Forge
Explore - Skills Sampler Course
Get a taste of almost everything we teach: design, data, marketing, UX, and software.
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Scroll to learn more, or click to jump to a specific section.
1) Course Overview
Discover what you'll learn in Explore. Learn more ↓
2) Meet Your Instructors
Get to know your new guides. Learn more ↓
3) Extra Perks
Explore Forge student perks. Learn more ↓
4) All the Details
Learn about dates, deadlines, & tuition. Learn more ↓
Course Overview
Discover what you're passionate about
In Explore, you'll get a taste of graphic design, data science, digital marketing, software development, and user experience design from a rotating cast of Forge instructors. The course is split up into 5, 2-week mini-courses. Each mini-course is designed for beginners, so this is the perfect chance to step outside your comfort zone and learn something brand new!
These mini-courses aren't just informational lecture about what you could build if you were an expert in one of these skills—in each section, your instructor will guide you towards creating an exciting mini-project to demonstrate your new knowledge. You'll walk away from Explore with hands-on experience in 5 modern skills and the projects to prove it.
These mini-courses aren't just informational lecture about what you could build if you were an expert in one of these skills—in each section, your instructor will guide you towards creating an exciting mini-project to demonstrate your new knowledge. You'll walk away from Explore with hands-on experience in 5 modern skills and the projects to prove it.
There's more where that came from...
Meet Your Instructors
Explore is taught by 5 different instructors, one for each of the 5 skills you'll learn in the program. All of our instructors are Forge members who took Forge courses one year ago.
Our student teaching model means our courses are constantly changing and improving, enabling you to learn skills that are more up-to-date than what you might learn in a typical classroom.
It also means we can be better mentors and guides for you. We know where you might get stuck and how to guide you through those challenges because we've been in your shoes before. And we know what makes a lesson fun (or extremely boring), so we always design programs that we'd want to participate in ourselves.
Our student teaching model means our courses are constantly changing and improving, enabling you to learn skills that are more up-to-date than what you might learn in a typical classroom.
It also means we can be better mentors and guides for you. We know where you might get stuck and how to guide you through those challenges because we've been in your shoes before. And we know what makes a lesson fun (or extremely boring), so we always design programs that we'd want to participate in ourselves.
Joining the Forge Community
At Forge, we give our people the skills they need to realize their big ideas and a community they can call home. Our courses are a great place to get to know our community, make new friends, and prepare for your future. All of our students get access to exclusive perks and opportunities beyond whatever course they're taking:
Free access to all of our Crash Courses
Exclusive community events and jobs
Opportunities for (sometimes paid!) projects to practice your new skills
Priority applications for Launch summer internship program
Dates, Deadlines, and Tuition
Workshop Schedule
Explore has one section that meets online Sundays from 5-7pm.
This course starts the week of February 14 and continue for 10 weeks.
This course starts the week of February 14 and continue for 10 weeks.
Time Commitment
Courses expect a 4-6 hour/week commitment. Outside of the 2 hours in your workshop meeting time, you can expect to meet with your instructor weekly for labs (at flexible times) and to spend some time working with your classmates on projects.
Application Process and Deadlines
Applications for Spring 2021 are currently closed.
$200 Course Fee
$125 for college students
Only $95 for UVA students
$125 for college students
Only $95 for UVA students
For UVA students, each of our courses is just $200 $95 — that's less than a weekly lunch out for the semester. We're proud to partner with these two UVA schools to make this reduced cost possible.
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Do you offer financial aid?
We are committed to making our courses accessible to all. We reduce or eliminate the program fee to all students who need it, no questions asked. Our aim is to enable everyone who wants to learn and join the Forge community. This is made possible by $20,000 in generous donations from our alumni network each year.
15% of students receive financial aid from Forge. 54% of aid goes to first-generation college students, and 80% of aid goes to people of color.
15% of students receive financial aid from Forge. 54% of aid goes to first-generation college students, and 80% of aid goes to people of color.
What's your refund policy?
We think you'll love Forge, but if you decide you need to drop, you may request a refund within 10 days of your course's first workshop meeting time. You'll receive a full refund, less a $20 operations fee. Beyond this date, no refunds will be given.
What are your online courses like?
We know how to do online teaching right. Our Skills Courses will be all-online for the foreseeable future to protect the health of our students and instructors. Teaching online is not new for us - we know how to make online courses fun, engaging, and interactive. We know you can't just film a traditional lecture and hope for the best!
Since we've moved our courses online, our student satisfaction ratings haven't changed -- 95% of students would still recommend their course to a friend.
Since we've moved our courses online, our student satisfaction ratings haven't changed -- 95% of students would still recommend their course to a friend.
Do I need to have any background experience to apply?
No, you don't! This course is designed for people with little-to-no background experience.
What's your climate impact?
We donate 1% of all course tuition to carbon removal initiatives around the world. We also power our clubhouse with 100% clean wind and solar power. Learn more.
I have a question that wasn't answered here.
No problem! Reach out to hello@joinforge.co, and/or come to our online Open House to talk to our team and learn more.
"It's electric being at Forge. Surrounded by my people and given all the tools I need for success, I feel like I can do absolutely anything. The relentless creative energy of our students is what makes Forge unlike anything I've ever been a part of.
There is something so fundamentally special about our members that just working and learning beside them has helped me grow enormously as a leader and a learner."
- Rachel, Forge alumna
There is something so fundamentally special about our members that just working and learning beside them has helped me grow enormously as a leader and a learner."
- Rachel, Forge alumna
Explore Other Forge Programs
⛰ 1% of our membership dues and courses tuition goes toward carbon removal. ⛰ Learn more →
About Forge (formerly HackCville)
Forge is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that prepares students with the modern skills they need to make an impact in the world. Each year, over 1,000 students learn things like design, marketing, and data science through our fun, engaging, community-driven projects and programs. We strive to empower students to realize their own potential while creating opportunities for them to make an impact for good.
In turn, we provide talent to 200+ tech companies, startups, and nonprofits across the country. Our home is our clubhouse near the University of Virginia, but our broader network of 2,000+ spans the globe. More about us →
In turn, we provide talent to 200+ tech companies, startups, and nonprofits across the country. Our home is our clubhouse near the University of Virginia, but our broader network of 2,000+ spans the globe. More about us →
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© 2021 Forge Academy
A 501(c)(3) non-profit
EIN: 46-1626349
A 501(c)(3) non-profit
EIN: 46-1626349