Pursuing an associate's degree in web design is the first step towards a career in this growing field. Colleges across the nation are recognizing the demand for 2-year programs in web design. Continue reading for an overview of what you can learn in this type of program and for information about three schools with web design associate's degree programs.
Associate's Degree in Web Design Overview
Associate's degree programs in web design are commonly offered by community and technical colleges. The program may be combined with a study of web development, graphic design, digital media, interactive media, multimedia or a related field. Web design programs teach students a myriad of skills, including visual communication, graphic design, animation, coding and website organization. Continue reading for details about specific programs at three community colleges.
<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutAssociateSDegreesInWebDesign">Important Facts About Associate's Degrees in Web Design</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><td>Prerequisites </td><td> High school diploma or GED equivalent</td></tr>
<tr><td>Online Availability </td><td> Yes</td></tr>
<tr><td>Continuing Education </td><td> Bachelor of Science in Web Design & Development</td></tr>
<tr><td>Possible Careers </td><td> Web designer, web animator, multimedia artists</td></tr>
<tr><td> Median Salary (2021) </td><td> $77,030 (<i>for all web developers</i>)*</td></tr>
<tr><td> Job Outlook (2021-2031)</td><td> 30% growth (<i>for all web developers</i>)*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---Schools">Schools</h3><p>The following universities offer associate's degree programs in web design:
</p><h4 id="section---BristolCommunityCollege">Bristol Community College</h4><p>Bristol Community College in Massachusetts has a current student body of approximately 5,977. The college has campuses in four cities in Massachusetts, though its main campus is in Fall River. Bristol Community College offers an Associate of Arts in Web Design and Media Arts through its Arts and Sciences department. This 2-year program concentrates on the creative process of web design and provides foundational design skills. By the end of the program, students put together a professional portfolio highlighting their designs. The curriculum covers:
</p><ul><li>Visual arts
</li><li>Typography
</li><li>Computer graphics
</li><li>Digital photography
</li><li>Electronic imaging
</li></ul><h4 id="section---EverettCommunityCollege">Everett Community College</h4><p>Located in Everett, Washington, is Everett Community College, which has a student body of about 6,682 students. This school offers an Associate in Technical Arts in Interactive Web Design. Several graphic design and interactive design courses are included in the curriculum, covering topics like color, typography and photography. Additionally, students learn basic business skills, and the curriculum requires students to complete professional projects throughout the program and assemble a professional portfolio that can be used when seeking employment. Some courses that are part of the curriculum include:
</p><ul><li>2-D design
</li><li>Illustration
</li></ul><h4 id="section---LansingCommunityCollege">Lansing Community College</h4><p>Lansing Community College, based in Lansing, is the third-largest community college in Michigan. Lansing Community College has a population of around 10,303 students, and it offers an Associate of Applied Arts in Computer Graphics and Web Design. The curriculum provides the fundamentals of graphics creation and code writing. Additionally, students are instructed on organization and structure of websites. An internship is also part of the curriculum. Courses include:
</p><ul><li>Graphics and digital imaging
</li><li>Conceptual illustration
</li><li>Website management
</li><li>Portfolio development</li></ul>
