Program at a Glance
- Program
- Online Certificate
- College(s)
- College of Engineering and Computer Science
Build Confidence in the Systems Behind Critical Technologies
Ensure tomorrow’s hardware is reliable and runs efficiently. UCF Online’s Systems Verification, Validation, and Testing Graduate Certificate is designed for people who question everything, love puzzles and escape rooms, and take things apart to ensure they’re built to the highest standard of efficacy. UCF Online’s SVV&T graduate certificate was created for you.
With your “question everything” mindset, you can build upon your skills to verify that complex digital systems perform as intended with this online graduate certificate. Designed for engineers in semiconductors, aerospace, defense, automotive, embedded systems and related fields, this 12-credit program focuses on methods for evaluating system performance, identifying faults and demonstrating that hardware and integrated systems are reliable.
Through coursework, you’ll develop skills in RTL-level verification, simulation, testbench development, formal methods, hardware-software co-verification, design-for-test, manufacturing test and hardware security. You’ll also examine how artificial intelligence and machine learning are used in modern verification workflows and develop the engineering judgment to determine when these tools can accelerate verification and when additional testing is needed.
The program is intended for working engineers seeking to advance in design verification, validation, testing, hardware security and systems assurance. It can also support professionals transitioning from related areas such as digital design, embedded systems or test engineering. Applicants should have working familiarity with a hardware description language, such as Verilog, VHDL or SystemVerilog.
Highlights
Application Deadlines
- Spring
- November 1
- Fall
- July 1
Ready to get started?
Course Overview
Complete the certificate fully online while continuing to work. The curriculum consists of four graduate courses and requires no capstone, internship or portfolio. All 12 credits may also apply toward a UCF master’s degree in electrical engineering or computer engineering, subject to approval by the receiving program.
Verification and Validation of Digital Systems: The Complete Industry Lifecycle
Advanced verification of digital hardware systems at the Register-Transfer Level exploring theory and practice for random verification and common object-oriented methodologies.
Introduction to VLSI Design
An introductory exploration of Very Large-Scale Integration (VLSI) design, focusing on CMOS technology, circuit design principles, and modern fabrication techniques. Students will learn the fundamentals of MOS transistors, logic design, physical layout, timing analysis, and low-power design techniques. The course will cover circuit simulation, design methodologies, and hands-on implementation of digital circuits, culminating in a practical design project. This class is ideal for students interested in semiconductor design, chip fabrication, and advanced digital systems.
VLSI Testability
VLSI testing for quality and reliability, covering essential topics such as fault modeling, test generation, fault simulation, design for testability, and built-in self-test.
Skills You'll Learn
- Gain a deeper in HDL and RTL-level testbench construction (Verilog, SystemVerilog)
- Obtain hardware/software co-verification across SoC and embedded platforms
- Achieve simulation-based functional verification (UVM), constrained-random stimulus, assertion-based verification (SVA), and coverage-driven closure
- Learn responsible AI and ML use in the verification flow, including where those tools fail and what still requires engineering judgement
Career Projections
Annual Job
Openings
Job Growth
Between
2026 - 2036
Median Annual Earnings
Source: Lightcast™ . 2026