What is a bootcamp?

Just what are bootcamps, and why are they on the rise? Bootcamps are succinct alternative education programs designed to give students the precise skills needed to gain entry-level access into a particular field. The majority of bootcamps are offered by academic institutions and independent providers like skills academies and training companies. They are usually offered online, but some have in-person or hybrid learning formats as well.

Bootcamps first entered the educational marketplace in 2011, and over a decade later, these concentrated learning programs have practically exploded—with no signs of stopping. A global market analysis valued the global coding bootcamp market at $1.36 billion in 2021, with a prediction to reach $3.66 billion by 2027.

If you’re thinking about embarking on a new career or you want to gain some extra skills in the career you already have, you should take the time to explore what bootcamps have to offer. In this guide, we’ve assembled everything you need to make an informed decision about whether a bootcamp could bring you one step closer to the career of your dreams.

Find the right bootcamp program for you

Tips for choosing the right bootcamp

Practically anyone can enroll in a bootcamp, but the typical bootcamp student usually falls into one of these three categories:

• They already have professional experience but want to change careers
• They want to gain additional skills in the field they work in
• They are young adults who haven’t established a career in any field yet

Bootcamps are also great for people with a degree and want a more focused program on the skills they need to succeed.

Note: Bootcamps can also be an excellent alternative for people that want to enter a given career without investing the time and money that it takes to complete a traditional degree program. This is especially true for people who may already have a college degree under their belt, and don’t want to get another one just to switch careers.

Before you get too far in your bootcamp search, it’s necessary to point out that a ‘bootcamp’ is not a regulated term like an ‘associate degree’ or a ‘bachelor’s degree’. When you say ‘associate degree,’ for example, you already know some basic information about what that means: a two-year college degree (but no more than four years) offered by an academic institution with a certain amount of credit hours. Anyone can use the term bootcamp, however, and they may not use it in the same way.

Some institutions offer bootcamps that only last a weekend, but these of course are not going to teach you the same skills (or carry as much weight with future employers) as a bootcamp that is six months of full-time study. This kind of a bootcamp can still be great to learn a few specific skills, but don’t count on learning how to be a software engineer in a few days. The bottom line is that you should do your research diligently whenever you’re looking at bootcamp programs to make sure it is a program that can actually meet your needs.

Browse our vetted selection of online bootcamp programs

Pros and cons of bootcamps

Bootcamps have an abundance of unique advantages not found in other educational programs, but there wouldn’t be any other types of programs if bootcamps didn’t also have some drawbacks. It’s important that you consider both the pros and cons to determine whether these concentrated learning programs are right for you and your professional goals.

Some of the advantages of bootcamps include:

• Accelerated learning and skills acquisition: Most bootcamps take three to nine months to complete, much less than most traditional degree programs. This means you get exactly the skills you need to enter the workforce in a fraction of the time.
• Cost effective: The relatively shorter length of bootcamp programs compared to formal degrees means they are typically less expensive. 
• Industry-relevant skills and updated curriculums: Bootcamp curriculums are often developed by industry leaders and provide up-to-date knowledge and skills for students to hit the ground running when they enter their chosen field.
• Career transition opportunities: Numerous bootcamp providers have career support services available to their students to help them find a job after graduation.
• Minimal admission requirements: Unlike most college degrees that require extensive applications which include personal essays, letters of recommendation, standardized testing scores and more, most bootcamps typically have very few admission requirements. Some only require a high school education and perhaps some relevant work experience.
• Multiple scheduling options: It’s common for bootcamps to offer more than one scheduling option such as a full-time or part-time course. Full-time courses can be completed faster, but part-time courses can be great for people who are still working. 

Conversely, bootcamps may also have the following disadvantages:

• Demanding schedule: Some bootcamps demand a lot of your time—many full-time courses, for example, require 30-40 hours of class time per week plus time for homework and projects outside of class. Even part-time courses, which may only require 10-20 hours of class time per week, can still be difficult to manage for those who already have full-time jobs.
• Limited depth of knowledge: Bootcamps are designed to give you the need-to-know knowledge and skills to break into a given field. However, this means they may prioritize breadth over depth. Plus, given their shorter timeframes, they simply can’t cover the same amount of knowledge as you might gain in a longer degree program.
• Lack of formal credentials: The truth is that employers still respect traditional degrees. One reason for this is that they are more standardized, while bootcamps can vary widely. Even though bootcamps can be and often are lauded by employers, they don’t always carry the same weight as a traditional degree.

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Preparing for a bootcamp

Although applying for a bootcamp is fairly simple, there are still a few necessary steps to complete before you can get started.

Bootcamp curriculum overview

The primary factor that influences a bootcamp’s curriculum is of course what subject that bootcamp teaches, such as cyber security, UX design, coding and more. The subject you are studying influences the learning objectives, skills you’ll practice and technologies you’ll use in the course.

Bootcamp structure and duration

Every bootcamp is a little different, but in general, most bootcamps take somewhere between three and nine months to complete. The length of time it takes to finish a bootcamp is also influenced by what kind of schedule you sign up for.

Many bootcamps offer full-time or part-time courses. Full-time courses usually require 30-40 hours of class time per week, and part-time courses typically demand only 10-20. Part-time schedules, as you can probably guess, take longer to complete. It’s also important to remember that bootcamps usually have homework and projects to complete outside the scheduled class time.

Regardless of what type of program you enroll in, a typical bootcamp curriculum takes you through a sequence of core units, often defined by the skills you’re meant to learn in that unit. You’ll begin with the fundamentals, followed by new concepts that are scaffolded upon what you’ve already learned. It’s common to complete projects at regular intervals throughout the course which culminate in a portfolio of work.

Hands-on projects and portfolio development

Bootcamps make students complete a series of projects and/or labs throughout the course. Projects are usually completed over time and are done when you’ve created a finished product from start to finish, whereas labs are often succinct simulations or tasks that you complete in a single go. Bear in mind, however, that individual bootcamp providers may use these terms differently.

The nature of the projects you’ll complete is going to vary a lot depending on what you’re studying, but the idea is to put the concepts you’re learning into action and provide hands-on practice to hone your skills. Projects are then assembled into a portfolio of work that you can show to future employers. This can be incredibly valuable in tech industries where a confirmation of your skills (as demonstrated in your portfolio) is sometimes more important to potential employers than any degrees you have on your resume. Many bootcamps provide dedicated time throughout the course to refine your portfolio for this exact reason.

Final assessments

It’s common for most bootcamps to have some sort of final project(s), often called a capstone, or an assessment(s) to synchronize everything you’ve learned throughout the course. A software engineering bootcamp, for example, may have you build a fully functional app. A cyber security bootcamp could ask you to perform a hypothetical penetration test from start to finish. Your final project is then included in the portfolio you’ve been developing throughout the course, if applicable.  

Some bootcamps also include time in their curriculum to prepare students for a professional certification upon graduation. A cyber security bootcamp, for example, might prep students for the CompTIA Security+ certification. To earn this certification, students must pass CompTIA’s exam.

Bootcamp learning experience

The bootcamp learning experience shares many similarities to online degrees in how they’re conducted, save for the glaring differences like the length of time and the number of classes you’re taking. Here are some other factors that define the bootcamp learning experience and what it’s really like. The first consideration is understanding how online learning is presented: synchronously or asynchronously.

Teaching methods

Synchronous learning means everyone in the class learns at the same time. A course that has a strict schedule with live lectures where everyone is listening to their instructor in real-time is an example of this. Pre-recorded videos and learning modules, on the other hand, would be considered asynchronous learning. Asynchronous learning can be done at the student’s own pace since they don’t have to log on at a particular time.

Each bootcamp does its program a little differently. It’s common for some providers to teach their full-time courses synchronously and part-time courses asynchronously. Even synchronous courses may still have some online elements that the students complete on their own time (such as projects, reading assignments and quizzes), so it’s also possible for programs to utilize a combination of the two.

Class size and instructor-to-student ratio

Class sizes for bootcamps can vary just like they do on a college campus: some classes you take in college might have 15 people, and others might have over one hundred.

Online bootcamps are not constrained by physical seats in a classroom, so class sizes are usually determined by how many people sign up and how many staff the provider has in order to keep the instructor-to-student ratio reasonably low.

Regardless of the class size or instructor-to-student ratio, many bootcamps still carve out time for one-on-one support. They might do this by scheduling weekly individual check-ins with your instructor to ensure that you have frequent individualized support. Beyond that, most instructors can also be contacted via email or the learning management system for one-off questions and support.

Collaboration and networking opportunities

Just because you’re learning online doesn’t mean you have to learn in isolation. For starters, lots of bootcamps have team-based projects built into the curriculum which allow you to collaborate with other students. In addition, bootcamps often have some kind of online forum for students within the online program used to access the course. Students can ask questions to the class, message other students and have class-related discussions. This allows you to cultivate a community and get to know your peers.

Some bootcamps even offer the opportunity to participate in an externship with an industry-related company where you shadow and/or assist a real professional in the field. This can give you an invaluable edge when applying for jobs by allowing you to network with actual industry professionals.

Resources for students

You won’t have the same type of resources as being on a big college campus. However, many online bootcamps still provide a wealth of resources to maximize your online learning experience. Depending on the type of provider and the individual program, you may have access to the following as a bootcamp student:

• One-on-one mentorship program with instructors
• Career coaching that may continue after graduation
• Alumni connections
• Dedicated preparation to get a professional certification
• Support in assembling an employer-ready portfolio of work
• Exclusive networking events

Bootcamp costs and financial aid

Bootcamps tend to cost less than most traditional degrees, but they still require a financial investment nonetheless. Luckily there are several different pricing and payment options available, as well as various scholarships that could help you pay for some or all of your tuition. Each bootcamp provider is going to have their own slate of options, and it’s an important aspect to consider when picking the bootcamp that’s right for you.

Pricing models

Some bootcamp providers give you a couple of ways to pay for your education. For example, you may be able to pay month-to-month or upfront in full. Some providers give students a discount for paying upfront. Another way to pay is the deferred tuition option. This means that you only pay after you’ve graduated and started a job, but this usually does rack up some sort of interest rate, meaning you pay a little bit more in the long run.

Scholarships, grants, and other financial aid

Many bootcamp providers have several scholarships or grants available to their students. Springboard, for example, has a Women in Technology Scholarship for women that apply to their data science, engineering, cyber security or tech sales courses.

It’s important to note that some scholarships may only be available to students who opt to pay upfront or month-to-month.

There are also a ton of scholarships out there offered by private companies to fund your education. Many of these scholarships are awarded to a specific group of people (LGBTQ+ individuals, single parents, veterans, etc.) and may be based on financial need, a personal essay or something else.

If you’re a veteran, don’t forget about your GI Bill—this can be used to pay for alternative education programs such as bootcamps. Unfortunately, federal aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is not usually an option for bootcamps because they are not accredited programs like degrees.

Loan programs and repayment plans

Bootcamp providers and private loan companies may offer loans for tuition that you pay back over time. Loans may be no-interest or low-interest—it depends on who’s offering it. Climb is one example of a private funding organization that partners with a lot of bootcamps to offer low-interest loans to students.

There are also some bootcamp providers that offer Income Share Agreements (ISAs). Like the deferred tuition payment model, students don’t have to pay anything until after they graduate. Instead, they have to pay back a fixed percentage of their income for a certain duration once they land a job.

Employer-sponsored tuition reimbursement

There are a lot of employers out there that offer tuition reimbursement to employees who enroll in an education program while still working for the company. Often the education program must be related to the employee’s job, but not always. It just depends on the company’s individual educational assistance program and what they cover. You’re not limited just to traditional degrees, either. Many employers count bootcamps as a reimbursable program, too.

Bootcamp job placement and career support

Some bootcamps provide a lot of support to students and some provide very little—it all depends on the individual program. If you’re someone who’s already fairly established in the field, this may not be a factor that matters as much to you. For many people, however, having some extra support from a mentor or career coach can be wildly helpful, especially if you’re new to the field.

Tips for success in online bootcamps

Are you wondering what you can do to maximize your chances of success while attending a bootcamp? Check out these tips to hit the ground running:

• Stay focused and dedicated: Bootcamps can be highly intensive learning programs with a lot of information packed into their relatively short duration. Staying focused with your eye on the goal is crucial if you want to make it through the end. If you feel like you’re struggling, remember that minor setbacks are normal and that there are tons of resources out there to help.   
• Take advantage of all resources and support: Many bootcamp providers have loads of resources at your disposal to support your success, including financial aid, career coaching, collaborating with other students and more. Don’t forget to take advantage of everything your bootcamp has to offer to make the most of your education.
• Engage with peers and instructors: Most bootcamps are going to provide some way to interface with your peers and instructors, including online classroom forums, one-on-one check-ins with your instructor and group projects. Developing relationships with others could lead to valuable career connections in the future!
• Practice self-care and time management: It’s a known fact that people perform their best when certain fundamental needs like rest, hydration and hunger are satisfied. Conscientious time management is as important for keeping up with your studies as it is for making time for you and your needs while attending a bootcamp.
• Continuously update your skills after completing the bootcamp: Your professional development doesn’t end after graduation. It’s important that no matter what career you choose to pursue, you continue to evaluate where you are, the skills you have and the skills you need to continue moving up the career ladder. By identifying where you can improve, you can look for other programs, certifications and learning opportunities to fill in those knowledge gaps.

Final say

Bootcamps are an exciting and a relatively new kind of alternative education program that is changing the educational landscape, especially in the realm of online learning. They provide the opportunity to learn industry-specific skills in a shorter period of time (and with a smaller price tag) compared to traditional college degrees. A lot of the bootcamps available today prepare students for careers in coding, cyber security, software engineering, UX/UI design and more.

Not all bootcamps are created equally, however, which is why it’s imperative you do your research about a bootcamp before committing to a program. If you know what you’re passionate about and have clear professional goals, you’re bound to find a bootcamp that can launch you towards a fulfilling career.

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