Verification and validation courses can help you learn testing methodologies, quality assurance principles, and risk management strategies. You can build skills in designing test plans, executing test cases, and analyzing results to ensure product reliability. Many courses introduce tools such as JIRA for tracking issues, Selenium for automated testing, and MATLAB for simulations, illustrating how these skills are applied in real-world projects.

University of Leeds
Skills you'll gain: Test Case, Software Testing, Software Quality Assurance, Quality Assurance, User Acceptance Testing (UAT), Test Planning, Verification And Validation, Acceptance Testing, System Testing, White-Box Testing, Unit Testing, Functional Testing, Integration Testing, Software Development Life Cycle, Software Development
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Colorado Boulder
Skills you'll gain: Computational Logic, Systems Design, Verification And Validation, Systems Analysis, Software Systems, Theoretical Computer Science, Computational Thinking, System Design and Implementation, Simulations, Programming Principles, Software Architecture, Software Design, Model Evaluation, Graph Theory, Software Testing, Hardware Architecture, Software Quality Assurance, Computer Architecture, Algorithms, Logical Reasoning
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

Skills you'll gain: MLOps (Machine Learning Operations), Model Evaluation, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Business Metrics, Performance Analysis, Performance Measurement, Responsible AI, Test Execution Engine, Performance Metric, Test Automation, Feature Engineering, Verification And Validation, Content Performance Analysis, Machine Learning, Data Ethics, Quality Assessment, Gap Analysis, Cost Benefit Analysis, Research Design, Quantitative Research
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

University of Minnesota
Skills you'll gain: Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), Cucumber (Software), Software Testing, Selenium (Software), Gherkin (Scripting Language), JUnit, Verification And Validation, Test Automation, Unit Testing, Security Testing, Regression Testing, System Testing, Test Case, Software Development Tools, Testability, White-Box Testing, Behavior-Driven Development, Code Coverage, Performance Testing, Development Testing
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Coursera
Skills you'll gain: Patient Registration, Registration, Health Information Management, Data Quality, Data Entry, Data Validation, Medical Records, Electronic Medical Record System, Hospital Admissions, Patient Safety, Patient Flow, Data Integrity, Quality Assurance
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Skills you'll gain: Payroll Systems, Payroll, Payroll Tax, Payroll Processing, Verification And Validation, Tax Compliance, Data Entry, Data Validation, Regulatory Compliance, Record Keeping, Quality Control
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Skills you'll gain: Test Automation, Test Data, Test Tools, Maintainability, Test Case, Business Process Automation, Test Execution Engine, Enterprise Application Management, Automation, Case Studies, Business Reporting, User Acceptance Testing (UAT), No-Code Development, Business Process, SAP Applications, Process Validation, Scalability
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Skills you'll gain: API Testing, Application Deployment, Integration Testing, Continuous Deployment, Microservices, Software Versioning, Continuous Integration, Test Automation, Application Programming Interface (API), CI/CD, Test Tools, Verification And Validation, Application Lifecycle Management
Advanced · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Board Infinity
Skills you'll gain: Test Planning, Test Tools, Software Testing, Configuration Management, Test Case, Integration Testing, System Testing, Test Automation, Software Development Life Cycle, Acceptance Testing, Software Technical Review, Code Review, Unit Testing, White-Box Testing, Regression Testing, Software Quality Assurance, Test Data, Risk Management, Risk Management Framework, Verification And Validation
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

Skills you'll gain: AI Security, Responsible AI, LLM Application, Unit Testing, Verification And Validation, API Testing, Test Case, Security Testing, Software Testing, Code Coverage, Large Language Modeling, Model Evaluation, Test Tools, Test Script Development, Prompt Engineering, Threat Modeling, Penetration Testing, Maintainability, Software Technical Review, Quality Assessment
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Board Infinity
Skills you'll gain: Test Automation, Performance Testing, Software Quality Assurance, White-Box Testing, API Testing, Test Script Development, Debugging, Software Development Methodologies, User Acceptance Testing (UAT), JUnit, Maintainability, Development Testing, Selenium (Software), Scalability, Automation, Software Technical Review, DevOps, Regression Testing, Test Execution Engine, Security Testing
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Skills you'll gain: Test Automation, Test Execution Engine, System Testing, Software Testing, Regression Testing, Test Case, CI/CD, Integration Testing, Maintainability, Automation, Test Data, Quality Assurance, Scalability, SAP Applications
Advanced · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Verification and validation (V&V) are critical processes in various fields, particularly in software development, engineering, and product design. Verification ensures that a product meets specified requirements at each stage of development, while validation confirms that the final product fulfills its intended purpose and meets user needs. These processes are essential for minimizing errors, enhancing quality, and ensuring safety and reliability. In industries where failure can have severe consequences, such as aerospace or healthcare, V&V is not just important; it is a necessity.
Careers in verification and validation span multiple industries, including software engineering, systems engineering, quality assurance, and product management. Job titles may include Quality Assurance Engineer, Validation Engineer, Software Tester, and Systems Analyst. Professionals in these roles are responsible for developing testing protocols, conducting tests, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. As organizations increasingly prioritize quality and reliability, the demand for skilled V&V professionals continues to grow.
To excel in verification and validation, you need a blend of technical and analytical skills. Key skills include understanding software development processes, familiarity with testing methodologies, and proficiency in programming languages. Additionally, knowledge of regulatory standards and experience with tools for automated testing and validation are valuable. Strong problem-solving abilities and attention to detail are also crucial, as they enable you to identify issues and ensure that products meet quality standards.
There are several online courses that can help you learn about verification and validation. For instance, the Foundations of Software Testing and Validation course provides a solid introduction to testing principles. Additionally, the Verification and Synthesis of Autonomous Systems course focuses on specific applications in autonomous systems. Exploring these courses can enhance your understanding and skills in V&V.
Yes. You can start learning verification and validation skills on Coursera for free in two ways:
If you want to keep learning, earn a certificate in verification and validation topics, or unlock full course access after the preview or trial, you can upgrade or apply for financial aid.
To learn verification and validation, start by identifying your specific interests within the field. You can enroll in online courses that cover the fundamentals and advanced topics. Engage in hands-on projects to apply what you learn, and consider joining forums or study groups to connect with others in the field. Regular practice and real-world application of V&V principles will reinforce your learning and build your confidence.
Typical topics covered in verification and validation courses include testing methodologies, quality assurance processes, software development life cycles, and regulatory compliance. Courses may also explore specific tools and techniques used in V&V, such as automated testing frameworks and model validation. Understanding these topics will provide you with a comprehensive foundation in V&V practices.
For training and upskilling employees in verification and validation, courses like API Validation with Postman and Data Validation in Excel for Beginners can be particularly beneficial. These courses offer practical skills that can be directly applied in the workplace, enhancing the overall quality assurance capabilities of your team.