U of M’s College of Continuing Education Launches a Coding Boot Camp

With demand for skilled web developers at an all-time high, University of Minnesota’s College of Continuing Education will launch a 24-week Coding Boot Camp in November 2017.

“The innovative, full-stack program is ideal for motivated individuals looking for a new career challenge or advancement in their current job,” said Sue Borowick, Executive Director of Professional Development and LearningLife in the College of Continuing Education.

The camp will start on November 7, 2017, and is designed to accommodate the schedules of working professionals, with three weekday evenings classes (6:30−9:30 p.m.).

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, web development ranks among the world’s fastest-growing professions, with jobs projected to increase at a 27% annual pace through 2024. The opportunities for skilled developers have already outstripped the labor supply: of more than 150,000 new openings posted each year, some 50,000 go unfilled.

“A career in web development can offer exceptional opportunities for stimulating work and professional growth,” said Mary Nichols, Dean of the College of Continuing Education. “For the right person, the Coding Boot Camp can provide the perfect entry point.”

The University of Minnesota Coding Boot Camp is offered in collaboration with Trilogy Education Services, a Continuing Education Program Manager (CEPM) that creates and manages skills-based training programs that combine market-driven technical instruction with a deep emphasis on career coaching and employer networking. Trilogy’s combined career/coding curriculum gives students the competence and confidence to succeed in the Digital Economy.

“Success in the Digital Economy will increasingly require technical skills,” said Dan Sommer, Founder and CEO of Trilogy Education Services. “Today, more than ever before, knowing how to code is a form of literacy just like the ability to read and write. Forward-thinking continuing education programs recognize their essential role in helping train a job-ready workforce with technical skills, and the University of Minnesota College of Continuing Education is at the forefront of this movement. We look forward to working with their team and are excited about helping students in the Coding Boot Camp accelerate their careers with this valuable skill.”

Students who complete the program will have the skills they need to develop dynamic end-to-end web applications—and to make a great impression on prospective employers. In addition, they will receive a certificate in Full-Stack Web Development from the University of Minnesota’s College of Continuing Education.

The curriculum ranges from the basics of coding, algorithms, and data structure, to intensive training in Javascript, Node.js, HTML, CSS, jQuery, Java, and more. In addition to classroom instruction, students will spend 20 hours a week on outside projects and experiential learning activities and build a professional project portfolio to showcase their abilities and hone their competitive edge in the employment market.

Students will also receive a range of career-planning services, portfolio reviews, recruiting assistance and extensive staff support. Area businesses participating in the Coding Boot Camp’s employer network will advise on curriculum, products, and student needs. While no previous training or experience is required, applicants should have an understanding of coding basics.

“There are many opportunities, and while web development is a profession that demands a lot, students will find the Coding Boot Camp to be flexible and fun,” said Borowick.

Apply now: To learn more about the University of Minnesota Coding Boot Camp, visit bootcamp.umn.edu. Students can apply online or by calling 612-424-8605.