Traditional colleges can learn a lot from the bootcamp model. Higher ed institutions continue to face declining enrollment. Yet, the bootcamp industry grows year over year. What can universities gain from partnering with bootcamp providers? Here are five benefits.
Lower Costs
Old schools have hefty facility upkeep costs. Camps can run remote programs. Colleges pay tenured staff to teach courses. Bootcamps hire experts to run programs. Schools try to tempt students into their dorms with pricey extracurriculars. Still, sports teams and splashy student life centers do attract students to campus. Yet, many schools struggle to pay the added costs. Besides that, bootcamps curtail their costs. They run remote programs. Camps set up in hotels. Students spend the weekend working in cohorts on class projects. Then students head home to complete projects. Still, the bootcamp model aims to cover the topic in the best way possible.
Innovation
Yet, the bootcamp model aims to give a quality education. Camps use the latest technology. Experts use the best learning approaches to teach the topic. Instructors focus on getting students ready to be hired by top firms. Pros mentor students through remote courses. Camps are free from the restraints of traditional higher education degree programs. Yet, bootcamp critics question the credibility of these programs. Still, universities can learn to innovate by using the bootcamp model.
Willing Partners
Yet, bootcamp critics question the credibility of such programs. Camp providers would like to affiliate themselves with reputable institutions. Besides that, universities get a lot out of these alliances. Schools get more enrolled students. Still, colleges get more out of the partnership than they give. Schools can expand their degree offerings. They are able to create new degree programs well below traditional costs. Smaller colleges can expand their degree offerings. Besides that, bootcamp providers can help universities breathe life into old programs.
Refresh Stale Programs
Likewise, the bootcamp model helps universities energize their brand. The camp model shows students the institution is on top of their game. The instructors work in the field. Students learn on the latest technology. They learn the skills needed to succeed in landing a job at the end of the program. Besides that, the bootcamp model shows that the costs of a college degree are relevant. Bootcamps focus on providing students with on the job skills and help them get hired. Likewise, universities have the opening to build relationships with bootcamp alumni. This is a chance to convert bootcamp alumni into degree seeking students.
Policy Friendly
Besides that, pending policy changes favor universities who partner with bootcamps. Low-income students still face affordability, accountability and access problems. Many of these students need quick, quality degrees that get them hired. Likewise, once on the job, these same students may return for traditional degrees at accredited institutions. Savvy students will use their employers’ tuition reimbursement programs to complete these degrees. Often, bootcamp programs do not qualify for traditional tuition reimbursement programs. All these policies continue to evolve. The past two administrations have proposed policy changes. These proposals make bootcamp and college partnerships more viable.
In sum, bootcamp and college partnerships benefit both parties. Colleges are able to offer innovative modern degree programs which employers demand. Bootcamps are able to offer accredited programs that students desire. Together, these partnerships provide high quality programs which benefit their communities.
