Top Web Design Certificates & Certifications in Philadelphia

Web designers make an average of just over $78,000 a year creating websites using various design platforms.

This growing field is a great one to jump into in Philadelphia thanks to the availability of potential employers, as well as its ease of training. In fact, it might be possible to get right into web design with only a certificate or certification, rather than a college degree. 

While some people might start this career without this specialized training, it’s great to get certificates or certifications that prove your skills. Thankfully, Philadelphia has many training options that you can use to train for this career. Here are a few schools and training programs that you can try that will help you earn either a certificate or certification in web design.

Community College of Philadelphia

Key Information: Cost: $595 for each course. Length: 48 hours over three 16-hour training modules. Other Amenities: Online training support that makes your learning more efficient.

The Community College of Philadelphia has a web design certificate that can help you master the basics of this career. You’ll learn about HTML and CSS, as well as search engine optimization, bootstrap frameworks, and much more. The goal of this course is to prepare you for the unique demands of web design and to help you polish up a portfolio that better shows off your skills. This fully online course can be taken anywhere you have an internet connection.

During this training, you’ll take three 16-hour modules. The first is Introduction to Web Design, which covers the basics of HTML and CSS, as well as page layout and text formatting. Intermediate Web Design includes integrating dynamic and attractive websites with popular Web 2.0 tech and apps. Finally, Advanced Web Design helps you create and maintain a single website that will work well on all types of devices and display properly on each of them.

Temple University 

Key Information: Cost: $595 for each course. Length: Three quarters. Other Amenities: Online training, as well as an employee bundle discount for those who qualify.

Temple University includes a high-quality web design certificate that can help you prepare for this unique career role. Like other community colleges in Philadelphia, its certificate is similar to its web design associate's degree but without you taking unrelated courses. That means you won’t have to take English, History, and Math classes that simply bore you. Instead, you’ll focus solely on web design, which may help make your training more effective when handled properly.

Classes you’ll take include Introduction to Web Design, Intermediate Web Design, and Advanced Web Design. Each of these modules covers several subjects that will improve your overall web design skills. For example, you’ll learn how to program basic paragraphs and headers in HTML and produce multiple simple websites. Then, you’ll practice working with CSS to better personalize each site and create more attractive and engaging results. 

Certstaffix Training

Key Information: Cost: $1,165 to $1,790. Length: 2-4 days. Other Amenities: Live instructor teaching, digital completion badge, quick training time, and group-based learning options.

Certstaffix Training provides Philadelphia with multiple web certificate training options that can improve your learning experience. As a cloud-based school, their courses typically take a short time (usually just a few days) and immerse you in various subjects to ensure you feel comfortable with your learning. You receive a free six-month online retake option if you don’t pass the course or feel like you need another look at its often complex details. 

Program options include WordPress for End Users, a two-day class that costs just $1,165 per person. As with each course here, you’ll get a digital completion badge and print coursework to ensure your accuracy of learning. You can then put your digital badge on your virtual resume to showcase your newly learned skills. Other courses that may appeal to you include HTML5 & Cascading Style Sheets 3 and Responsive Web Development With HTML and CSS.

ONLC Training Centers

Key Information: Cost: $1,195. Length: 2-3 Days. Other Amenities: Fast-paced learning, online training opportunities, and beginner-friendly courses. 

ONLC Training Centers is a national training team with locations in many parts of the country. They provide several web design certificates that can help you start in this career. For example, JavaScript and jQuery Programming: Level 1 is a beginner-friendly course that introduces you to the basics of JavaScript in a simple and effective environment. It does require you to take HTML5 and CSS Content Authoring: Level 1 before you attend, so sign up for both. 

Furthermore, their WordPress Level 1 class introduces you to this popular site publishing platform to ensure that you feel comfortable working on it. Note that ONLC classes are fast-paced, with most lasting just 2-3 days. This means each class will last many hours but provide informative details that will help you transition into a career more effectively. That can make all the difference if you’re trying to start a career or get a certification ASAP.

Noble Desktop 

Key Information: Cost: $3,495 to $3,995. Length: 108-120 hours. Other Amenities: Free course retake, setup assistance for virtual learning, and one-on-one mentoring possibilities.

Noble Desktop is an NYC-based training team that also provides online courses around the nation. They have many years of experience providing high-quality tech training in programming and business fields. They offer three web design certificates that will immerse you in this unique field and help push you to the next level in your burgeoning web design career.

For example, their Web Design Certificate introduces students to HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, as well as programs like Figma. You’ll also learn how to use Git and other design tools to produce attractive and engaging sites. This course varies in its length and costs about $3,800. Like all Noble Desktop programs, it can be taken online wherever you have internet.

Similarly, their Front-End Development Certificate focuses on the visual elements of web design, including graphics, text, and even videos. You’ll master HTML, practice CSS, and even work with JavaScript. This 108-hour, $3,495 class is suitable for people learning how to program on modern devices, as well as anyone interested in working with app development. 

Lastly, Noble Desktop provides a UI Design Certificate that’s useful for people interested in a user-interface career. You’ll not only learn about how to produce websites, but will also practice making logos, social media graphics, and master programs like Sketch, Illustrator, and Photoshop. This 120-hour, $3,995 training will prepare you for this career’s unique demands.

FAQ for Web Design Certificates

By now, you should feel pretty comfortable deciding if a web design career is right for you. After all, Philadelphia has many potential employers that may work well for your needs and help you progress to a higher level. However, if you’re still on the fence about whether you want a certificate or a certification, it’s important to read on to learn more. These frequently asked questions are things that we know many other people are asking about this situation.

What is the Difference Between a Certificate and a Certification?

A certificate is something you earn after completing a specific course of study. For example, some community colleges (as mentioned above) provide web design certificates that prove you completed a course of training successfully. They aren’t something you can place in your job title but you can add them to your resume. For example, all the certifications mentioned here can be listed in your resume to showcase your skills as a web design professional.

Certifications are different because they’re more of a qualification you earn after passing a professional-grade test. For example, a certified plumber has passed an in-depth exam that proves they’re capable of performing their job skills. These tests are typically given by various training organizations that work directly with state and federal agencies to create high-quality workers. Web design certification is the same kind of thing and may work well for many people.

Should I Pursue a Certificate or a Certification?

It’s often a good idea to start your web design training by obtaining a certificate that proves you understand this position. Earning a simple certificate will give you a unique insight into this career and the hands-on training you need to prepare for certification. As mentioned previously, certifications require a professional-level test that helps you stand out as a web designer. Simply put, once you get a certificate, you might want to schedule a certification test. 

These exams typically cover simple and complex web design concepts such as basic HTML, laying out websites to read smoothly, front-end and back-end programming, and integrating link trees through your sites. You typically must pay a fee to take the certification test and, if you fail, try it again later. Note: some web design firms may want specific certification types before hiring employees. If this is the case for you, a certificate may help you better prepare for this test. 

Do I Need to Become Certified to Find a Job?

Tech-based careers like web design are interesting because you often don’t need specialized training to begin. By that, we mean many people become web designers, programmers, and other tech specialists by learning on the job. Some might simply look up a few HTML and CSS concepts and practice making websites using these programming languages. That said, it’s almost always better to get a certificate or certification when starting a new job. 

That’s because even a certificate shows an employer that you understand the skills necessary for this position. A great portfolio of beautiful web pages will definitely help, too, but a certificate gives you the leg-up you need to stand out compared to other job searchers. So, while it’s not strictly necessary to have a certification when finding a high-quality web design job, it’s definitely a smart decision if you want to improve your chances of finding a position.

What Certificate Program is Right for Me?

Are you sold on a web certificate program but torn between your options? That’s an understandable situation because Philly has many choices from which you can choose. Whether you’re interested in in-person or online courses, there are many considerations to keep in mind when picking. Here’s some information that may make it easier for you to choose a web design training program in Philadelphia that meets your specific learning style.

Which is Better: In-Person or Online Classes

Both in-person and online classes provide unique benefits that make them worth considering for your web design career. If you’re someone who enjoys collaborative learning and works with their hands, in-person training is best. It introduces you to a broad range of people, including a skilled professor who can work you through your learning. You’ll also get more one-on-one time in small classrooms that make this educational experience more enjoyable.

That said, online courses have many advantages that make them worth your time. First, they’re often less expensive than in-person classes and let you take them wherever you want. So, if you can’t find a Philadelphia-based college or training facility with room for you, you can try online classes to get great training. Furthermore, you won’t have to fight through gnarly Philly traffic, meaning that it’s usually easier and safer to learn about web design online.

Which is Better: Live Online or Asynchronous Classes?

If you choose online learning for your web design certificate, you will likely have to choose between live courses and asynchronous learning. Live courses include a professor who teaches you in real-time and provides insight into your web design skills. These classes typically have a formal structure and cover specific points on various days. They also have a stricter attendance demand because you need to be available when each class is being held. 

By contrast, asynchronous courses don’t require a specific attendance schedule because they include multiple pre-recorded videos. This means you can watch and re-watch your classes to better understand each lesson. That said, this method lacks the professorial input you get with live courses. As a result, it’s important for you to carefully consider which of these options feels right to you and to identify a program that has the appropriate training atmosphere for you.