Online Masters in Web Design Degrees & Programs

Online Masters in Web Design Degrees and Programs

If you have a keen sense of design and enjoy the creative processes of computer programming, earning an Online Masters in Web Design and Development Degree can be a great academic choice. There has been a big boom of home Internet use in the average household in recent years, between personal computers, mobile devices, tablets, and even wireless car starters, as well as in the marketplace, with E-commerce. Most businesses, whether retail or wholesale, conduct transactions online, and have some kind of online presence through websites, social media and online marketing campaigns.

In fact, employment of web developers is projected to grow as ecommerce continues to expand^[i], making web design an attractive career option. The BLS predicts that employment of web developers is projected to grow 20% from 2012 to 2022, which is faster than average for all occupations.^[i] With job prospects so favorable, earning an online web design degree can potentially prepare you to meet the demands of the growing industry with the technical skills and education that can help you either excel in a future job search or jumpstart an existing career by refreshing your knowledge.

GradSchools.com makes it easy to review your options for online masters in web design degrees. You can search by location, or check through all the online listings and their descriptions. Some of the degrees you can earn online include an Online Master in Web Design and Development, an Online MS in Information Technology – Web Design, and an Online Master of Science in Management Information Systems – Web and Mobile Development. And these are only a few of your fascinating choices.

What are the benefits to earning an Online Masters in Web Design Degree?

If you are currently a working professional in the field of information technology, or web development, you know that during your career, you have to keep up to date with new tools, computer languages^[ii]. The benefit to distance learning is that it can help the busy adult be able to balance continuing education with other factors in their timetable. Often you can schedule logging in to a course management system when you are able to, so it can be more convenient than commuting to a classroom. Plus, online formats of learning keep you connected to your classmates, and professors via digital tools and group projects. Even access to library and research tools can be accessed online!

Potential Curriculum for Masters in web design and development Programs

Program curriculums can vary depending on the school, the online format, and the concentration of the degree.  For instance, if the focus is in management information systems, one might take leadership and strategy courses in combination with web development courses.

Generally, online web design master’s degrees can provide learners with in-depth knowledge of both web design and web development.  Web developers need a methodical understanding of HTML, and many employers also want developers who can understand other programming languages such as JavaScript or SQL, in addition to multimedia publishing tools such as Flash^[ii]. Some of the courses students may be exposed to in a master’s in web design and web development program can include:

• Web design
• Database design and development
• Software programming
• Telecommunications
• Information security
• E-business processes

Potential Career Options for Masters in Web Design & Masters in Web Development Grads

One of the potential career paths generated from Masters in Web Design or Masters in Web Development programs is that of a Web Developer.

FUN FACTS:

• The median annual wage for this profession was $62,500 in May 2012^[iii].
• The states with the highest employment level in this occupation are California, Texas, New York, Florida and Washington.^[iv]

A Web developer designs and creates websites and is responsible for different aspects of websites. They are responsible for the creative look and layout of the site. Additionally, they are responsible for its technical aspects, such as its performance and capacity, which measure the website’s speed and how much site traffic there is. Additional duties of a web developer can include:^[v]

• Content generation
• Meeting clients
• Creating and debugging applications for the sites
• Integrating different platforms onto the site
• Develop testing routines or procedures
• Evaluate utility of software or hardware technologies
• Prepare graphics or other visual representations of information
• Create databases to store electronic data
• Design websites or web applications

Some web developers handle all the aspects of website construction, while others specialize in a certain facet. The following are some types of specialized web developers^[vi]:

• Web architects or programmers are responsible for the overall technical construction of a website, including basic framework and the establishment of practices which all others to add content
• Web designers are responsible for how a website looks, including layout, graphics, applications, content, and write web-design programs in languages such as HTML or JavaScript.
• Webmasters are responsible for maintaining websites and keeping them updated

Some of the related occupations to those of web developer can include^[v]:

Computer Systems Analysts: analyze science, engineering, business and other data processing problems to implement and improve computer systems^[vii]

Software Developers, Systems Software: research, design, develop, and test operating system software, compilers and network distribution software for medical, industrial, military, communications, aerospace, business, scientific and general computing applications^[viii]

Database Administrators administer, test, and implement computer databases, applying knowledge of database management systems^[ix]

Software Quality Assurance Engineers and Testers develop and execute software test plans in order to identify software problems and their causes^[x]

Web Administrators manage web environment design, development, and maintenance activities, and considered to have a “bright” job outlook^[x]

Ready to pursue an Online Master in Web Design and Development?

With the projected job outlook for occupations in technology related fields, and especially in those related to web design and development, pursuing an online web design degree has the potentially to make your future professional life exciting! Start your search through the listings for online web design masters degrees soon!

Sources: [i] bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/web-developers.htm#tab-6 | [ii] bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/web-developers.htm#tab-4 | [iii] bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/web-developers.htm#tab-1 | [iv] bls.gov/oes/current/oes151134.htm | [v] onetonline.org/link/summary/15-1134.00 | [vi] bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/web-developers.htm#tab-2 | [vii] onetonline.org/link/summary/15-1121.00 | [viii] onetonline.org/link/summary/15-1133.00 | [ix] onetonline.org/link/summary/15-1141.00 | [x] onetonline.org/link/summary/15-1199.01