A web design certificate program is a short-term educational program that teaches you essential technical skills for a successful web design career. If you’re looking for potential web design certificates, look no further, as this article breaks down the best undergraduate and graduate web design certificates in detail.
This article will also help you understand the difference between a certificate and degree programs, as well as what career paths earning a web design college certificate allows you to pursue. For each web design certificate program on our list, we cover vital details such as their length, cost, and admission requirements, so that you can pick the best in-person or online program for you.
What Is a Web Design Certificate College Program?
A web design certificate college program is an educational program offered by a college or university. They teach students how to use web design tools to create an effective user interface and make smart design choices. They are shorter than traditional degrees, usually requiring the completion of 12 to 48 credit hours, and allow students to transfer to a degree program or to apply for entry-level jobs.
What’s the Difference Between a College Web Design Certificate and Professional Certification in Web Design?
The difference between a college web design certificate and a web design professional certification is that a certificate is an education program with courses offered by an accredited school, while certification is the assessment of a working professional’s knowledge of web design by an industry-recognized regulatory body.
Web Design College Certificate vs Web Design Certification: Key Differences
| Web Design Certificate | Web Design Certification |
|---|---|
| Costs between $173 and $1,200 per credit hour and usually requires the completion of 12 to 48 credits | Costs between $150 and $225 for a standalone exam with optional additional fees for study guides or preparatory courses |
| For beginners or web design professionals looking to learn new skills | For web design professionals with experience in the field looking to formally prove their knowledge and abilities |
| Awarded by universities and colleges | Awarded by recognized industry leaders and regulatory bodies |
How Long Does It Take To Get a Web Design Certificate at College?
It takes approximately three to nine months to get a web design certificate, sometimes more depending on the program’s coursework and whether you are enrolled as a part-time or full-time student. This is significantly shorter than the time it takes to earn an associate or bachelor’s degree, which generally take two and four years to earn, respectively.
Best Web Design Certificate Undergraduate Programs
| School | Program Name | Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Community College of Philadelphia | Certificate in Web Design | $595/course |
| Champlain College | Online Undergraduate Certificate in Web Design | $318/credit |
| Dakota State University | Website Design and Development Certificate | $295/credit (in-state); $398/credit (out-of-state) |
| DeVry University | Online Undergraduate Certificate in Web Design | $314/credit |
| Fairleigh Dickinson University | Certificate in Website Design and Development | $930/credit |
| Fullerton College | Web Design Certificate | $345/credit (in-state); $400/credit (out-of-state) |
| Midlands Technical College | Web Design Academic Certificate | $188 |
| Montgomery College | Web Design Certificate | $2,661/semester (Montgomery County resident, five courses per semester); $5,127/semester (Maryland resident, five courses per semester); $7,017/semester (non-Maryland resident, five courses per semester) |
| The New School | Certificate in Web Design | $3,930 for the program |
| University of South Dakota | Web Design Certificate | $259/credit (South Dakota, Colorado, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Wyoming, or Montana resident); $290.63/credit (Minnesota resident); $376/credit (out-of-state) |
Best Undergraduate Web Design Certificate Programs: Explained
The best undergraduate web design certificate programs can help you gain the essential knowledge you need to create dynamic content for complex projects. They can also be a great first step towards furthering your studies and pursuing an associate or bachelor’s degree. The section below covers the best undergraduate web design certificate programs in more detail.
Web Design College Certificate Program vs Web Design Associate Degree
Although they may seem similar, an Associate Degree in Web Design is not the same as completing a web design certificate. These two program types differ in cost, duration, and admission requirements. Below is a detailed breakdown of the factors that differentiate a web design certificate from a web design associate degree.
- Admissions requirements. Web design certificates have fewer entry requirements than associate degree programs. Students enrolling in a certificate program don’t need any prior knowledge of the subject as the courses focus primarily on introductory concepts.
- Program length. Associate degrees usually take two years to finish, whereas you can obtain a certificate in a few months. Some certificates may take longer, particularly those designed to be taken on a part-time basis, but most take less than a year to complete.
- Earning potential. An associate degree program is longer and more intensive than a certificate program. Because of this, associate degree holders earn an average salary of $48,753 while the median salary of undergraduate certificate holders is only $41,222, according to Statista.
- Program tuition. The cost of a certificate in web design will typically be lower than that of an associate degree because they require fewer credits and less time to earn.
- Authority of the program. An Associate Degree in Web Design program is longer and provides a broader scope of training, resulting in a wider range of job opportunities post-graduation. Completing a certificate in web design will teach you specialized technical skills in a specific field, making for a good complementary education to a degree.
Best Online Associate Degrees
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Best Associate Degrees
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Is an Undergraduate Web Design Certificate Worth It?
Yes, a web design certificate is worth it because it can help you gain specialized technical web design skills. A web design certificate is best if you want to learn about web design and be job-ready in less than two years. An undergraduate certificate can help you achieve your professional goals and costs much less than a traditional degree.
Best Web Design Certificate Graduate Programs
| School | Program Name | Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Boston University | Web Application Development Graduate Certificate | $30,525/semester |
| Cincinnati State Technical and Community College | Web and Multimedia Design Certificate | $178.64/credit (in-state); $357.28/credit (out-of-state) |
| Harvard University | Front End Web Development Graduate Certificate | $745/credit |
| Lindenwood University | Web Design Graduate Certificate | $540/credit |
| Missouri University of Science and Technology | Certificate in Digital Media and Web Design | $1,200/credit |
| Northwestern University | Web Development Certificate | $2,115/course |
| Sacred Heart University | Web Development Graduate Certificate | $965/credit |
| University of Denver | Certificate in Web Design and Development | $18,384 for the program |
| University of Florida | Web Design Online Graduate Certificate | $8,082 for the program |
| University of South Florida | Web Design Certificate | $436/credit (in-state); $881/credit (out-of-state) |
Best Graduate Web Design Certificate Programs Explained
Read the list of the best graduate web design certificates that will help you gain valuable skills to either enter the web design industry or improve your web design skills, open new specialized job opportunities, and earn a higher salary. We discuss essential details about each web design certificate program below.
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Web Design Graduate Certificate Program vs Web Design Master’s Degree
Your career and education goals will determine whether you should pursue a web design graduate certificate or web design master’s degree. A graduate certificate program is a short, intense learning program that teaches students specialized skills while a master’s degree is longer and covers a broader range of skills and knowledge within web design. Below is a more detailed look at the differences between a graduate certificate and a master’s degree.
- Job opportunities. Due to the increased length and intensity of a master’s degree, earning one will open up more job opportunities and qualify you for doctoral programs. A graduate certificate, meanwhile, can teach you the skills needed to enter the web design field sooner and can serve as a jumping-off point for getting your master’s degree.
- Required credit hours. A graduate certificate in web design usually requires between 12 and 20 credit hours and can often be completed in under a year, while most master’s degrees last two to three years and require the completion of 60 credits.
- Cost of the program. The average yearly tuition for a graduate degree at a public university is $11,617, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Since a graduate certificate often takes half as long to earn, it will end up costing much less.
- Prerequisites. Although a graduate certificate in web design doesn’t always require prior knowledge of web design, it is often meant to complement the knowledge of bachelor’s degree holders. While a certificate is a fantastic option for beginners, a master’s degree usually requires applicants to have earned a bachelor’s degree in a related field.
- Specialization. A graduate certificate is often more specialized, only requiring the completion of classes directly related to the field of study. Meanwhile, a master’s degree will cover a wider range of web design concepts and auxiliary skills related to management and business.
Best Online Master’s Degrees
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Best Master’s Degrees
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Is a Graduate Web Design Certificate Worth It?
Yes, a web design certificate is worth it because it will help you gain the specialized technical skills you need for a career change or to improve your current web design skills. They are great for graduate students who are interested in a master’s degree but aren’t sure if they want to commit to a two-year program. They are also ideal for any student with a full-time job who wants to learn while working.
Web Design Certificate Program Coursework
While pursuing one of these web design certificates, students must complete specific courses to earn credit hours. Web design college certificate courses usually tackle topics such as web design, visual design fundamentals, and interactive typography. Below is a further look at some of the typical web design courses you could take in a certificate program.
Web Design
A course on web design teaches students about the basic and advanced techniques used to plan, create, and execute websites that engage users. Students learn about the design principles and design processes needed when making web pages that function properly.
Visual Design Fundamentals
In a visual design fundamentals course, students learn about the basics of visual design relating to websites and web pages. It covers many essential visual design concepts, such as line, form, space, color theory, and function. Students also learn about different design processes and how to use a variety of design software with the help of hands-on projects.
Digital Media Layout and Design
A digital media layout and design course teaches students the fundamental skills needed to make interactive documents that effectively engage audiences. Students learn to work using Adobe InDesign and complete a portfolio project that demonstrates their knowledge of color and layout.
Interactive Typography
A course in typography helps students understand how to create websites that have engaging visual communication elements. It covers the basics of typography, such as characters, fonts, glyphs, and typefaces, and teaches students how to use CSS animations to make typography more interesting.
Programming for the Internet
A programming for the Internet course will teach students how to create web pages using a variety of programming languages as well as how to upload them, write their code, test websites, maintain them, and fix bugs. The typical languages covered include HTML, JavaScript, and PHP.
Best Online College Courses for Credit
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What Can You Do With a Web Design Certificate from College?
With a web design certificate, you can get an entry-level job in the web design industry or use the credits you’ve earned to pursue a bachelor’s or a master’s degree, depending on the level of your certificate. A web design certificate program will teach you the essential skills required to get a job as a web designer, graphic designer, or digital designer.
Best Web Design Jobs and Careers With a Certificate
| Job Role | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Multimedia Artist | $78,790 |
| Web Developer | $77,200 |
| UX Designer | $75,895 |
| Web Designer | $52,553 |
| Graphic Designer | $50,710 |
Best Web Design Certificate Jobs and Careers: Explained
After you’ve completed your web design certificate, you’ll be ready for a high-paying entry-level job. The detailed breakdown below will give you a good idea of the best web design jobs you can get with a web design certificate. You’ll find information concerning the average salary, projected job growth, and responsibilities of each profession.
Should I Also Get a Web Design Certification?
Yes, you should also get a web design certification. Certification can improve your specialized skills and more easily allow you to become a web design expert. A web design certification will also open up additional job opportunities and increase your earning potential. Below is a list of certifications that can help you become an industry expert.
Best Web Design Certifications
- Advanced HTML5 and CSS3 Specialist. CIW offers this excellent certification to web design professionals for $150. Candidates take a course that prepares them for a certification exam that tests their HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript knowledge.
- PHP Certification. The Zend PHP certification exam costs $195 and is for PHP professionals interested in becoming certified in the field of web design. The exam covers topics including PHP basics, object oriented programming, and error handling.
- AWS Certified Developer – Associate. This certification exam is provided by Amazon Web Services and costs $150. The exam tests each candidate’s ability to create and install cloud-based applications. Candidates should have at least one year of experience working on a cloud-based application before applying.
- Adobe Certified Expert – Adobe Workfront Core Developer. This certification offered by Adobe tests a student’s knowledge of the Workfront system. The exam takes 130 minutes, costs $225, and has 64 questions.
- Microsoft Azure Developer Associate. This certification is for cloud developers who want to be certified in Microsoft Azure. This certification has an exam that costs $165.
Best Professional Certifications
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Is a College Certificate for Web Design Worth It?
Yes, a college certificate for web design is worth it. The program is shorter than a degree program and teaches students the technical web design skills needed to become successful web designers. Another alternative to a degree or certificate program if you want to gain specialized skills in web design is a web design bootcamp.
Web Design Certificates FAQ
Yes, you will get to create a portfolio during your web design certificate program. A portfolio is one of the main ways employers determine which candidates they want to hire, which is why most design certificate programs involve project-based learning and facilitate the creation of a portfolio.
Yes, a web design certificate can help you change your career. This is because it will teach you the essential skills needed for web design. Web design certificates are useful to beginners and professionals wanting to transition to a career in web design.
Yes, there are many online web design certificates. Many of the best web design certificates listed in this article are available online or in a hybrid format, making it easier for busy professionals to enroll.
Yes, you can apply for financial aid to cover the cost of a web design certificate. While not all colleges and universities do so, you can contact your chosen college’s admissions or financial aid office directly to determine whether you qualify for financial assistance.
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