If you want to become a web designer, enrolling in a certificate course in this area of study can provide you with the skills and knowledge essential to break into this field. According to the figures provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, career outlook for web developers looks very positive with 20% expected job growth from 2012 to 2022, faster than the average for all occupations. Several traditional and online schools offer certificate programs in design and can provide you with enough knowledge to pursue a career as a designer.
Featured Programs
Certificate in Design
The certificate in design will provide students with the knowhow on developing software and technical skills essential to develop websites. The program generally lasts for 6 months to 15 months. The enrollment status of the students the precise program duration, and so can be shorter longer. Students may choose to focus their certification in one of the specialties of web design such as game art, Flash design, or digital imaging to enhance the visual appeal of web pages.
Students in the design programs learn how to create the site’s layout and integrate graphics. They also find out how to write web-design programs in several computer languages, such as JavaScript or HTML.
Admissions Requirements
To enroll in a certificate in web design, students should have a high school diploma or GED. They may also have to have to provide recommendation letters and appear for interview. The advanced courses may require candidates to hold an undergraduate degree or show previous work experience.
Program Curriculum
Students in the design certificate courses may get a chance to take classes in graphics for multimedia, flash design, website database implementation, and DHTML programming. The coursework may also include topics such as introduction to DHTML, introduction to XML, e-commerce, and JAVA programming.
Online Certificate in Web Design
There are plenty of online schools that offer the design certificate in online format. The internet has made it possible to complete an academic program without being physically present in the classes. The online certificate programs allow students to study from the comfort of their home or any other location and acquire skills and knowledge for increasing the prospects of having a career in the field of web design and development.
Learners in the online certificate program are provided with a variety of tools that help them participate in the classes. Online libraries, online chat forums, emails, video conferencing etc. all allow candidates to study, communicate with the instructors and submit assignments.
Career Prospects
Web developers can work with a number of industries including computer systems design and related services. They can also find jobs with data processing, hosting, related services, finance and insurance as well as educational services. The median annual wage for web developers in 2012 was $62,500, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The income of such professionals will depend on the location, experience and qualification.
Aspiring web developers seeking better opportunities should acquire knowledge of multiple programming languages and digital multimedia tools, such as Adobe Photoshop and Flash.