Top Web Development Certificates & Certifications Online

Web development is the process of creating and maintaining websites and web applications.

Web Designers typically design a company’s website and then Web Developers will program the website and manage its databases. Web Designers use programming languages to create code that will help build and maintain the website. 

There are three categories of web development: front-end, back-end, and full-stack. Front-end web development refers to the development of the client-side of the website. Front-end Web Developers are responsible for making the website look visually appealing and interactive using coding languages like HTML and CSS. 

Back-end Web Developers handle the server-side of the website. They ensure that the website is running as it should and is functional. To be a Back-end Web Developer, you must be able to build servers with modern frameworks, manage databases and data on web servers, and know server-side programming languages like Python, Ruby, and PHP. 

Full Stack Web Developers are familiar with and can manage both the front and back ends of a website. They’re competent in client and server-side programming languages used for web development. 

Web Developers are in high demand. Learning web development can open you up to new career opportunities. Companies look for Front-end Web Developers to make their sites aesthetically appealing and Back-end Web Developers to ensure the website continues to work. However, companies are increasingly turning to Full Stack Web Developers to handle all issues related to their website. 

Noble Desktop: Front-End Web Development Certificate

Key Information: Noble Desktop’s Front-End Web Development Certificate program is a 108-hour long hands-on live online course. Full tuition is $3,495. Tuition may be paid in full or in installments. Noble Desktop also allows companies to opt for corporate invoicing. 

In this program, you can expect to learn the essentials of building the client-side, or front-end side, of websites. The course focuses on HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and WordPress, all common languages and tools used by Front-end Web Developers to create aesthetically pleasing and interactive websites. This course is available to beginner-level learners, who will work toward developing the skills needed to create responsive websites and edit existing web pages. 

This program is made up of seven units. Noble Desktop provides a recommended order in which to take the courses, but they may be taken in a different order. This is a project-based class. Students will learn practical skills as they work on real projects under the guidance of an instructor. Skills covered in this program include HTML, CSS, front-end JavaScript, WordPress, and Visual Studio Code. 

Noble Desktop allows free retakes within one year. If you need to refresh yourself on the course’s content, you have one year to do so. This program also includes six 1-on-1 training sessions where you can meet with an expert to review your portfolio, discuss challenging concepts, and polish your resume. 

Noble Desktop: Full-Stack Web Development Certificate

Key Information: Noble Desktop offers a certificate in full-stack web development live online. The 420-hour program can be finished in 17 weeks if taken full-time, or in 10 months if taken part-time. Tuition is $7,995. This can be paid in full, in installments, or over 18 months with 0% interest. Noble Desktop will also invoice companies that have enrolled their employees in the program. 

This comprehensive program will teach you everything you need to become a Full Stack Web Developer. You’ll learn how to work on both the front and back-end of a website, useful skills for companies looking to hire talent with a diverse skill set. The program will teach front-end programming languages as well as how to add databases, APIs, server environments, and interactivity to web applications. 

This project-oriented class is made up of 10 units which can be completed in your preferred order. You also have the option of attending Noble Desktop’s SQL Bootcamp for free. This boot camp will teach you how to explore and alter data using a graphical user interface, combine information across tables with join statements, and use advanced techniques like subqueries and timestamp functions. 

With this course, you’ll have the chance to refresh on the materials for free within one year. You will also have access to 10 1-on-1 mentoring sessions. These sessions will give you a chance to review your portfolio and resume and ask about challenging concepts. 

Certstaffix Training: HTML5 & Cascading Style Sheets 3 Course

Key Information: Certstaffix offers an HTML and CSS certificate program online and offers on-site team training as well. The course is four days long and costs $1,790 per person. You can request a group rate quote from Certstaffix. No prerequisites are required to enroll. 

This course will provide you with an overview of HTML5 and CSS3, taking you from beginner-level web development skills to professional-level skills. Students will learn how interconnected HTML and CSS are for web development these days. An expert instructor will go over JavaScript and jQuery as well so that students can get an understanding of how to add additional features to their web pages.

Tuition for this course includes free online retakes for six months, a certificate of completion, and all necessary software and materials needed to take the course. This course is ideal for anyone looking to develop professional-level web development skills, including budding Web Developers and Designers and Web Developers looking to improve their skill set.

NYC Career Centers: JavaScript Development Certificate 

Key Information: NYC Career Centers’ JavaScript Development Certificate program is a live online program for anyone looking to learn JavaScript, one of the most popular coding languages and a staple in front-end web development. The program can be completed during weekdays over the course of one month (full-time), or during evenings over the course of five months (part-time). Tuition is $5,995. 

In this program, students will learn JavaScript, a coding language used to create games and comprehensive data-based apps, as well as animate 2D and 3D graphics. This course is welcoming to new developers or developers with backgrounds in different coding languages. In this course, students will create several fully functioning apps.

Included in tuition for this program is 324 hours of hands-on instruction. Students will work on practical projects under the guidance of an expert instructor. Students can retake the program for free within one year. At the end of the program, students will receive a certificate of completion. If you live in the NYC area, you’re able to switch between live online and in-person as needed, even after the course has begun. 

Practical Programming: Flexbox, Grid, & Bootstrap

Key Information: Practical Progamming’s Flexbox, Grid, & Bootstrap course is a hands-on live online course. The course is 12 hours long and costs $650. Students can retake the course for free within one year and will receive a certificate of completion after the course has ended. 

This class will teach you how to use Flexbox and Grid to layout, align, and reorder webpage content. Bootstrap will be used to teach you how to rapidly code pages. This is a project-based class, so you can expect to gain practical experience using these tools. The course will first introduce Flexbox before transitioning to Bootstrap and finally Grid. 

No prior experience with Flexbox, Grid, or Bootstrap is required to enroll in this class, however, students should be comfortable coding with HTML and CSS. All sessions are recorded, so if you miss a class you can have up to one month to rewatch the recording of the session you missed. Classes are taught over Zoom with remote setup assistance provided. 

Practical Programming: Python Immersive

Key Information: Practical Programming’s Python Intensive is ideal for aspiring Back-end Web Developers. This 30-hour course is taught live online by an expert instructor. Tuition is $1,495 and is due in full before the class start date. 

In this immersive, students will learn how to code using Python. This beginner-level class provides a comprehensive understanding of Python and prepares students to code on their own. Beginning coders are welcome to enroll in this immersive and learn the essentials used across coding languages. During the course, students will create two projects that can be added to their portfolios. 

This course is a hands-on learning experience. Class sizes are small, guaranteeing students the chance to ask the instructor questions and receive feedback. Included in the price of tuition is a one-year free retake and a digital certification of completion. 

NextGen Bootcamp: Computer Science Summer Certificate Program

Key Information: NextGen Bootcamp offers a live online summer program for high school students looking to earn a certificate in computer science. This program includes 95 hours of hands-on training. Full tuition is $3,995 but early enrollees will receive a $300 discount. The class is scheduled on weekdays from 10 am to 1 pm EST for six weeks. 

Participants will work toward mastering the fundamentals of programming in Java and Python. Students will also learn the fundamentals of data science and machine learning. The course is split into two major units: Java Programming and Python Data Science & Machine Learning. By the end of the program, students should understand how to write and use industry-standard algorithms, read and understand large programs, and understand how to think like a programmer. 

This program will help students get a head start on the AP Computer Science Exam. Class sizes are small so students can be sure that they’ll receive detailed instruction and have the opportunity to ask their instructor questions about confusing concepts. At the end of the program, students will receive a certificate of completion. 

The George Washington University: GW Coding Boot Camp

Key Information: GW’s Coding Boot Camp is a 24-week live online boot camp that will prepare you for a career in web development. You can reach out to GW to find out about tuition costs and payment plans. To enroll, students must submit a contact form, interview and apply, and successfully pass an assessment. 

This boot camp follows a full-stack web development curriculum. Client-side and server-side programming languages will be taught during the boot camp, alongside progressive web apps, agile methodology, computer science, and database theory. Students will work on real-world projects with their peers, simulating a professional work environment and bolstering their portfolios. 

This program is built for a wide range of individuals, from working professionals to students to job seekers. GW offers comprehensive support to students. Enrollees will have access to an instructional team, a tutor network that will provide free 1-on-1 tutoring up to one hour per week, a student success team, a career services team, and a peer network. 

UC San Diego Extended Studies: Front-end Web Development

Key Information: UC San Diego’s (UCSD) Front-end Web Development specialized certificate program is offered on-demand. The 15-unit program requires students to take three core courses, which focus on front-end technologies, HTML and CSS, and JavaScript, as well as two electives. The estimated cost of the program is $3,670, but the final price will depend on your elective course selection. The estimated duration of the program is 15 months, but the final duration will be dependent on the number of courses you choose to take per quarter. 

Learn how to bridge the gap between Designers and Back-end Developers by learning front-end web development. Students enrolled in UCSD’s program will learn how to develop websites using HTM5L, CSS3, JavaScript, and jQuery. The program will also cover essential concepts of project management as they apply to web development and best coding practices. 

As part of this program, students will receive hands-on comprehensive training to help them begin or advance their careers. Students will have the option of choosing an elective course that focuses on front-end design, front-end engineering, web analytics, or user experience metrics. 

General Assembly: Front-End Web Development Course

Key Information: General Assembly offers a front-end web development course that is offered two evenings a week or all day on Saturdays. The full tuition of this course is $4,500. This may be paid in full or following a flexible financing plan. General Assembly also accepts employer sponsorship. This is a beginner-friendly course, so no prior experience is required. Beginner-level students will receive access to pre-course prep lessons and additional resources to help them become comfortable with key concepts. 

This course emphasizes web development literacy. Students will face real-world challenges in the classroom as they deep dive into the world of coding. Instructors will teach the building blocks of front-end web development: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. These programming languages will be utilized by students to create a website from scratch as a capstone project. Smaller labs will be completed throughout the course to reinforce the lessons of each unit. 

This course is offered remotely and on campus. Tuition includes access to 60 hours of expert instruction; exclusive access to alumni discounts, networking events, and career workshops; a General Assembly course certificate to show your mastery of front-end web development; and connections to a professional network of instructors and peers. 

FAQ for Web Development Certificates

What is the Difference Between a Certificate and a Certification?

There are differences between certificate programs and certification programs that you should be aware of before enrolling. 

A certificate course awards students a certificate of completion after finishing the course. It may be a physical or digital certificate that can be shared online, including on your LinkedIn profile. Certificates signify that a student has completed training in that field or using certain software. 

Certification is given to students who have passed an exam. Certification programs will ensure that students are prepared to take a certification exam. Exams may be administered by the training school, but it’s more likely that you’ll have to sign up for your exam with a third-party testing company. Web development certification programs may prepare you to become certified in software used for front or back-end web development. 

Certificates are offered by training schools whereas certification programs prepare you to take an exam developed by a company or board. 

Should I Pursue a Certificate or a Certification?

You should consider your current skill level and professional goals when deciding to pursue a certificate or certification. Mid-career professionals typically enroll in certificate programs so that they can work on improving their current skill set or they may be interested in developing new skills to keep up with industry standards or make a career transition. 

Certifications require you to pass a standardized exam. Therefore, they show employers that you meet certain expectations that have been tested by the exam. Job seekers often will enroll in certification programs to show that they meet these standards despite their career history. 

Certification programs are typically more intense than certificate programs. Certifications programs require you to prepare for an exam. You will also be responsible for paying an exam fee unless it’s covered by the program’s tuition, or your employer is covering the cost. If you fail your exam, you’ll have to pay to take it again. You may also have to wait a certain amount of time between your first try and a retake. 

If you’re confident in your skills but would like to refresh them to keep up with evolving practices, it’s recommended that you sign up for a certificate program. These programs can be taken live online or on demand, easily fitting into your schedule. Some programs also allow retakes within six or twelve months, so you can refresh yourself on the material. 

Do I Need to Become Certified to Find a Job?

Some positions may require that you have a certification before being hired. Employers may require this as proof that you understand certain concepts and can use industry-standard software and tools. Becoming certified shows your employer that you meet industry standards because you’ve passed a standardized exam. 

In some instances, your employer may ask that you get certified after you have already started in your position. They may require you to do so in your personal time, or they may pay for the classes and exams. Consider looking into certification programs that accept employer sponsorship or partake in corporate invoicing.

What Certificate Program is Right for Me?

There are several types of certificate programs. You may enroll in an in-person program, a live online program, or an on-demand program. The right program for you will depend on your learning needs and your schedule. 

Which is Better: In-Person or Online Classes

In-person classes take place in a physical location and are taught face-to-face. These classes are very traditional, making them ideal for learners who like being inside the classroom and interacting with their peers. Classes may be scheduled throughout the week, during the day or evenings, or on weekends. When enrolling in an in-person certificate program, you’ll need to consider your schedule and whether you can commute to your classes. 

Online classes offer a little more flexibility than in-person classes. These classes are taught by expert instructors over Zoom or another video conferencing platform. They may be scheduled during the day or in the evening, but they don’t require you to commute. You can take an online class from the comfort of your home or office, or just about anywhere else with a stable internet connection. 

Which is Better: Live Online or Asynchronous Classes?

If you’re interested in online classes, you should consider whether live online classes appeal to you more, or asynchronous classes. 

Asynchronous, or on-demand, classes are classes where course content–including videos–is uploaded to the class site for you to access on your own time. You can fit a lesson into your lunch break, after work, or on the weekend. This allows for those with a busy schedule to learn at their preferred pace. With asynchronous classes, you may have unlimited access to material or need to finish the course within a set number of months. 

Live online classes provide access to an instructor who can answer your questions and provide feedback. When you take an asynchronous course, you don’t have access to an instructor. This is something you should think hard about before deciding between a live online or asynchronous class. If you are motivated to learn on your own and have a busy schedule, asynchronous classes may be right for you. However, if you know you’ll need more guidance when learning and have time to attend remote classes, you may want to enroll in a live online class.