The Tech Academy
The Tech Academy is a trade school headquartered in Portland, Oregon that offers full-time and part-time bootcamps online and in-person at their Portland campus. The Tech Academy offers part-time and full-time bootcamps in computer programming, website development, cybersecurity, game development, mobile development, data science, front-end development, tech marketing, and tech sales. The immersive experience aims to create well-rounded technology professionals, and also gives students the option to take the course at their own pace. There are also no set starts dates or rigid scheduling. Students can enroll at any time, study from home, and choose whatever study schedule they would like.
The Tech Academy’s bootcamps cover topics including computer science fundamentals, programming basics, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, SQL, C#, Python, Bootstrap, jQuery, React.js, project management, Agile, Scrum, MVC, version control, Java, and more. Each bootcamp also includes a Live Project, where students gain real-life experience to add to their resume as well as job placement assistance.
None of The Tech Academy's bootcamps require any tech background or experience. To apply, applicants need to take an IQ test with logic-based questions (to ensure applicants can read, write and perform basic math), followed by an admissions interview.
The final part of every The Tech Academy bootcamp is the Job Placement Course which covers interviewing skills, resume writing, where to find tech jobs, and gives students access to job placement staff who assist students in landing technical positions.
421 The Tech Academy Reviews
Cole DixonDatabase Developer • Graduate • Software Developer Bootcamp • PortlandSep 17, 2015Overall ExperienceInstructorsCurriculumJob AssistanceThe team that Erik and Jack have assembled to instruct and mentor students is a cut above.
I have always had a voracious appetite for knowledge across a vast myriad of different subjects and genres. Coding was never something that even pinged on my radar as a possible career avenue. It was not until I heard of the unique environment and learning structure at the Tech Academy that I felt inclined to look into the technology field. As I researched all of the diverse code schools that the Portland area had to offer, word kept coming around about how intentionally different ...I have always had a voracious appetite for knowledge across a vast myriad of different subjects and genres. Coding was never something that even pinged on my radar as a possible career avenue. It was not until I heard of the unique environment and learning structure at the Tech Academy that I felt inclined to look into the technology field. As I researched all of the diverse code schools that the Portland area had to offer, word kept coming around about how intentionally different the Tech Academy was in its approach to teaching the fundamentals of software development.
Upon my acceptance to Tech Academy and initial introduction to the course material, I knew I had made the correct choice. Each course is beautifully developed on an incrementing scale of difficulty to fully immerse the student in possible real-world scenarios and deeply instill the vocabulary and syntax of each coding language and OOP. With a range of interests from front-end to back-end and database implementation, everything needed to be successful in the industry is covered. Having access to Erik Gross and his wide breadth of knowledge and experience is, in itself, one of the most invaluable assets the Tech Academy offers.
Working through drills and projects that are specifically designed to test your skills and creativity one gains an incredibly in-depth knowledge of each language they are working in. I had the privilege of not only being a student but also being an employee of the Tech Academy.
The team that Erik and Jack have assembled to instruct and mentor students is a cut above. They truly are the heart of the program and have an eagerness and thirst for knowledge that is demonstrated through their teachings. One of the best skills that I received from the Tech Academy came from my time as an instructor. By working closely with students and spending time debugging their code, as opposed to my own, I saw how every individual thinks and approaches problem solving differently and that no piece of code is written the same. This has opened my mind to new ways of thinking and indirect angles to find solutions to coding challenges.
If it were not for the skills gleaned from study and participation in all of the events and lectures Tech Academy offers, I would not have earned the job I have been offered. Participating in Tech Talks, weekly Career Round Table sessions, and meet-ups is essential to understanding the layout of the tech industry and pushing through all of the doors marked pull.
For each student that has taken this program there is a specific language that stands out to them and becomes their favourite above others. For me that was SQL and database design.
The innumerable amount of resources that are granted to each student allowed me to pursue my interests in databases and RDBMS alongside my course studies. Being given the opportunity to work on projects with a team working under the Agile methodologies is one of the key factors in me obtaining the job that I have now.
I would like to extend a most gracious ‘thank you’ to the staff, Adam, Tony, Kendra, Brett, and Michelle, and all of the student body, [both remote and local], for making my time at the Tech Academy full of meaningful interactions, immersive conversations, inventive challenges, and a lot of memories and knowledge that I will carry with me into my new career in Colorado.- Marie TDeveloper • Student • Software Developer Bootcamp • PortlandSep 17, 2015Overall ExperienceInstructorsCurriculumJob Assistance
Computer Basics was a perfect course to start off my software developer journey.
It feels like having this basic knowledge of computers and the related lexicon helps build legitimacy to a programmer. Learning the inter-workings of a computer was demystifying. It helped me have a better understanding of programming since there are layers of programs in place to enable us to communicate with the computers who only speak binary. As a matter of fact, my absolutely favorite part of Computer Basics was learning to count, add, and subtract in binary....
It feels like having this basic knowledge of computers and the related lexicon helps build legitimacy to a programmer. Learning the inter-workings of a computer was demystifying. It helped me have a better understanding of programming since there are layers of programs in place to enable us to communicate with the computers who only speak binary. As a matter of fact, my absolutely favorite part of Computer Basics was learning to count, add, and subtract in binary.
I plan to build on the foundation that was established in this course by keeping what I learned in mind when creating programs and to continue learning more in depth on the subjects we covered. In my careers, I have always enjoyed taking a whole-systems approach when planning projects or approaching problem solving. Having gained this information about the computer basics, I feel better equipped to take this into account when encountering situations or learning new material in my new career in the tech world. - CarlinDev • Student • Software Developer Bootcamp • PortlandSep 17, 2015Overall ExperienceInstructorsCurriculumJob Assistance
I just completed the Tech Academy's Python Course
As the final step of this Practical exercise, write an essay describing your project and anything you learned during it and turn this in to your Instructor.
I found that i have near godlike powers now! But seriously, i learned that almost anything you can think of can be programmed relatively easily in python. If i would have known that in ~20-30 lines of code i could make something useful, dynamic, and interactive(even if ...
As the final step of this Practical exercise, write an essay describing your project and anything you learned during it and turn this in to your Instructor.
I found that i have near godlike powers now! But seriously, i learned that almost anything you can think of can be programmed relatively easily in python. If i would have known that in ~20-30 lines of code i could make something useful, dynamic, and interactive(even if only on a very basic level) then i would have started learning coding long ago, especially python. It took only a couple of imports(beautifulsoup, urllib, and webbrowser) to add functionality.
What are some of the uses you will put Python to as a software developer? Seems like i would use it for more internal stuff to improve workflow for a company or myself, or to make native apps. Although, i have seen some really cool web dev frameworks for python that i can't wait to get into.
What did you gain from taking this course? A ton of knowledge about python and an intro to making native applications. The practice in this course was among the first to really get me thinking about solving problems from a programmers frame of reference. I can tell that, although i am still a beginner and the road ahead looks very long indeed, i am light-years ahead of where i was before i started the python course. - AnonymousGraduate • Software Developer Bootcamp • PortlandSep 16, 2015Overall ExperienceInstructorsCurriculumJob Assistance
AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There's a reason that The Tech Academy has a 100% job placement rate. Actually, there are a ton of reasons! If you really want to learn what you need to get a job in this industry, this is the place!!!
- Morgan P.Software Developer Bootcamp • PortlandSep 15, 2015Overall ExperienceInstructorsCurriculumJob Assistance
Experience with The Tech Academy
The Tech Academy was a really great school for me. I learned so much going through the curriculum. The instructors really know their stuff and everyone is super easy to get along with. If you are looking at breaking into the IT field, I don't think you can go wrong with The Tech Academy.
- AnonymousStudent • Software Developer Bootcamp • PortlandSep 14, 2015Overall ExperienceInstructorsCurriculumJob Assistance
Best Code School in Portland
The employees here are very helpful and nice. Great learning environment. The curriculum is very comprehensive. Great place.
- Z OberData Analyst • GraduateSep 05, 2015Overall ExperienceInstructorsCurriculumJob Assistance
I completed the boot camp and got an amazing job!!!
What makes the Tech Academy great is their focus on two fundamentals of any job in tech: 1) Having an understanding of how computers work on a big picture level and how that relates to programming and software development. 2) Having the ability to work through problems on your own in order to become a problem solver. That second fundamental essentially sums up the responsibility of an IT professional; getting paid to solve problems. However, The Tech Academy's commitment ...
What makes the Tech Academy great is their focus on two fundamentals of any job in tech: 1) Having an understanding of how computers work on a big picture level and how that relates to programming and software development. 2) Having the ability to work through problems on your own in order to become a problem solver. That second fundamental essentially sums up the responsibility of an IT professional; getting paid to solve problems. However, The Tech Academy's commitment to instilling a foundation in the first fundamental is what separates it from other programs. I graduated with a degree in Philosophy and wanted to pursue a career in Data Science. I knew that I needed to learn how to code, and tried to teach myself. I found myself struggling and realized it was because I didn't have that fundamental understanding of how computers work. The Tech Academy gave me that fundamental understanding that most software developers learn from a computer science degree. Instead I learned it in a couple of weeks for a fraction of the cost of a 4 yr CS degree. A great tennis player needs an experienced coach to teach them proper technique, and plenty of practice to master that technique. The same is true about programming. The truth is that no boot camp will make you into a software developer; only you can by practicing how to solve problems on your own. However, The Tech Academy teaches you the fundamentals of how to solve problems. I highly recommend this program to get you started in the Tech industry.
I recently got a job as a data analyst for a start-up and know that I would not have got the job had I not enrolled in the Tech Academy. Enroll in the Tech Academy and within a few months you will have separated yourself from other candidates for a job by learning how to code, and most importantly learning how to solve problems. - Scott JansenSoftware Developer • GraduateSep 05, 2015Overall ExperienceInstructorsCurriculumJob Assistance
The Tech Academy "delivered" far more than what I expected when I first arrived.
The TECH Academy is an outstanding program for people like me who are changing careers and need a quick start into the software development field. If you are devoted to that course of action and diligent about your time, you can pass through the coursework pretty quickly--it took me less than four months.
Toward the end of your studies, you'll want to avail yourself of the job placement course materials, as well as the helpful advice of the job placement manager. It takes ...The TECH Academy is an outstanding program for people like me who are changing careers and need a quick start into the software development field. If you are devoted to that course of action and diligent about your time, you can pass through the coursework pretty quickly--it took me less than four months.
Toward the end of your studies, you'll want to avail yourself of the job placement course materials, as well as the helpful advice of the job placement manager. It takes a lot of persistent effort to find a job, and you need a thick skin to ignore the many folks who will turn you down. However, all of that will be soon forgotten after you land an excellent job. I actually received three job offers and had a difficult time choosing among them. The offer I selected far exceeds my wildest hopes. This was possible because I consistently impressed folks during the technical aptitude portion of various interviews--and this was possible because of the excellent teaching materials I received. The Tech Academy "delivered" far more than what I expected when I first arrived. - BrookStudentSep 05, 2015Overall ExperienceInstructorsCurriculumJob Assistance
Learning a lot and fast!
I had taken a 200-level Introduction to Database Systems course from an accredited online school not too long ago. The course was 8-weeks-long and covered some design-related material without getting into too much scripting. Prior to taking the Tech Academy’s database/SQL course, I figured that I probably knew enough that this would be fairly redundant. In all honesty, the Tech Academy’s version actually covered more material in a shorter amount of time. I esp...
I had taken a 200-level Introduction to Database Systems course from an accredited online school not too long ago. The course was 8-weeks-long and covered some design-related material without getting into too much scripting. Prior to taking the Tech Academy’s database/SQL course, I figured that I probably knew enough that this would be fairly redundant. In all honesty, the Tech Academy’s version actually covered more material in a shorter amount of time. I especially enjoyed the Joes2pros.com material, which forced you to visualize the data as objects and able to be manipulated as such.
As a dB developer, the primary job will involve not ever losing any data and turning it all into useful information. Learning Microsoft’s dB management system is extremely valuable since a good percentage of businesses use Microsoft’s systems to run most of their operation. Learning scripting that works alongside SQL would be the next step to make this into a holistic knowledge base.
Since I actually would eventually like to work as a database designer or manager, learning more SQL scripting and different management systems is going to be key (no pun intended). I am probably going to visit and revisit this information fairly regularly so that I don’t lose it from lack of use. The information that I’ve learned from this course is definitely a good starting point in the career, doing some fairly basic-level work. It will be up to me to learn more and master the skill. - Ben MStudentSep 05, 2015Overall ExperienceInstructorsCurriculumJob Assistance
Better than college
I feel like I'm learning more about computers in this span of 3 weeks than when I was taking college computer classes on and off in a 3 year period in college. It's amazing.
- RockyStudentSep 05, 2015Overall ExperienceInstructorsCurriculumJob Assistance
I was very excited to see that the Tech Academy starts the program with a computer basics course like this.
When I talk to developers at work, I often find that they start in the middle of an explanation and assume that everyone knows certain “basics”, which is not true. It was great to pick up several things in this course that I did not know before, and to clarify a few things that I didn't have quite correct in my head, so that I can follow these conversations more easily. I have always worked with the front end of software in the past, as a trainer and project manager. ...
When I talk to developers at work, I often find that they start in the middle of an explanation and assume that everyone knows certain “basics”, which is not true. It was great to pick up several things in this course that I did not know before, and to clarify a few things that I didn't have quite correct in my head, so that I can follow these conversations more easily. I have always worked with the front end of software in the past, as a trainer and project manager. The computer basics course was a great way for me to start my transition to working with the back end of computer programs as a developer.
Although I am staying in the tech world, I am basically changing my career into one of software development, and this program is the first step. I think the transition would be much more difficult without a course like this that starts with some basics. I am very grateful to have gotten this basic information to work from, rather than jumping right into coding and assuming that students know all of these computer basics. It is one of the key factors that led me to enroll in The Tech Academy. - D.G.StudentSep 05, 2015Overall ExperienceInstructorsCurriculumJob Assistance
One course done, onto the next!
First off I want to thank the Tech Academy for this course. I have never been so excited to learn about a subject and use the data I have learned. The Basic Computer course was tough in that there was a ton of new data that I did not know, but was laid out in a way that built on to the next thing. I was nervous at what appeared to be a daunting task, but as I went along I gained more understanding and confidence that I could do this and would do this. The way the terms are defined, i...
First off I want to thank the Tech Academy for this course. I have never been so excited to learn about a subject and use the data I have learned. The Basic Computer course was tough in that there was a ton of new data that I did not know, but was laid out in a way that built on to the next thing. I was nervous at what appeared to be a daunting task, but as I went along I gained more understanding and confidence that I could do this and would do this. The way the terms are defined, in real words that a normal human can understand, was brilliant and helped my understanding of the subject immensely.
The main thing I got out of this course was the idea that computers seem complicated but are very simple when you understand how they work and what all those terms mean. This in my mind was the perfect step to the beginning of a new skill for me. I am confident that I can use all of this information in the next courses and will NEED it in order to truly be a good programmer. I also have the confidence that when I need to know more that I CAN gain that knowledge and apply it. I know without a doubt, that I can apply the knowledge learned on this course to BE a great programmer and that has me very excited to continue on this journey!
The Tech Academy Alumni Outcomes
| Employed in-field | 70.1% |
| Full-time employee | 70.1% |
| Full-time apprenticeship, internship or contract position | 0.0% |
| Short-term contract, part-time, or freelance | 0.0% |
| Started a new company or venture after graduation | 0.0% |
| Not seeking in-field employment | 11.2% |
| Employed out-of-field | 2.8% |
| Continuing to higher education | 4.7% |
| Not seeking a job for health, family, or personal reasons | 3.8% |
| Still seeking job in-field | 8.5% |
| Could not contact | 10.2% |
Recent The Tech Academy News
The Tech Academy Alumni Reviews Summary
How much does The Tech Academy cost?
The Tech Academy costs around $14,000. On the lower end, some The Tech Academy courses like Self-Paced Front-End Web Developer Boot Camp cost $1,800.
What courses does The Tech Academy teach?
The Tech Academy offers courses like Online C# and .NET Framework Boot Camp (full-time), Online C# and .NET Framework Boot Camp (part-time), Online Cyber Security Boot Camp (full-time), Online Cyber Security Boot Camp (part-time) and 35 more.
Where does The Tech Academy have campuses?
The Tech Academy has in-person campuses in Portland. The Tech Academy also has a remote classroom so students can learn online.
Is The Tech Academy worth it?
The data says yes! The Tech Academy reports a 72% graduation rate, a median salary of $54,000 and 85% of The Tech Academy alumni are employed. The Tech Academy hasn't shared alumni outcomes yet, but one way to determine if a bootcamp is worth it is by reading alumni reviews. 421 The Tech Academy alumni, students, and applicants have reviewed The Tech Academy on Course Report - you should start there!
Is The Tech Academy legit?
We let alumni answer that question. 421 The Tech Academy alumni, students, and applicants have reviewed The Tech Academy and rate their overall experience a 4.83 out of 5.
Does The Tech Academy offer scholarships or accept the GI Bill?
Right now, it doesn't look like The Tech Academy offers scholarships or accepts the GI Bill. We're always adding to the list of schools that do offer Exclusive Course Report Scholarships and a list of the bootcamps that accept the GI Bill.
Can I read The Tech Academy reviews?
You can read 421 reviews of The Tech Academy on Course Report! The Tech Academy alumni, students, and applicants have reviewed The Tech Academy and rate their overall experience a 4.83 out of 5.
Is The Tech Academy accredited?
We are a licensed trade school through the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (and other state licensing bodies), authorized to certify students in coding and other technical professions.