The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (the BLS) is a federal agency that collects information about the U.S. job market. It predicts strong future job growth for this occupation, explaining that this will be partly due to the growth of ecommerce. It says, “In addition, the continued use of mobile devices to search the web is expected to generate demand for web developers and digital designers to create websites and interfaces that work on mobile devices with many different screen sizes.”
Boston in particular is likely to be a good place to work as a web designer in the future. The BLS finds that Boston ranks among the top ten metropolitan areas nationally both for the highest employment level of web and digital interface designers, and for the highest wages. According to Glassdoor, a web designer in Boston earns more than $75,000 per year on average. U.S. News & World Report also reports favorable on Boston’s job market. It says, “Boston has a healthier job market than similarly sized metro areas.” The city’s major areas of employment include tourism and hospitality, education, and health care.
UMass Lowell: Certificate Program in Website Design and Development
Key Information: UMass Lowell is located about 30 miles out of downtown Boston. When you enroll in the Certificate Program in website Design and Development, you can choose to pursue either a web design track, or a web development track. To earn the certificate, all courses must be completed within five years, and students must maintain a GPA of at least 2.0. Tuition is $380 per credit for online classes, and $340 per credit for on-campus classes. UMass Lowell has a campus in Lowell, and one in Haverhill.
For the web design track, there are four required courses and two electives. The required courses are: Introduction to HTML, Graphics for Multimedia and the World Wide Web, website Design, and Advanced website Design. In the website design classes, students learn about file formats, compression, web color strategies, platform standards, CSS layer techniques, user-centered design, and dynamic pages and testing.
Students also choose two electives from: Photographic Imaging, Introduction to Multimedia, website Development, website Database Implementation, Ecommerce, JavaScript, and Introduction to XML. The certificate can also be applied towards a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology.
NYC Career Centers: Web Design Certificate
Key Information: Based in New York City, but also offering a variety of live online classes, NYC Career Centers has a certificate course in web design called the Web Design Certificate. It takes a total of 5 weeks of full-time study, or 5 months of part-time study to complete the program. Tuition is $4,995. NYC Career Centers offers an installment payment plan, and a twelve-month, no-interest financing plan. There are 162 hours of instruction in total, and the course is licensed by the New York State Department of Education. Students who later find that they’d like to refresh their skills can take advantage of the school’s free retake policy, where students have the option of a free retake within a year of taking a class.
The certificate includes instruction in coding with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. HTML is used for website content, CSS for styling, and JavaScript allows designers to add interactivity to their pages. There is a basic class in using HTML and CSS for web design, and also a more advanced one. Students also learn to create webpage layouts in Figma, where they can also optimize graphics. In addition, there is a Git class, and a class that covers Flexbox, Grid, and Bootstrap.
Students also take a course where they learn how to use WordPress to build websites. As part of this class, they learn to use WordPress plugins for increased functionality, and to install WordPress themes for customizing webpage appearance. The program also includes a unit focused on UI design. This includes design principles such as color, layout, and typography, in addition to visual conventions, standards, and trends.
Web design students also have the opportunity to work on numerous real projects, which they can use to showcase their design skills to potential clients or employers. They are also offered eight private mentoring sessions, which can be a great way to get personalized advice on things like resumes and job applications, portfolios, and learning goals.
Noble Desktop: Web Design Certificate
Key Information: The Web Design Certificate offered by Noble Desktop is a live online course that can be taken over six weeks of full-time study or five months of part-time study. Tuition is $4,995. This school offers payment plans, including an installment payment plan or a financing option, neither of which has any interest or fees. It is recommended that students who plan to enroll in the Web Design Certificate know the basics of Photoshop. At minimum, they should be comfortable using another Adobe App like Illustrator or InDesign. As part of the class, all students receive detailed print or eBook workbooks, and the option of a free course retake within a year.
The course consists of nine different units, each of which covers a different aspect of this topic. The units are: Figma, UI design, web development with HTML and CSS, advanced HTML and CSS, Flexbox in addition to Grid and Bootstrap, JavaScript, front-end tools, HTML for email, and WordPress. Overall, students who complete the course will learn to design web pages and emails, and build websites. They will be able to design websites that can be used on mobile, tablet, or desktop devices.
Some of the skills and topics covered in this class include building websites with WordPress, using Figma for designing UI, coding layouts that can adapt to various sized screens, and coding the front-end of web pages with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. In addition, students learn how to use Git to track changes in their code and to collaborate with other developers, how to work with JavaScript for animation and interaction, and how to build layouts quickly with Bootstrap.
Throughout the certificate program, students work on a number of real projects, which can also be included in their portfolios. In addition, they get eight one-on-one mentoring sessions, where they are able to spend time with an expert and work on challenging concepts, make sure they’re on track with learning goals, receive advice for improving their resume and LinkedIn profile, and also get help applying for jobs. Noble Desktop doesn’t provide formal job placements, however, instructors do a number of things to help students be successful in their job searches such as covering tips and best practices for finding work.
The New School: Web Design Certificate
Key Information: The Web Design Certificate is an online course offered by The New School, which was founded in 1919, and is based in New York City. There are 5 total courses, which take 6-9 weeks to complete. Tuition is $3,855.
In this program, students learn to use industry-standard web design software and techniques, and learn how to use typography, animation, CSS, HTML, and JavaScript to create websites. They will gain the ability to design and code the front-end of a website, and launch interactivity and effects.
Learning is project-based, and there are five required courses: Introduction to Web and Mobile, Web Design Production: JavaScript for Designers, Mobile Design Patterns and Emerging Platforms, Interactive Typography for the Web, and Design Systems. Instruction includes video lectures and interviews with industry experts, direct interaction with faculty, and online collaboration with small groups.
FAQ for Web Design Certificates
What is the Difference Between a Certificate and a Certification?
A certificate and a certification are two very different things. You get a certificate after you complete a particular class or course of study. Every school has its own unique certificate programs, so getting a certificate in web design from one school is not necessarily the same as getting it from another school. For example, Noble Desktop’s Web Design Certificate is a 6-week program where students focus on learning HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and WordPress. However, other web design classes may focus on different types of web design skills.
In contrast to a certificate, a certification is a standardized credential, and it means the same no matter where you get it. In order to earn a certification, you generally have to pass an exam that is administered by a third party. For instance, to earn an Adobe Illustrator Certification, you have to pass a 50-minute exam on that application.
Should I Pursue a Certificate or a Certification?
Both a certificate and a certification can be a valuable asset to a web designer, however, there are different reasons for pursuing each one. Most people enroll in a certificate program as a way to learn new skills. In a web certificate program, you’ll learn a broad range of web design skills that can help you begin a career in web design or advance within your existing web design career. In contrast, most people pursue a certification to prove their knowledge of a particular skill. Certiport is a leading certification exam provider. It explains, “Certifications… are a credible, third-party assessment of one’s skill and knowledge for a given subject.”
Do I Need to Become Certified to Find a Job?
If you want to work in web design, you will need to become educated in this field, however, that doesn't necessarily mean becoming certified. There are many different ways to learn to become a web designer, and to find work in this field. Some people earn a university degree, others take certificate programs, some enroll in shorter classes, and some even teach themselves. Overall, if you can prove your web design skills to an employer or client, you are likely to find work whether or not you are certified.
However, while being certified is not usually required for web design, it may help you find a job more easily. The reason for this is that being certified is a way to prove to potential clients or employers that you have mastered a specific skill. It can also show that you are serious about what you do, since you have taken the time to become certified.
What Certificate Program is Right for Me?
You can learn web design in-person, live online, or asynchronously. The format that is right for you will depend on a number of different factors such as how busy your schedule is, and whether or not you want to commute to a classroom.
Which is Better: In-Person or Online Classes
If you’re ok with a commute, then you may want to consider an in-person class. Learning in-person can be very engaging, and many people find that there are fewer distractions, since you’re in an environment that is dedicated to learning. With an in-person class, you also get real-time interaction with the instructor, and the opportunity to network with other students. If you don’t want to deal with a commute, or if you find in-person learning intimidating, however, then an online class may be a better option. You can take an online class from anywhere you want to, as long as you have a computer and an internet connection. Further, if you learn online, you can choose from schools all over the country since you don’t have to physically get to your class location.
Which is Better: Live Online or Asynchronous Classes?
Online classes also come in more than one format. Live online learning happens live, as the name suggests. You get to interact with your instructor and other students in real time, which means you can receive immediate answers and feedback, and you also get the feeling of engagement that comes from learning with a group of people. However, a live online class requires you to attend at a specific time every day, which might not work if you have a busy schedule. On the other hand, with an asynchronous class, material is prerecorded, and you can work through it at your own pace. You can stop and start whenever you need to, and can even rewind or fast-forward material according to your own specific needs. In addition, asynchronous classes tend to be less expensive since there is no live instruction.