Web Design and Development Major: What It Includes, Classes and Careers

A Web Design and Development major teaches you to design and build websites and web applications. Web design and development programs cover HTML, CSS, JavaScript, user experience design, accessibility and the back-end systems that power websites.

A Web Design and Development major includes coursework in HTML, CSS and JavaScript, user experience and interface design, web accessibility, server-side programming, and databases and more. You build skills such as front-end development, responsive design, accessibility, and debugging. Programs often include building a portfolio. Typical degrees: certificate, associate and bachelor's degrees.

Typical courses include HTML, CSS and JavaScript, user experience and interface design, web accessibility, server-side programming, databases, and portfolio projects. Exact course names and requirements vary by college, and most degrees also include general education courses.

It depends on the level. Web Design and Development is offered as certificate, associate, bachelor’s, and master’s awards at U.S. colleges; certificates take from a few months to about two years, an associate degree usually takes about two years of full-time study, a bachelor’s degree usually takes about four years of full-time study, and a master’s degree usually takes one to two years after a bachelor’s. Part-time study takes longer.

Certificate, associate and bachelor's degrees. In the latest federal data, 207 colleges reported certificate awards, 167 colleges reported associate awards, 52 colleges reported bachelor’s awards, and 15 colleges reported master’s awards.

Career paths connected to web design and development include web developer, UX/UI designer, graphic designer, digital marketing specialist, and software developer. Some roles need additional training, experience, certification or a license.

Examples include web developer (typical training: 6 months to 4 years), ux/ui designer (typical training: 4 years or bootcamp plus portfolio), graphic designer (typical training: 4 years or portfolio-based training), digital marketing specialist (typical training: 6 months to 4 years), and software developer (typical training: 4 years or bootcamp plus portfolio).

Web Design and Development majors build skills such as front-end development, responsive design, accessibility, debugging, and visual design.

Good pairings include Graphic Design (strengthens the visual side of web design), Marketing (connects websites to digital marketing goals), and Computer Science (adds programming depth for complex applications).

Often, yes. Programs commonly include building a portfolio. Ask each college how its program arranges hands-on work.

It can be a good fit if you are interested in the work it leads to, such as web developer, UX/UI designer, and graphic designer, and enjoy subjects like HTML, CSS and JavaScript and user experience and interface design. No major guarantees a job, so compare the coursework, the careers and the education each career requires before deciding.

How hard it feels depends on your strengths. Core coursework includes HTML, CSS and JavaScript, user experience and interface design, and web accessibility; if those subjects interest you, the major is likely to feel more manageable. Reviewing a college’s course list and talking to current students helps you judge.

324 U.S. colleges reported awarding degrees or certificates in this field in the latest federal (IPEDS) data. Programs can have different names at different schools.

California (39), Illinois (22), Florida (18), Ohio (18), and Washington (17), based on the colleges that reported awards in this field.

288 of the colleges that offer web design and development also report offering at least one program entirely online, though not necessarily this one. Use the college search with this major and “Offers fully online programs”, then confirm with the school.

Web Design and Development teaches you to design and build websites and web applications. Computer Science studies how computers and software work and how to design programs that solve problems. Web Design and Development leads to careers such as web developer and UX/UI designer, while Computer Science leads to careers such as software developer and web developer.

Web Design and Development teaches you to design and build websites and web applications. Information Technology focuses on setting up, running and supporting the computer systems organizations depend on. Web Design and Development leads to careers such as web developer and UX/UI designer, while Information Technology leads to careers such as IT support specialist and network administrator.

Yes. Short online career training can help you understand a specific job and build practical knowledge alongside your classes. It does not replace your degree or any required license.

No. Career Education Institute is not a college and does not award degrees. It offers short, non-credit online trainings about jobs connected to web design and development, such as Web Developer Training.