Best Product Management Bootcamps in 2023

The Beginning of Product Management Bootcamps

Initially, bootcamps were created to train students for more technical fields, such as data science and software engineering. As the tech industry began expanding, however, bootcamps geared towards producing qualified candidates for non-technical roles started emerging. These included product management roles which, although not a coding field, are deeply embedded into the tech industry.

While most product management programs cater to people with little to no industry experience, some target seasoned professionals looking to advance in their careers. These programs are also often offered to companies that prefer upskilling their existing workforce rather than hiring from outside.

The Curriculum

The curriculum for a product management bootcamp is generally designed to attain mastery in the end-to-end development of a product or a feature. At many bootcamps, students learn Agile practices and focus a significant amount of time on product strategies.

Students also learn market research, UX design foundations, and stakeholder management. And because product managers work with teams to ensure the successful launch of a product, bootcamps also advance collaborative training. At the end of the program, students learn how to create a product roadmap. They also perform a product launch with a team, along with the evaluation of the results.

The Application Process

Product management bootcamps require an application process which, though similar to college admission, is usually not as time-consuming. The first step involves filling out the application form. If the bootcamp decides the applicant is a good fit for the program, they arrange an in-person or online interview. The follow-up interview is for fact-finding and also a chance for applicants to learn more about the bootcamp.
After the interview, some schools require a brief skills test. In most cases, the test is manageable with some basic study beforehand. After the interview and (possible) tests, applicants move on to a final interview. Some programs skip the final interview and admit the applicant, who can then choose to attend or find another program.

The Financing Options

Product management bootcamps often provide the same financing and payment options as traditional coding bootcamps. Unlike colleges, most bootcamp students are not saddled with decades of crippling loan debt for two reasons.

First, bootcamps generally cost less than college. Second, several payment plans and money-back guarantees lessen the risk for students looking to invest in a bootcamp education. Of course, scholarships can wipe out a significant portion of tuition cost, so don’t hesitate to evaluate what programs you qualify for.

Product Management Bootcamp Loans

Student loans are available for product management bootcamps through specialized financing companies. Climb Credit and Skills Fund are the primary providers of bootcamp loans. Both have a solid history of providing tuition assistance to students.

Income Share Agreements

Income share agreements (ISAs) are a revolutionary new way to pay for education. At its core, the ISA is both a tuition deferment and a job guarantee. These programs seek to de-risk education by advancing a risk-sharing mechanism between the school and its students.

An income share agreement defers tuition payment until after the student graduates and lands a job in the field they trained for. This comes with safeguards, including a minimum income requirement. This means that a student’s payment obligation does not start until the income threshold (around $40,000 or more) is met. Afterward, they pay a fixed percentage of their salary within a specified timeframe, or until a set amount is met.

ISAs often require that the student finds employment within a year. If they fail to do so despite following the school’s job placement process, all or part of the tuition is waived entirely. Some agreements even offer living stipends for full-time programs, making it economically viable for many more people to attend a bootcamp.