If you’re ready to make a career change to a job with lots of room for growth, learning how to program is your gateway to fulfilling jobs that pay well. A university coding bootcamp can teach you those skills in no time. Southern Methodist University (SMU) bootcamps might be just what you’re looking for to change careers.
We put together this guide with critical information about Southern Methodist University’s Coding Bootcamp and other SMU bootcamp programs. This guide covers tuition and payment options, bootcamp instructors, and feedback from former students. Discover what others are saying about SMU’s coding bootcamp program and decide whether an SMU bootcamp is right for you.
SMU Bootcamp Courses
| Description | There are five SMU bootcamp programs available. The Coding Boot Camp teaches full stack web development through HTML5, Javascript, and MongoDB. The data science program focuses on Python, web visualization, and databases. Students in the fintech program learn about cryptocurrency and smart contracts, and students in the cyber security course learn Wireshark, Kali Linux, and Metasploit. SMU also has a product management bootcamp, which teaches Agile project management, design thinking, and product life cycle management |
| Cost | $8,995 – $13,995 |
| Location | Dallas, TX |
| Start Dates | Rolling Admission with new start dates every quarter |
| Class Time | Full-Time: 20 hrs./wk. Part-Time: 9 hrs./wk. |
| Program Duration | Full-Time: 12 weeks Part-Time: 24 weeks Product Management: 18 weeks |
| Part-Time Courses | Coding, Data Science, FinTech, Cybersecurity, and Product Management |
| Full-Time Courses | Coding |
Top SMU Bootcamp Programs
Whether you want to become a web developer or a product manager, SMU has a bootcamp for you. SMU bootcamp programs are constantly updated so the curriculum matches programming languages and tools currently used in the industry. Some topics overlap between bootcamps, but each program is tailored to prepare you for a specific career path.
SMU Coding Boot Camp
SMU Coding Boot Camp teaches students all they need to know about full stack web development, from programming basics to coding a website. The program is available both part-time and full-time, though both options are only offered online. The part-time program costs $12,745 and takes six months, while the full-time program costs $13,995 and takes three months.
What you will learn at SMU Coding Boot Camp:
- How to Code. You’ll learn how to use command line programming in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The course covers fundamental topics in computer science to teach you the logic behind coding.
- How to Build a Website. You’ll learn how to use JSON, AJAX, Node.js, and MySQL to build the front end and backend of websites and applications.
- How to Optimize a Website. In the final stage of the class, you’ll learn how to make progressive web applications, improve the performance of websites with MongoDB, and use React to build applications.
SMU Cybersecurity Boot Camp
The SMU Cybersecurity Boot Camp is available part-time and takes 24 weeks to complete. In this short time, you’ll learn how to keep networks and data secure while also preparing to take cyber security certifications like CompTIA Security+, Linux+, and Certified Ethical Hacker. SMU’s cyber security bootcamp costs $13,995.
What you will learn at SMU Cybersecurity Boot Camp:
- Introduction to Security. The first module of this course covers the fundamentals of cybersecurity, including risk assessment, disaster recovery, and cyber security laws and regulations.
- System and Network Administration. Next, you’ll learn how to configure Linux and Windows servers and use tools like Kerberos, Tar, Cron, and Cronjobs. This section also covers network security tools like Wireshark, encryption, and cloud security.
- Offensive vs Defensive Security. Finally, you’ll learn how to detect cyber attacks with Splunk, as well as how to prevent attacks using Metasploit, Burp Suite, penetration testing, and Zenmap.
SMU Data Science Boot Camp
If you want to learn how to make good decisions based on carefully analyzed data, then the SMU Data Science Boot Camp is the program for you. In 24 weeks you’ll learn how to compile data from external sources, analyze it, and present it through interactive websites. This part-time program costs $12,995.
What you will learn at SMU Data Science Boot Camp:
- Data Analysis. You’ll learn how to use Microsoft Excel for basic statics modeling and Python for more in-depth analysis. Python tools covered include NumPy, Pandas, and Matplotlib.
- Databases. Next, learn how to extract, format, and combine data from databases like SQL, NoSQL, MySQL, and MongoDB for future analyses.
- Data Visualization. Finally, this course covers basic web development so you can build simple websites that show interactive data visualizations using HTML, CSS, JavaScript Charting, and Leaflet.
SMU FinTech Boot Camp
Big data and finance combine to form the field of financial technology, which you can learn about through the SMU FinTech Boot Camp. You’ll learn about the technology behind cryptocurrency and how to do secure transactions online, as well as how to program in Python. This part-time course costs $13,495 and takes 24 weeks to complete.
What you will learn at SMU FinTech Boot Camp:
- Programming in Finance. You’ll learn how to code in Python and use Python tools like Pandas, Matplotlib, and SciPy for financial modeling.
- Predicting Outcomes With Machine Learning. Predicting the market is one of the goals of financial programming. This section covers prediction models like random forests, linear regression, and neural networks.
- Cryptocurrency and Blockchain. The bootcamp concludes with a module on the technology behind cryptocurrency and smart contracts. You’ll learn about Solidity, Truffle Suite, and Ganache.
SMU Product Management Boot Camp
SMU’s Product Management Boot Camp is an 18-week, online program for part-time students. This course is for people who have experience working as part of the product production cycle and want to move into product management positions and oversee the whole process. This course teaches students how to lead teams from design to delivery of a new product.
What you will learn at SMU Product Management Boot Camp:
- Product Management Life Cycle. The first module will teach you how to approach creating a new product for a specific consumer to meet business goals.
- Team Management Strategies. This section covers different methods of leading teams and organizing complex projects using both Agile and traditional management frameworks.
- Data-driven Decision-making. An important piece of product management is evaluating the outcomes through data analysis. You’ll learn how to mine, clean, analyze, and visualize data using Tableau, SQL, and NoSQL.
Bootcamp Locations
Southern Methodist University is currently only offering online bootcamps. Whether you choose a full-time or part-time program, you’ll attend all classes online. Classes are live, instructor-led sessions, so you get the benefit of an in-person program without having to commute to class.
SMU Coding Boot Camp Reviews
If you want to know if a school is right for you, a good way to find out is to check the reviews. The feedback from former students is a fantastic source of information and will let you know what to expect in your classes. It’s worth taking a few minutes to find out what previous attendees think about the program.
SMU coding bootcamp has a few student reviews on Reddit. One student noted that “having ‘SMU’ on the name of the certificate” was a net positive as well as having a great instructor and a great TA. They also mentioned that even a part-time program sometimes requires more than 20 hours of work outside of class time.
SMU Coding Boot Camp Cost
Cost is an important aspect of a coding bootcamp. The greatest programming bootcamp on the planet won’t do you any good if you can’t fit it into your budget, so tuition costs should be in the front of your mind when you look for a bootcamp.
So, how much is SMU coding bootcamp tuition? You can expect to pay between $12,745 and $13,995 to take a coding bootcamp course at SMU. SMU’s Product Management Boot Camp is the cheapest program, and it only costs $8,995. Veterans can pay for the program with GI Bill benefits.
SMU Payment Options
Even though bootcamps are less expensive than a bachelor’s degree, it is still a big cost. There are a few different SMU coding bootcamp financing options, and you can talk with the SMU admissions team to find the best payment option for your situation.
Pay in Full Upfront
If you can pay the full cost of tuition before the first day of class, you’ll get an early registration discount. The amount of the discount varies, so check with the SMU admissions team. Remember, programs start every quarter, so it might be worth it to wait to sign up until you can pay in full.
SMU Alumni Discount
All SMU alumni get a $500 tuition discount for SMU bootcamp programs. Depending on your program, this amounts to a 3.5 to 5.5 percent discount. Alumni discounts are a feature of most Trilogy Education Services bootcamps, so it’s worth checking to see if your alma mater hosts the same bootcamp if you aren’t an SMU alum.
Interest-Free Payment Plan
With Trilogy Education’s Interest-Free Payment Plan, students pay an initial deposit when they enroll and pay monthly installments over one to two years without any interest. The larger deposit you pay, the lower your monthly installments.
Bootcamp Loans
Unlike an interest-free plan, bootcamp loans require students to pay back the full cost of tuition plus interest. The benefit of a loan is that you spread out the payments over a longer period of time than the interest-free payment plan. However, you will have to pay more overall.
SMU Boot Camp Admissions Process
Applying to an SMU bootcamp is a straightforward process, though it takes a few steps. Between filling out a contact form and signing an enrollment agreement, you’ll need to talk with an admissions counselor and take an online assessment. These steps aren’t designed to eliminate applicants, but rather to make sure they understand the program and are ready for online learning.
- Fill out a contact form. To start the SMU bootcamp application process, first you’ll fill out an online contact form that you can find on the SMU bootcamp website. You’ll need to provide your contact information and which program you are interested in.
- Interview with an admissions counselor. An admissions counselor will reach out to you to schedule a short interview. The main purpose of the interview is to make sure you understand the program and that you’ve picked the right one based on your career goals.
- Submit an application. After the interview, the admissions team will send you a formal application. This form will ask you questions about your education and career background.
- Take an online placement exam. Next, the admissions team will send you an online placement exam to test your problem-solving and critical thinking skills. This short, multiple-choice test doesn’t require any industry knowledge.
- Sign an enrollment agreement. The last step in the admissions process is to pick a payment plan and sign an enrollment agreement before the first day of class.
SMU Acceptance Rate
Southern Methodist University doesn’t publish its bootcamp acceptance rate. However, we do know that the admissions process is relatively easy. To improve your chances of getting accepted, make the most of your interview. Show that you are committed to the program and come prepared with questions to learn more about the program.
Bootcamp Interview Questions
The SMU Coding Boot Camp interview is designed to make sure you understand the program. The admissions counselor will also try to determine if you have the right motivation to complete the program and if you are ready for online learning. Some questions they could ask are:
- Why are you interested in SMU’s Coding Boot Camp?
- Do you have any web development experience?
- Have you done any online learning before?
- What are your career goals?
- What is your highest level of education?
Bootcamp Instructors
The quality of your bootcamp instructors and TAs are vital to helping you complete the course and find a good job. SMU hires their bootcamp instructors from the private sector to make sure that you work with programmers who are up on the latest and most sought-after skills. You’ll also have access to tutors and study sessions to help you learn outside of class.
Bootcamp Schedule
SMU coding bootcamp offers a few different schedule options to provide some flexibility. If you choose their full-time program, you’ll spend 20 hours in class a week for 12 weeks. If you select a part-time schedule, you can expect to spend nine hours in class weekly and finish the entire program in 24 weeks.
Classes are held at the same time each day. Part-time program classes are held on weekday evenings, and full-time classes are held Monday through Friday from 10am to 2:30pm. The right course load for you depends on personal factors, like your employment status and family obligations.
Bootcamp Curriculum
SMU developed its technology bootcamps as part of a partnership with Trilogy Education Services. You can find out more about Trilogy by listening to this Breaking into Startups podcast episode about the future of alternative education, which features a conversation with Dan Somer, Trilogy founder and CEO.
When you attend SMU coding bootcamp for a full stack flex developer course, you can expect to learn MongoDB, MySQL, Git, HTML, CSS, React.js, jQuery, JavaScript, and Node.js. Data science students have their own fun courses and can plan on learning VBA Scripting, HTML, CSS, Python, Pandas, AP interactions, MySQL, MongoDB, and much more. Each program is updated to meet market demand.
SMU Coding Boot Camp Job Placement
Good bootcamps don’t end their association with their students at the classroom door. The best schools offer robust career services to make sure you not only complete school but also have a good job waiting for you afterward.
"Career Karma entered my life when I needed it most and quickly helped me match with a bootcamp. Two months after graduating, I found my dream job that aligned with my values and goals in life!"
Venus, Software Engineer at Rockbot
SMU coding bootcamp includes career assistance as part of the package. You’ll meet with your career coach regularly during your time at school and will receive detailed and valuable pointers for improving your resume and making your recently acquired skills stand out. It can mean the difference between applying for jobs blindly and landing substantial interviews with good potential.
Is SMU Coding Boot Camp Worth It?
SMU bootcamps are a quick way to learn new skills and start a career in tech. These are intensive programs, so you’ll need to make sure you have enough time in your schedule to learn the material well. If you put in the effort and take advantage of SMU bootcamp career services, SMU Coding Boot Camp can be worth the investment.
Use the information presented in this SMU’s coding bootcamp guide to decide if one of these programs will help you meet your career goals. A coding bootcamp can help you change your career trajectory, so it’s essential to find one that works for you.
SMU Boot Camp FAQ
After you enroll, SMU will give you access to pre-course tutorials that you can use to prepare for SMU coding bootcamps. Another way to prepare is to set up a quiet, well-lit study area in your home where you can focus on bootcamp classes and assignments once the program starts. Finally, try to take care of any large projects before the bootcamp starts so you have more time to spend learning.
How much does the SMU bootcamp cost?
The SMU Coding Boot Camp costs $12,745 for the part-time program and $13,995 for the full-time program. The Data Science Boot Camp costs $12,995, the FinTech Boot Camp costs $13,495, and the Cybersecurity Boot Camp costs $13,995. The Project Management Boot Camp is the least expensive at $8,995.
Do you have to be a university student to attend SMU’s bootcamp?
No, prospective students don’t need to be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at Southern Methodists University to attend an SMU bootcamp. Students don’t even need a college degree, just a high school diploma or GED to meet the education requirements to apply.
Can university students earn college credits through the bootcamp?
No, students can’t earn college credits from SMU bootcamps. Instead, all bootcamp graduates earn a bootcamp certificate from Southern Methodist University. Bootcamp classes are structured differently from traditional college courses and bootcamp programs aren’t accredited in the same way as colleges, so the credit system doesn’t apply.
What’s your opinion of SMU coding bootcamp? Let us know your thoughts in our comments section below.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
