University of Denver Boot Camps

I would 100% recommend taking this course to anyone who is serious about becoming a developer. I ended up landing a job as a Web Developer a month after completing this course. It's very educational, they teach you some very useful stuff about JavaScript, HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, Databases, MySQL, MongoDB, React, Express, and Node.js. Stuff I did not know before. They teach you the latest technologies and ways of doing things. So if you are looking for a career that involves those skills, languages, and technologies then this course is for you. 

Going in, I had a little bit of coding experience as an intern and a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration but I had a lot of trouble getting a real job full time as a developer because of a lack of experience and no CS degree. I couldn't even get an interview, they'd just look at my resume and say we have chosen someone else as it is a very competitive industry and these positions are not easy to land. But I'm happy to say that this Bootcamp made a difference and it helped me get a job as a Web Developer. It was totally worth the money and time.

I would advise not to go into this class with no prior coding knowledge, skills, or abilities because this Bootcamp is not exactly cheap. There were a few dropouts that I noticed and I think it might be because they could not handle it because coding is not for everyone. Before signing up for this program, if you have 0 knowledge or experience coding then I would suggest trying building your own website on your own time just to try it out and see if you can self-teach yourself about the basics of HTML, CSS, Javascript, GIT, servers, and databases. If you can self teach yourself how to build a super basic website by using resources available for free online, push it to GitHub, and deploy it on a live website like Heroku with a backend database with no instructors or direct help, just using Google Search, Stack Overflow, documentation, and YouTube tutorials, then this Bootcamp will be like cake. But if you have absolutely 0 experience and this is your first time ever doing anything with HTML or CSS then this Bootcamp might become very difficult. Going into this, I had 2 years of internship experience in IT and that experience included quite a bit of code writing and development so I have been around the block a few times going in and I knew this was perfect for me. I already knew basic HTML, CSS, JavaScript, as well as other subjects such as Java, Python, SQL databases, web servers, and mobile app development. That experience really made the Bootcamp easier and it really gave me the confidence that this was a perfect career path for me. I don't think this would apply to someone who is just exploring their options and finding out if this is what they want to do.

They tell you the Bootcamp is going to be difficult and that it's meant to be overwhelming to you. Again, if you have 0 experience and know nothing then it probably will be difficult. But if you already know what you are doing and if you already have experience developing apps, databases, and learning programming languages then this Bootcamp won't be too difficult. The homework assignments are very easy, simple, they hand you things on a silver platter, and they give you great opportunities to deploy stuff online that you can eventually demonstrate to potential employers in an interview. That's a very good thing because the company that hired me was looking at the stuff that I had built and deployed online during the interview process and viewed it live during the interview. The company that hired me also needed someone who was good with JavaScript and frameworks such as React.js and the new skills this Bootcamp gave me have really helped me perform well with this new job.

Advice for people signing up: If you are going to go through with this program and you are looking for a job, definitely go through the career service program. The career service professionals definitely know what they are doing and give golden advice in regards to your resume, LinkedIn, portfolio, GitHub, what to say or do during the interview process, and they apparently have a job search board and are willing to be a reference for a job. I didn't need the reference or the job search board because I got one on my own, but they did a great job at helping me rebuild my resume to be competitive in the industry and to fine-tune my LinkedIn, GitHub, brand statement, and portfolio.

To give some constructive criticism: I would suggest updating the curriculum more often. The curriculum seemed like it was already over a year old. I think they should update the curriculum as often as possible, and I know this is the same curriculum that other colleges use throughout the country for their own Bootcamps. The thing is programming languages such as JavaScript and frameworks such as React are constantly changing, adapting, and improving day by day. I noticed some of the package.JSON files had really old versions of technology and it seemed like the curriculum was last updated in 2018-2019. It also seemed like some of the stuff they taught was over a year or two old. I would suggest updating the curriculum at least once a year and maybe once a month. I mean don't get me wrong, they do a great job updating it. The fact that they taught React Class Components AND React hooks, and they even had a lesson on how to upgrade from Class Components to hooks. Why is this important? Because react hooks are just better, more efficient, and easier to read/write than Class Components. Also because a ton of people are still using React Class Components and they might need to update it to hooks to use fewer lines of code and less redundancy.

To the Bootcamp: I would also ultimately suggest refining the curriculum's example codebase. There was one lecture where they were demonstrating MVC design and ORMs such as sequelize and I noticed they gave an extra step on one of the layers that was just pointless. it really was pointless, I even asked the instructor why did they add in that extra step, and even he agreed to me that the extra step was pointless and it was the curriculum. My point being is that the curriculum is not completely flawless and does have some "?" moments.

I would also suggest always making group projects optional and give students the solo option. some of us are just trying to get through the Bootcamp and don't need some amateurs who don't know what they're doing slowing us down. It is good to get that group work skills. But some of us don't need it. Thanks for letting me work on my project alone. It gave me the chance to develop something that was outright impressive for my capstone and to use it as a demonstration for potential employers.

Overall, as I have said before, I would give this Bootcamp a 10/10 and would 100% recommend it to someone who is really serious about writing code for their career and wants to become a developer but they need more skills, experience, if they are a computer science major, or if they aren't and computer science major and they are having troubles getting an interview or a job. If that is you right now, then this Bootcamp is perfect for you.

The 18-weeks boot camp was an amazing course and far exceeded my expectations. This program was extremely helpful and hands-on the actual work. It was probably the most impactful training course I have ever attended.  I feel much more confident about my skills in Digital marketing. I was really impressed with the technical and "human" support I received during and after the Bootcamp. I'm amazed at how much material was packed in 18 weeks and how much I learned and retained. I highly recommend this boot camp to anyone who wants to level up on their skills. 

I've had many career ideas over the years and in an attempt to get in the medical field the idea of seven more years exhausted me and after having witnessed my husband complete a full stack bootcamp with Thinkful successfully and get a job in a few months it looked more and more like a solid option. So when I revisited bootcamp options and saw that Design was popping up everywhere I spoke to the Designer at my husband's company and felt strongly it was a solid direction to go in.

The bootcamp is part time, three classes a week for a few hours at a time. Everything is online right now which has pros and cons, especially with the last minute change making the curriculum a little sloppy. The work outside of class depends on how much you put in of course but a good estimate is at least ten hours each week. There are lots of templates and activities and sometimes they don't make sense or the teachers would disagree with the material which was frustrating - especially since you don't have any spare time. 

The curriculum is split between UX, UI and coding with two months each: The UX portion was nice and all about research and how to interview and put together a product based on research. The UI portion was somewhat lacking because some basic graphic design elements were thrown out there and needed to be understood but there wasn't much time to absorb it all. My TA highly recommended finding a UI course to go over that material again to better soak in the information because of its breadth. It is nice that the course has UI at all I will say. Lastly there was coding and it was a mixed bag. The goal was to get you 'code-conversational' with developers to better work in a team, but with assignments to go with it and how much was taught it was hard to feel like any of the knowledge would stick.
The instruction team stayed the same for the entire bootcamp (besides a coding instructor brought in for coding lessons) and it felt like it took away from the experience at times when the teachers didn't have much knowledge on some topics occasionally. However a large frustration was the feeling that the instructors didn't go over the material beforehand to be able to correct templates or answer questions about it. In addition to that, with the pace of the course it can be hard to see how fast due dates are coming with homework assignments and project changes and most of my questions for date clarity would not be answered because they wouldn't know. Those questions might have been for someone with a different role like the success coach for the class but we didn't see her too often. 

Overall, this is a great bootcamp option to get the foundation to build upon (which is what any bootcamp will give you given the time frames). Putting a university on your resume instead of the name of a company can feel like a simple perk that feels a bit worth it. The small drawbacks feel worth the advantages, especially if changes are made after feedback. I'd recommend reaching out to designers on LinkedIn and in local groups to talk to Real People and get a better idea, especially since this field is so new and everyone has a recent story of how they broke into it.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

I enrolled in this UX/UI bootcamp because I wanted to get a general education about UX and UI. The instructor, TAs, and career services were genuinely interested in seeing me succeed! Even during this pandemic, and when all our classes were moved online, everyone was so willing to be flexible in order to ensure that us students get the most out of the bootcamp. 

To any prospective students, I highly recommend enrolling in a bootcamp to jumpstart/pivot your career into a new field!

This program will give you a goldmine of skills on which you can build! How to utilize those skills is a choice. I was lucky enough to have Sarah Cullen as a guide to an amazing new journey.

• What makes this bootcamp better than others?

Two years ago, I attended an introductory course at another bootcamp. One amazing thing DU offers is amazing organization and stability. When a TA calls in sick or gets a tech job, there will be an accredited substitute there within the hour! Also, this bootcamp gives academic grades. This allows you to be able to be accountable, while being part of proud program which isn't one that simply gives anyone a certificate for showing up. 

• Does anyone ever not finish?

There will likely be a few people with whom you will not complete the program; however, I can personally guarantee you that if you turn things in on time, put in effort, communicate/be engaged, you will not fail. Some people don't finish because they are behind, doing homework in class instead of the activities or shutting down and ceasing communication with resources.

• Is this program worth the tuition?

Absolutely! This program provides a huge competitive advantage. This program offers an amazing amount of resources, it is the student's choice on how to utilize them. This is a program for self-starters --- students who can soak up information and make it their reward. If you have ever considered yourself a lackluster student, I would deem any bootcamp a predatory investment. Job assistance will provide you with good information that you will likely be using in an independent job search. 

• Struggles to overcome in class:

You will compare yourself to everyone. Just know that everyone is struggling and feeling behind, and they likely will keep a poker face. Most students don't get most in-class activities; just be present, engaged and don't let it disenchant you! You'll need to make this program your entire life to succeed. Your learning will disguise itself as struggling. There will be a point at which everything will click - just be dedicated and strong! 

• How to take the next step:

Be picky regarding from whom you solicit advice. Research the student experience to choose a program in which you'll be a great fit. Take a simple introductory JavaScript course online to prepare. If you've already been approved, do the pre-coursework to the best of your ability! Don't overwhelm and upset yourself - start small and get acquainted with coding.

Your hard work will absolutely pay off, and will result in a life-changing experience! Feel free to reach out to me regarding questions/bootcamp support or about my experience at (LinkedIn.com/in/Leah-Linux). You'll be making a great choice by devoting yourself to this wonderful program! 

I completed the Full Stack Flex - Full Time Boot Camp March 10, 2020. The class goes into a good layer of detail in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, JQuery, NoSQL, SQL, NodeJS, ExpressJS, and ReactJS (almost in that order). The course gives you the confidence and understanding to take on most jr level developer roles. 

I am really grateful to have taken the course and I can't say enough great things about the Instructor Sara. She by far made the course what it was. She has numerous years experience in the developer work force and is a patient teacher. On rare occasions she did not have an answer, she would find, learn and then cover the answer the following day. She was awesome!!

I also must stress, the course is what you make out of it. I did not work during the three month course and poured an additional 30+ hours a week into studying, homework , and additional learning. This is a must!

As for job assistance, I felt it a little lack luster, I am nearly 30 and felt that the job assistance and coaching was geared more for early 20's looking for their first job. It may be more beneficial for a younger student. I ended keeping up with the career milestones, but never really spoke to my career adviser. With this in mind, I couldn't give an accurate scoring of their services. 

Overall, 10 out of 10 on the course. If Sara C. is still with the program, go now!! Worth every penny! I am one week out of the course and will start work, with an aggressive pay, in a technology I am excited about next Monday! That is an incredible ROI!!

After teaching myself some super basics using online resources, my partner finally convinced me to apply to a boot camp so a professional could help me with the things Google could not. I was nervous working full-time while going to school part-time, but I actually enjoyed the challenge! I've had friends go through intense 12-week boot camps and feel like they didn't always have the time to fully grasp and practice the concepts, whereas having a whole week on most assignments really helped me to utilize all the resources, get in some extra practice, and spend time learning rather than cramming. Sarah Cullen and all the TAs are amazing resources and teachers. Through my experience in this boot camp, I not only found a passion for coding but for challenging myself to continue pushing through the hard parts and always keep learning. I can't wait to put my new skills to use!

I attended the University of Denver's part-time coding boot camp (full stack web dev program) from June through November of 2019 and just attended graduation this past weekend! I would highly recommend this course to anyone who is in tech and looking to make a transition to an eng or development role. I currently work in IT Operations for a tech company here in Denver and took this course as a way to further my career. 

First and foremost, I would say that this course forces you to dig down deep. This is a huge commitment, not only for you, but for your entire support system. For someone who works an 8 to 5, getting to class at 6:30PM and being there until 9:30/10PM two nights a week and then on Saturday morning until 2pm for the entirety of the six-month course was a commitment that often resulted in late nights during projects and early mornings to complete homework. That being said, making this commitment is making a commitment to better yourself and change the course of your future and I would do it all over again for the results I have already seen after taking this course. 

The support of my instructor, my TA's, DU staff, and my tutor (that is offered to you for private one-hour sessions every week) was phenomenal. I felt that they were personally invested in my success, and oftentimes went above and beyond to make sure I understood the material. Everyone was extremely passionate about the material and about the students learning the material. Overall, the support was absolutely phenomenal and I can't stress enough how amazing they were. 

For someone who had never been exposed to code in any form prior to this class, the amount of knowledge and understanding I have walked away with is truly astounding. The expansiveness of the material covered has allowed me to dive right into learning more following the course, and to further my career by taking on new projects outside of my everyday role. I am so thrilled to have completed this course and to now walk away with the knowledge I have gained. I can't say enough how highly I recommend this course through the University of Denver. 

Prior to entering this course, I had decent experience in a technical environment collaborating with Data Analytics and Science teams. However, I didn't have many opportunities in the field to learn the craft of programming, data analysis, and data science. So, I sought after a program that could provide the hands-on experience to jumpstart my career. 

I had been inspired to dive into self-taught work and various MOOCs (Codecademy, Coursera) to learn independently, though nothing encapsulated the day-to-day experience and career perspective quite like the University of Denver Data Science and Analytics Bootcamp.

If you are looking to jump into the zone, work your hardest, and earn yourself the skills to head steadfast into your dream job, this is the best opportunity. 

I had the pleasure of working with talented cohorts with diverse backgrounds, receive quality assistance at my highs and lows, train with a brilliant tutor along the way, receive exceptional career service throughout and even after this program, and showcase projects I never thought I'd be able to accomplish. 

I'm grateful for this program, but be prepared to work in and outside of the course diligently!

Very challenging and rewarding course. I had no experience with coding, databases, web development, or machine learning. My personal goals were to learn more in these areas and I definitely did. The teacher, staff, and tutors were excellent. Course is very fast paced, students need to be able to put in the 20+ hours outside of class. Very happy I finished the course and look forward to using my new skills in the future!  I do wish we spent significantly more time in python, sql, and tableau, but that is a personal preference.