Web development certificates are a quick and effective way to show potential employers that you have core skills for creating and maintaining websites without a degree. A web development college certificate gives you college credits you can later use to get a college degree.
You can complete a web development certificate program in less than six months. A certificate program from a reputable university shows that you are on a formal path to professionalization, appealing to employers looking for growing talent for their websites.
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In this article, we show you some of the best undergraduate and graduate web development certificate programs, as well as the cost, duration, and how these certificates can impact your salary as a web developer.
What Is a Web Development Certificate College Program?
A web development certificate college program is a program offered by a higher-education institution to learn basic competencies for developing websites. Such certificates have curricular value, so students earn college credits that they can later transfer to advance a college degree.
A web development certificate from a university is a powerful way to show potential employers that you possess the knowledge and skills to develop websites without having a college degree. While a web development certificate doesn’t demonstrate that you are an expert, it shows that you are on a formal path to becoming one.
What’s the Difference Between a College Web Development Certificate and Professional Certification in Web Development?
The difference between a college web development certificate and professional certification in web development is that the former serves as proof that you have some college education on the subject, while the latter indicates you have been assessed and judged competent as a web developer.
A professional certification in web development indicates that an authoritative figure in the industry measured your performance against a standard and deemed you an effective professional. A certificate only shows that you have taken specific courses on web development from a reputable institution.
Web Development College Certificate vs Web Development Certification: Key Differences
| Web Development Certificate | Web Development Certification |
|---|---|
| Conferred by a university, college, or higher-education institution that offers web development courses. | Granted by an authority in the web development industry, like Oracle University or IBM Training. |
| The price tag depends on the tuition rates of the university and the number of credits earned, often starting at $3,000. | Less expensive than college certificates since they are based on exams and don’t include college education, often starting at $200. |
| It takes between one and two semesters to complete the credits of a web development college certificate. | Assuming you are already a professional with experience, you can earn certification in less than six months. |
How Long Does It Take To Get a Web Development Certificate at College?
It takes six months to get a web development certificate at college. Some web development college certificate programs include more courses and can take up to a year to complete. Some schools offer flexible schedules to complete the programs.
Best Web Development Certificate Undergraduate Programs
| School | Program Name | Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus State University | Certificate in Web Development | $3,458 |
| Cornell University | Certificate in Web Design and Development | $2,520 |
| DeVry University | Certificate in Website Development | $19,532 |
| Harvard University | Certificate in Introduction to Web Development | $5,760 |
| Lamar Institute of Technology | Certificate in Web Development | $2,320 |
Best Undergraduate Web Development Certificate Programs: Explained
The best undergraduate web development certificates offered by universities have programs that include at least four core courses for web development and a few elective courses. Credits earned through the certificate program can later be transferred to a college program, like an associate or a bachelor’s degree.
The TSYS School of Computer Science at Columbus State University offers a certificate in web development. After completing the program, students earn 19 credits they can transfer to a bachelor’s degree program in information technology. Students enjoy access to a state-of-the-art learning environment.
Certificate in Web Development Details
- Cost: $182/hour (in-state); $802/hour (out-of-state)
- Length: 19 credits
- Learning Format: In-person
- Minimum Education: High school diploma or equivalent
- Other Requirements: Official SAT or ACT score record
The online web design certificate at Cornell University has a price tag of $3,600 and offers a payment installment plan. After completing the program, students earn six Continuing Education Units (CEU). It is arguably the best online web development certificate from one of the best universities in the world.
Certificate in Web Design and Development Details
- Cost: $3,600
- Length: Three months
- Learning Format: Online
- Minimum Education: None
- Other Requirements: None
DeVry University offers a certificate in website development that students can complete in less than a year. Students learn technical skills and graphic design, acquire development tools, and gain coding experience. It is one of the most comprehensive website development certificate programs available.
Certificate in Web Development Details
- Cost: $514/credit hour (in-state and out-of-state)
- Length: 38 credits
- Learning Format: In-person, hybrid, and online
- Minimum Education: High school diploma or equivalent
- Other Requirements: Interview with an admissions advisor, be at least 17 years old, have a computer with Internet access for online coursework
This certificate in introduction to web development from Harvard University includes courses from the online programs at Harvard Extension School. Students learn CSS coding, PHP web development, and visual design. Students are expected to set their own academic goals.
Certificate in Introduction to Web Development Details
- Cost: $480/credit (in-state and out-of-state)
- Length: Four credits
- Learning Format: Online
- Minimum Education: High school diploma or equivalent
- Other Requirements: Register during the enrollment period, don’t hold a bachelor’s degree already, and don’t be enrolled in a degree program at another institution
Located in the state of Texas, Lamar Institute of Technology offers its certificate in web development. Students learn a wide range of skills to create functional websites that adhere to industry standards. The program includes courses on streaming media technology, full stack development, and user experience design.
Certificate in Web Development Details
- Cost: $80/credit hour (in-state); $488/credit hour (out-of-state)
- Length: 29 credits
- Learning Format: In-person
- Minimum Education: High school diploma, or GED, or pass the TAKS/STAR test
- Other Requirements: None
Web Development College Certificate Program vs Web Development Associate Degree
A web development college certificate program is only a fraction of the courses and credits that are required to earn a web development associate degree. You can always transfer your credits earned with the certificate to complete an associate degree or bachelor’s degree in the future.
Consider the following major differences between a web development college certificate program and a web development associate degree:
- Duration. Most web development certificate programs can be completed in less than six months, and universities offer them as summer programs. You can come back from summer vacation with a college certificate. A web development associate degree takes longer to complete.
- Cost. A web development college certificate program only requires a fraction of the credits and courses needed to complete a web development associate degree program. You’ll pay for that small number of credits to get the certificate, making it much cheaper.
- Scope. A web development college certificate won’t show that you are an expert, but will show that you have incorporated college-level education in your career as a web developer. Getting an associate degree is the following step to professionalize your career path as a web developer.
Best Online Associate Degrees
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Best Associate Degrees
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Is an Undergraduate Web Development Certificate Worth It?
Yes, an undergraduate web development certificate is worth it because it shows your potential employers that you are launching your career as a web developer with some formal college education. It is also very convenient that you can transfer the credits from the certificate to a degree program in the future.
An undergraduate web development certificate can be foundational in your career path to becoming a web developer. While a web development bootcamp prepares you faster to work as a web developer, having some college education on your resume sets a good precedent.
Best Web Development Certificate Graduate Programs
| School | Program Name | Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Harvard University | Certificate in Front End Web Development | $11,920 |
| Northwestern University | Certificate in Web Development | $8,460 |
| University of Denver | Certificate in Web Design and Development | $12,256 |
| University of North Carolina Wilmington | Certificate in Multimedia and Instructional Web Development | $5,310 |
| University of South Florida | Certificate in Web Design | $5,172 |
Best Graduate Web Development Certificate Programs Explained
The best graduate web development certificates offered by the department of graduate studies of colleges and universities have programs that typically include four advanced core courses and a few electives. Eventually, you can transfer the credits from the certificate to a graduate college degree, like a database management master’s degree.
Harvard University offers a graduate certificate in front end web development. The program includes courses to become a front end web developer and eventually a full stack web developer. Students learn advanced PHP web development and modern technology for human-computer interaction.
Certificate in Front End Web Development Details
- Cost: $11,920 total cost
- Length: Four courses in 1.5 years
- Learning Format: Online
- Minimum Education: Undergraduate degree awarded by an accredited university
- Other Requirements: Earn a grade of B, B+, A-, or A in each certificate course
The graduate certificate in web development from Northwestern University includes four courses from the graduate catalog course. These courses are Tools and Technologies for the Web, Human-Computer Interaction, Information Architecture, and Programming for the Web.
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Certificate in Web Development Details
- Cost: $2,115/unit (in-state and out-of-state)
- Length: Four units
- Learning Format: In-person
- Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Other Requirements: Statement of purpose and resume
University of Denver offers a certificate in web design and development that can be completed with four to six courses. It is an attractive program for digital designers, graphic designers, and business owners interested in developing websites for business projects.
Certificate in Web Design and Development Details
- Cost: $12,256/4 courses; $18,384/6 courses
- Length: 16 or 24 credits
- Learning Format: In-person or online
- Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Other Requirements: Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA and resume
University of North Carolina Wilmington offers a graduate certificate in multimedia and instructional web development. It’s designed for students who want to learn to integrate dynamic components into websites. University of North Carolina Wilmington offers it as an online accelerated graduate certificate program.
Certificate in Multimedia and Instructional Web Development Details
- Cost: $295/credit hour (in-state); $1,063/credit hour (out-of-state)
- Length: 18 credits
- Learning Format: Online
- Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Other Requirements: Three recommendation letters from professionals in the field, resume, and personal statement
The graduate certificate in web design at University of South Florida is for professionals in the private industry who want to plan, create, and publish websites with educational web applications. Students take courses like web design, instructional graphics, and programming languages for education.
Certificate in Web Design Details
- Cost: $431/credit hour (in-state); $877/credit hour (out-of-state)
- Length: 12 credits
- Learning Format: Hybrid
- Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Other Requirements: None
Web Development Graduate Certificate Program vs Web Development Master’s Degree
A web development graduate certificate program is a quick way to integrate graduate-level education into your career path as a web developer. However, you won’t get access to the salary bracket reserved for professionals with graduate education until you earn a Master’s Degree in Web Development.
The web development graduate certificate should be your first step to eventually graduating from a master’s degree program in web development. Consider the following differences:
- Salary. A web development graduate certificate won’t give you access to the salaries of professionals with graduate studies, but it will move you closer to that goal.
- Cost. A Master’s Degree in Web Development is significantly more expensive than a web development graduate certificate. You need to develop a good strategy to finance a master’s degree program.
- Scope. A web development graduate certificate won’t work as a degree but it’s a solid first step to eventually completing the credits to earn the Master’s Degree in Web Development.
Best Online Master’s Degrees
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Best Master’s Degrees
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Is a Graduate Web Development Certificate Worth It?
No, a graduate web development certificate is not worth it because the programs are expensive, time-consuming, and often lag behind the cutting-edge trends in web design, meaning your degree of knowledge is lacking. The curricula are typically several months behind the current technologies and deployments.
The most effective way to advance your career as a web developer in 2022 is by enrolling in the best web development bootcamps. These bootcamps quickly equip you with the competencies expected from web developers with graduate education and a fresh understanding of what employers require. You’ll gain considerable real-world experience that prepares you to become a professional web developer.
Web Development Certificate Program Coursework
Web development certificate programs typically include coursework in HTML, JavaScript, CSS, SQL, and W3C Standards. They also include elective courses useful for special features like search engine optimization, ethical privacy practices, payments processing, and ecommerce legislation.
HTML
HyperText Markup Language (HTML) is the markup language used to design the elements that appear on a website, including headers, styles, and images. Web developers use HTML to create visually stunning websites that are also functional and safe.
JavaScript
JavaScript is one of the most common programming languages used to add functionality to websites that otherwise cannot be achieved with HTML. Web developers use JavaScript to create features and functions that increase interaction and usability.
CSS
Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) is a stylesheet language used to define how to present a website to visitors and users. Web developers use CSS to make their websites display properly across different devices, platforms, and web browsers.
SQL
Structured Query Language (SQL) is the most common language for relational database management. Web developers use SQL to deliver the resources that visitors and users pull from the page. This includes multimedia, files, text, and the web pages of the site.
W3C Standards
The World Wide Consortium (W3C) develops the web standards that are expected to be adopted by web developers to deliver highly functional web experiences. These standards are constantly retired, replaced, or updated to introduce new technologies and best practices.
Best Online College Courses for Credit
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What Can You Do With a Web Development Certificate from College?
With a web development certificate, you can get a job as a front end developer, web content specialist, PHP web developer, web application developer, or website manager. These jobs are well-paid and in high demand.
It is indisputable that the more formal education you have, the better your chances of getting higher earnings will be. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, a worker with some college education earned $90 more per week than a worker with a high school diploma only.
With a web development college certificate, you can expect a higher salary working as a web developer in any of its different roles.
Best Web Development Jobs and Careers With a Certificate
| Job Role | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Front End Developer | $77,143 |
| Web Application Developer | $65,778 |
| PHP Web Developer | $60,516 |
| Website Manager | $56,814 |
| Web Content Specialist | $49,172 |
Best Web Development Certificate Jobs and Careers: Explained
The best web development jobs you can get with a web development college certificate pay $63,000 per year, on average. These jobs allow you to work remotely and continue learning. You will be able to take on more responsibilities as you learn more about the project.
Front end developers design web interfaces that are attractive and functional. They create the online presence of projects and companies. To achieve this, they use web applications, multimedia, and other resources. A web development college certificate program helps you develop some of the essential skills required for the job.
- Average Salary: $77,143
- Job Outlook: 13% from 2020 to 2030
- Required Education and Experience: Some college education or a strong web development portfolio showcasing your sense of aesthetics and mastery over web-component integration; a web development college certificate will help you gather the necessary skills and theoretical knowledge
Web application developers use different programming languages like JavaScript and Phyton to give websites valuable functionality. They can integrate calendars, forums, and online payment systems. You can learn the fundamentals of web application development through a web development college certificate.
- Average Salary: $65,778
- Job Outlook: 19% from 2020 to 2030
- Required Education and Experience: A Bachelor’s Degree in Programming and a portfolio of the applications deployed on their websites
PHP web developers use Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP) to program web servers to serve or display dynamic websites. Many web development college certificates allow students to take PHP development as an elective course.
- Average Salary: $60,516
- Job Outlook: 19% from 2020 to 2030
- Required Education and Experience: A Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Technology and less than a year of experience managing a web server; you can transfer your web development college certificate credits to a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer and Information Technology
Website managers keep websites functional and actualized. They audit the site looking for dead links and identify the most and least popular places on the website. They improve navigation and user experience. You can get this job with a web developer college certificate and experience as a webmaster.
- Average Salary: $56,814
- Job Outlook: 13% from 2020 to 2030
- Required Education and Experience: Some college education and experience managing a website; a web development college certificate shows your formal education in web technologies
Web content specialist developers design a content structure strategy for a website to maximize reach and traffic. They make sure that the website remains relevant with quality backlinks, an SEO strategy, and valuable niche content. You can get this job with a web development college certificate and sufficient experience.
- Average Salary: $49,172
- Job Outlook: 13% from 2020 to 2030
- Required Education and Experience: Some college education and experience managing websites and online content; you can learn fundamentals for this job with a web development college certificate program
Should I Also Get a Web Development Certification?
Yes, you should also get a web development certification. Web developer certifications show your potential employer that you can already integrate components, fix problems, create strategies, and complete projects.
Best Web Development Certifications
- MySQL 2021 Certified Implementation Specialist. Oracle University offers this certification. It’s based on a 90-minute exam with 52 questions. You’ll demonstrate that you understand MySQL features and how to deploy Oracle Cloud-related solutions.
- CIW Web Development Professional. To get this certification, you have to pass three exams showing that you are a specialist in JavaScript, database design, and advanced HTML5. It’s one of the most comprehensive web development certifications available.
- Zend Certified PHP Engineer. This $195 certification shows your mastery of the PHP scripting language and that you can deploy the constant PHP updates on a web server without corrupting the website or interrupting its service.
Best Professional Certifications
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Is a College Certificate for Web Development Worth It?
Yes, a college certificate for web development is worth it because it shows you have some college-level education in web development. However, there are better ways to get a job in web development without having a college education.
College certificates for web development include only a few courses and limited practice. A good web development bootcamp is an affordable path that will quickly make you a fully functional web developer able to solve the real-world problems happening in actual web-development projects.
Web Development Certificates FAQ
No, you don’t need a professional certificate to be a web developer. You can learn to develop websites by joining online communities of enthusiasts, watching tutorials, and taking online courses. A web development college certificate shows potential employers you are boosting your web developer skills with formal education.
We need web developers because they design, create, and maintain the websites that host the content we find on the Internet. They improve the navigation of the sites and make sure users can find the information they are looking for effectively.
A web developer should have the certifications that their employers demand. You don’t need to be certified to be a competent web developer, but some employers will want proof of your ability to handle SQL, CSS, Javascript, and as many W3C standards as possible. Each project requires a specific web development skillset.
No, web development doesn’t require a degree. Many web developers are self-taught enthusiasts who learned to create and maintain websites by themselves using popular content management systems like WordPress. You can learn all web development skills through tutorials, online courses, and online learning communities.
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