A Guide to the Top Web Design Schools

If you want a degree or certification in Web design, the possibilities for your education may seem endless. While the available choices might make your head spin, there are several things that you can do to narrow your choices down to the most logical choice for the best Web design school for you.

First, look at accreditation. If the school doesn’t carry an official accreditation, one that you can find on the Internet, then drop that school. The reason behind this search is that you might want further education in the future and you want your past credits to count toward that future degree. If you’re previous school was not accredited, those credits are, basically, worthless. An accredited school has to meet certain criteria that offers, in the long run, a better education for you and adds more credence to the time and money you spent on that education.

Some colleges will offer credit for life experiences, and in Web designers who are self-taught have a chance to save money on courses in this situation. Many of these credits are offered once the student takes a test that proves knowledge about course material. If, for instance, you want to bypass the HTML 101 course, find out if the school offers a way to obtain credit for your knowledge. This will help you move forward quickly with your college career.

Budget concerns are paramount for any college student. Web design classes may seem inexpensive in some cases, but remember that you may need to purchase software, equipment, books and other materials for classes. Therefore, you might check with the colleges on your list to learn whether they provide adequate computers, software and other materials for class.

Finally, you want to know your options before you begin Web design classes. What is your goal? Do you want to work with an advertising agency or go solo? Do you want to work for the government or a large corporation? These decisions will help you decide how far you want to take your education. Also, these decisions may help you decide on a school, as you want to discover whether the professors or instructors at your school are well-connected to other design firms, individuals at corporations, or with other freelance designers. Their experiences will help you succeed.

One Web site that can help you make a decision about what you want to study includes the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This site divides professional careers into categories, where you can read more about job opportunities, possible salaries and more in computer-related and design careers. Another tool to help you learn more about Web design government opportunities includes USAJobs, and a great site to learn about financial options for college is Students.gov.

Often, your success in Web design will depend upon who you know and how well you know your specialty within Web design. Therefore, it’s paramount that you study with the best Web designers and teachers possible. When you spend money on a Web design education, you’re investing in your future.

Top 10 Online Web Design Schools

Web designers Web design is a career field where persons with experience and expertise are in high demand. In order to get this expertise, you should consider enrolling in an accredited institution. Below is a list of top web design colleges where you can earn an online degree in graphics design or Website design.

AS in Web Design BFA in Graphic Design	International Academy of Design & Technology — The Associate of Science degree in Web design from the International Academy of Design & Technology is sure to prepare its graduates for careers in numerous technical fields, including Web design, digital design, Web scripting, and networking.
BS in IT-Multimedia	University of Phoenix — At Phoenix, students who study a Web design program will focus on the application of HTML, programming languages, web authoring tools, and web standards to design Web sites for a wide array of business and e-commerce applications.
AS in Web Design	DeVry University — DeVry's College of Media Arts & Technology offers a robust Web graphic design associate's degree program that enables its students to work on industry standard equipment and software, ensuring that what the student learns will be practical in a career setting.
BS in Web Design	Kaplan University — Kaplan University prides itself in having flexible schedules for those working professionals busy with their current jobs. At Kaplan's design school, students will learn all of the skills they need to pursue or further a career in Web site design.
Diploma in Web Design AS in Media Design BS in Graphic Design BS in Media Design	Art Institute of Pittsburgh — The Art Institute Online prepares its students for careers in the quickly growing field of Web design and Web marketing. The programs at the Art Institute teach how to integrate the elements of images, animation, audio, video, text, and other data for the delivery of interactive content.
AS in Web Design	Rasmussen College — Rasmussen College offers an associate's degree in Web design that will prepare students for work in Web design or Internet advertising fields. Coursework includes server side scripting, dynamic content management, networking technologies, and more.
BA in Web Development AAS in Web Development	Baker College — Baker College offers two degrees in Web Development through online courses for students looking to pursue exciting careers in an industry that is always looking for creative and skilled individuals: a Bachelors and Associates on Web Development. These programs can be completed on your own timeline and in an environment of your choosing. In addition, the online programs cut many of the costs associated with campus programs.
Website Design & Dev Cert	University of Masachusetts — The certificate program in Website Design and Development from University of Massachusetts gives students a foundation in interactive design and building dynamic websites. Students will learn to use software and programming languages like PHP and Javascript to build advance websites that follow today's standards and latest advances. This program is available through online courses and it is recommended that students have a basic understanding of HTML.
BS in Web Design & Development	Full Sail University — Full Sail University offers an online Bachelor of Science degree in Web design and development that explores one of the most rapidly developing industries on the planet. Students will learn to design and develop a Web site using programming technologies such as ActionScript, CSS, Flash, JavaScript, XHML, and XML.
BFA in Web Design	American InterContinental University — American InterContinental University offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in visual communications with a specialization in Web design. This degree prepares students for many career possibilities, including Web designer, digital artist, Flash designer, and more.
BSIS in Web Development	Strayer University — Strayer's Bachelor of Science degree program in Information Systems (IS) with a concentration in Web development teaches students state-of-the-art computer concepts, including programming, database management, networking, Web development, and Web security. Graduates of the program will be prepared to enter jobs in fields such as network security, Web development, data management, and more.
BS in Web Design BFA in Animation BS in Game Design	Westwood College — Students who successfully complete the Web design training program from Westwood will be well prepared for a career and have advanced knowledge of HTML, WFL, XML, developing industry-compliant Web design projects, and building e-commerce Web sites. Similar degrees are also offered in animation and game design.
BS in IT/Web Mgmt	South University — South University's Bachelor of Science in Information Technology / Web Administration degree program prepares students with knowledge of computer programming, e-commerce site management, Web design, systems analysis, and more.
AOS in Web Design	Sessions College for Professional Design — Art and design professionals within the AOS in web design program at Sessions College are encouraged to cultivate technical, creative, and critical thinking skills needed for a fast-changing industry. An enrollee may be able to obtain degrees in graphic design, Web design, multimedia arts, digital arts, marketing design, game art, and fine arts.
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