UX bootcamps offer condensed, practical training in website and application user experience design and development. They explore designing and planning strategies, prototyping, and methods for testing and improving designs. Graduates have the skills to work in back-end and front-end development, interface design, and webmaster positions. This page explores what UX bootcamps offer and highlights some of the best programs available. SEE: Front-end vs. back-end development: What’s the difference?
Our 8 favorite UX design bootcamps
The following list details some of the United States’ most popular UX bootcamps accepting registrations in 2022. These bootcamps aim to prepare aspiring professionals to immediately enter the field. This list is presented in alphabetical order. SEE: Best UI/UX bootcamps CareerFoundry offers specializations in UI, voice user interface design, and front-end development. Learners can work at their own pace and build a portfolio as they go, accessing advisors, mentors, and tutors. Founded in 2013, CareerFoundry employs more than 600 mentors. The organization develops its own curriculums and runs programs through its online platform. CareerFoundry’s job placement assistance CareerFoundry employs more than 80 career specialists to help students find employment after their program. While 96% find employment within 180 days, graduates can receive a refund if they are not employed within six months. Pros
Comprehensive curriculum that is developed in-houseSix-month job guarantee and dedicated job placement services
Cons
Better suited for learners with some coding/web development experience
For admission, applicants need to complete a four- to eight-week foundations course. DesignLab was founded in 2012. The organization employs more than 400 industry professionals as mentors. DesignLab’s job placement assistance DesignLab offers 26 weeks of career services assistance. Students receive up to 26 career coaching sessions, and the average graduate takes 116 days to find employment. Pros
Structured experience Three separate design portfolio projects
Cons
Might appeal less to learners more used to asynchronous learningFast-paced learning experience
In this program, students learn visual design and information architecture, along with Agile management methodologies. For admission, prospective students need to complete a consultation and skills review. Founded in 2013, DevMountain specializes in teaching professional tech skills. Partnered with Strayer University, DevMountain has campuses in Utah and Texas. DevMountain’s job placement assistance DevMountain provides career advice and interview preparation lessons. They also encourage and accommodate networking with partner organizations. Pros
Strong instructor support and required bootcamp prep coursesStructured learning experience driven by practical projects and shorter assignments
Cons
No accelerated optionFairly fast-paced for a part-time bootcamp
Prospective students need to complete a critical thinking assessment before admission. Since 2012, Flatiron has been teaching tech skills to aspiring designers and engineers. In 2015, the organization introduced online learning and expanded its offerings to campuses in Austin, Chicago, New York, and more. Flatiron’s job placement assistance Flatiron offers one-on-one career coaching for students and job search support. Learners also have access to an employer network made up of professional industry partners. Pros
Full-time bootcamp is a fast-paced and immersive experienceRigorous, comprehensive curriculum that touches on UI as well as UX
Cons
Fairly pricey compared with competing bootcampsCompetitive admissions process
General Assembly has graduated more than 70,000 alumni from over world 30 campuses since 2011. General Assembly’s job placement assistance General Assembly offers its students career coaching and interview tactics. The organization also allows learners to use its industry connections to improve their employment chances. Pros
Rigorous curriculum is developed in-houseGood balance of flexibility and structureLarge community of alumni can provide dedicated support
Cons
More expensive than competing UX bootcampsNo official job guarantee
SEE: The 10 best coding bootcamps: Reputable coding camps compared The program familiarizes learners with new and useful tools and technologies in the field, along with best practices. Classes include group discussions, assignments, and weekly events and tasks. Starting in 2019, Memorisely has grown quickly, graduating more than 2,200 students and uniting a community of over 95,000 designers. The organization and its students work remotely from more than 100 countries. Memorisely’s job placement assistance Memorisely helps students identify and apply for their dream jobs while in the bootcamp. Learners can also access the Memorisely job board for more career ideas. Pros
Interactive, collaborative learning platform with small class sizesMuch less expensive than the competitionBootcamp also covers UI
Cons
No job guaranteeLimited career support and instructor guidance
The training explores design thinking, synthesis and presentation, and ideating. Learners explore methods for solving customer problems, meeting tight deadlines, researching, and testing for improvements. Founded in 2013, the organization has graduated thousands of learners from its foundational and career training programs for technology-based professions. Springboard’s job placement assistance Springboard offers individual career coaching for up to six months after completing the bootcamp. The coaching includes practice interviews, job search strategies, and resume and portfolio assistance. Pros
Unlimited one-on-one mentoringSix-month job guarantee and solid career supportComprehensive curriculum
Cons
Difficult admissions processHigh weekly time commitment
The courses may include live mentoring sessions, lectures and workshops, or self-paced lessons. Students develop skills in wireframe prototyping, user research, and information architecture. Founded in 2012 with headquarters in New York, Thinkful employs nearly 300 mentors and more than 600 employees. The organization features several online tech-related programs that prepare students for new careers in a matter of months. Thinkful’s job placement assistance Thinkful mentors offer students career advice and insight, including resume and LinkedIn profile support, interview practices, and salary tips. Learners can also access Thinkful’s job board. Pros
Slower pace that caters to beginners looking to make a career pivotDedicated career support and job guaranteeComprehensive curriculum that also covers UI
Cons
While designed for beginners, still relatively challenging
Amount of career support providedWhether the pace caters more to beginners or intermediate codersWhether the program opts for flexibility or firmer structure
Choose your UX bootcamp based on your needs as a professional. For instance, if you are starting out as a coder, you might be better suited to take Thinkful’s bootcamp, which caters strongly to beginners. You should also evaluate the bootcamp organization and program. Company reviews and student outcomes provided by the Council on Integrity in Results Reporting (CIRR) can reveal valuable information. Programs can take students between 1-12 months to complete and feature full-time or part-time schedules. Bootcamps usually come from independent industry organizations or through university affiliations. Compared to general coding bootcamps, UX bootcamps focus on web and application design. Many of these programs have both user experience and user interface design components. To accommodate more learners, many bootcamps offer financing options, such as upfront payments, payment plans, loans, deferred tuition, and income-sharing agreements. Some bootcamps even provide job guarantees, along with no upfront payments or even tuition refunds if students cannot secure employment.
