Intro to Software Engineering
Applications are closed. Take the first step in computer science by enrolling in Intro to Software Engineering this summer. Taught by industry professionals, you will learn the foundations of programming, and how to explain your problem solving process in a supportive, hands-on virtual course offered at no-cost to college students. Find out if a career in tech is right for you. Those who identify as Black, Latinx, Indigenous, from a low-income household, or are the first in their family to attend college are strongly encouraged to apply.
Course Cost
No-cost
Timeline
12 weeks
Location
Online
Skill Level
Beginner
Course Dates
May 30 - August 18, 2022 (Mon, Wed & Thurs)
Admissions Deadline (Application and Pre-work)
May 9, 2022
Course Description
This 12-week virtual course taught by professional engineers is a foundation-level course for anyone considering taking computer science in college. The course will bridge the gap for those who want to feel more prepared to dive into further technical training. No prior experience in programming is required. You will work primarily in the Python programming language, learning basic concepts and how to break down complex problems to communicate your process. This supplemental course will give you a taste of what it is like to work in software engineering and give you access to industry professionals. If you are a college student with an interest in computer science, this is a great course to give you hands-on experience in computer science with a cohort of your peers. Learn valuable core concepts in computer science while getting an introduction to the crucial technical interview process.
You Should Take This Course If...

You are a student in college who has an interest in pursuing computer science

You could use the confidence boost, hands-on practice, and support to get a sense of what it would be like to work in the coveted field of software engineering

You can commit to attending three class sessions per week and doing about 2-4 hours of work outside class time each week
Tech Excellence for All
At CodePath, we believe access to relevant, hands-on technical training, career guidance, mentors, and community—created by engineers, for engineers—can help give tomorrow’s technology leaders the edge they need to launch successful, life-changing careers. As a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit, we strive to increase diversity in tech by making successful, meaningful careers in software engineering accessible to all, and by transforming college Computer Science education to make students career-ready.
Our programming centers the needs and success of Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and low-income Computer Science students.
What You’ll Learn
The course includes:
- Lectures taught by professional engineers in Python
- Interactive breakout room sessions with peers
- Pair programming and mock interview practice
- Tools and techniques for algorithm problem solving
- TA support during synchronous and asynchronous class time
- Panel sessions from experienced engineers
- Access to CodePath’s Career Center
Specific topics include:
- Python Programming Language
- CS Fundamentals
- Basic data types and structures and their respective operations and methods
- Classic Algorithms (sort, search, traversal, hashmaps, etc)
- Estimating the order of runtime complexity (Big O)
- Code Style & Readability
- Common Patterns encountered during Coding Interviews
- Recursion
- Behavioral and general interviewing tips
- Practical data structures
- Implementing efficient algorithms
Peer Group Learning
Students will be matched with a group of other students forming "pods.” Together, students in the pod will solve problems in a variety of formats, including presenting solutions to the group, mock-interviewing one another, and pair programming to a solution.
Many of our students have found the pod format beneficial and formed meaningful relationships with their "pod-mates." These relationships have been critical to building our students' confidence in entering the tech industry.
Did You Know?
Eligibility
- Students who are currently enrolled in a college or university in the U.S.
- Students who are age 18 or older
- Students who are interested in learning more about software engineering and tech
- Students that can attend 3 class sessions and complete 2-4 hours of work outside of class per week
How to Apply
The application is a 2-step process:
-
Fill out a 10-15 minute questionnaire about your background and career aspirations. You will need a GitHub account to apply.
- Applicants will then need to complete the diagnostic HackerRank assessment to gauge where you are when you start the course and map your progress throughout the course. Don’t worry though! Your performance on this exam is not factored into program admission.
Applicants must complete the questionnaire and HackerRank in order to be considered for admission and admissions is not guaranteed as there are limited seats available.
Past and Current Instructors
Hear from Our Alums
"I am happy to share with you that I got a summer internship at Amazon! The CodePath course I attended this summer was super helpful to me during this process. Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity."

RAJASREE CHENNUPATI
Arizona State University
Summer 2020
"This summer I had the amazing opportunity of learning Software Engineering from some incredibly smart, dedicated, and accomplished professionals in the field thanks to the hard work of everyone at CodePath.org. Their summer course was unlike any other class I've ever taken, both online and at school.
I cannot express my gratitude enough to the whole team for creating this experience that has given me so much new knowledge, allowed me to develop my technical skills further, and inspired me to keep working hard to reach my goal of becoming a Software Engineer."

ANTONELLA AVOGADRO
Florida International University
Summer 2020
"Over the summer, I had the chance to take part in CodePath's Software Engineering class. This was a 12-week intensive class where I got the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of data structures and algorithms and apply this knowledge in solving exciting and challenging problems. Special thanks to my instructors for making this possible. Thanks to CodePath, I feel more confident in my interviewing skills now."

PHILIP BOAKYE
Minerva Schools at KGI
Summer 2020
"I still remember the traumatizing experience I had when I had the first technical interview two years ago. Now with offers from major tech companies in hand, I really thank CodePath for preparing me not only as a better candidate, but also as a better communicator and a problem solver. The structure of the course and the quality contents are very rare to find, and it is unbelievable how I grew so much during the summer with nothing having to be paid out of my pocket."

ABIGAIL LEE
Bryn Mawr College
Summer 2019
"After two years of going through the recruiting cycle and leaving with nothing but rejections, the Summer Course equipped me with the necessary skillset to land offers from five different companies. Thanks to CodePath, I will be interning at Twitter next summer!"

ALBERT FELIX
City College of New York
Summer 2019
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CodePath Into to Software Engineering course?
Intro to Software Engineering, is a no-cost 12-week virtual course designed for students with an interest in pursing computer science. This course is taught primarily in Python programming language and focuses on beginner topics from conditionals, loops, big O notation, dictionaries, strings, and arrays. Intro to Software Engineering does not require any previous coding experience.
When will classes take place?
This Summer 2022, we will offer sections during the following dates and times:
Course Dates & Times:
- Monday May 30 - Thursday August 18
- Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 2-4pm PT / 5-7pm ET
OR - Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 5-7pm PT / 8-10pm ET
- Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 2-4pm PT / 5-7pm ET
Students should plan on spending 2-4 hours outside of class time to complete assignments.
How do I apply to take this course?
First, you will need to fill out a questionnaire, which will have questions about your background and career aspirations. Then you will need to complete the diagnostic HackerRank assessment to gauge where you are when you start the course and map your progress throughout the course. No minimum score is required to be admitted.
Who can apply for the course?
Rising college freshmen and sophomores who are enrolled in US colleges and universities who have an interest in pursing computer science or related computing-major.
Where can I find the syllabus for the course?
You can find the syllabi here:
Why should I take this CodePath course?
This no-cost 12-week virtual course is taught by professional engineers and is a foundation-level course geared towards rising freshmen and sophomores. This supplemental course will give you a taste of what it is like to work in software engineering and give you hands-on experience in computer science with a cohort of your peers. You will also gain access to CodePath’s career service.
What career services will I have access to?
Admitted students will have access to the mentorship program, resume review week, mock interview week, 1:1 advising with our career coaches. Students will also have access to our resource guides and can attend panels with company partners and company info sessions.
How much time will I need dedicate to this course?
Who will the instructors be?
The course instructors will be professionals from major technology companies, start-ups and academia.
What if I need additional help during the class?
CodePath teaching assistants will be available to help with assignments. You will be in a Slack channel where you can ask questions, and you can also email your instructors if you have further questions.
Will I receive a certificate upon completion of the course?
Yes, you will receive a certificate of completion upon completion of the course. Many of our students will post and share their certificates on LinkedIn, and we encourage you to do so!
Is this class really offered at no-cost? How are you able to do that?
Yes, CodePath is a nonprofit with backing from major tech companies like Cognizant, Comcast, Meta, Walmart, and Workday. Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, we can offer our classes to any eligible student for free.
How does CodePath determine who is admitted to the course?
We believe our students have the richest experience when we have a diverse cohort of students who are focused on their computer science education and motivated to land an internship or job in the tech industry. To that end, we take a wide array of factors into our admissions decisions including, but not limited to:
- Identification with underrepresented groups in tech
- Eligibility criteria (see above section)
When will I hear back about the status of my application?
We process admissions on a rolling basis and do our best to keep up with the volume of applications. Since there is no minimum required score on the diagnostic test to be accepted, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. You can expect to hear back about your admissions status by May 9, 2022. Due to the large number of applications we receive every admissions cycle, we cannot guarantee that you will hear back before May 9th, but we will work to process as quickly as possible.
How can I get more information about this course?
Please email admissions@codepath.org with any questions.