Dev Degree

Summary

Dev Degree is Shopify’s work-integrated learning program, combining an accredited university degree with double the experience of a traditional co-op. It emerged from concerns that graduates often knew theory but lacked practical software-development skills, and it required a long-term partnership with a university willing to change curriculum and assessments. At Carleton, students take three courses each semester while working 25 hours weekly at Shopify; students also complete a first-year Developer Skills Training program, submit practicum reports every four months, and receive technical and Life@Shopify mentors. The program allocates at least 20% of degree credits to practicums and uses learning outcomes influenced by ACM and IEEE Computer Society standards. Shopify reports 95% retention, women representing over 50% of students, and students becoming productive after nine months; it has expanded to York University, while the company says broader adoption is needed.

Takeaways

1. 1

   Dev Degree differs from a conventional co-op by integrating curriculum, assessments, university study, and industry work instead of simply alternating school and work terms.

2. 2

   After finding three months of initial Developer Skills Training insufficient, the program extended training across students’ entire first year and reported earlier positive impacts on Shopify teams.

3. 3

   The program reports 95% retention, over 50% women among its students, and team productivity after nine months; its stated longer-term test is adoption by more universities and industry partners.

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