Getting a Web Design Degree: What are My Options?

If you want to earn a Web design degree, you have many options available to you. Depending upon your goals, you can earn anything from a certification to a diploma to an associates, bachelor’s or doctoral degrees in design. Each option provides its benefits and downfalls, so it helps to understand these choices before you dive into a college career.

Usually a Web designer strives for certification when that designer needs to learn a new software and become certified in that software. Additionally, many companies now require some Web designers to obtain certification as a criteria for obtaining jobs. Sometimes, an employer will pay for that certification, which is a bonus for any employee. Web designers may obtain certification if they feel it would help gain a raise or a job. Many self-taught Web designers often obtain certifications to prove their worth as well.

The associate degree in Web design usually is a two-year degree that provides Web designers with basic knowledge in design software such as Dreamweaver, Photoshop and more, and classes in typography, design, color use and composition. Many self-taught Web designers might find some classes boring, as they may know most of the materials. However, some schools may offer “life experience” credit if the Web designer knows the class material and can pass a test that pertains to a given class.

The associate degree is valuable for anyone who wishes to have a degree to add credence to a resume. Additionally, if the Web designer wishes to pursue more education in the future, an accredited A.A. (Associate of Arts) degree can allow the designer to bypass many basic courses in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree, or B.A.

The bachelor’s degree is ideal for any Web designer who wishes to pursue a career in management, or who wants to teach high school or some vocational classes. This four-year degree usually offers the basics in Web design and visual communication as well as pursuit of a specialization in Web design, such as animation, game design, programming, visual communications, business and more. Often, Web designers are expected to wear more than one hat, so the B.A. in Web design can prepare the student for this possibility.

Web designers who obtain a B.A. in Web design often branch out to work or study in careers such as desktop publishing, media, or computer science and database management . A four-year degree often provides more options and choices for the student, and those choices may alter a student’s career goal.

Finally, a Web designer can pursue a doctoral degree, usually in design, visual communications or media. A person who pursues the doctoral degree usually desires a position as a professor, a manager or as a researcher or writer. A PhD in design usually takes two years to accomplish beyond the B.A.

Often, a student interested in Web design may find that the A.A. works up to a point, even with experience. But, it’s a great start in obtaining a higher-paying job. That same designer may, after a few years, return to school to obtain a B.A. The B.A. is well worth the time and money, as this degree is an investment in a Web designer’s 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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