Updated 02/16/24
Due to the short-term drop in demand for junior back-end software engineering talent, we have postponed enrollment and paused applications for the Software Engineering with Java/AWS Specialization program. We plan to bring the program back when the demand for talent returns and will announce a restart approximately 6 months prior to the start date of the next cohort. You can read more about this decision on our blog.
Last week, we announced a change to our Software Engineering with Java/AWS Specialization program with the move to a flexible full-time schedule. We recognize that for some students, leaving the workforce entirely for 9 months may not be possible. Other students may have caregiving responsibilities that impact their ability to be online during normal class hours, five days a week. We see this new schedule as a way to better serve a broader base of motivated adults who possess the aptitude to succeed in tech.
What is a flexible full-time schedule?
All students are required to be online and in class three mornings a week: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. CT. We’re calling this Core Class Time.
When you put in the remaining hours of course and project work each week is up to you. For example, if you need to work an all-day shift on Friday or leave early for an evening shift, you have the flexibility to do so and complete your coursework at another time during the week. You will have deadlines to meet - this is not a self-paced course.
We’ve divided the remainder of the week into two other categories: Flex Class Time and Open Time.
If you would like to work with classmates and have support from instructors, we recommend planning to work on coursework during Flex Class Time. Flex Class Time is Mondays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT and Tuesdays through Thursdays 1 - 4 p.m. CT.
For students who need more flexibility to complete their independent work, Open Time encompasses the rest of your week where you can work independently on assignments and still have access to classmates through Slack.
For more on the flexible full-time schedule, read our prior blog post.
What does flexible full-time look like in practice?
Let’s look at a few examples inspired by some of our graduates.
Bartenders & Musicians
We’ve had a lot of hospitality workers and musicians come through NSS over the years. The flexible full-time schedule will allow them to start work in the late afternoons. Here’s what their schedule might look like:
Mondays:
- Flex Class Time | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. CT
Tuesdays:
- Core Class Time | 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. CT
- Flex Class Time | 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. CT
Wednesdays:
- Core Class Time | 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. CT
- Flex Class Time | 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. CT
- Work | 3:30 p.m - 11 p.m. CT
Thursdays:
- Core Class Time | 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. CT
- Flex Class Time | 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. CT
- Work | 3:30 p.m - 11 p.m. CT
Fridays:
- Flex Class Time | 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. CT
- Work | 3:30 p.m - 11 p.m. CT
Saturdays:
- Open Class Time | 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. CT
- Off!
Parents & Caregivers
Many of our students have to balance class with their childrens’ schedules or other caregiving responsibilities. That might mean an afternoon pick up from school, driving kids to soccer practice, or bringing lunch to a loved one. Here’s what their schedule might look like:
Mondays:
- Flex Class Time | 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. CT
- Family/Care Time | 2 p.m. - 7 p.m. CT
- Open Class Time | 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. CT
Tuesdays:
- Core Class Time | 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. CT
- Flex Class Time | 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. CT
- Family/Care Time | 2 p.m. - 7 p.m. CT
- Open Class Time | 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. CT
Wednesdays:
- Core Class Time | 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. CT
- Flex Class Time | 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. CT
- Family/Care Time | 2 p.m. - 7 p.m. CT
- Open Class Time | 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. CT
Thursdays:
- Core Class Time | 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. CT
- Flex Class Time | 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. CT
- Family/Care Time | 2 p.m. - 7 p.m. CT
- Open Class Time | 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. CT
Fridays:
- Flex Class Time | 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. CT
- Family/Care Time | 2 p.m. - 7 p.m. CT
Saturdays:
- Off!
Sundays:
- Off!
As you can see, the flexible full-time schedule has a lot of, well, flexibility.
Still A Full-Time Commitment
More flexibility comes with more–or maybe just different–responsibility. Based on our survey of graduates, we know that it takes students, on average, 35-40 hours a week to complete the weekly requirements. That total time commitment is not changing. What is new is the flexibility to choose when you complete the weekly coursework, with the exception of Core Class Time Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. CT.
We anticipate that many students will choose to work on the course requirements from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. five days a week while instructors are available. This is still an option, it just isn’t the only option for when to complete your coursework each week.
You will have the freedom to set your own schedule. That’s exciting! But the flip side is that you must set your own schedule. Our programs have always been for adult learners and we recognize the complications life may throw at you. That means you need to sit down with your own weekly calendar and carve out those work hours for yourself. We will let you know when work is due but it will be up to you to dedicate your time to get there.
Still Connected With Your Cohort & Instructors
There will be less required time in the shared group Zoom sessions, but you will still have plenty of opportunity to get support from instructors and work with your classmates. Your instructors will be online Monday through Friday 8 a.m. (9 a.m. on Mondays & Fridays) through 4 p.m. You will have team exercises during Core Class Time and group projects to complete during Flex Class Time. Students will still be connected via Slack and able to message each other 24/7.
Students will need to be flexible (there’s that word again) and create time outside of Core Class Time to meet with their classmates for group projects. You’ll be encouraged to meet up over a video conference or, in cases where all your group members are local, maybe even meet up at a coffee shop to get some work done.
Will I Have Support During Open Hours?
You will have support during Open Hours but it will look a bit different. During open hours, your main tool for questions will be Slack. Your cohort channel in Slack is available 24/7 to ask questions and get peer support. Your instructors will also be monitoring Slack during Flex Time Hours and will ensure you get the support you need to keep learning.
Our programs have always been designed for students who want to take control of their education and their careers. This change offers you more flexibility to do just that and we are so excited to see where it takes each and every one of our future Software Engineering graduates!
Ready to apply? Applications for our October cohort are open through July 31st. Learn more and apply here.
