Web Development Degrees

It's become difficult to imagine our personal and professional lives without the Internet. From information and media access to basic communication, it seems the Web makes everything a little faster and easier--and we have Web developers to thank. These professionals design and maintain websites and applications, and are currently seeing their skills are in high demand.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), demand for these as well as computer network, systems and database administrators, is projected to grow by an impressive 30 percent in the decade preceding 2018. Those with Web development degrees stand to benefit from this trend.

Characteristics of a great Web developer

Solid Web developers are both visual and analytical, not to mention excellent problem solvers. They must have an eye for detail and a tremendous amount of patience as this field requires a great deal of code development, review and finessing. Most Web developers collaborate with other professionals, so they must be able to work well in a team. In some cases, clients or employers lack a technical background in Web development, so it also helps when one can convey complicated concepts simply.

What to expect with Web development training

According to The College Board, Web development degree programs teach students how to create, design, edit and launch online documents, images, multimedia products and more. Students will become acquainted with a variety of Web languages like HTML, XML, and SGML, and also learn Web development standards and policies, e-commerce and developing Web technologies.

The BLS notes that while some Web developers are self-taught, most employers prefer candidates with bachelor's or master's Web development degrees. Whatever one's baseline education, training typically continues well beyond graduation through professional certifications offered by vendors, employers and professional organizations like the World Organization of Webmasters.

Typical Web development classes

While most Web development degree programs provide students with basic development skills, specific courses can vary tremendously from one school to the next. Most include instruction in the following subjects:

Website development and programming
Web design
Web authoring
Multimedia
JavaScript, HTML and other languages
E-commerce
Database applications
Project management

Students who hope to eventually work in e-commerce or in managerial positions can benefit tremendously from business courses while those who hope to develop sites in full should consider graphic design courses.

Popular careers for those with Web development degrees

Only Web developers are typically required to earn development degrees, but a number of other professionals also utilize the skills that are picked up in this type of training. Here are just a few of the most common careers, as reported by The College Board and the BLS:

Art director
Computer programmer
Database administrator
Graphic designer
Web designer

Whatever the job title, it is always wise for those with Web development training to become acquainted with and adhere to widely accepted professional standards and best practices, such as the Standards of Professional Practice developed by the International Webmaster's Association.

The benefits of online Web development training

Web development is a computer-based profession, which makes it an excellent fit for online training. Online Web development degrees typically allow students to access videos and other course materials whenever they can--an important consideration for working professionals. Online education is convenient, but that does not mean it is necessarily easier than traditional classroom instruction, a common misconception. Because those pursuing online Web development training must complete lessons and meet deadlines with minimal supervision, they should be well-organized, independent and dedicated.

Web development degree programs are not one-size-fits-all; they can differ significantly by institution or learning method. Students pursing either online or traditional Web development training should research a number of schools before settling on one.