Best Part-Time Python Bootcamps

A part-time schedule is the only option for many Python beginners who want to enroll in a class or bootcamp. These people often have full-time jobs, family obligations, or other commitments that make attending a course five days a week virtually impossible.

In some cases, the difference between a part-time and full-time course is one of availability: the provider may currently have only a full-time scheduling option.

However, many bootcamps and certificate programs are available full-time or part-time evenings and weekends. Some providers even make customized schedules available on a limited basis. Read on to learn about the advantages and potential drawbacks of part-time Python classes and bootcamps.

Why Learn Python Part-Time?

Part-time training holds several potential advantages over full-time coursework. Many students and employees have work or school schedules that cannot accommodate a full-time class beyond a day or two. Others have family obligations that make full-time training impossible.

Another advantage of part-time training can be the schedule itself. Some course providers offer training evenings, some on Saturdays, and some on both. This flexibility helps those who can only attend during the week or on weekends.

One feature of attending a bootcamp or certificate part-time is the opposite of a full-time feature: the pace of learning. A comprehensive bootcamp can often feel like drinking from a firehose. Attendees immerse themselves in the subject, absorbing a massive amount of information in a concise timeframe. On the other hand, learning part-time stretches the pace of obtaining knowledge and gaining practice. The immersive approach works well for many bootcamp participants, but some prefer the long game approach.

Finally, a limited number of bootcamp students may be able to customize a schedule that best fits their needs. For example, if you look at the schedule section of the listing for the Noble Desktop Data Science Certificate, you'll see a button that says Create a Custom Schedule. When this type of customization is available, it can be the perfect option for those with complex work, school, or family scheduling challenges.

Drawbacks to Learning Python Part-Time

For many, the drawbacks to learning any discipline part-time will be more evident than the advantages. The primary limitation is that it will take much longer to learn the same tools and skills if you take the class part-time than if you can attend full-time.

One example of the difference is the immersive Noble Desktop Data Analytics Certificate. While you can take this in-depth program in just six weeks full-time, it requires 24 weeks if you enroll in it part-time evenings.

Of course, what serves as a disadvantage for one person may be another person's benefit. Those with extensive work or family commitments may prefer night or weekend classes. Learning style can be a factor, too. Some students find it better to absorb the mass of bootcamp knowledge and hands-on training over a longer timeframe.

Another consideration is that only some bootcamp or certificate programs are available part-time. For example, Noble Desktop's popular Python Developer Certificate program—recently awarded Best Python Bootcamp by Forbes Advisor—is scheduled for full-time weekday classes only. The same may be true for other extensive programs like the JavaScript Development Certificate or Software Engineering Certificate.

Is a Part-Time Python Bootcamp Right for You?

Whether a part-time Python bootcamp or certificate program is right for you depends on numerous factors—from the type of Python training you need to your industry, how you plan to use Python, and your current skill set.

Those who will benefit the most from a part-time bootcamp are often students with full-time jobs, one or more other classes, or whose family obligations prevent them from a full-time commitment. However, the benefits must be measured first, considering the abovementioned factors.

For example, the type of Python training you need may not require a full-time Python bootcamp or certificate program. If you already work in a technical role, such as a development or data science role, you might need to upskill rather than start from scratch. A full-time course might be your best bet if you have no Python programming knowledge or experience.

Do you need to learn Python within a broader data science or development curriculum? How you plan to use Python on the job is another essential consideration. If you want to learn Python for task automation, a part-time course might give you all the necessary information and hands-on training.

Your current skill set is another essential determinant. If you are a Python novice planning to start a data science or data analysis career, a full-time certificate program can give you the most training in a concise timeframe. However, you might have personal reasons for preferring a part-time commitment.

Your industry or sector is the final piece of the puzzle. Are you already employed, or do you plan to seek an entry-level position after you get Python training? If you can address these concerns before you enroll in a course, you are well on your way to choosing the ideal Python education.

Ways to Make Learning Python Part-Time Easier

Learning Python can be a challenge, whether full-time or part-time. As mentioned above, part-time students often face unique challenges their full-time peers do not. Part-timers may have nine-to-five jobs, family commitments, or other obligations that make full-time study impossible.

Fortunately, students learning Python part-time can find numerous ways to make their education go smoothly. Consider the following resources and techniques for part-timers.

• Time Management - Research essential soft skills for computer scientists, developers, or data analysts, and you'll often find time management high on the list. However, time management is even more essential for those juggling part-time training with work or family commitments. Look for time-saving tips like setting priorities, working on projects for pre-scheduled blocks of time, and using planning tools. As a bonus, Python is useful for automating repetitive tasks like file management and email.
• Get to Know Fellow Students - Many bootcamps and certificate programs encourage formal or informal study groups. Class projects may or may not require collaboration, but every student knows two heads are better than one. Use the resources at hand if you take a class part-time, including ways to interact with peers.
• Find A Community - Some part-time students benefit from the expertise of supportive networks outside the classroom. While academic centers or computer labs may not be available to the average Python bootcamp attendee, other resources can provide needed support. Check out the greater developer community through the Python website, including online forums, conferences, and mailing lists.

Choosing the Best Part-Time Python Classes or Bootcamp

Students enrolling in a part-time Python bootcamp or certificate program face unique challenges. First, they must choose a course that meets their goals and budget. They must then pick a course within the context of other duties, including work or family obligations. Scheduling the right time is essential, as part-time students often juggle several essential commitments outside the classroom.

One consideration for part-time students is choosing between in-person and live online classes when both are available. Because of their tight schedules and the broader availability of virtual coursework, many part-timers prefer learning live online. If they can avoid distractions at home, the virtual training model is usually ideal for part-time Python students.

Consider the following Noble Desktop courses that offer part-time schedules:

The Data Analytics Certificate program includes Python for data science, automation, and data visualization, among other topics. Beginners are welcome and can finish in 24 weeks part-time. However, note that the part-time schedule is in the evenings, without including a weekend option.

Noble’s Python for Data Science Bootcamp is available as a separate module for one week, full-time, or one month if taken part-time, for two nights a week. The 30-hour program is also open to Saturday-only attendees.

Another option with flexible scheduling is the Python Machine Learning Bootcamp. The 30-hour unit is available in one week full-time or part-time in around four weeks. However, you can save on tuition by taking the Python Machine Learning Bootcamp within the Data Science Certificate program. You can complete this beginner-friendly certificate in 20 weeks part-time (around five months). While the full-time schedule runs on weekdays, the part-time option runs on evenings or Saturdays.

The Python for Data Science Bootcamp is available as a separate module for one month if taken part-time, for two nights a week. The 30-hour program is also open to Saturday-only attendees. You can save money by taking it as part of the FinTech Bootcamp or the Data Science or Data Analytics Certificate.

You can finish the immersive FinTech Bootcamp from Noble Desktop in four months part-time. This course runs evenings or Saturdays for maximum flexibility. Check course listings for prerequisite information.

Finally, the 30-hour Python Data Visualization & Interactive Dashboards unit is available in one month if taken two nights a week. You can save money by taking it as part of the Data Science or Analytics Certificate program.

Remember that some bootcamps are available full-time only as separate modules. However, you can often save money by taking them as part of a broader certificate program, which may offer part-time and full-time options.