Are Online Web Development Degrees Legitimate?

If you are interested in computers, programming, and creating websites and web applications, a bachelor's degree in web development could be a great choice for you. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field of web development is projected to have a much faster job growth rate than other fields. It's a great time to get into working in web development.

There are seemingly limitless options for degree programs in web development, and many of them are entirely online programs. This may leave prospective students asking the question: Are online web development degrees legit?

Fortunately, yes, online web development degrees are legitimate. If you are studying at an accredited university, the course materials of an online program will be the same as an on-campus program, and you will have the same experienced instructors.

In this article, we'll outline what to look for in an online web development degree to ensure you're getting the best education possible. We will also explore some options for online web development degree programs.

Do Employers Respect Online Web Development Degrees?

Online degrees are becoming more and more common, but some graduates may still worry that employers will not respect their online degrees. Views may differ between individual employers, but overall, this has become much less of a concern in recent years. In general, most employers respect online web development degrees.

There are a few important things to consider when presenting your online degree to an employer.

Firstly, online degrees are more respected than they were in the past. The quality and availability have increased immensely, and they are much more common, particularly after many transitioned to online schooling and work at the onset of COVID-19.

Secondly, there are many aspects of online degrees that you can highlight as positives for the employer. Stress things like accreditation and if your school was nonprofit. Also, highlight the positive qualities that allowed you to complete an online degree, like time management, determination, and a willingness to work hard. These are all skills a potential employer would like to hear.

Finally, it's important to remember that it's unlikely anything about your degree will indicate you completed it online (unless it is from a fully online university). It is likely an employer will not ask or care. Perspective on online degrees has and still is shifting. There is no accounting for individual perspectives, but overall, online degrees from good schools are respected.

What To Look For in an Online Web Development Degree

Here are some factors to consider when searching for an online web development degree.

Accreditation

Looking for accreditation is essential when selecting a school. A school being accredited means that it has been evaluated by an accrediting agency and is recognized as meeting a certain educational standard.

Essentially, this means that you can feel reasonably confident that you will be getting an education that meets a standard of quality that is worth paying for. An accredited degree can help indicate to potential employers that you have received a good education.

Reputation

A college's overall reputation is a good indicator of the kind of quality that can be expected. It can also be tricky to get an accurate sense of a school's reputation. Try looking at college rankings, or feedback from current or former students. Do graduates seem to have had overall positive experiences? Where have graduates gone on to work?

Graduation Rates

Graduation rates measure the percentage of students who started in the same period who graduate within a certain time frame. Typically, the measurement is students who finish a four-year degree in six years or fewer for a bachelor's degree, and students who finish a two-year degree in three or fewer for an associate degree.

Overall, this can tell you some things about the university. Are students succeeding? Are professors committed to providing a good education to their students? Does the university have systems in place to help students succeed? A strong graduation rate usually means a school is doing right by its students.

Differences Between Online Web Development Degrees and Traditional Web Development Degrees

The curriculum between traditional programs and online programs typically does not differ much, if at all. In the case of web development, the main difference will simply be the environment in which students will communicate with their professors or classmates.

The actual coursework will be the same as if a student were enrolled in an on-campus program. Web development degrees tend to have more individual work rather than group-focused work, so the experience of completing the work will be mostly the same. However, students will complete it at their own pace in whatever environment they choose.

Benefits of Earning Your Web Development Degree at an Online School

Online web development degrees have many of the same benefits as other online programs. These degree programs are often designed with a working adult in mind. If you want to complete your degree while also fulfilling all of your other responsibilities like work, family, etc., online degrees can help you do that.

Online web development degrees can be completed wherever a student would like, provided they have access to a computer and internet connection. Coursework can be completed at the pace that works best for the student. This level of flexibility and convenience can be a complete game-changer for many students.

And ultimately, students will graduate with the same qualifications as those who completed a traditional program.

Featured Online Web Development Degree Programs

Here are some online web development degree program options.

1. Arizona State University

Arizona State University is a public and fully accredited university and is a popular choice for online programs. The school offers several online programs for students interested in web development.

• Bachelor of Applied Science in internet and web development
• Bachelor of Science in graphic information technology - full-stack web development
• Bachelor of Arts in media arts and sciences
• Exploratory Math, Physical Sciences, Engineering and Technology (Exploratory Track)

2. Western Governors University

Private and nonprofit, Western Governors University is a fully online university based in Utah. The school has many programs for students looking to study web development, including certificate programs.

• Bachelor of Science in computer science
• Bachelor of Science in information technology
• Certificate in front end web development
• Certificate in back end web development

3. Baker College

Baker College has a dozen online technology degrees. However, there is one specifically for web development: the Bachelor of Science in information systems (web & mobile application development) degree. The school also has:

• Bachelor of Science in computer science (multiple concentrations)
• Bachelor of Science in information systems (multiple other concentrations)

4. Liberty University

Liberty University is a private, Christian university. They also offer online programs. One of them is a Bachelor of Science in information technology program, and there are several areas of concentration students can choose from, including web & mobile programming.

5. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University, an accredited online university, offers a range of technology- and design-centered online programs. There are several degree options for students who want to work in web development

• Bachelor of Arts in graphic design & media arts - web design
• Bachelor of Science in computer science - software engineering
• Bachelor of Science in information technologies - software development
• Master of Science in information technologies - web design