Part-Time Software Engineering Program
Part-time, intensive software engineering training for women and non-binary adults seeking economic empowerment through tech careers
Apply by Sept 10th at 12pm PTThe Part-Time Software Engineering Program
Techtonica’s part-time, virtual, intensive Software Engineering Program provides women and non-binary adults seeking economic empowerment the opportunity to learn technical skills that prepare for a career transition into tech in a safe, inclusive space. The Program is made up of two parts: the introductory Part I: Web Dev Foundations (September-December) and the advanced Part II: Software Applications (January-June).
The program takes place Monday through Friday, 5 PM to 9 PM Pacific Time (20 hours per week) and includes some weekend hackathons. Part I: Web Dev Foundations consists of four weeks of pre-work followed by ten weeks of free group learning about web development fundamentals important to tech careers. Participants who perform the best during Part I will be invited to join Part II: Software Applications, which consists of 26 weeks of more advanced, project-based, personalized learning. Part II also has individual mentors, tuition (with need-based, sliding-scale, subsidized tuition and stipend scholarships available), and is followed by job placement or job search support.
Part I: Web Dev Foundations
- September-December 2025 (including pre-work)
- Up to 30 participants
- Covers the basics of full-stack web development
- Free
- No stipends
- No placements
- Group mentors
Part II: Software Applications
- January-June 2026
- 10-15 participants selected from people who successfully complete Part I
- Builds full-stack software application skills
- Tuition & scholarships
- Stipend scholarships
- May have some placements
- Group and individually-assigned mentors
What Makes Techtonica Different
Techtonica provides an intensive, inexpensive, personalized learning experience for the active learner in contrast to the passive classroom learning and expense of coding bootcamps. Our part-time program was devised to allow participants to continue to work during the day, thus easing the financial risk participants take on by quitting their jobs to do the full-time program in the current difficult job market for junior engineers.
Techtonica aims to be more like the workplace to make the transition into the industry better — instead of having an instructor constantly guiding you (which you won't have in any software engineering job), you are given a general schedule of topics and assignments (see our curriculum repo for an idea of the resources provided) and you're expected to figure out what to do on your own or in collaboration with other participants, volunteers, mentors, tech groups, and Techtonica staff. Because our resources are open-source, they are continuously being improved and you can even make improvements as you work through them. In the best jobs, there are regular check-ins with very understanding managers and mentors provide regular support, but that is not always the case. Techtonica’s program is as hands-on and project-based as possible to best prepare you for work in tech. You'll also be expected to speak and present in front of people often — a very useful skill to have for a successful career. The limited, not-guaranteed placements we secure also set Techtonica apart.
88% of our graduates so far are BIPOC, 21% have a disability, 21% are parents, 10% identify outside the gender binary, and 1% are veterans. Our cohorts have had between 8 and 18 participants so far, and income increase is usually 3-5x. Techtonica’s small-but-dedicated team, board members, and volunteers provide personalized support.
The schedule includes knowledge checks to give you a reason to review what you've learned, to provide you with feedback on where you need to improve, and to prepare you for long-term success in the workplace. As we consider your progress, we take everything you do in the program into account (not just assessments)—if you're on time and present, if you're meeting deadlines, if you're completing assignments, if you're following process, if you're communicating about your needs, if you're consistently meeting with your mentors, if you're building your network, if you're collaborating well, if you're solving problems, if you're dealing with the stress of an intensive program well, if you're lifting others with you, if you're reading instructions, how your mentor feels you're doing, how you indicate you're doing in surveys and one-on-ones, etc. If we see any indications you’re struggling in one area, we assess the overall picture and work out a plan for improvement. Consistent problems and lack of improvement could indicate someone’s not ready to continue the program. Because of limited capacity and the high expectations of our program and partners, not everyone completes the program. About 50% of people who successfully complete Part I of the program will be accepted to Part II.
Also, check out this video about a day in the life of a Techtonica participant, our social media, our testimonials page, and our info session.
We aim to empower those most underrepresented in tech and to help tech become more diverse and inclusive. To that end, we have been very intentional about creating a safe community, building a network, and providing personalized support, which means open communication is absolutely necessary. If a special situation comes up, we need you to let us know so we can sympathize and brainstorm solutions with you. We've had participants lose housing, have their laptop stolen, become pregnant, face abuse, and more, and if we don't know about it, we can't help.
Limited laptops are available to rent for this program (we will reach out to accepted applicants to make arrangements).
For participants with ADHD, we can provide accommodations and resources. We encourage open communication around what works best for you.
Who
We select participants who are independent but good at collaborating, motivated to succeed, committed to learning to code, flexible, curious, open-minded, and excited for long-term careers in the field, have a good attitude and a growth mindset, can calmly manage extended periods of frustration (troubleshooting is something you'll face forever in tech!), and want to pay it forward.
Eligibility
You are eligible to apply for Techtonica’s part-time software engineering program if you:
- are a woman (cis OR trans) or non-binary adult. We especially encourage Latinx, Black, and non-binary folks to apply.
- are digitally literate, meaning you are very familiar and good with computers and the internet, can type 50+ WPM with 80%+ accuracy, and you know how to use a mouse/trackpad, browsers, and email
- at the very least graduated from high school or received your GED
- completed the JavaScript pre-req (see the Application Process section below)
- can commit to always being present and on time and prepared
- are willing to be part of the program during 5pm to 9pm Pacific Time hours
- are dedicated to building a long-term career in tech and contributing to a diverse, inclusive, equitable tech environment
- have housing that will be stable for the entirety of the six months of training and the following six months
- are willing to live in the U.S. and relocate for an in-person placement if required by a placement company (placements we are currently working on for summer 2026 are located in California locations such as Los Angeles, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area)
- have a U.S. bank account
- have the proof that you are legally employable in the United States at the time of application (we can't help with visas)
- agree to work at an assigned partner company if we match you upon successful completion of six months of training
- are willing to appear in Techtonica's media and pitch yourself to Techtonica's partners
- have not attended a full-time coding bootcamp, completed a C.S. degree, or worked as a software engineer in the last six years
- can have high-speed internet set up by the start of the program
- agree to abide by Techtonica's Code of Conduct, Participant Handbook, and Participant Agreement [as of 29 August 2025, this document is still being reviewed; please check back for an updated link]
- haven't already applied three times
- (for white applicants) are willing to do personal anti-racism work
Please note that since Techtonica is fully remote, participants are not required to live in the San Francisco Bay Area or California to join the program, but as stated in the requirements above, you must be willing to relocate for an in-person placement if required by a placement company (placements we are currently working on for summer 2026 are located in California locations such as Los Angeles, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area).
What We Look For
This program is very competitive; we select and graduate participants who continuously prove that they are:
- self-motivated
- resilient
- logical
- humble
- respectful
- independent
- open-minded
- flexible
- persistent
- optimistic
- punctual
- committed
- responsive to feedback
- willing to ask questions
- able to set and reach goals
- able to deal with stress well
- inclusive and able and willing to work with anyone
- proud of owning their learning
- always curious and ready to learn and improve
- transparent and compassionate communicators
- hard-working and ready to make sacrifices
- dedicated to seeing things through to the end
You are probably not a good fit if you:
- would rather be passively trained than learn through discovery
- prefer always being told exactly what to do
- won't prioritize your participation in the program
- have unaddressed mental or physical health issues, insecure housing, no internet or can't manage the stress of quickly learning a whole new career in a healthy way
- don't like when plans change
- can't advocate for yourself
- don't like details
- don't get along with everyone
- don't care about diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
- are quickly frustrated every time you get stuck on a problem
- don't feel comfortable asking questions until you understand complicated concepts
- can't lay aside learning everything about something in place of just learning enough to make progress on your work
- take longer than most people to learn and apply new concepts
- aren't sure if you want to be a software engineer
- can’t give, receive or implement constructive feedback with an open mind
Schedule Overview
0. Completion of a JavaScript Algorithms and Data Structures course
Log in to freeCodeCamp and expand the "LEGACY JavaScript Algorithms and Data Structures Certification" section on the /learn page. Complete the first 113 lessons about Legacy JavaScript. This should take 4-12 hours. Be ready to upload a screenshot of the completed course checklist in the application form.
1. Two Application Forms Submitted by September 10th
Thoroughly fill out and submit both the short first application form (this is different from the interest form that is linked on this page before applications are open) and the longer second application form (linked to upon submitting the first form) by the deadline. The second form will take some time, so don't start too late!
2. Acceptance, Agreements, and Laptops
3. Mandatory Pre-Work & Study Groups
4. Part I: Web Dev Foundations
5. Pair Programming & Code Challenge
6. Assessment of Technical & Non-Technical Core Competencies
7. Staff Interviews
8. Board Interviews
Participate in board interviews that will include questions about you and your application, and questions from you.
9. Part II: Software Applications
10. Placements or Job Search Support
If you are not accepted the first time you apply, you may apply two more times for a maximum of three times, and those do not have to be consecutive application rounds. If you have any special circumstances that make you question your eligibility for Techtonica’s program, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to discuss with you. If you are interested in Techtonica but cannot participate in the next cohort, please fill out our interest form.
Part II: Software Applications Specifics
Part II: Software Applications will accept 10-15 participants from those who successfully completed Part I and will begin in January 2026.
Upon successful completion of Part II of the program, some participants may be placed in paid technical positions with partner companies, but there is no guarantee this will happen. If you are placed with a company and you both meet the requirements, you may earn an OJT ("On-the-Job Training") certificate from the State of California's Division of Apprenticeship Standards.
Tuition & Scholarships for Part II
As many companies have changed their priorities over the last few years, Techtonica has had difficulty relying only on a corporate sponsorship model. As a result, Techtonica adopted a tuition-based model with need-based, sliding-scale, subsidized tuition and stipend scholarships to enable the program to serve more participants, in addition to continuing to seek sponsorships.
Full tuition for Part II: Software Applications is $14,000 when paid upfront or $15,000 with six monthly payments of $2,500.
Since Techtonica adopted tuition, 93% of participants have been eligible for need-based, sliding-scale tuition and stipend scholarships. If you will not have $15,000 beyond six months of living costs, you are eligible to apply for a partial or full scholarship. If you will not be able to cover tuition or six months of living costs, you are eligible to apply for a tuition scholarship as well as a monthly stipend. Only those determined to be in need of full scholarships will be considered for monthly stipends.