Web Design Colleges & Schools: Web Design Degrees

Top Web Design Schools Online

Web design, Web site development, and Web programming are disciplines that require advanced training. While a college degree is not essential to become a good Web site designer or Webmaster, obtaining at least an associate's degree in the subject will not only sharpen your skills, but also look good on your resume to any potential employer. The schools listed below offer Web design or similar degrees through their online learning programs.

AS in Web Design BFA in Graphic Design	International Academy of Design & Technology — The International Academy of Design & Technology offers an AS in web design and a BFA in graphic design. Programs blend the technological and artistic skills needed to start successful careers in graphic design for print and the internet with courses like Digital Imaging, Multimedia Design, and Programming for the Internet.
AS in Media Design BS in Graphic Design BS in Media Design	Art Institute of Pittsburgh — The Art Institute of Pittsburgh's AS in media design, BS in graphic design, and BS in media design degree programs prepare artistic students with the practical business and technological skills they need to make their art marketable. Media design degrees concentrate on web design and programming languages. Graphic design teaches students to make images to sell ideas in a variety of media. The BS in media design gives students the technological skills and creative support they need to venture into the job market successfully.
BS in Web Design	Kaplan University — Kaplan University's BS in web design program prepares students to enter into successful careers as web designers, programmers, and information technology specialists. The program is designed to enable students to design real-world media products and create solutions for hardware and software problems. However, success in the industry isn't entirely dependent on programming skills. Students also learn to evaluate trends and new products to determine their effectiveness.
Web Design and Dev Cert	University of Massachusetts — The Website Design and Development certificate program from University of Massachusetts gives students a foundation in design for the web 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. Students will also learn how to translate their designs into layouts usable by all browsers.
AS in Web Design	DeVry University — DeVry University's AS in web design helps students gain mastery over software applications, fundamental design principles, programming for web design and online graphics, and web content management strategies. Students learn all types of graphic media for marketing, advertising, teaching, and other multimedia projects. Graduates are equipped with a professional portfolio of design samples.
BS in IT/Multimedia	University of Phoenix — The University of Phoenix offers a BS in Information Technology with a multimedia specialization. With an emphasis on visual communication, students develop digital media skills as well as gain a foundation in core technologies and design principles. Additionally, students also learn telecommunications, technical writing, programming, computer networking, and information systems.
AS in Web Design	Rasmussen College — Rasmussen College's AS in web design teaches students how to develop websites to be visually engaging through the use of color, sound, images, graphics, animation and text. The art of building a successful website requires as much technological skill as artistic talent, as well as a foundation in psychology and behavioral principles.
AAS in Web Development BA in Web Development	Baker College — Baker College offers two accredited degrees in Web Development both at the campus and through online courses for students who want to pursue lucrative careers in an industry that is ever-expanding: a Bachelors and Associates in Web Development. These programs are designed to be completed at your own pace from school, your home, or even on the go. Moreover, the online programs offer an affordable option as they cut many of the costs associated with campus programs.
BS in Web Design	Full Sail University — Full Sail University's BS in Web design & development teaches students the technology they need to understand the language of Web design and create interactive web content. The program covers front and back end development for the web, PDAs and cell phones, and requires students to master the multiple languages used in today's hottest technology.
BFA in Web Design	American InterContinental University — The American InterContinental University's Bachelor of Fine Arts in Web Design & Development gives students the basic principles of web design, like how to develop websites that are effective and user-friendly, and how to make the web experience more engaging through the use of graphics, sound, and typography. Students develop the skills they need to become professional web designers and developers.
BS/IS - Web Development	Strayer University — The Strayer University BS degree in information science with a concentration in Web development is a relatively new program that teaches cutting edge web development techniques. The curriculum, offered online, combines a campus-based approach and enhances it with simulations and other hands-on technology. This degree is designed for the busy working professional that seeks advanced training in web technology.
BS in Web Design BFA in Animation BS in Game Design	Westwood College — Westwood College's BS in web design, BFA in animation, and BS in game design programs effectively combine instruction in technology, programming, industry-current tools, and artistic foundations to produce students who can create compelling and engaging images on the internet, or in a variety of gaming platforms. Instructors are not only knowledgeable technology professionals, but have real-world insights to offer in career-focused classes.
BS/IT: Web Management	South University — South University's BS in IT with a specialization in web management prepares students with theoretical and applied knowledge that allows them to become effective and informed web administrators. Students study system analysis, design, programming, and case studies in classes that promote communication skills along with critical thinking. Graduates are prepared to enter into a variety of information technology fields.
AOS in Web Design	Sessions College for Professional Design — Sessions College for Professional Design's Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS) programs prepare students to enter immediately into careers in the design industry. Their AOS in web design program covers all the tools and skill sets students need to start designing effective websites for businesses or private use. Graduates leave with a professional portfolio of design work to show potential clients.
Click here to see more Web design degree programs...

Find a online Web Design college

Complete this form below to be matched with a school that suits your academic needs:

Web design is a booming industry. Like any other creative field, success in web design relies heavily on who you know, networking and building relationships with clients. There are many web design programs on the web and in traditional college and university classrooms. In addition to a bachelors degree in web design, you may also seek out additional certification that make you a prime candidate for landing a job as a web designer. Web designers deal with graphics and code. You should be well-versed in the computer languages used to build various web programs, such as HTML, Java, XML, DHTML and Javascript. This field is expected to move at a rapid rate in the next decade, as all businesses will delve into promoting their business online in some capacity. Some businesses may choose to only have a web page with contact information, while others will take advantage of the web and implement a web page, as well as blog and social networking accounts.

Web designers should be comfortable with both Mac computers and PCs. Different industries work more with one type of computer than the other. If you are working with the design industry such as interior design, architecture, graphic design, fashion or music, most of these companies will operate on Mac computers. For most other fields, expect to show clients their work on a PC. It is integral you are well-versed with both types of computers to work with a wider range of clients and companies. The world of web design is constantly changing and it's important for you to keep up with trends and new websites or innovations taking place within the industry. It may be the latest site by Microsoft or a new feature that Google is introducing, either way you want to be on top of web trends that effect how you design a site so it's more effective for clients.

How do I become a web designer?

A web designer must market themselves, whether it's to a large design firm or to individual clients. It's important to build your own website and have a portfolio that speaks for itself. This job is all about experience and the more of it it appears you have, the higher your chances are for getting a job. You can also work for yourself with small or mid-size businesses as clients or other individuals who are self-employed and need someone to build a site for marketing purposes.

The things you should focus on are your portfolio and networking. Get outside of your classroom or online course and meet with other designers in your area. Discuss relevant topics on forums and messageboards to build relationships with web designers in other cities, who can give you an idea of what the market is like for web designers there. A successful web designer is constantly learning and seeing what new ideas can improve their design skills to benefit the client.

What kind of job can I have as a web designer?

Web designer at a design firm

Web design firms often employ a team of people. This works much like an advertising company, where within a firm, certain accounts or clients are assigned to a team of people or an individual and you're responsible for that client. This is where communication skills come into play. Aside from building a site your client is pleased with, you also need to communicate your ideas to client effectively and ensure their needs are being met. What are they looking for from a website? Is it to attract new clients or to simply put their name out there? It is important you're well-rounded and able to discuss what a client is looking for before a project starts to avoid wasting time. If you're working at a firm, it can be a very competitive atmosphere where the largest accounts go to the web designers that have proved themselves time and time again. To rank among this group, you should be able to deliver a site your client sees enhancing their company's name, brand or product. Web designers employed by a firm on average earn between $60,000 and $70,000 a year.

Freelance web designer

Many small businesses hire a freelance web designer on a per contract basis. This is the norm, as nearly every small business owner wants a website to represent their brand. Your client may be a baker, an aspiring model or a photographer. It will always be a person with a product or service they are trying to market via a website. It's your job to create a site that presents this product or service in a positive way. For a small business owner to have a professional site can help a business grow substantially. When working as a freelance web designer, you can choose to bill clients by the hour or give them a quote for the entire project. When working as a freelance web designer, always be sure to get agreements in writing to protect yourself should a client not want to pay for your work.

In-house web designer

Some large corporations employ in-house web designers who handle all of the web work done on a company's site. Some companies have several sites if they have different brands under one parent umbrella. In this case, an in-house web designer may be assigned to one brand or may work between the brands. This position is similar to working for a web design firm, only in this case, you have far more knowledge about a brand or product because you're working from the inside. To get a position as an in-house web designer, you may work as a freelance web designer first to help build your portfolio. After this, you can call around in your area to see if any large companies are hiring. Also look for jobs online and interact with other web designers online to see who is hiring for permanent positions. An in-house web designer can earn about $60,000 per year and depending on the size of the company, that number can increase to over $100,000.