Web design is both creative and strategic and allows designers to work in collaboration with clients. There are minimal educational requirements for web designers (typically just a bachelor’s degree is needed) and most skills can be learned through certification programs.
The first website was designed in 1991, shortly after the birth of the internet. While rudimentary in design, this initial webpage was the catalyst for every webpage to come, spawning an entire industry and a brand new career path for computer-savvy creatives.
With an average starting salary of just under $80,000 and a projected 30.3% employment growth for web developers between 2021 and 2031, becoming a web designer can be a wise career move.
Noble Desktop: Web Design Certificate
Key Information: NYC Career Centers offers this live online class through an affiliate school, Noble Desktop. This course boasts 162 hours of hands-on instruction with a total course cost of $4,995. This expense can be broken up into five monthly installments with no interest or fees, as long as you can put down a 10% deposit. You can also finance the course through a loan with no interest or fees. This does require a $500 deposit, bringing you twelve monthly payments down to $374.
This course can be completed in five weeks if you’re attending full-time, or in five months for part-time students.
Entirely online but with the same access to an expert instructor as an in-person course, this class will teach you to become a well-rounded web designer and start creating your portfolio. You’ll learn to build websites using WordPress, design webpage layouts in Figma, and create responsive websites that can adapt to any device. You’ll also become familiar with using web coding with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Unlike other providers, NYC Career Centers emphasizes small class sizes with groups typically around 8-15 students. As a class, you’ll be able to engage with your expert instructor, ask questions, and get feedback on your exercises and projects. And, since this course is also offered in-person in NYC, you can even switch between live online and in-person as needed, even after the course has started.
Need a refresher on certain lessons? Every student can access recordings of each session in their student portal within one business day of that session. You also have the option for one free retake of any module, or the whole program, within a year of your purchase. Once you’ve completed this course, you’ll receive an official certificate showcasing your mastery of the curriculum. You’ll be sent a link where you can download your certificate, share it online with your friends, and post it to your professional network on LinkedIn.
ECornell: Web Design and Development Certificate
Key Information: Created and led by Cornell faculty, this intensive three-month course costs $3,750, which can be split into monthly installments. Held completely online, this course consists of 7-10 hours of weekly coursework, but this can be divided into smaller daily amounts. You’ll receive a Web Design and Development Certificate from Cornell Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science and 60 professional development hours (6 CEUs) upon completion.
This certificate program teaches you to design and build websites that are focused on the needs of users by striking a balance between form and function. You’ll learn about mental models and target audience personas and master a design-first, code-second approach to structuring content and creating websites.
Composed of six individual two-week classes, this course offers a deep dive into front-end web development, structuring content with HTML, styling web content with CSS, composition and responsive design, improving user experience with interactivity, and how to collect data with feedback forms.
This course was created for those wanting to become web developers, web designers, or UX designers, back-end programmers that want to become full-stack developers, self-taught programmers, and entrepreneurs.
University of North Georgia: Introduction to Web Design Certificate
Key Information: This on-demand course is entirely online and takes approximately six weeks to complete. Made up of six one-week classes, each class costs $169, bringing the total cost to $1,014. Designed for those new to the field, this certificate course will teach you all the web design skills needed to create basic websites that will highlight your business or organization on the web.
Below is a list of the six classes that make up this course and a brief description of what you’ll gain from each of them:
- Creating Web Pages: this class will teach you to create your very own webpage by using HTML. You’ll also learn the best strategies for planning out your content, structuring the layout of your website, creating pages with neatly formatted text, building links between the pages, and mastering search engine optimization (SEO).
- CSS3 & HTML5 Introduction: You’ll take your existing HTML skills learned in the first class to the next level and start building sites like the pros. The new standard for web developers, CSS3 and HTML5 can help you build and manage large websites and give you more precise control over the appearance of every page you build.
- WordPress Introduction: This class will teach you how to use the world’s most popular content management system to make webpages with zero coding. You'll get hands-on experience creating pages and posts and adding images and videos. You'll also learn how to organize a blog or website, create appealing content, keep your site secure, and achieve better positions on search engine results pages.
- Photoshop Introduction: You can learn to edit your photographs in this class. Eliminate dust and scratches, fix the color, and correct image exposures, all in Photoshop. You’ll also learn how to colorize parts of an image, create simple digital paintings, switch the backgrounds on images, and remove wrinkles and blemishes. Plus you’ll master Move tools.
- Designing Effective Websites: Examine the tension between form and function and explore the six major states of the website development process in this penultimate course. You’ll learn the basics of user-centered design, look at the five basic steps to organizing information, find out how site design themes can be used for information delivery, and review website design considerations. This course will also cover effective types and graphics and how to make a website fully interactive.
- Marketing Your Business on the internet: Now that you’ve mastered building a website, it’s time to make that website work for you. This final course will teach you how search engine optimization (SEO) works, how to track your site's performance using web analytics, and how to use online advertising, email marketing, and social media (including blogs) to drive traffic and business to your site.
Sessions College: Web Design Professional Certificate
Key Information: Expand your creative and technical web design skills with this professional certificate course. Completely online and on-demand, this course costs $2,750 and can be paid upfront or in monthly payments. Comprising two levels and seven classes, this course takes approximately nine months to complete.
Designed for the working professional, this part-time course will help you build proficiency in the technologies that web design clients and employers demand. You’ll use HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, and JavaScript to create modern, standard-compliant websites, learn how to utilize the Bootstrap framework using Adobe Dreamweaver, and master the fundamentals of creating graphics with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
You’ll be able to learn at your own pace, maximize your learning through hands-on experience, connect with pros, and grow your portfolio, all with this one program. You can also customize your certificate course if you have industry or software experience, choosing alternative classes for up to 50% of the program. And, after you’ve completed your program, you can add concentrations at reduced tuition to enhance your skills.
IAP Career College: Web Designer Certificate Course Online
Key Information: This part-time online certificate course takes, on average, six months to complete. (Students are welcome to complete the class in anywhere from 4-12 weeks.) This course costs $297 and includes the needed textbook and professional membership to IAP Career College, a total value of almost $377. Affordable rates aren’t the only great thing about IAP; they also offer a money-back guarantee, have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and have helped over 500,000 people change careers since 1999.
Want to develop your skills to succeed in a web design career? This self-directed course covers what a web designer does, how best to prepare for your new career, how to start your own business, and how to attract clients. You’ll learn the tools of the trade, how to fine-tune your web design process, and how to choose your marketing audience and sell your services.
This class includes access to a faculty member to provide you with personal teaching assistance and career advice, a downloadable web designer certificate personalized with your name and the seal of the International Association of Professions Career College, and the opportunity to order official certificates printed on fine linen paper and embossed with the gold seal of the college.
Temple University: Certificate in Web Design
Key Information: This online continuing education course is made up of three courses that can be completed over the course of one semester. Register for the three classes all at once and you can get a discounted rate of $595 for all three courses and the certificate. There is also a 10% discount available for Temple University employees. No prior knowledge of HTML or web design is required.
The three courses for this certification are listed below so that you can have a better understanding of what this program entails:
- Introduction to Web Design: This beginner-friendly course will teach you how to plan out the structure of a website, how to target your audience, and how to design an effective layout and navigation. You’ll also be introduced to HTML5 and CSS3, learn about web graphics and content, and learn how to publish your site.
- Intermediate Web Design: This next course covers JavaScript, MySQL, ad PHP. You’ll also learn more about accessibility guidelines and conformance and search engine optimization (SEO).
- Advanced Web Design: The final course will focus on creating a responsive web design, designing a menu system and choosing your styling options, and how to utilize additional frameworks like Bootstrap.
UCI Division of Continuing Education: Web Design
Key Information: This immersive program takes 8-15 months to complete. Each prospective student is required to submit a declaration of candidacy along with their application and a $125 non-refundable application fee. The cost of this course is $5,795. As a way to offset this cost, UCI offers scholarships of up to $800, discounts for alumni, staff, and association members, and can help you choose a loan. They also accept Americorp vouchers and work with veterans' services to help ease the financial burden.
This program begins by establishing the foundation for web design basics like typography, color theory, interaction design, and wireframing. You’ll then explore ‘hands-on’ front-end coding programs. After completing the program, you will walk away with a portfolio project that shows your passion for design and technical talent.
You’ll receive your certificate once you’ve completed the eight units of required courses and four units of electives with a letter grade of “C” or better. Students have five years (maximum) to complete this course. All certified web designers then have access to career services like one-on-one coaching, technology tools, webinars and workshops, networking events, and mentorship or internship opportunities.
Key takeaways from this program are listed below:
- Utilize conceptual thinking and creativity to solve complex design problems
- Become an expert in the best practices for User Experience evaluation and design
- Expertly explain how to organize a consistent and functional website from both the user and business perspectives (so you can nail your pitches)
- Create digital illustrations and visual mock-ups
- Develop a website wireframe
- Develop a UX Project Plan that incorporates user feedback into your design decisions
- Develop an interactive prototype
- Gain insight into best practices for building a web design portfolio
FAQ for Web Design Certificates
What is the Difference Between a Certificate and a Certification?
While both certificate and certification programs can provide a quality education, there are some key differences between them. Read below to learn the differences so that you can choose the right program for you.
A certificateis granted after the completion of a course or training. Often categorized as continuing education or professional development, mid-career professionals pursue certificates to enhance or develop high-demand skills in their industry. Others might be looking to change their careers or pivot into new roles and can gain an upper hand and much-needed new knowledge from a certificate program.
Certificate programs typically require fewer credits than an associate degree as they tend to involve a few select courses in a particular area of subject matter. These courses are noncredit programs sponsored by educational institutions with designated learning objectives and a specific curriculum. Held in regular classrooms or taken online, they are typically shorter than other graduate programs. A certificate can certainly add value to your resume, but it’s important to note that it won't carry the same weight as an associate's or bachelor’s degree, which is commonly required for many jobs.
In contrast, a certification is a professional credential that you earn through a professional training program or assessment. These certifications typically culminate in a final exam or test and many jobs require specific certifications for promotions or career advancement.
Certifications can lead to increased pay, potential promotions, and enhanced professional expertise. For many professions, certifications must be renewed at regular intervals. Some companies may even cover the cost of certification, as these credentials can bring value to the workplace.
Examples of certification can be found through companies like Salesforce and HubSpot. Common (and highly respected) web design certifications can be acquired through organizations like the International Web Association (IWA).
Should I Pursue a Certificate or a Certification?
Choosing between a certificate and a certification will depend on many factors. If you’re looking to change career fields entirely and need to learn as much about your new industry as possible, then a certificate could be the right choice. If you are established in your career and looking to level up, perhaps to gain a new title or increase your pay, then a certification course is probably the right route.
Your financial and time commitments will be a factor in this decision as well. If your company is requiring a certification for you to advance in your career, then most likely they will either pay in full or offer assistance for your certification course. Both certificates and certifications can vary in length, so it’s important to be mindful of how long the program will take you to complete. If you’re looking to change careers quickly, then a shorter-length certificate can be a great choice.
Regardless of whether you choose to pursue a certificate or a certification, both can give you an upper hand in your professional development and expand your skill set, making you highly desirable within your current field or a new one.
Do I Need to Become Certified to Find a Job?
While it isn’t necessary to be certified to find a new job, it can give you a strategic advantage. Think about this: there were nearly 87,000 web design jobs available in 2021, with projected growth in the field of 13% by 2031. And, with web designers making approximately $80,000 when starting out (and well over six figures in advanced roles), web design is a highly desirable career path for many.
Being certified, whether that’s through a certificate or certification program, can set you apart from the potentially thousands of other applicants. It will show you passion and commitment to the field and provide you with enhanced skills that applicants fresh out of college or new to the industry may not possess. Specific to web development, certifications can show that you’re up-to-date on necessary skills in a constantly evolving industry. Being certified gives you the best chance possible to stand out with recruiters and managers, so attending a web design certification course is worth the investment.
What Certificate Program is Right for Me?
Are you struggling to decide which certificate program is right for you? Perhaps you’re stuck choosing between online and in-person, or are unsure what the differences are between live and on-demand classes. While all of these options offer a pathway to certification in web design, they each have their own pros and cons that you should weigh.
Which is Better: In-Person or Online Classes
Deciding whether an online or in-person class is better for you depends on several factors. Your personal preferences, location, and schedule (among many other things) will help determine which option is right for you. Read below for some of the top things to consider when choosing between an in-person or online class.
- Location: Where you’re located can often determine what classes are accessible for you. If you live in a major city, then there are most likely in-person classes available. If you reside in a smaller city or a rural area, online classes may be the easiest option that can help you avoid long commutes to classes in nearby cities. Or, maybe you do live in a bustling city like Los Angeles or Seattle but want to avoid dealing with traffic during a commute. Whatever the reason, your location will play a large role in your choice of class.
- Learning style: Do you thrive in a collaborative hands-on learning environment? Or, do you prefer a quiet, solitary place to focus on your studies? In-person classes can be a great way to engage with other students, ask questions and receive answers from your instructor in real-time, and problem-solve on the fly when you encounter any difficult lessons. In contrast, online classes are ideal for those who prefer a 1:1 learning environment. Live online classes will still allow you to interact with an expert instructor while also allowing you to choose your learning environment, whether that’s in your living room, at your local library, or tucked away in your favorite coffee house.
- Schedule: Your schedule will play a crucial part in your choice of class. While in-person classes are commonly considered the most efficient way to learn, they do require you to attend class at a set time and in a set location. On-demand online classes offer greater flexibility for those with varying work schedules, or those who live in a different time zone than a course is offered. You can choose when and where you learn and you can stop and start your classes whenever you need, allowing you more time to focus on difficult topics.
- Materials, supplies, and space: It’s important to make note of what is included in your class offerings. In-person classes typically provide all the needed materials and supplies, as well as an appropriate space to learn. Online classes commonly require students to buy certain supplies or materials outside of those provided in the online curriculum. (Luckily, for web design, the required supplies are minimal, usually only consisting of a laptop and wifi.)
Taking all of these factors into consideration will help ensure that you choose the best class for you so that you can earn your certificate in web design and usher your career into its next chapter.
Which is Better: Live Online or Asynchronous Classes?
There are two main types of online classes: live and on-demand. Live virtual classes require all those enrolled to meet at scheduled times for live instruction with an expert instructor. On-demand classes, also known as pre-recorded or asynchronous classes, have no set times for class. You will learn each lesson at your own pace and can submit questions to your instructor to be answered at a later time.
Live online classes offer a lot of the same benefits as in-person classes. You’ll be able to ask questions and receive answers in real time and, potentially, even work with other students in breakout sessions. These classes provide a more collaborative learning environment and the scheduled class times and set deadlines can provide a level of accountability that some students may find valuable.
On-demand classes are best suited for self-motivated learners. Because these classes also often lack hard deadlines (usually providing a maximum window of time in which your course should be completed), students can spend as much time on each lesson as they choose. The caveat with pre-recorded classes is that, if you do have any questions, you’ll have to wait for your answers or join virtual office hours, if they’re offered.
If both of these options appeal to you, it’s important to note that there are also hybrid online classes. These will typically have on-demand lessons and tests with a few scheduled live sessions for discussion, presentations, or collaborative projects.