL, Server Side, Application Security
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

University of Michigan
Skills you'll gain: Database Design, SQL, MySQL, PHP (Scripting Language), Relational Databases, JSON, jQuery, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Javascript and jQuery, Ajax, Databases, Data Modeling, Database Application, Database Development, Debugging, Web Applications, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Application Development, Web Development, Javascript
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Board Infinity
Skills you'll gain: PHP (Scripting Language), Model View Controller, Restful API, Web Development, Object-Relational Mapping, Web Applications, Full-Stack Web Development, Development Environment, Software Testing, Back-End Web Development, Application Frameworks, Database Management, Application Security, Authentications, Authorization (Computing), Package and Software Management
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Coursera
Skills you'll gain: WordPress, Content Management Systems, Web Content, Web Design and Development, Web Design, Web Development, Blogs, Social Media, Content Management, Marketing, Design, Computer Science
Advanced · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours

Skills you'll gain: PHP (Scripting Language), Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Object Oriented Design, Software Design Patterns, Web Development, Maintainability, Software Engineering
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours

Skills you'll gain: Jest (JavaScript Testing Framework), Web Development Tools, Javascript, Unit Testing, Web Applications, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Scripting Languages, Event-Driven Programming, Node.JS, Scripting, JSON, Computer Programming, Data Structures, Debugging, Package and Software Management, Program Development, Front-End Web Development, Functional Design
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Microsoft
Skills you'll gain: Web Scraping, Data Structures, Git (Version Control System), Generative AI, Version Control, Matplotlib, Plotly, DevOps, Agile Methodology, Web Development, Data Ethics, Flask (Web Framework), Data Visualization, Scripting, GitHub, Debugging, Data Cleansing, Data Analysis, Automation, Cloud Computing
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

Skills you'll gain: Email Security, File Management, Control Panels, Web Analytics and SEO, MySQL, Apache, Cloud Hosting, Public Key Infrastructure, User Accounts, Data Security, Encryption, Database Management, Web Servers, Email Automation, System Configuration, PHP (Scripting Language), Server Administration, Performance Tuning, Servers, Content Management
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

Microsoft
Skills you'll gain: GitHub, C# (Programming Language), Secure Coding, HTML and CSS, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Figma (Design Software), Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), Git (Version Control System), User Interface (UI), Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Web Development, Web Design, Debugging, Mockups, Microsoft Copilot, Authentications, Front-End Web Development, Programming Principles, UI Components, Javascript
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
PHP, which stands for Hypertext Preprocessor, is a scripting language that is used to enhance web pages. It enables functions such as creating usernames and passwords, forums, and other necessary parts of the user experience.
How PHP—and other scripting languages—differ from programming languages lies in their execution: the former uses an interpreter to convert its language into machine code, while the latter uses a compiler to do so. This allows Web Developers to create dynamic sites that interact with databases, as opposed to the slower-loading sites that use Common Gateway Interface technology.
This particular scripting language is important to learn because it’s open-source, which makes it easily accessible and free. This means Web Developers skilled in PHP can provide efficient and cost-effective services to employers and clients while increasing their own value—according to Glassdoor, PHP Developers in the U.S. make an average of $81,428 per year.
With its budget-friendliness, flexibility, and fast load times, PHP is a much-needed skill for employers in need of a custom coding project—especially when you consider that slow-loading websites cost retailers $2.6 billion in lost sales each year. Even when business choose to go the WordPress route, custom plugins and technical support are made possible at the hands of PHP Programmers and Developers.
When it comes to actual opportunities for PHP learners, successful ones can count on landing roles such as Web Communications Specialist, Product Lead, UX Designer, Web Developer, Digital Analytics Specialist, Content Writer, Design Director, WordPress Developer, Web Strategist, UI Developer, Digital Designer, Front-end Developer, and various others that are related.
PHP courses offered through Coursera equip learners with knowledge in the basic structure of a web application; the request/response cycle; Hypertext Markup Language; PHP syntax and data structures; how to connect to a MySQL through PHP; how PHP uses cookies and manages session data; and more.
Lessons on PHP are taught by instructors from major universities, including the University of Michigan. Learners can enjoy exploring PHP with instructors specializing in Information, Programming, and other disciplines. Course content on PHP is delivered via video lectures, readings, quizzes, and other types of assignments.
The skills and experience that you need to already have, before starting to learn PHP might include a solid foundation of coding websites using HTML, CSS, and Java. Having this fundamental coding prowess can help you understand and work with PHP, a server-side programming language that is used by over three-quarters of today’s websites. You might also want to have experience in business communications, project development, and coding work before starting to learn PHP. Having these skills, along with being a good team player, being organized, and having a strong work ethic, will give you the right foundation for learning PHP.
The kind of people who are best suited for using PHP in their work are those programmers who have strong attention to detail and exemplary web development skills. People working in PHP often are required to develop back-end components, connect their work with the API of the third-party web service, and then integrate their work with the application to support front-end developers. These programmers who work with PHP also work with plugins for web frameworks that may be required for websites and web projects. Therefore, people best suited for work that involves PHP are skilled in a variety of areas.
You may know if learning PHP is right for you if you understand basic programming languages, have an interest in working with website development, and are organized, methodical, and focused. PHP can also be a good stepping stone as it could lead to other frameworks of PHP used in today’s software market, including CakePHP and others. In learning PHP, you can gain knowledge in using CakePHP to easily develop web applications in a swift manner. Ultimately, learning PHP can be right for you if you already are familiar with fundamental design principles for scalable applications, and integrating multiple data sources and databases into a single system. PHP is an older and widely used language, but some people note that it is declining somewhat in modern usage. Yet, this is premature, as many big sites still use some type of PHP language protocols, so learning it may be right for you.
Online PHP courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new PHP skills. Choose from a wide range of PHP courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.
When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in PHP, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here.