Online Degrees In Web Development
The internet has changed not only the way we shop, but the entire way that we do business. In the past, most small businesses were forced to run their operations on a relatively local level. These days, a company of any size can create virtual storefronts and serve customers located around the world through their website. And when there’s money to be made, there’s usually a demand for individuals with the skills to reap it in.
Since web development comprises of using technical skills as well as artistic abilities, the College Board recommends having an affinity for design and an eye for detail apart from an interest in computers. As web development revolves around creating and designing workable websites, an online web development degree program can be a great fit for students who need the flexibility that an online degree program may provide.
Difference between Web Development and Web Design
Web designers usually handle the aesthetic elements of a webpage including color schemes and layouts. Web developers, on the other hand, write the code necessary to turn these layouts into functioning websites. However, it is important to note that the terms are often used interchangeably with many individuals being able to handle both the design and technical aspects of creating a website. In fact, you may find that most online web development degree programs include courses on web design along with web development topics.
What Do Web Developers Do?
Web developers are the professionals who create, design, and build websites. They are charged with handling the technical workings of web pages, as well as their aesthetic appeal. While working on building a website, their duties typically include:
- Meeting clients to understand their ideas for the website and its function
- Creating and testing website applications to fit the needs of the website
- Building the website by writing computer codes
- Working with their team to design the look of the website and its functionality
- Ensuring different elements like graphics, audio and videos are integrated into the website
- Monitoring website traffic
What Jobs Can You Get With a Web Development Degree?
A web development degree opens the doors to a range of different career options in related fields. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) projects that employment of computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow 11 percent from 2019 to 2029, which is much faster than all other occupations, which can mean there are plenty of diverse opportunities to be had for enterprising individuals.
Listed below are some of the most popular career options for those holding degrees in web development, along with relevant wage and employment numbers from the BLS:
Career | Employment | Median Salary | Projected Job Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Developers and Digital Interface Designers | 174,300 | $77,200 | 8% |
| Graphic Designers | 281,500 | $53,380 | -4% |
| Computer Programmers | 213,900 | $89,190 | -9% |
Source: 2020 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2019-29 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov.
What Can I Do With a Degree in Web Development?
In order to become a web developer, the BLS states that an “associate’s degree in web design or a related field” is typically required. For certain positions which require more technical knowledge, such as specializations in back-end development, employers may prefer candidates who hold a bachelor’s degree. Students interested in developing the front-end design of websites may wish to take additional coursework in graphic design. Master’s degrees may qualify individuals to lead teams while doctorates may allow them to lead cutting-edge design research or teach a new generation of aspiring web developers.
Online Associate Degrees in Web Development
What can I expect to learn in an online associate degree program?
A web development associate degree online can give students the foundational knowledge they need to build websites. Students can learn the basic skills needed to develop, design and test web applications along with one or more programming languages.
Typical duration: Two years of full-time study
General prerequisites: High school diploma or equivalent
Typical coursework: Online associate degree programs may require students to complete general education classes, which emphasize core competencies such as mathematics and English composition. Core curricula usually focus on the technologies and practical coding skills required in web development professions. Courses may include the following:
- Business applications programming
- Introduction to computers
- Introduction to Javascript
- Object-oriented programming fundamentals
- Web application programming
Possible electives: Adobe Animate: digital animation; Linux operating system; internet web development: Dreamweaver
What kind of jobs can I get after earning an associate degree in web development?
An associate degree in web development can help individuals prepare for supporting roles in the field of information technology. Students may enter the workforce directly after earning their degrees or may choose to continue their education in a four-year college. Potential job titles include:
- Assistant web developer
- Web programmer
- Web technician
Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Web Development
What can I expect to learn in an online bachelor’s degree program?
An online web development bachelor’s degree program usually focuses on the theory and application of various web technologies, covering the assortment of skills used to build and maintain websites including how to deliver great user experiences, design multimedia and emerging web technologies. Students may also gain the basic knowledge they need to manage web development projects.
Typical duration: Four years of full-time study
General prerequisites: High school diploma or equivalent
Typical coursework: The curriculum usually covers web design and database management concepts, as well as several programming languages. Individual courses may include:
- Fundamentals of graphic design
- Information design and usability
- Multimedia authoring, scripting and production
- Unix fundamentals
- Web information systems programming
Students may also have to complete a capstone project in order to satisfy the requirements of their online web development degree program.
Possible electives: Advanced graphic design; advanced web development; mobile programming
What kind of jobs can I get after earning a bachelor’s in web development?
An online bachelor’s degree in web development can help students prepare to pursue entry-level positions in the industry assisting seasoned web developers and designers. In fact, the BLS states that a bachelor’s degree may be the preferred minimum requirement for many employers and may also be necessary for advancement in the field. According to O*Net, 46 percent of web developers hold a bachelor’s degree. Potential job titles include:
- Computer programmer
- Graphic designer
- Web application developer
- Web producer
- Webmaster
Online Master’s Degrees in Web Development
What can I expect to learn in an online master’s degree program?
An online web development master’s degree program can allow students to study web development topics in more depth than at the bachelor’s level. Students may explore cutting-edge technologies used to build desktop and mobile web applications, understand e-commerce, and learn to lead teams through the entire website development process from conceptualization to testing and maintenance.
Typical duration: Two years of full-time study
General prerequisites: Bachelor’s degree in web development or related field
Typical coursework: Curricula may cover topics that can help students understand UX principles, information architecture, cybersecurity, and web design along with project management techniques. Some courses you may take are:
- Advanced website design and management
- E-Business
- Information technology project management
- Server-side web development
- Web enabled information systems
Students usually have to complete a senior project as a part of their online web development master’s degree program.
Possible electives: Mobile application development with android; enterprise cyber security; web analytics and mining
What kind of jobs can I get after earning a master’s in web development?
Graduates of master’s degree programs may be able to find work in supervisory positions leading teams that build websites. They may also choose to strike out on their own and start their own web development firms. Some job titles they may hold include:
- Lead Web Developer
- Systems Administrator
- Configuration Manager
- Technical Architect
- UI/UX Designer
Online Graduate Certificates in Web Development
Online graduate certificates may be aimed at bachelor’s degree holders with only basic computer literacy who want to gain basic web development skills or at individuals already working in the field of web development looking to enhance their knowledge in particular aspects of the field. In the first case, such a certificate may help individuals enhance their skill sets to make a career change or add new dimensions to their existing job roles while in the latter, it may help web development professionals expand their knowledge with some graduate-level education without the time or financial commitments required for a master’s degree. As the coursework varies greatly depending on the focus of the program, we’ve looked at online graduate certificates in web development for professionals in the field in this section.
Typical duration: One to two years of part-time study
General prerequisites: Bachelor’s degree in web development or related field
Typical coursework: Curriculum varies depending on the focus of the program. Some courses you may take include:
- Creating websites with content management systems
- Modern and mobile front-end web design
- Unix/Linux systems programming
- User experience engineering
- Web programming with Python and Javascript
Online Doctoral Degrees in Web Development
What can I expect to learn in an online doctoral degree program?
Online doctoral degrees in web development are rare. However, you may be able to find an online doctorate in computer science with a web development concentration. Graduates of these programs may be able to enter the fields of research and academia as well as teach aspiring web developers in colleges and universities.
Accreditation
Accreditation can be an important aspect to consider for prospective students of online web development degree programs as it can demonstrate the education they have received meets or exceeds the professional standards of education necessary to succeed in the field today. It is often also a prerequisite for receiving federal financial aid, scholarships and for the transfer of educational credits. Additionally, graduating from an accredited school may also be a condition for receiving professional certifications. The Accrediting Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) is the main professional accrediting body for web development degree programs.
Specializations in Web Development
Specializations may allow students enrolled in online web development degree programs to tailor their education and focus their careers in a particular facet of web design or development. It is important to note though that not all programs may offer specializations nor are they always necessary to find employment in the field. Degree specializations can include:
- Front-end web development
- Back-end web development
- Webmaster
- Graphic design
- Web application development
- Computer programming
Certifications in Web Development
Professional certifications can demonstrate your commitment to the field of web development and well as your areas of expertise. Although professional certifications may not be mandatory, some employers may prefer to hire candidates that hold them or may require their employees to obtain certifications in the products and software they use. Some examples of certifications are:
- Adobe Experience Manager Lead Developer Certification
- CIW Web Development Professional
- SAP Certified Development Associate – SAP Fiori Application Developer
- Web Foundations Associate