Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of support can I expect?

Your Mentor

You'll regularly have a 30-minute video call with your mentor, who is an expert in the industry. They will provide you with guidance and accountability so that goals can be achieved successfully.

Community Teaching Assistants

Leverage the power of a dedicated teaching assistant to help you work through any challenges and receive detailed feedback on each project.

Career Coaches

You can begin working with a career coach during the program to map your career goals. They'll help with resume reviews, mock interviews or job search strategies so that your next steps are planned out strategically.

Student Advisors

You can always count on our student advisors for help with any questions you might have about the program. They're here to answer all your questions and provide tips that will support your goals.

Your Classmates

Working with your classmates is a great way to get feedback and work on projects together. You can form study groups and ask questions of each other as well to enhance the learning process.

How do I earn a certificate of participation for the bootcamp?

Upon completing a bootcamp, you will receive a certificate of participation.

Are these courses conducted online or in-person?

All you need to get started with our 100% online bootcamps is an internet connection!

Is this program full-time or part-time?

While most students spend 15-20 hours a week, our programs are designed to be completed on your own schedule. Due to the asynchronous nature of the programs, you can finish faster than average if you desire, while still getting the continued aid and support of our teams.

I’m interested in multiple programs and I don’t know which is the right fit. Who can help?

We know that you may have difficult questions about which program to choose. Our team of enrollment advisors will help guide your decision and find the right fit for what’s best suited not just now, but long-term as well.

A great way to get more information is by filling out an application for any one of our available programs. We will schedule a call regarding whether you are a good match for the selected program and also help you find if there is a better program for your personal career goals.

Are the programs really offered by Northern Illinois University CPE?

Yes, the programs are offered by Northern Illinois University CPE and are created and delivered by Springboard, an online-first global education provider.

This partnership allows learners to build and advance their technical skills while earning a certificate of participation.

What is a capstone project?

A capstone project is an academic project that students undertake towards the end of their bootcamp. It allows them to apply their knowledge and skills acquired in the bootcamp to a real-world problem. Every student independently works on the capstone project under the guidance of their mentor.

The capstone project forms an integral part of the bootcamp as it demonstrates to prospective employers that in addition to having a solid academic foundation you also have experience and practical knowledge working on a real-life problem. It further helps you to stand out from the crowd and be more confident in job interviews.

Software Engineering Bootcamp

How long does this bootcamp take?

While the course length will vary depending on each student’s pacing, most students finish the course and are job-ready after 9 months of working between ~15-20 hours per week.

How does the admissions process work?

Spots are limited and we accept candidates on a rolling basis. We have a multi-step application process:

1. Interview via phone with an Enrollment Advisor

If your application meets our criteria, we will reach out by phone for a fit interview. This call will come from either a local area code or 815 area code number and is required to gain provisional acceptance into the program

2. Complete the technical skills survey

In addition to your phone interview, you are required to complete a brief knowledge gap survey before the program begins – most applicants can complete it in roughly half an hour. This survey will be sent via email and you should plan to complete it within 24 hours.

3. Reserve your seat

If you are accepted into our program, you will be sent a link via email to register. Please fill out the required information within 24 hours. You can choose a start date, payment plan and fill out your student profile. Once your enrollment is complete, you will be eligible for mentor matching.

How do the tuition payments work?

We offer three payment options. Explore detailed payment options on the Software Engineering Bootcamp page, or speak to an enrollment advisor to learn more.

Upfront payment: You pay a discounted total payment upfront.

Month to month: Pay in five payments while in the program.

Climb Credit loan*: Pay a deposit at the time of enrollment. Make payments for a duration of 12 - 24 months depending on loan type. 0% APR options may be available to those who qualify. 

Apply and speak with an enrollment advisor to learn more about your specific financing options.

*Please note: lending might not be available in all 50 states - view the full lending list.

I need help with payments. Do you offer financing?

Yes! If you are unable to pay for your education costs up front, financing through a private lending source may be a good option.

Some students choose to work with Climb Credit for financing. Speak to an enrollment advisor to learn more.

How soon can I find a job?

The Software Engineering Bootcamp is designed to help you land your first engineering job within six months of course graduation. This course offers optional career units that help prepare you by focusing on career components, such as successful job search strategies, building your network, crafting a resume tailored to software engineering and building your LinkedIn profile. Your career coach will also work 1:1 with you to practice mock technical and behavioral interviews, debrief after actual job interviews and help you negotiate your salary.

What are the prerequisites for admission?

Students who already have basic skills in HTML, CSS and JavaScript can test into an accelerated Core version of the curriculum.

If you don’t already know how to code, that is okay. You can learn everything you need to succeed in our Foundations+Core program. Regardless of your background, you are welcome to enroll in our program.

Cybersecurity Bootcamp

How long does this course take?

It takes time and effort to become a cybersecurity professional, but our courses are designed to be completed on your own schedule. While the course length will vary depending on each student’s pacing, most students finish the course and are job-ready after 6 months of working ~10-15 hours per week.

How does the Admission process work?

Spots are limited and we accept candidates on a rolling basis. We have a multi-step application process:

1. Interview via phone with an Enrollment Advisor

If your application meets our criteria, we will reach out by phone for a fit interview. This call will come from either a local area code or 815 area code number and is required to gain provisional acceptance into the program

2. Complete the technical skills survey

In addition to your phone interview, you are required to complete a brief knowledge gap survey before the program begins – most applicants can complete it in roughly half an hour. This survey will be sent via email and you should plan to complete it within 24 hours.

3. Reserve your seat

If you are accepted into our program, you will be sent a link via email to register. Please fill out the required information within 24 hours. You can choose a start date, payment plan, and fill out your student profile. Once your admission is complete, you will be eligible for mentor matching.

How do the tuition payments work?

We offer three payment options. Explore detailed payment options on the Cybersecurity bootcamp page, or speak to an enrollment advisor to learn more.

Upfront payment: You pay a discounted total payment upfront.

Month to month: Pay in four payments while in the program.

Climb Credit loan*: Pay a deposit at the time of enrollment. Make payments for a duration of 12 - 24 months depending on loan type. 0% APR options may be available to those who qualify. 

Apply and speak with an enrollment advisor to learn more about your specific financing options.

*Please note: lending might not be available in all 50 states - view the full lending list.

I need help with payments. Do you offer financing?

Yes! If you are unable to pay for your education costs up front, financing through a private lending source may be a good option.

Some students choose to work with Climb Credit for financing. Speak to an enrollment advisor to learn more.

How soon can I find a job?

Our goal is to help you find a job within six months of graduation. The final module of the course will help prepare you by focusing on career components, such as successful job search strategies, building your network, crafting a resume tailored to cybersecurity, and building your LinkedIn profile. Your career coach will also work 1:1 with you for up to 6 months after graduation to practice mock technical and behavioral interviews, debrief after actual job interviews, and help you negotiate your salary.

What are the prerequisites for admission?

All backgrounds are welcome in the Cybersecurity Bootcamp as long as you can demonstrate strong analytical skills. To ensure a successful course experience, we require that all students are at least 18 years old and strongly proficient in English. You’ll need to pass a technical skills survey centered around communication and an analytical mindset. 

Data Analytics

How long does this course take?

We expect most students will complete the course in 6 months studying between 15-20 hours per week. The curriculum is built to teach you the skills needed to land a job.

How does the Admission process work?

Spots are limited and we accept candidates on a rolling basis. We have a multi-step application process.

1. Interview via phone with an Enrollment Advisor

If your application and profile meet certain standards, we'll soon reach out by phone for a fit interview - be ready for a call shortly from a number with either a local area code or an 415 area code. This interview is required to gain provisional acceptance into the program.

2. Complete the technical skills survey

In parallel with your fit interview, we'll send you a survey via email to assess any knowledge gaps you may have before the program begins. Plan to complete this within 24 hours - most applicants take about 30 minutes to complete this.

3. Reserve your seat

Our program is very selective. If you are accepted, we will send you a registration link via email, to fill out within 24 hours. You will choose a start date and payment plan, and fill out your student profile to complete your enrollment and be eligible for mentor matching.

How do the tuition payments work?

We offer three payment options. Explore detailed payment options on the data analytics bootcamp page, or speak to an enrollment advisor to learn more.

Upfront payment: You pay a discounted total payment upfront.

Month to month: Pay in four payments while in the program.

Climb Credit loan*: Pay a deposit at the time of enrollment. Make payments for a duration of 12 to 24 months depending on loan type. 0% APR options may be available to those who qualify. 

Apply and speak with an enrollment advisor to learn more about your specific financing options.

*Please note: lending might not be available in all 50 states - view the full lending list.

I need help with payments. Do you offer financing?

Yes! If you are unable to pay for your education costs up front, financing through a private lending source may be a good option.

Some students choose to work with Climb Credit for financing. Speak to an enrollment advisor to learn more.

How soon can I find a job?

Our goal is to help you find a job within six months of graduation. The final module of the course will help prepare you by focusing on career components, such as successful job search strategies, building your network, crafting a resume tailored to cybersecurity, and building your LinkedIn profile. Your career coach will also work 1:1 with you for up to 6 months after graduation to practice mock technical and behavioral interviews, debrief after actual job interviews, and help you negotiate your salary.

What are the prerequisites for admission?

This bootcamp is designed to transform beginners in data analytics into technically advanced data analysts. Prerequisites for the bootcamp include:

  • English fluency (spoken and written), as determined by interactions with the enrollment team.

  • Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

  • 2 years of professional work experience working regularly with office, design, or programming tools.

UI/UX Design

How long does this course take?

Most students will complete the UI/UX Design Bootcamp in 9 months, devoting 10 hours/week. You should expect to take the full 9 months, but can aim to complete in less time if you are:

  • Highly proficient in design thinking.

  • Ready to devote more time per week to complete the curriculum materials.

  • Driven and disciplined with managing your study schedule.

How does the Admission process work?

The application process for the UI/UX Design Bootcamp is designed to evaluate a baseline of visual skills, analytical thinking and the ability to empathize with users to synthesize and generate ideas. We're not looking for perfect answers—you're not a UI/UX design pro yet! We want to get a better sense of your instincts in each area.

In three simple steps, you can start your journey to a UI/UX Design career.

  1. Submit your application: Fill out our application to get started. There is no application fee. It takes about a minute. You should expect to hear from an enrollment advisor once your application is submitted.

  2. Fit Interview: Our enrollment team requires an interview to establish a baseline of visual skills, analytical thinking and the ability to empathize with users to synthesize and generate ideas.

  3. Complete the technical skills survey: We’ll send you a survey via email to assess any knowledge gaps you may have before the program begins. Plan to complete this within 24 hours of receiving it. Most applicants only need about 30 minutes to complete the survey. 

  4. Reserve your spot: If you pass the fit interview, we will send you a registration link. Choose the start date and payment plan that works for you. (We can help!)

Our program is very selective. If you are accepted, we will send you a registration link via email, to fill out within 24 hours. You will choose a start date and payment plan, and fill out your student profile to complete your enrollment and be eligible for mentor matching.

How do the tuition payments work?

We offer three payment options. Explore detailed payment options on the UI/UX design bootcamp page, or speak to an enrollment advisor to learn more.

Upfront payment: You pay a discounted total payment upfront.

Month to month: Pay in five payments while in the program.

Climb Credit loan*: Pay a deposit at the time of enrollment. Make payments for a duration of 12 to 24 months depending on loan type. 0% APR options may be available to those who qualify. 

Apply and speak with an enrollment advisor to learn more about your specific financing options.

*Please note: lending might not be available in all 50 states - view the full lending list.

I need help with payments. Do you offer financing?

Yes! If you are unable to pay for your education costs up front, financing through a private lending source may be a good option.

Some students choose to work with Climb Credit for financing. Speak to an enrollment advisor to learn more.

How soon can I find a job?

The final module of the course focuses on career components. In this module, you'll work 1:1 with your career coach to create a successful job search strategy, build your network, craft a UI/UX design resume and LinkedIn profile, practice mock technical and behavioral interviews, debrief after actual job interviews and negotiate your salary. We expect you can land a job as a UI/UX designer within six months of completing the bootcamp. 

What are the prerequisites for admission?

All backgrounds are welcome as long as you can demonstrate strong visual, creativity and communication skills (which are critical on a cross-functional design team). Students must also demonstrate English fluency, as determined by initial interactions with the Enrollment team.

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