Websites have become an integral part of business in most cities, including Phoenix, and according to a recent Forbes article, almost three-quarters of all businesses maintain a website. Further, the author explains that most visitors form an opinion of a website in less than a second, so “a well-designed website that is easy to navigate and provides a positive user experience can go a long way in retaining visitors and potentially converting them into customers.”
As a result of the importance of web design in business, web design has become an in-demand skill. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which collects and analyzes information about the U.S. job market, predicts that web development and digital design jobs will increase by 23 percent over the next ten years, which is much faster than the average job growth rate. In Phoenix, overall job growth is expected to be strong in the next ten years. Sperling’s Best Places finds, “future job growth over the next ten years is predicted to be 48.2%, which is higher than the US average of 33.5%.”
Mesa Community College: Certificate of Completion in Web Design
Key Information: This is a full-time program that takes three semesters to complete, with students taking four classes per semester. Many classes are offered in-person, however, there are also live online options. At Mesa Community College, lower division classes are $97 per credit hour for residents, and $372 for non-residents. Upper-division classes are $145.50 per credit hour for residents, or $402.50 for non-residents. There is also a $15 registration fee. Tuition is due upon enrollment. The school does offer a number of different types of financial aid. It also provides free tutoring services for students. Mesa Community College has multiple campus locations throughout Mesa, which is a city in the Phoenix metropolitan area.
Overall, the Certificate of Completion in Web Design gives students a comprehensive education in web design. It covers design principles, page layout, video editing, vector graphics, and advanced image manipulation. Students also learn about security, file management, and web delivery system architecture.
Some of the specific skills covered include using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, best practices in user interface and user experience, search engine optimization, implementing ecommerce solutions, and collaborating with others. Instructors also teach students to use design elements appropriately, use project management skills, and adhere to accepted legal, professional, and ethical standards.
Noble Desktop: Web Design Certificate
Key Information: Noble Desktop’s Web Design Certificate is a live online course that takes six weeks of full-time study or five months of part-time study to complete. Tuition is $4,995. Noble offers a number of financing options, including an installment plan and a financing option, both of which have no interest or fees. Students who want to take this course should know the basics of Photoshop, or at least be comfortable using another Adobe App like Illustrator or InDesign. The course also includes detailed print or eBook workbooks, and the option of a free course retake within a year.
Students who take the Web Design Certificate learn to design web pages and emails, and build websites. The course is made up of nine different units: 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. After completing the course, students will be able to create responsive websites that can be used on either mobile, tablet, or desktop devices.
Some of the specific skills covered include Figma for designing UI, building websites with WordPress, coding layouts that can adapt to various sized screens, and coding the front-end of web pages with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Students also learn how to use Git to track changes in their code and to collaborate with other developers, how to use JavaScript for animation and interaction, and how to build layouts quickly with Bootstrap.
As part of this program, students work on projects that can be included in their portfolios. They also receive eight one-on-one mentoring sessions with an expert where they can spend extra time working on challenging concepts, make sure they’re on track with their learning goals, get portfolio, resume and LinkedIn profile advice, and receive help applying for jobs. While Noble does not offer formal job placement, instructors do cover tips and best practices for finding work, and try to help students gain skills that they can use to help them succeed in a job.
ECornell, Cornell University: Web Design and Development
Key Information:eCornell is Cornell University’s external education unit, and it offers a number of online classes including a certificate program in web design and development.
Students can pay $3,750 for upfront access to the entire course, or they can opt for 6 monthly payments of $675 or 3 monthly payments of $1,300. The course takes 3 months to complete, with 7-10 hours of work required per week.
This course takes a design-first, code-second approach to web design. Students learn to design and build sites that are focused on users’ needs, and balance form and function. There is a focus on designing and structuring content based on the needs of potential visitors. Instructors teach students how to assess those needs, and how to use mental models in web design. Students also learn HTML and CSS, JavaScript, and jQuery, in addition to best practices.
There are six required courses, which must be completed in order. Framing Front-End Web Development is about going beyond code, to understand what is really important in web development. In Structuring Content with HTML, students learn how to use this coding language. This is followed by Styling Web Content with CSS. Next is a course called Composition and Responsive Design, which is focused on creating attractive and functional websites. Improving User Experience with Interactivity is the fifth course, and covers the use of JavaScript for functionality. Finally, students take a course called Collecting Data with Forms, where they learn how to collect data to analyze and evaluate their designs.
NYC Career Centers: Web Design Certificate
Key Information: New York City-basedNYC Career Centers offers a certificate program called the Web Design Certificate that runs for 5 weeks full-time or 5 months part-time. The cost is $4,995, and the class can be taken live online if you don’t live in the New York City area. The course is licensed by the New York State Department of Education, and includes 162 hours of instruction. Students can also do a free retake within one year if they want to refresh their skills. NYC Career Centers has a number of flexible payment plans such as an installment plan, and a twelve-month, no-interest financing plan.
Students who take this program learn about coding with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. HTML is used for content, CSS is used for styling, and JavaScript is a way to add interactivity. The course includes both a basic and advanced class in using HTML and CSS for web design. Students also learn to create webpage layouts in Figma, where they can also optimize graphics. In addition, they take a class on Git, and one where they learn about Flexbox, Grid, and Bootstrap.
The course also focuses on using WordPress to build websites. This includes using WordPress plugins for increased functionality, and installing WordPress themes for customizing appearance. In addition, there is a unit focused on UI design which covers design principles such as color, layout, and typography, and visual conventions, standards, and trends.
Throughout the Web Design Certificate program, students also work on a portfolio that they can use to showcase their skills to potential clients or employers. There are also eight private mentoring sessions, which give students the opportunity to receive additional help and advice on topics of their choosing. This can include resume and job application advice, portfolio review, and a chance to review learning goals and progress.
Loyola University Chicago: Web Design and Development Certificate
Key Information: The Web Design and Development Certificate is a part-time online course through Loyola University Chicago. There are three classes, with students attending synchronous meetings held online in the evenings. The entire course takes five months to complete. Tuition is estimated to be $6,840.
This class is designed to provide students with the skills needed for web design and development roles. There are three classes: Web Design and Usability, Design for the Web, and Introduction to Web Application Development. Classes include lectures, demonstrations, and lab time.
In addition to the three required courses, students may take an option fourth course. This optional class gives them extra hands-on training in web development. In this class, they work on a real-world web development project for a non-profit organization.
FAQ for Web Design Certificates
What is the Difference Between a Certificate and a Certification?
When you're researching web design training, you’ll probably come across the terms “certificate, ” and “certification, ” and you might wonder what the difference is between these two types of qualifications. While they sound very similar, a certificate and a certification are actually quite different. A certificate is something you get after you complete a specific training course. For instance, you can earn a web design certificate by taking the six-week Web Design Certificate program at Noble Desktop. Each school has its own unique certificate programs.
In contrast, a certification is the same no matter where you earn it because it is a standardized credential. In order to earn a certification, you need to pass a standardized exam, which is usually administered by a third party. For example, Certiport is a leading certification exam provider that offers certification exams for many Adobe applications. One of its offerings is the Adobe Illustrator Certification, which can be earned by passing a 50-minute exam.
Should I Pursue a Certificate or a Certification?
The decision about whether to pursue a certificate or a certification will depend on your career goals. If you’re most interested in learning a broad range of new web design skills, then a certificate is probably the best option for you. Most certificate programs are comprehensive programs that take weeks or months to complete, and cover many different aspects of web design. On the other hand, if you're trying to prove your mastery of a specific skill, like using a certain design program, then certification may be what you’re looking for. A certification gives an employer or client proof that you have mastered the thing that you are certified in. Certification exam provider Certiport explains, “Many businesses and associations look upon certifications as designations that provide assurance of a potential employee’s ability to perform a job or task, making them more valuable to, and coveted by, employers.”
Do I Need to Become Certified to Find a Job?
In most cases, you probably won’t need to become certified to find a job, but even if it isn’t required, being certified can be an asset. It is a way to show potential employers and clients who you’re serious about what you do, since you have taken the time to become certified, and is also a way to prove that you have mastered certain skills.
What Certificate Program is Right for Me?
Schools typically offer certificate programs in a number of different formats. Each format has its own unique pros and cons, and the choice about which program to choose depends on many factors including your schedule and your personal learning style.
Which is Better: In-Person or Online Classes
One of the biggest advantages of in-person learning is that you’re physically present in the same room as your instructor and fellow students. Many people say this helps minimize distractions and also makes them feel more engaged. It can also make it easier to understand the lecture, and for the instructor to see if you need additional help. Further, attending an in-person class can lead to valuable learning and networking opportunities with other students. However, in-person classes require a commute, which can be both expensive and time-consuming. For this reason, some people prefer the online class format. With an online class, you can attend from the comfort of your own home. Additionally, you aren’t restricted to schools within commuting distance; instead, you take an online class from any school that offers it, even if it is on the other side of the country.
Which is Better: Live Online or Asynchronous Classes?
If you’ve decided to pursue online learning, you may also find that you need to decide between a live online class and an asynchronous one, also referred to as an on-demand class. Live online classes are similar to in-person ones in that they take place in real time, and allow you to engage with an instructor and other students, in a live format. With a live online class, you can get immediate feedback or answers to your questions, but you get a bit more flexibility than in-person instruction because you don’t have to travel to a classroom. However, if flexibility is important to you, then an asynchronous class might be the best fit. An asynchronous class is prerecorded and lets you learn at your own pace. You can stop and start whenever you need to, which makes this format a good fit if you have a busy schedule. Asynchronous classes also tend to be less expensive because they don’t have a live instructor.