The exponential growth of the tech industry has allowed many careers to flourish. One such position is web development. Web development is a long-lasting career opportunity where many people have found success. From purchasing products online to the very website you’re reading this guide on, web development played a part in their existence. This article delves into a comprehensive overview of online web development degrees.
The first step to becoming a web developer is gaining an education. Below is our guide on web development and howyou can earn your web development degree from the comfort of your own home.
What Is Web Development?
Web development commonly refers to creating, building, and maintaining websites. You may have heard web development used interchangeably with web design, but the two aren’t quite the same. While web design may encompass some elements of web development, such as the way a website looks and functions, web development is a much broader term.
Web developers have skills that involve almost every aspect of a website and typically work in both front end and backend portions of web design. Some web developers hand code the website through a text editor and there are others who create a website and update it through a content management system.
There are several ways to create a website and web developers must be aware of many of them to meet their employer’s needs. This is why so many companies that hire web developers seek out individuals who have earned a degree in the field.
With a degree, an employer is confident that the applicant has learned the skills necessary to handle the job they’re given.
Web Development Careers
Employers in practically every industry are seeking web developers for any number of careers. If you have a strong focus on design, there’s work for you in user experience (UX) design, web design, and graphic design.
Those who want to focus more on computer programming have the ability to work as a front end or back end web developer, web administrator, mobile application developer, or software developer.
For individuals that want to work with data and analytics, database developer opportunities are available to you.
All of these positions serve as long-term career opportunities for every industry. What’s more, the possibilities for an increase in salary by gaining a senior position are available for any of the positions listed above.
The Best Schools for an Online Web Development Degree
There are several high-quality online programs for web development where you can earn your degree. These curriculums are designed to be completed entirely online and are from accredited universities with critical acclaim.
Here is a list of 12 of the best online web development degree programs:
- Arizona State University
- Liberty University
- Baker College
- Franklin University
- Southern New Hampshire University
- Bellevue University
- Champlain College
- Stevens-Henager College
- University of Maryland
- Brigham Young University
- University of Maine at Augusta
- Fort Hays State University
Arizona State University
Arizona is widely recognized for its impressive online degree programs and the university is considered one of the best for distance learners. Remote students can earn their bachelor of applied science in internet and web development upon completion of the program.
The curriculum covers various topics to help students find a profession in web development. Throughout the 120-credit program, students take courses covering various subjects in technology, multimedia design, and web strategy.
Students must complete a senior project to graduate from the program, which demonstrates their knowledge and understanding of web development.
Liberty University
Liberty University offers a bachelor’s of science in information technology through its online program. The course has a specialization in web design and mobile programming for students who want to pursue a career in web development.
The degree program involves a combination of general education with foundational courses in web development. Students learn about organizational behavior, systems administration, client-side programming, and organizational behavior.
The university also provides a suggested degree sequence that emphasizes on students completing their elective courses before taking on major work.
While the courses may be online, Liberty University places a strong emphasis on interactive virtual classroom experience and allows students to complete projects at their own pace.
Baker College
Baker College offers an online bachelor’s degree in information systems where students can choose a concentration in web development. The program provides students with knowledge in both web development and business skills. This prepares students to find success in positions for multiple industries.
Students taking part in this program will complete coursework that covers multiple software languages, design principles, and operating systems. Students learn in the classroom, and gain real-world experience through a 10-week job placement in their chosen field.
The web development concentration requires students to take courses in web design and web server administration, sothey’re well-rounded upon completing the program.
Franklin University
Franklin University offers an online bachelor’s of science in web development for students who want a more hands-on experience where they learn under leaders in the industry. The degree program requires students to complete 124 semester hours.
The core classes cover topics in computer programming, computer problem-solving, web page construction, and more. There are also courses that revolve around development, such as analytics, and human-computer interaction.
Students in the program must complete courses in learning strategies, writing, and communications. In addition to their core work, students spend 36 hours taking general education courses and an additional 25 hours in elective courses.
Southern New Hampshire University
Southern New Hampshire University is a popular choice amongst students who want to earn their degree online. The university offers an online program where students earn their bachelor’s degree in information technologies with a concentration on web development and design.
The program teaches students how to use applications and data in order to improve user experience and user interface. Students that work towards earning a web developer degree online will gain knowledge in systems design and information technology.
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Graduates from the 120-credit program can pursue careers in multiple tech fields, such as web architecture, web development, and web design. Some unique course offerings that the university provides include cyber law and ethics, and computer platform technologies.
Bellevue University
Bellevue University offers an online degree program where students earn a bachelor’s of science in web development. The program is designed by experienced web developers, so students gain the skills needed to successfully find careers after graduating.
Throughout the curriculum, students gain skills in JavaScript, DevOps, APIs, and design principles, among others. Students are also prepared to use several of the design and development tools available to them to create webpages.
The program has a strong emphasis on design and includes courses on database fundamentals and multiple programming languages. Some major course requirements students must meet include NoSQL, Node.js, and internet systems architecture.
All students who participate in the program must complete the Kirkpatrick Signature Series, which explores various concepts such as freedom, responsibility, change, and tradition.
Champlain College
Champlain College offers a fully online course in which students earn their bachelor of science in web design and development. The program exposes students to the latest in technology to prepare them for the current trends in their chosen career path.
Students learn fundamental skills in design and development, such as facilitating data transfers, maintaining a web server, and using scripting languages.
What sets Champlain College apart from other colleges is that its web development degree program is designed for working adults. Each of the online courses only lasts seven weeks, which means that students can earn their degree at an accelerated rate.
Depending on the student’s specialization, graduates from the program receive a certificate in web design or web programming along with their bachelor’s degree.
University of Maryland
The University of Maryland offers an online bachelor’s degree program that focuses on digital design. The University of Maryland helps students interested in graphic design, web development, web application development, and similar positions gain the knowledge and skills they need for these careers.
Students can attend classes on-campus, online, or do a mixture of both distance and online learning. This gives students multiple ways to experience college and campus life, as well as find a learning style that fits their current schedule.
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University offers a 120-credit online degree program where students earn their bachelor’s in web development and design. Undergrad students learn the skills needed to have careers in web design, maintenance, and development.
The curriculum blends various aspects of social media marketing, programming, graphic design, web development, and information technology to help students develop into well-rounded web developers.
Students take a combination of general education and core courses that involves both theory and hands-on teaching. In addition to classroom learning, students participate in internships and meet capstone project requirements where they demonstrate what they’ve learned during the program.
University of Maine at Augusta
The University of Maine at Augusta offers an online bachelor’s degree in computer information systems program. Students can choose a concentration in web development and networking. The online web developer program prepares students to work in multiple career fields, such as programming, information technology, and network administration.
Throughout the 121-credit program, students gain an understanding of information systems and learn how to code in multiple languages. They also learn the valuable skill of web security and e-commerce, which is becoming more important as the threats of cyberattacks continue to increase.
The curriculum covers nearly 80 hours of major coursework in various topics, which range from operating systems to database design. Upon completion of the program, graduates from the course will have a strong understanding of computer systems and their relation to web design and development.
Fort Hays State University
Fort Hays State University is a regionally-accredited public university that offers distance learning to students. With over 200 degree and certificate programs available, students have a wide array of fields to pick from.
One of the online programs FHSU offers is a bachelor’s degree in information networking and telecommunications. Students can choose a concentration in web and mobile app development.
This degree program, which can be completed as either a Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of the Arts (BA), requires students to earn 124 credits. Within the curriculum, students complete 18 credits in core classes, which focuses on various research methods, and introduction to web development, and foundations of informatics.
Students learn more than just web development, as the program has a strong emphasis on mobile app development and back end development. In addition, seniors must complete a compulsory capstone seminar.
Conclusion
If you have an interest in pursuing a career in web development, earning your degree is the first step towards finding success. Employers place higher confidence in degree earners and think of them as individuals who possess the right skills to complete the tasks given.
While online web development degree programs are typically handled entirely on virtual platforms, you may have to meet on-campus requirements. Some programs also require students to participate in internships in order to complete their degree program.
With the demand for web development steadily growing, there are countless opportunities available to those that want to become a web developer. The best part is that you can earn your degree online without worrying about class schedules or on-campus fees.
FAQ
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the median annual wage for a web developer was $73,760 in 2019. At the highest rate, some web developers earned more than $142,080.
Yes! According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment rate for web developers is expected to grow by 13 percent from 2018 to 2028, making web development an in-demand field.
To become a web developer, you should earn a bachelor’s of science degree in computer science or a related field. You should also try to gain industry knowledge through internships.
The most common paths for starting a career in web development involve: 1) Earning a Computer Science degree at a traditional college or university (Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree, or a PhD), 2) Learning web development through self-study, or 3) attending an intensive, short-term coding bootcamp specializing in web development.
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