---
title: "Dev Degree"
description: "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."
---

# Dev Degree

[Shopify](https://yomu.fyi/company/shopify) · Jean-Michel Lemieux, CTO · Sep 24, 2018

**Type:** Explainer

## 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.

## Context

Dev Degree was created in response to a gap between computer science education and the practical skills needed for software development. Shopify’s experience training graduate developers, combined with university interest but uncertainty about implementation, led to a long-term work-integrated partnership with Carleton University and later expansion to York University.

## Approach / What changed

The program integrates university study with regular industry work rather than separating school and employment into alternating terms. Students take three university courses per semester, work 25 hours weekly at Shopify, complete practicums worth at least 20% of degree credits, spend their first year in Developer Skills Training, submit practicum reports, and receive both technical and Life@Shopify mentors.

## Takeaways

- 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.
- 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.
- 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.

## FAQ

### How does Dev Degree differ from a traditional co-op program?

Traditional co-op alternates school and work terms, with limited connection between the curriculum and industry placement. Dev Degree structurally integrates university courses, Shopify work, practicums, assessments, and student support.

### What support do Dev Degree students receive at Shopify?

Students work with a technical mentor who provides direction, feedback, work reviews, and answers to questions. They also receive a Life@Shopify mentor who supports social and personal growth during the transition into the workforce.

### Why was the first-year training extended?

The first cohort completed three months of Developer Skills Training but still lacked enough knowledge to make a strong impact on Shopify teams. The program shifted to training students throughout their first year, tripling the time devoted to preparation.

**Tags:** [Education](https://yomu.fyi/topic/education), [Mentorship](https://yomu.fyi/topic/mentorship)

- Source: [Shopify](https://shopify.engineering/dev-degree-a-big-bet-on-software-education)
- Source URL: https://shopify.engineering/dev-degree-a-big-bet-on-software-education
- Ingested by Yomu: 2026-09-17T14:12:50.806Z

[Read original post](https://shopify.engineering/dev-degree-a-big-bet-on-software-education)