Bishop State is one of 10 community colleges from across the nation chosen to offer Apple Swift Coding. The curriculum is designed by Apple engineers and educators using Swift, one of the world's most popular programming languages. The courses teach students how to code and design fully functional apps. Through this class, students gain critical job skills in software development and information technology.
The app development courses were first offered at Bishop State in the Fall 2017 with more than 20 students enrolled in the class. There are no prerequisites and no programming experience is necessary. Previous experience with a MacBook is not needed as the class is designed to start teaching students the basics of computer programming.
Of the 10 community college selected to first offer the coding courses, four community colleges – including Bishop State – are in Alabama. Since Fall 2017, more community colleges in the state have begun offering the app development courses. Alabama is working toward becoming the only state to offer Apple Swift Coding courses at all of its community colleges. Students can use what they learn in these classes to develop apps for personal use or for other small businesses. Students can also take their skills abroad and work for an app development company.

There are three courses of Apple Swift Coding which are taught in two semesters. The first course is taught over a full semester to set the foundation. It allows instructors to teach slowly and progressively build on what students have learned throughout the course. The last two courses are taught in one semester in two mini-terms.

The cost to learn how to code at Bishop State can’t be beat. One app development class at Bishop State costs $444. Multiply that times three (for the number of courses) and your total comes to about $1,322. That price is much cheaper than just about any comparable boot camp you can attend – if you can find one in the area. Taking Apple Swift Coding at Bishop State provides you with time to truly learn the material and retain the information that is taught. Books are free (yep, that’s right) and the MacBooks and all other materials are provided with the class.
Bishop State paid great attention to detail when preparing to offer the coding classes. The Apple lab is furnished with modular furniture, which makes it easy for students to move when working in groups. The instructors for the class attended a two-day training in Cupertino, California and were taught by Apple engineers. There are already plans in the works to support further growth of Apple Swift Coding at Bishop State. The college has ordered more devices and equipment in preparation of additional class sessions in the future. It is also working toward dual-enrollment possibilities with our area high schools and a summer coding camp for girls. If you are interested in taking the Apple Swift Coding app development course at Bishop State, contact Ronald Davis at 251-405-7204 or rdavis@bishop.edu. [gallery ids="5423,5427,5424"]
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