WHAT IS AN ONLINE WEB DEVELOPMENT DEGREE?
If you pursue a typical online web development degree program, you would cover the design and creation of websites. As part of the program, you will study the different tools and methods used to create sites.
Some of your courses would cover how to develop the look, feel, and kind of content on the site. In other courses, you could learn more about a site’s technical aspects. One major aspect to familiarize yourself with is how it performs in search. Below, you can find examples of different web development degrees:
TYPES OF ONLINE WEB DEVELOPMENT DEGREE PROGRAMS
Associate of Applied Science in Web Development
In this program, you will expand your creative skills and technical ability. You will cover a wide range of web design tactics. The tactics you cover will range from user experience to design for mobile websites. You may also learn HTML, CSS and web scripting languages.
Course Examples:
- Search Engines, Optimization and Analytics
- User Experience Design
- Character Modeling
Bachelor of Science in Web Development (BSIT)
This program may provide you with a solid grounding in key areas of IT, like cloud computing. By focusing on web development, you will also touch on design principles. As such, you could cover multimedia and software such as Dreamweaver.
Course Examples:
- Web user interface design
- Digital Imaging
- Intro to E business
Master of Science in Information Technology Web Design
In this program, you will blend IT, software engineering, and computer science. As it is a technical program, you can expect to cover all stages of web development. For example, you could pursue the gathering of data and design. You could also cover testing. You may learn how data can be implemented to improve site functionality and popularity.
Course Examples:
- Website Construction
- Website Optimization
- Advanced information Technology
WEB DEVELOPMENT DEGREE ONLINE PROGRAMS
If you choose a program on the computing side, you will often kick off your studies with a class in basic programming languages. Here, you will also address the inner workings of websites. So, you will study algorithms and databases. You will also look at networks and operating systems.
- System Administration
- Computer Security
- Spreadsheet Applications
Some of your web design courses could highlight things like layout. Classes of this nature may help you understand how to work graphics, audio and video into a website. You could also explore E commerce tools. This is yet another area where you will need to be skilled in computer languages.
- Web User Interface Design
- Computer Illustration
- Digital Imaging
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Southern New Hampshire University
- Take advantage of some of the nation’s most affordable tuition rates, while earning a degree from a private, nonprofit, NEASC accredited university
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- Multiple term start dates throughout the year. 24/7 online classroom access.
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University of Arizona Global Campus
- 99% of University of Arizona Global Campus students study online
- University of Arizona Global Campus offers affordable tuition, so college is accessible to many students.
- he University of Arizona Global Campus (formerly Ashford University) is accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
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WHAT DO WEB DEVELOPMENT DEGREE COURSES LOOK LIKE?
As you can see, there are different kinds of web development degree programs available. This means your classes will depend as much on your program’s level (B.S., M.S., M.B.A, Ph.D.), as it will on your program’s focus.
Some common courses include:
Designing for Web Standards: Aimed at teaching students how to use CSS and other standards to enhance web pages easily and effectively.
Programming for Web Applications: Expand upon prior knowledge by learning more advanced concepts of scripting languages such as JavaScript.
Advanced Multimedia: This class may cover both traditional art and multimedia design. Topics may address 3D modeling, animation, motion graphics and digital effects.
Advanced Database Structures: This course is focused on designing databases to create web applications that are frequently used within the industry.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE YOU TO EARN A WEB DEVELOPMENT DEGREE?
If you are a full time student, you might earn a web development degree in four years or eight semesters. If you transfer credits from an associate’s degree, it may speed up the process for you. You can also stretch out your studies with a part time commitment.
WEB DEVELOPMENT DEGREE PROGRAM EXAMPLES
School | # of Credits Required | Start Dates | Minimum Months to Complete |
Rasmussen College | 181 | Multiple | 39.5 |
Colorado Technical University | 180 | Multiple | 18.5 |
Ashford University | 120 | Multiple | 52 |
THE AVERAGE COST OF AN ONLINE WEB DEVELOPMENT DEGREE PROGRAM
The cost you will pay for a web development degree varies. One reason this is, ties into whether you earn your degree in state or out of state. You will find that recent data shows, the average tuition for an in state college is $4,412. For out of state colleges, your cost will average $34,304.
You may find that many online schools charge by the credit. Below, you can compare the cost per credit for these schools that offer web development programs.
School | # of Credits Required | Cost Per Credit | Total Tuition Cost |
Ashford University | 120 | $485 | $58,200 |
Colorado Technical University | 180 | $325 | $58,500 |
Rasmussen College | 181 | $310 | $56,110 |
TOP SCHOOLS FOR ONLINE WEB DEVELOPMENT DEGREE PROGRAMS
According to DataUSA, you can see there were over 629 schools that offer web page, digital and multimedia degree programs. From those schools, you will find there were 5,302 digital and multimedia degree programs awarded to students. The majority (88%) of these programs, you can see, were B.S. degrees.
School | 2022 Degrees awarded | 2023/24 Tuition (out of state unless *) |
The New School | 286 | $56,386* |
Academy of Art University | 105 | $28,024* |
University of Phoenix Arizona | 180 | $9,552* |
DeVry University Illinois | 101 | $17,488* |
Portland Community College | 19 | $10,080 |
New York University | 161 | $60,438* |
Utah Valley University | 230 | $$17,830 |
Estimated for full time, beginning undergrad students
CHOOSING A WEB DEVELOPMENT DEGREE ONLINE ACCREDITED PROGRAM
You will not find a specific agency in charge of accrediting web development degrees. Yet, regional accreditation is still one of the criteria you could use when choosing an online college. If you do this, it ensures that the program and coursework meet national standards. You also need regional accreditation to be eligible for federal aid.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, you will see that some web developers start their career with an Associate’s degree. If you earn an associates degree from a regionally accredited college, it may make it easier to transfer credits. This is important if you plan to pursue a B.S. degree.
Did you know that, while each school must apply for accreditation, the status is often only valid for about 7 years? As such, you may wish to verify the standing of an institution. If you would like to do this, you can consult the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Post secondary Education (OPE) database.
POSSIBLE WEB DEVELOPMENT CAREERS
Once you have a web development degree, you may pursue a wide range of potential careers.