People spend most of their time online. This could be for a variety of reasons, including reading a blog, purchasing a product, using a service, for entertainment, and so on. Businesses have gone online as well, given the amount of time individuals spend on the internet. Therefore, it has become imperative for business owners of any size to have a website and a presence on social media. Those who run a business and do not have a website could miss out on many prospective consumers. Understanding the value of a website is crucial to expanding a business exponentially.
A master’s in web design development will teach students how to build a website from scratch, using HTML, JavaScript, and other coding languages. They will also learn to use graphic design applications such as Adobe InDesign and Adobe Illustrator. The degree provides these technical abilities plus training in content production, marketing, and user experience theory, which make it possible to create beautiful and practical websites from start to finish.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Web Developers and Digital Designers earn a median annual pay of $77,200, and jobs are expected to grow 23%, faster than the average of all occupations.
Read on to discover what an online masters in web design development is all about, the courses it entails, career options available upon completion of the degree, and more.
Important: Web design development is more a concentration area than an independent master’s degree. Although only a few colleges offer this subject as a degree, most others couple it with another subject area or field of study.
Only a few universities in the United States offer an online master’s degree in web design development. As a result, it is critical to pick the top college that can provide a well-rounded, well-recognized, and well-valued program. The best master’s in web design development programs should have excellent infrastructure, well-trained, qualified, and experienced teaching staff, a wide range of student support services, genuine accreditation, and career assistance, among other things. Here are the best online masters in web design development degree programs in the country, based on these and other vital factors:
<a href="https://www.onlinemasterscolleges.com/online-masters-in-web-design/">Web Design</a>
Code copied successfully!
College Name & Address | Tuition | Graduation Rate |
---|---|---|
#1 University of Florida Tigert Hall, Gainesville, Florida 32611 | $10,770 | 89% |
#2 Harvard University Massachusetts Hall, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138 | $50,928 | 98% |
#3 Boston University One Silber Way, Boston, Massachusetts 02215 | $58,560 | 89% |
#4 Illinois Institute of Technology 10 West 35th Street, Chicago, Illinois 60616 | $29,052 | 72% |
#5 University of Denver 2199 S. University Blvd, Denver, Colorado 80208 | $53,640 | 75% |
#6 Fort Hays State University 600 Park St, Hays, Kansas 67601 | $3,726 | 46% |
#7 Southern New Hampshire University 2500 North River Road, Manchester, New Hampshire 03106 | $18,900 | 37% |
Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available
Students of an online master’s in web design development learn how to build modern business applications for the web and mobile devices. In this program, they will learn how to build websites with popular programming languages and frameworks by applying the principles of user experience, information architecture, and web design. Combining theory and practice will help students understand how the two merge and use that knowledge in real-world projects. Students will have to complete 35 to 50 credits, and the program includes a capstone project.
Some of the core courses in a web design development degree program include but are not limited to:
In addition to core courses, students must opt for electives such as English Composition or Technical Communication, or choose from the many technical courses available, such as:
The Master’s in Web Design Development is, more often than not, a concentration or focus area of broader master’s degree programs. For example, prospective students can opt for an online Master of Arts in Mass Communication with a concentration in Web Design, such as one offered by the University of Florida, or a Master of Science in Information and Communications Technology with a concentration in Web Design and Development.
In most instances, students will have to choose from a Master of Arts (MA) degree that is multi-disciplinary and leans on liberal arts and humanities, or from a Master of Science (MS) degree that is more scientific and technically oriented.
Web design development being a specialization subject, in some cases offers only concentration courses. Through these courses, students can select one professional field within a bigger industry sector and become proficient in the abilities required to succeed in that area. Some examples of concentration courses include but are not limited to:
Interaction design, development, and distribution of rich media content via the Internet to handheld mobile devices and desktop computers are all part of the Web Design and Development process. Through the online masters in web design development program, students will learn the fundamentals of web design and get the required skills and knowledge to become great web designers and developers. Students will be equipped with a professional level of competence in web design and content management and learn how to become successful professionals in the rapidly changing web design/development industry. Those interested in creating beautiful, functional, and effective websites and web applications and who have a flair for design will find this degree very suitable.
With businesses and nonprofits increasing and refreshing their presence in the digital world, demand for web designers and developers is steadily on the rise. Web Developers and Digital Designers jobs are predicted to grow by 23% between 2020 & 2030, faster than the average for all occupations.
Upon completing an online master’s in web design development, graduates will be ready to take on projects with ease and efficiency. Among the many skills they would have acquired, they will have the ability to:
Enrolling in an online master’s degree program in web design development is usually simple. To begin, students will have to choose a master’s program in design, communications, or computer technology and opt for web design development as a concentration. To do so, most institutions require that prospective students have an undergraduate degree in any field. Although the admission requirements for each program and college may vary, the following are some basic admissions requirements for online master’s degrees in web design development:
Note: Students are advised to check with the admissions office of their chosen college for exact and specific admission requirements, as they vary by college and program.
The duration of web design development studies primarily depends on the chosen master’s program since web design development will be a concentration in the selected master’s. In most instances, a master’s degree will require about 2 years to complete, full-time. Part-timers will, of course, take longer. However, a master of arts in, say, communications, with web design development as a specialization, can be completed in 12 or 18 months, depending on various factors. In all, students will require between 35 and 50 credits to graduate.
Accreditation is a process in which a third-party organization verifies that a school or degree program meets and/or surpasses the predetermined quality and rigor standards. Although college accreditation is optional, it has various benefits, one important one being – it verifies a curriculum to employers and other colleges and institutions. Accreditation also ensures that students can transfer credits simply and quickly from one recognized institution to another while still being eligible for federal financial help. The U.S Department of Education and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) have approved six regional accrediting agencies to accredit colleges:
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
To check a school’s accreditation status, students can visit the official U.S Department of Education website or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) website.
More information on accreditation is available in the Accreditation Guide.
The cost of a master’s degree program is steadily rising. Students are frequently left wondering how to support their education because most graduate programs cost tens of thousands of dollars. Graduate students, fortunately, have access to a variety of financial aid options. Applicants must meet all requirements set out by the donor or lender to be considered for financial aid. Prospective students of an online master’s in web design development can look into the following sources of financial aid:
Scholarships are awards given to students who have excelled academically or have fulfilled all the scholarship sponsor’s conditions. Scholarships may be offered based on socioeconomic background, gender, volunteer work and social participation, religious affiliation, sporting accomplishments, career path, specific subjects or degrees, financial need, and more, other than or in addition to academic excellence. (To prevent being defrauded online, read about Scholarship Scams.)
Grants are sums of money provided to deserving students that do not need to be paid back. Governments, foundations, trusts, and companies frequently offer them to persons who demonstrate financial need. Since grants are “free aid” or “gifts,” like scholarships, which means they do not have to be repaid, they make one of the most popular college funding options.
A Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) is a university graduate student who also teaches undergraduate students at that university. They take classes and pursue their studies in a specialized academic subject. They also assist professors in the delivery of undergraduate courses. Graduate teaching assistants are compensated with a stipend or a fee waiver in exchange for their services.
To help pay for college, student loans can be a good option to consider. Federal loans, bank loans, group and trust loans, and other funding sources are available. Unlike scholarships and grants, student loans must be repaid to the lender with interest. While they might help with bearing educational costs, they can also increase the amount of student debt owed, making repayment more onerous, potentially taking years.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, is a standardized form that applicants can fill in and submit to assess whether or not they are eligible for financial aid. More FAFSA-related information is available here.
More information on various funding options is available in the best Financial Guide.
Scholarships are the best way to fund a college education as the awarded money does not have to be paid back. Besides, getting a scholarship will take a load off one’s head, not having to worry about paying for college. Several individuals and organizations provide scholarships to students studying web design development and related programs. Here are some examples:
DesignCrowd Web, Graphic & Logo Design Scholarship for Innovation in Digital Art provides financial assistance to graduates in design or a related academic field to further their careers and express their creative talents.
Amount/Award :
$1,000
Deadline:
Closed for 2021 | TBA for 2023
The BOWEN Web Design Scholarship is awarded semi-annually to full or part-time students with a declared major related to web design or development and can demonstrate a visually appealing web design with a high-quality user experience, navigation, and good content structure.
Amount/Award:
$1,500
Deadline:
July 15 and December 15, every year
The Graphic Web Design Scholarship Program is open to all undergraduate or postgraduate students taking part in an Art, Graphic Design, Visual Communication, or Creative Advertising course at a US or Canadian-based University or College. Applicants must send in their portfolio containing “a banner or a full-size image”, which will be evaluated.
Amount/Award :
$1,000
Deadline :
May 15, every year
While free online courses may not lead to a master’s degree, they are frequently offered by some of the world’s greatest universities and can provide students with additional knowledge and insights not available in the classroom or a textbook. Students might benefit significantly from them in their everyday studies, assignments, exams, and capstone projects. Here are some free resources for students pursuing a master’s degree in web design development:
Course | Topics on Web Design Development |
Offered by | Udemy |
Description | Udemy has a collection of a whopping over 10,000 free courses related to web design development! These courses cater to different learning levels from beginners to professionals and cover almost every conceivable topic in web design development. |
Course | Topics on Web Design Development |
Offered by | Coursera |
Description | Coursera is a popular site that offers courses, projects, specializations, professional certificates, and more. Some topics include Foundations of User Experience (UX) Design, Web Design for Everybody: Basics of Web Development & Coding, Programming Foundations with JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and more. |
Course | Topics on Web Design Development |
Offered by | Webflow University |
Description | Webflow University offers curated courses covering HTML and CSS basics to SEO and CMS essentials. Some examples are SEO Fundamentals, CMS & Dynamic Content, CSS Layout & Positioning, Interactions & Animations, etc. |
Course | Topics on Web Design Development |
Offered by | EdX |
Description | EdX has a wide section of web design development courses. Topics include Computer Science for Web Programming, Programming for the Web with JavaScript, UX Data Analysis, Digital Marketing Fundamentals, and more. |
In short, web design is the art and science of creating the appearance, feel, and functionality of a website or online page. Target audiences can have a better user experience if websites have a clear user interface and are simple to use. HTML, HTML5, cascading style sheets, colors, JavaScript, responsive design, layouts, social media, text size, graphics, and so much more are all essential parts of successful web design. For a web browser to render content, a developer will need to know a variety of programming languages, backend code development, and more.
Web design and programming abilities are in high demand in a variety of industries, including business, nonprofit, academic, government, and health care. Students of an online master’s in web design development graduate with the highly marketable skills employers are looking for and will have innumerable opportunities to shape the next wave of technological advancement. Across sectors, some of the roles and job titles graduates can take on are:
Web developers and designers are paid well and have ample scope to earn more as they gain experience in the field. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Web Developers and Digital Designers earn a median annual salary of $77,200, and jobs are expected to grow by 23% between 2020 and 2030, faster than average. Similarly, connected roles of Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers take home a median annual salary of $110,140, with jobs projected to grow an astounding 25%, much faster than average.
When an individual is certified, it means they have gone through a rigorous process to prove mastery of a specific subject or skill. While standards and eligibility differ by subject, in general, certified individuals are deemed to have substantial firsthand experience and training in their field, having passed a rigorous examination. In brief, a certification is a useful tool for finding professionals who have advanced to the top of their profession and are well-qualified to offer the best services their clients need. Here are a few certifications for web design development students and working professionals:
Web design and development can be challenging at times, with the constant introduction of newer technologies and related hardware and software improvements. The field is vast and subjective and cannot be learned completely, even if one has mastered most coding principles and methodology. Therefore, students must find ways to connect with others and share ideas, brainstorm, find solutions to problems, and expand their scope and expertise through various resources available on the internet. Here are some fantastic resources to do help with that:
You can get ahead of the curve with education and career updates. Our newsletter explores the latest articles, top-ranked online master’s degree programs, scholarships, and career salaries and outlooks.
Note: By entering your email address and clicking “Sign Me Up,” you agree to be contacted by OnlineMastersColleges.com for educational products or services. You can unsubscribe anytime.