Launch your career in software development
Building future leaders through hands on experience
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Building future leaders through hands on experience
SCROLL
Building future leaders through hands on experience
SCROLL
Building future leaders through hands on experience
SCROLL
Launch your career in software development
Launch your career in software development
Hands-on training and mentorship
Hands-on training and mentorship
Hands-on training and mentorship
Get paid while learning and honing your craft
Get paid while learning and honing your craft
Get paid while learning and honing your craft
The Craftsmanship Academy is a training program designed to nurture junior developers into long-term team members at RoleModel Software. Aimed at those with some programming background, it offers hands-on learning under the mentorship of experienced developers, called "Craftsmen," through real-world projects. The mentorship model of the Academy gives participants the chance to work on real-world projects under the direct coaching and supervision of the industry’s best developers, our ‘Craftsmen’.
With a focus on building internal talent, the Academy accepts up to five participants yearly, providing a solid foundation in Software Craftsmanship principles. The goal is to grow skilled Craftsmen, as demonstrated by Academy alumni who have advanced to key roles within RoleModel.
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RoleModel Software is a custom software development shop dedicated to delivering high-quality software to its customers while cultivating a work environment where community, learning, mentoring, apprenticeship, and growth can flourish. Since 1997, we have been industry leaders in agile development, pushing the envelope on software craftsmanship and inspiring others to do the same. Our passion for promoting quality in work and in life is what compelled us to start the RoleModel Software Craftsmanship Academy. Learn more about our culture here.
A Craftsman is an Expert in his field. The Dreyfus Model of Skill Acquisition details the progression of Novice to Expert in a set of skills, but it has been demonstrated that many people never get past the Advanced Beginner (or “unconscious incompetence”) stage. They do not recognize important context in a problem space. They do not sense that acquiring or applying a certain skill (or skillset) would modify their approach to problem-solving, and they deny the value of those skills. These are the sort of people you might describe as "having had one year of experience five times."
Our approach is to expose participants to themes, concepts, and skills through teaching and examples. Then, we help them establish their ability to recognize and apply what they are learning through repeated application in increasingly complicated contexts. Many of the skills we concentrate on are not taught (or at least not emphasized or put in their proper perspective) in colleges or other boot camps.
The Dreyfus Model of Skill Acquisition
Skill and autonomy rise as the need for supervision falls.
1
Novice
2
Advanced
Beginner
3
Competent
4
Proficient
5
Expert
The Craftsmanship Academy is a training program designed to nurture junior developers into long-term team members at RoleModel Software. Aimed at those with some programming background, it offers hands-on learning under the mentorship of experienced developers, called "Craftsmen," through real-world projects. The mentorship model of the Academy gives participants the chance to work on real-world projects under the direct coaching and supervision of the industry’s best developers, our ‘Craftsmen’.
With a focus on building internal talent, the Academy accepts up to five participants yearly, providing a solid foundation in Software Craftsmanship principles. The goal is to grow skilled Craftsmen, as demonstrated by Academy alumni who have advanced to key roles within RoleModel.
0:00 / 0:00
RoleModel Software is a custom software development shop dedicated to delivering high-quality software to its customers while cultivating a work environment where community, learning, mentoring, apprenticeship, and growth can flourish. Since 1997, we have been industry leaders in agile development, pushing the envelope on software craftsmanship and inspiring others to do the same. Our passion for promoting quality in work and in life is what compelled us to start the RoleModel Software Craftsmanship Academy. Learn more about our culture here.
A Craftsman is an Expert in his field. The Dreyfus Model of Skill Acquisition details the progression of Novice to Expert in a set of skills, but it has been demonstrated that many people never get past the Advanced Beginner (or “unconscious incompetence”) stage. They do not recognize important context in a problem space. They do not sense that acquiring or applying a certain skill (or skillset) would modify their approach to problem-solving, and they deny the value of those skills. These are the sort of people you might describe as "having had one year of experience five times."
Our approach is to expose participants to themes, concepts, and skills through teaching and examples. Then, we help them establish their ability to recognize and apply what they are learning through repeated application in increasingly complicated contexts. Many of the skills we concentrate on are not taught (or at least not emphasized or put in their proper perspective) in colleges or other boot camps.
The Dreyfus Model of Skill Acquisition
Skill and autonomy rise as the need for supervision falls.
1
Novice
2
Advanced
Beginner
3
Competent
4
Proficient
5
Expert
What is the Craftsman Academy?
The Craftsmanship Academy is a training program designed to nurture junior developers into long-term team members at RoleModel Software. Aimed at those with some programming background, it offers hands-on learning under the mentorship of experienced developers, called "Craftsmen," through real-world projects. The mentorship model of the Academy gives participants the chance to work on real-world projects under the direct coaching and supervision of the industry’s best developers, our ‘Craftsmen’.
With a focus on building internal talent, the Academy accepts up to five participants yearly, providing a solid foundation in Software Craftsmanship principles. The goal is to grow skilled Craftsmen, as demonstrated by Academy alumni who have advanced to key roles within RoleModel.
0:00 / 0:00
About RoleModel Software
RoleModel Software is a custom software development shop dedicated to delivering high-quality software to its customers while cultivating a work environment where community, learning, mentoring, apprenticeship, and growth can flourish. Since 1997, we have been industry leaders in agile development, pushing the envelope on software craftsmanship and inspiring others to do the same. Our passion for promoting quality in work and in life is what compelled us to start the RoleModel Software Craftsmanship Academy. Learn more about our culture here.
Our Philosophy
A Craftsman is an Expert in his field. The Dreyfus Model of Skill Acquisition details the progression of Novice to Expert in a set of skills, but it has been demonstrated that many people never get past the Advanced Beginner (or “unconscious incompetence”) stage. They do not recognize important context in a problem space. They do not sense that acquiring or applying a certain skill (or skillset) would modify their approach to problem-solving, and they deny the value of those skills. These are the sort of people you might describe as "having had one year of experience five times."
Our approach is to expose participants to themes, concepts, and skills through teaching and examples. Then, we help them establish their ability to recognize and apply what they are learning through repeated application in increasingly complicated contexts. Many of the skills we concentrate on are not taught (or at least not emphasized or put in their proper perspective) in colleges or other boot camps.
The Dreyfus Model of Skill Acquisition
Skill and autonomy rise as the need for supervision falls.
1
Novice
2
Advanced
Beginner
3
Competent
4
Proficient
5
Expert
The Craftsmanship Academy is a training program designed to nurture junior developers into long-term team members at RoleModel Software. Aimed at those with some programming background, it offers hands-on learning under the mentorship of experienced developers, called "Craftsmen," through real-world projects. The mentorship model of the Academy gives participants the chance to work on real-world projects under the direct coaching and supervision of the industry’s best developers, our ‘Craftsmen’.
With a focus on building internal talent, the Academy accepts up to five participants yearly, providing a solid foundation in Software Craftsmanship principles. The goal is to grow skilled Craftsmen, as demonstrated by Academy alumni who have advanced to key roles within RoleModel.
0:00 / 0:00
RoleModel Software is a custom software development shop dedicated to delivering high-quality software to its customers while cultivating a work environment where community, learning, mentoring, apprenticeship, and growth can flourish. Since 1997, we have been industry leaders in agile development, pushing the envelope on software craftsmanship and inspiring others to do the same. Our passion for promoting quality in work and in life is what compelled us to start the RoleModel Software Craftsmanship Academy. Learn more about our culture here.
A Craftsman is an Expert in his field. The Dreyfus Model of Skill Acquisition details the progression of Novice to Expert in a set of skills, but it has been demonstrated that many people never get past the Advanced Beginner (or “unconscious incompetence”) stage. They do not recognize important context in a problem space. They do not sense that acquiring or applying a certain skill (or skillset) would modify their approach to problem-solving, and they deny the value of those skills. These are the sort of people you might describe as "having had one year of experience five times."
Our approach is to expose participants to themes, concepts, and skills through teaching and examples. Then, we help them establish their ability to recognize and apply what they are learning through repeated application in increasingly complicated contexts. Many of the skills we concentrate on are not taught (or at least not emphasized or put in their proper perspective) in colleges or other boot camps.
The Dreyfus Model of Skill Acquisition
Skill and autonomy rise as the need for supervision falls.
1
Novice
2
Advanced
Beginner
3
Competent
4
Proficient
5
Expert
The Craftsmanship Academy is a training program designed to nurture junior developers into long-term team members at RoleModel Software. Aimed at those with some programming background, it offers hands-on learning under the mentorship of experienced developers, called "Craftsmen," through real-world projects. The mentorship model of the Academy gives participants the chance to work on real-world projects under the direct coaching and supervision of the industry’s best developers, our ‘Craftsmen’.
With a focus on building internal talent, the Academy accepts up to five participants yearly, providing a solid foundation in Software Craftsmanship principles. The goal is to grow skilled Craftsmen, as demonstrated by Academy alumni who have advanced to key roles within RoleModel.
0:00 / 0:00
RoleModel Software is a custom software development shop dedicated to delivering high-quality software to its customers while cultivating a work environment where community, learning, mentoring, apprenticeship, and growth can flourish. Since 1997, we have been industry leaders in agile development, pushing the envelope on software craftsmanship and inspiring others to do the same. Our passion for promoting quality in work and in life is what compelled us to start the RoleModel Software Craftsmanship Academy. Learn more about our culture here.
A Craftsman is an Expert in his field. The Dreyfus Model of Skill Acquisition details the progression of Novice to Expert in a set of skills, but it has been demonstrated that many people never get past the Advanced Beginner (or “unconscious incompetence”) stage. They do not recognize important context in a problem space. They do not sense that acquiring or applying a certain skill (or skillset) would modify their approach to problem-solving, and they deny the value of those skills. These are the sort of people you might describe as "having had one year of experience five times."
Our approach is to expose participants to themes, concepts, and skills through teaching and examples. Then, we help them establish their ability to recognize and apply what they are learning through repeated application in increasingly complicated contexts. Many of the skills we concentrate on are not taught (or at least not emphasized or put in their proper perspective) in colleges or other boot camps.
The Dreyfus Model of Skill Acquisition
Skill and autonomy rise as the need for supervision falls.
1
Novice
2
Advanced
Beginner
3
Competent
4
Proficient
5
Expert
Think you might be a fit for the Craftsmanship Academy?
Whether you are interested in our next cohort or a future one, we'd love to connect so we can help you determine if Academy might be a fit for you
Think you might be a fit for the Craftsmanship Academy?
Whether you are interested in our next cohort or a future one, we'd love to connect so we can help you determine if Academy might be a fit for you
Think you might be a fit for the Craftsmanship Academy?
Whether you are interested in our next cohort or a future one, we'd love to connect so we can help you determine if Academy might be a fit for you
Think you might be a fit for the Craftsmanship Academy?
Whether you are interested in our next cohort or a future one, we'd love to connect so we can help you determine if Academy might be a fit for you
The Craftsmanship Academy Story
Finding talent is a huge problem for the software industry. And the common solution to that problem doesn’t work very well.
Many in the industry want to mine talent. When one mines, one looks for a resource-rich place and starts digging. That doesn’t work very well when it comes to developers because the best talent is in places that appreciate what they have, and can afford to pay them reasonably well.
There’s a better, less popular method: Farming for talent.
We recognized that universities and boot camps were not producing people with a solid foundation. For that reason, we decided an apprenticeship model to grow Software Craftsmen was the way to go. It took time, but we found that by intensely nurturing those who had already learned the basics and desired to build software well, we could produce really solid developers in 12–24 months.
We started slow — an apprentice or two at a time. We were careful to find good seed — people with an aptitude for software development and an attitude to match their desire to grow. The best seed are those who had already taken some initiative in their own learning, recognized they had a lot more to learn, sought to serve others through software development, and showed willingness to work hard to become a Software Craftsman.
We recognized that the best seed needed a whole lot of initial attention, then more attention, then nurturing. We eventually came to group these into three phases:
Immersion (giving a Novice a good foundation so they could begin the path to becoming a Competent software developer without a lot of stumbling blocks),
Apprenticeship (getting them from Advanced Beginner to basic Competence) and
Residency (watching for places that Competence hadn’t yet taken root).
The Craftsmanship Academy does not focus on teaching programming basics; instead, it emphasizes crafting high-quality software. Candidates need a solid grasp of programming fundamentals and problem-solving skills to succeed in the program. To ensure this, all serious applicants complete a live, interactive programming assessment, which evaluates not only correct answers but also problem-solving approaches. RoleModel's experience shows that the Academy provides a stronger foundation than typical computer science programs or bootcamps. The program aims to develop well-rounded software developers, which can't be reliably achieved through brief bootcamps alone.
Finding talent is a huge problem for the software industry. And the common solution to that problem doesn’t work very well.
Many in the industry want to mine talent. When one mines, one looks for a resource-rich place and starts digging. That doesn’t work very well when it comes to developers because the best talent is in places that appreciate what they have, and can afford to pay them reasonably well.
There’s a better, less popular method: Farming for talent.
We recognized that universities and boot camps were not producing people with a solid foundation. For that reason, we decided an apprenticeship model to grow Software Craftsmen was the way to go. It took time, but we found that by intensely nurturing those who had already learned the basics and desired to build software well, we could produce really solid developers in 12–24 months.
We started slow — an apprentice or two at a time. We were careful to find good seed — people with an aptitude for software development and an attitude to match their desire to grow. The best seed are those who had already taken some initiative in their own learning, recognized they had a lot more to learn, sought to serve others through software development, and showed willingness to work hard to become a Software Craftsman.
We recognized that the best seed needed a whole lot of initial attention, then more attention, then nurturing. We eventually came to group these into three phases:
Immersion (giving a Novice a good foundation so they could begin the path to becoming a Competent software developer without a lot of stumbling blocks),
Apprenticeship (getting them from Advanced Beginner to basic Competence) and
Residency (watching for places that Competence hadn’t yet taken root).
The Craftsmanship Academy does not focus on teaching programming basics; instead, it emphasizes crafting high-quality software. Candidates need a solid grasp of programming fundamentals and problem-solving skills to succeed in the program. To ensure this, all serious applicants complete a live, interactive programming assessment, which evaluates not only correct answers but also problem-solving approaches. RoleModel's experience shows that the Academy provides a stronger foundation than typical computer science programs or bootcamps. The program aims to develop well-rounded software developers, which can't be reliably achieved through brief bootcamps alone.
The Craftsmanship Academy Story
Finding talent is a huge problem for the software industry. And the common solution to that problem doesn’t work very well.
Many in the industry want to mine talent. When one mines, one looks for a resource-rich place and starts digging. That doesn’t work very well when it comes to developers because the best talent is in places that appreciate what they have, and can afford to pay them reasonably well.
There’s a better, less popular method: Farming for talent.
We recognized that universities and boot camps were not producing people with a solid foundation. For that reason, we decided an apprenticeship model to grow Software Craftsmen was the way to go. It took time, but we found that by intensely nurturing those who had already learned the basics and desired to build software well, we could produce really solid developers in 12–24 months.
We started slow — an apprentice or two at a time. We were careful to find good seed — people with an aptitude for software development and an attitude to match their desire to grow. The best seed are those who had already taken some initiative in their own learning, recognized they had a lot more to learn, sought to serve others through software development, and showed willingness to work hard to become a Software Craftsman.
We recognized that the best seed needed a whole lot of initial attention, then more attention, then nurturing. We eventually came to group these into three phases:
Immersion (giving a Novice a good foundation so they could begin the path to becoming a Competent software developer without a lot of stumbling blocks),
Apprenticeship (getting them from Advanced Beginner to basic Competence) and
Residency (watching for places that Competence hadn’t yet taken root).
The Craftsmanship Academy does not focus on teaching programming basics; instead, it emphasizes crafting high-quality software. Candidates need a solid grasp of programming fundamentals and problem-solving skills to succeed in the program. To ensure this, all serious applicants complete a live, interactive programming assessment, which evaluates not only correct answers but also problem-solving approaches. RoleModel's experience shows that the Academy provides a stronger foundation than typical computer science programs or bootcamps. The program aims to develop well-rounded software developers, which can't be reliably achieved through brief bootcamps alone.
Finding talent is a huge problem for the software industry. And the common solution to that problem doesn’t work very well.
Many in the industry want to mine talent. When one mines, one looks for a resource-rich place and starts digging. That doesn’t work very well when it comes to developers because the best talent is in places that appreciate what they have, and can afford to pay them reasonably well.
There’s a better, less popular method: Farming for talent.
We recognized that universities and boot camps were not producing people with a solid foundation. For that reason, we decided an apprenticeship model to grow Software Craftsmen was the way to go. It took time, but we found that by intensely nurturing those who had already learned the basics and desired to build software well, we could produce really solid developers in 12–24 months.
We started slow — an apprentice or two at a time. We were careful to find good seed — people with an aptitude for software development and an attitude to match their desire to grow. The best seed are those who had already taken some initiative in their own learning, recognized they had a lot more to learn, sought to serve others through software development, and showed willingness to work hard to become a Software Craftsman.
We recognized that the best seed needed a whole lot of initial attention, then more attention, then nurturing. We eventually came to group these into three phases:
Immersion (giving a Novice a good foundation so they could begin the path to becoming a Competent software developer without a lot of stumbling blocks),
Apprenticeship (getting them from Advanced Beginner to basic Competence) and
Residency (watching for places that Competence hadn’t yet taken root).
The Craftsmanship Academy does not focus on teaching programming basics; instead, it emphasizes crafting high-quality software. Candidates need a solid grasp of programming fundamentals and problem-solving skills to succeed in the program. To ensure this, all serious applicants complete a live, interactive programming assessment, which evaluates not only correct answers but also problem-solving approaches. RoleModel's experience shows that the Academy provides a stronger foundation than typical computer science programs or bootcamps. The program aims to develop well-rounded software developers, which can't be reliably achieved through brief bootcamps alone.
01
Follow our 2025 Cohort
We followed the journey of our 2025 cohort through regular interviews with participants, who shared their progress and learning experiences along the way, culminating in a wrap-up at the end of the Immersion Phase. Check out the playlist below.
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01
Follow our 2025 Cohort
We followed the journey of our 2025 cohort through regular interviews with participants, who shared their progress and learning experiences along the way, culminating in a wrap-up at the end of the Immersion Phase. Check out the playlist below.
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Craftsmanship Academy
02.
Phases of the Academy
Each cohort moves through three intensive phases — from a foundation of skills to a real-world apprenticeship and residency — mentored at every step by an experienced Craftsman.
01
Skills Immersion
Phase 1
Months 1–2 · Building your toolbox
The first two months are dedicated to building your basic toolbox through progressively more complex assignments. You will deep dive into Test Driven Development and Object Oriented programming to develop a sound foundation of skills, with regular evaluations to help you grow.
02
Apprenticeship
Phase 2
Months 3–6 · A real-world project
After skills immersion, you enter a 3–6 month apprenticeship, applying your education on a real-world project under the supervision and direction of a Craftsman and others. At the end of this phase you are evaluated and considered for Phase 3.
03
Residency
Phase 3
Final stage · The path to Craftsman
In this final stage you work on RoleModel projects as part of a team supervised by the project’s technical leader. Successful participants graduate to a full developer position and become eligible for profit sharing.
Craftsmanship Academy
02.
Phases of the Academy
Each cohort moves through three intensive phases — from a foundation of skills to a real-world apprenticeship and residency — mentored at every step by an experienced Craftsman.
01
Skills Immersion
Months 1–2 · Building your toolbox
The first two months are dedicated to building your basic toolbox through progressively more complex assignments. You will deep dive into Test Driven Development and Object Oriented programming to develop a sound foundation of skills, with regular evaluations to help you grow.
02
Apprenticeship
Months 3–6 · A real-world project
After skills immersion, you enter a 3–6 month apprenticeship, applying your education on a real-world project under the supervision and direction of a Craftsman and others. At the end of this phase you are evaluated and considered for Phase 3.
03
Residency
Final stage · The path to Craftsman
In this final stage you work on RoleModel projects as part of a team supervised by the project’s technical leader. Successful participants graduate to a full developer position and become eligible for profit sharing.
03.
Program Dates
The program begins late spring with the next cohort slated for summer and will follow the rough schedule below:
Jan
Application Process begins
Apr - May
Academy Pre-work (remote)
Jun - Jul
Web Application Immersion Phase (from RoleModel's Apex headquarters)
Aug
Internship Phase at various locations (on site at one of RoleModel's offices)
Sept
Frontend Development Immersion at various locations (on site at one of RoleModel's offices)
Oct - Dec
Apprenticeship Phase in one of RoleModel’s offices
Jan
Residency phase in one of RoleModel's offices
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Application Process Begins
Academy Pre-work (remote)
Web application immersion Phase (from RoleModel's Apex Headquarters)
Internship Phase at various locations (on site at one of RoleModel's offices)
Frontend Development Immersion at various locations (on site at one of RoleModel's offices)
Apprenticeship Phase in one of RoleModel’s offices
Residency phase in one of RoleModel's offices
04.
The Craftsmanship Academy Track Record
Previous apprentices at RoleModel Software include Nathaniel Talbott, Matthew Bass, Adam Williams, Michael Hale, Austin Taylor, Paul Nicholson, and others. Each of them have enjoyed very successful careers in software development.
Academy graduates Ben Smith, Braden Rich, Connor Torrell, Dominic MacAulay, Gabriel Lucena, Gavin O'Melia, Jeremy Walton, John Calvin Young, Josh McLeod, Jullian Calkins, Kyle Smith, Luke Simmons, Malachi Irwin, Nathan Sadler, Oliver Stevens, Robyn Dennis, Stephen Finch, and Trevor Buck are employed at RoleModel, delivering value to clients and continuing to grow.
Academy graduates Logan Peterson, Braxton Plaxco, Christian DiLorenzo, Josh Pickel, Amanda Simon, Adam Simon, and Daniel Sullivan have since moved on from RoleModel, but have been successful in their software development careers.
Participants must bring their own MacBook/MacBook Pro and know how to use it. This is not negotiable because we will be using tools optimized for macOS. As a baseline, we recommend having a 2021 or later MacBook Pro. An Apple Silicon Mac (M1/M2/M3/M4 Pro or Max chip) is highly recommended if buying a new machine. A good Craftsman invests in his tools. You will be working together with instructors, mentors, and other apprentices. Using similar tools makes that collaboration much smoother.
The initial Immersion training for the Academy requires a tuition payment from the participant. Beyond Phase 1 (Immersion) successful participants will receive a job offer to continue their apprenticeship at RoleModel.
Phase 1 (Immersion)
Cost $30,000 paid by the participant via Deferred Tuition or $20,000 upfront payment
Phase 2 (Apprenticeship)
Stipend at RoleModel
Phase 3 (Residency)
Stipend at RoleModel Full
RoleModel Developer
Position with Profit Sharing
What is a Deferred Tuiton Program?
An interest-free way to pay your tuition. Instead of paying your full tuition up front, you will pay your tuition over a set number of payments.
How do Payments work?
You'll make 60 equal payments (5 years worth). Payments will start once you begin earning more than $48,000 a year (or $4,000 per month)
How do I make payments for my Deferred Tuition?
Your deferred tuition will be managed by our 3rd party provider. Payments are handled through the provider's portal.
RoleModel Software's headquarters is in growing Apex, NC with a studio space specifically designed for collaboration. Our location is minutes from all the major highways used to navigate the Triangle (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill). The Immersion Phase of the Academy must be completed onsite in our Apex office.
Technical Requirements
Participants must bring their own MacBook/MacBook Pro and know how to use it. This is not negotiable because we will be using tools optimized for macOS. As a baseline, we recommend having a 2021 or later MacBook Pro. An Apple Silicon Mac (M1/M2/M3/M4 Pro or Max chip) is highly recommended if buying a new machine. A good Craftsman invests in his tools. You will be working together with instructors, mentors, and other apprentices. Using similar tools makes that collaboration much smoother.
Financial Model
The initial Immersion training for the Academy requires a tuition payment from the participant. Beyond Phase 1 (Immersion) successful participants will receive a job offer to continue their apprenticeship at RoleModel.
Phase 1 (Immersion)
Cost $30,000 paid by the participant via Deferred Tuition or $20,000 upfront payment
Phase 2 (Apprenticeship)
Stipend at RoleModel
Phase 3 (Residency)
Stipend at RoleModel Full
RoleModel Developer
Position with Profit Sharing
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Deferred Tuiton Program?
An interest-free way to pay your tuition. Instead of paying your full tuition up front, you will pay your tuition over a set number of payments.
How do Payments work?
You'll make 60 equal payments (5 years worth). Payments will start once you begin earning more than $48,000 a year (or $4,000 per month)
How do I make payments for my Deferred Tuition?
Your deferred tuition will be managed by our 3rd party provider. Payments are handled through the provider's portal.
Location
RoleModel Software's headquarters is in growing Apex, NC with a studio space specifically designed for collaboration. Our location is minutes from all the major highways used to navigate the Triangle (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill). The Immersion Phase of the Academy must be completed onsite in our Apex office.
Participants must bring their own MacBook/MacBook Pro and know how to use it. This is not negotiable because we will be using tools optimized for macOS. As a baseline, we recommend having a 2021 or later MacBook Pro. An Apple Silicon Mac (M1/M2/M3/M4 Pro or Max chip) is highly recommended if buying a new machine. A good Craftsman invests in his tools. You will be working together with instructors, mentors, and other apprentices. Using similar tools makes that collaboration much smoother.
The initial Immersion training for the Academy requires a tuition payment from the participant. Beyond Phase 1 (Immersion) successful participants will receive a job offer to continue their apprenticeship at RoleModel.
Phase 1 (Immersion)
Cost $30,000 paid by the participant via Deferred Tuition or $20,000 upfront payment
Phase 2 (Apprenticeship)
Stipend at RoleModel
Phase 3 (Residency)
Stipend at RoleModel Full
RoleModel Developer
Position with Profit Sharing
What is a Deferred Tuiton Program?
An interest-free way to pay your tuition. Instead of paying your full tuition up front, you will pay your tuition over a set number of payments.
How do Payments work?
You'll make 60 equal payments (5 years worth). Payments will start once you begin earning more than $48,000 a year (or $4,000 per month)
How do I make payments for my Deferred Tuition?
Your deferred tuition will be managed by our 3rd party provider. Payments are handled through the provider's portal.
RoleModel Software's headquarters is in growing Apex, NC with a studio space specifically designed for collaboration. Our location is minutes from all the major highways used to navigate the Triangle (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill). The Immersion Phase of the Academy must be completed onsite in our Apex office.
Participants must bring their own MacBook/MacBook Pro and know how to use it. This is not negotiable because we will be using tools optimized for macOS. As a baseline, we recommend having a 2021 or later MacBook Pro. An Apple Silicon Mac (M1/M2/M3/M4 Pro or Max chip) is highly recommended if buying a new machine. A good Craftsman invests in his tools. You will be working together with instructors, mentors, and other apprentices. Using similar tools makes that collaboration much smoother.
The initial Immersion training for the Academy requires a tuition payment from the participant. Beyond Phase 1 (Immersion) successful participants will receive a job offer to continue their apprenticeship at RoleModel.
Phase 1 (Immersion)
Cost $30,000 paid by the participant via Deferred Tuition or $20,000 upfront payment
Phase 2 (Apprenticeship)
Stipend at RoleModel
Phase 3 (Residency)
Stipend at RoleModel Full
RoleModel Developer
Position with Profit Sharing
What is a Deferred Tuiton Program?
An interest-free way to pay your tuition. Instead of paying your full tuition up front, you will pay your tuition over a set number of payments.
How do Payments work?
You'll make 60 equal payments (5 years worth). Payments will start once you begin earning more than $48,000 a year (or $4,000 per month)
How do I make payments for my Deferred Tuition?
Your deferred tuition will be managed by our 3rd party provider. Payments are handled through the provider's portal.
RoleModel Software's headquarters is in growing Apex, NC with a studio space specifically designed for collaboration. Our location is minutes from all the major highways used to navigate the Triangle (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill). The Immersion Phase of the Academy must be completed onsite in our Apex office.
Craftsmanship Academy Vs Traditional College Degree
The Craftsmanship Academy offers an alternative path to launching a career in software development through a hands-on, apprenticeship-based model. The academy emphasizes ultralearning alongside industry experts to provide a practical foundation in software development, preparing participants to contribute immediately to high-performance teams. Unlike a traditional 4-year degree, the Academy accelerates career growth by immersing participants in real projects with mentorship and active feedback. The Academy’s focus on internal talent development aims to cultivate long-term, skilled developers for RoleModel’s team. To learn more about Ultralearning in the context of the Academy, check out our 4-part blog series comparing our approach to traditional academia.
Accademy vs College Earning
Accademy vs College Earning
Next Steps
We’re actively seeking participants for our next cohort who are willing to study initially at our headquarters in Apex, NC. Ultimately, our goal is to turn our Academy graduates into influential members of the RoleModel team working at one of our locations in: Apex, NC or Menomonie, WI