everthing

Break into software development with these 9 DC Coding Bootcamps

by

When it comes to technical education, how do you level up or make that career switch you’ve been yearning for?

Starting points can be anything from computer science degrees to STEM summer camps — and, of course, boot camps.

These crash courses in coding and development can be IRL or virtual. Often (but not always) they are not too bad a return on investment, with some claiming job offers for 90% of students within three months of graduation. And there are plenty of such programs to go around in DC whether you’re looking for part-time, full-time, tuition or the best.

Did you miss something? Send us a message at dc@technical.ly.

Ada Developer Academy students. (Courtesy photo)

  • Who: This national coding bootcamp is a training program open to all women and gender-expansive adults, but primarily targets aspiring technologists who are Black, Latinx, Indigenous, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, LGBTQIA+, or low-income. It teaches a full stack in its six-month course.
  • When: Ada receives two cohorts per year, in September and March. Applications open August 29 for the March cohort.
  • Where: The newest face on the DC scene, Seattle-based Ada, is not yet officially in DC for IRL courses. But it has a virtual offering for people in the region and will open a local campus in 2023.
  • $ $ $: Free
  • What: The Tysons, Virginia program has courses for frontend, backend, and full-stack developers in a mix of full- and part-time learning options.
  • When: Sessions start in August and applications are still being accepted.
  • Where: Tysons, as well as free mini bootcamps online
  • $ $ $: $4,800 to $7,200
  • What: Cydeo has training in Java SDET, cybersecurity and Java in a course designed as “technical education for those without a technical background”.
  • When: The seven-month program is full-time, five days a week. Enrollment for Java SDET has started, with an introductory session on July 31.
  • Where: The program is virtual, but delivered live by Tysons, and students have the opportunity to meet instructors and mentors in person.
  • $ $ $: $13,500 to $14,000
  • What: This coding school has been in DC for nearly a decade, offering full and part-time courses in software engineering, data analytics, UX, frontend development, Python, JavaScript, and more.
  • When: New sessions start in August.
  • Where: All upcoming courses will be online, but there is an IRL campus in Chinatown and the venue hosts regular in-person workshops.
  • $ $ $: $15,950
A building on the George Washington University campus, with large windows and the name of the school on the facade of the building.

George Washington University in DC. (Courtesy photo)

  • What: The local university has a 24-week, part-time bootcamp that teaches a full-stack curriculum. It also has boot camps in UX/UI, fintech, data, cybersecurity, and project management. Students receive a professional certificate upon completion.
  • When: It is currently enrolling in a number of boot camps that will begin in August or October. The course has nine hours of scheduled class time with a minimum of 20 hours of expected work outside.
  • Where: The program is held entirely online.
  • $ $ $: $12,245
  • What: The national nonprofit has long worked to increase the number of women in computer science careers. A few years ago, it added its Code at Home program for parents, students, and educators. In 2023, it will also launch a summer immersion program for high school students.
  • When: According to your own schedule
  • Where: Pretty much, with additional programming at some of the city’s DC departments
  • $ $ $: Free
A student and teacher speak at a technical training program for Per Scholas. Other students are working in the classroom.

A look at a Per Scholas training program. (Courtesy photo)

  • What: The nonprofit technical training organization Per Scholas has developer courses available to residents of Silver Spring, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, Charles County, DC, and Northern Virginia. Last year it also launched a Women in Software Engineering course and a pre-internship program.
  • When: The software engineering course starts on September 26 and the women’s course starts in December.
  • Where: Remotely with other local students as well as an in-person course in IT training
  • $ $ $: Free
  • What: Tech Elevator runs 14 and 30-week courses in Java and C#, for full-time or part-time students, and says 90% of graduates get a job within 180 days.
  • When: The next cohorts will start on August 20 and September 12.
  • Where: Tech Elevator does not have a DC campus, but it does have a DC chapter with live remote classes with other local students.
  • $ $ $: $15,950
  • What: In partnership with Fullstack Academy, Virginia Tech hosts 26-week bootcamps in full-stack development, as well as cyber, DevOps, and data analytics. The courses are part-time for 12 to 26 weeks.
  • When: Applications must be submitted no later than September 13 for a start date of September 19.
  • Where: Boot camps are completely virtual.
  • $ $ $: $12,495

###

Can’t feel the local atmosphere? Here are some national, fully virtual options to choose from:

-30-