Earning A Web Developer Associate Degree – Forbes Advisor

Scrolling through an interactive webpage can feel like a magical experience. However, behind the scenes is typically a web developer who makes it all possible. Web developers create websites to forge connections with consumers, convey vital information and showcase innovative graphics.

Earning a web developer associate degree can launch your career in this in-demand field. The demand for skilled web developers is increasing as technology advances. Read on to explore the associate degree in web development, including types of web developers, common courses and your career options.

What Is a Web Developer Associate Degree?

Web development calls for breadth and depth of knowledge in an ever-changing technical landscape. Web developers must adapt to changes and pursue continuing education opportunities throughout their careers.

Career Preparation

With an associate degree in web development, you can choose from various careers. If you enjoy graphic design and creating visuals, you might pursue a career as a web designer. If you want to help people solve technical issues related to web development, a career as a computer support specialist may be a good fit.

Subjects Covered

Core courses in a web developer associate degree program teach you how to build and manage websites. Most programs teach common themes and topics, such as database management and programming languages like JavaScript and Python. Depending on a program’s requirements, you may also need to take courses in mathematics, communications and computer science principles.

Search for programs that offer courses that permit you to pursue your desired career path. Some two-year programs may emphasize development over design or vice versa. You can also improve your marketability in one of the fastest-growing fields and become proficient in both design and development.

Admission Requirements for an Associate Degree in Web Development

Community colleges and some four-year schools offer in-person and online web development programs. A web developer associate degree generally requires about 60 credits and takes about two years to complete.

Typical admission requirements include being 18 years old and holding a high school diploma or GED certificate.

Web Development Focus Area

A web developer often falls into one of three categories: front-end, back-end or full-stack. Each type requires different skills and focuses on distinct aspects of website creation and operations

Front-End Development

Front-end web developers write code that influences a website’s appearance and functionality. Front-end developers must keep website visitors and business goals in mind as they determine how the fonts, colors, images and text appear on a webpage. It’s also vital for front-end developers to stay on top of trending functionalities and code a responsive website that functions well on mobile devices and tablets.

Back-End Development

Back-end developers work behind the scenes to ensure websites remain operational and functional. Most websites connect to databases and servers that store large amounts of data related to a website. When you visit a new webpage, a signal alerts a server to populate the page with the correct code and content.

Back-end developers monitor this connection and troubleshoot any network connectivity issues. It’s also common for a back-end developer to implement computer network and server security.

Full-Stack Development

Some web developers choose to gain expertise in both front-end and back-end web development. To become a full-stack developer, you must become proficient in back-end and front-end programming languages and gain extensive experience in both web development roles. Smaller teams with smaller websites may employ a full-stack developer to manage both ends of a website instead of two separate developers.

Common Courses in a Web Developer Associate Degree

You can expect to find web development courses similar to the following across community colleges, though exact requirements likely differ among programs.

Database Development

The database development course teaches students how to create, manage and troubleshoot problems within a database. Some courses may cover creating and populating databases and Structured Query Language (SQL), the programming language used to manage databases.

Introduction to Python

Python is one of the top programming languages essential for any future web developer or designer. Students engage in problem-solving through algorithmic design, programming in Python and learning to write their own computer programs.

Online Search Strategy

Findability is an essential aspect of any website. Courses on search strategies ensure web developers understand the connection between search engines, like Google, that influence the ranking of a website in search results. Students learn how to structure data to improve a website’s success in search and how updates to a search engine’s algorithm can impact a website’s rankings.

Webpage Development I

Learning how to curate a webpage remains a foundational skill for front-end and back-end developers. In this course, students may learn HTML5, a programming language often used to create websites. They also develop proficiency in building multiple webpages with various elements, including navigation, imagery, plugins, fonts and graphics.

Website Design

Website design teaches students how to make a website aesthetically pleasing. Students learn trending website designs and how to create a mockup (e.g., a sketch) of a webpage before its development to map out its look and feel. Designs must prioritize functionality and technical possibility, a vital skill for future web developers.

Careers for Web Developers with Associate Degrees

Earning an associate degree prepares you to enter a fast-growing field in a short amount of time. Depending on the chosen program, you can gain the expertise required for various web development careers. However, prospective students should understand that a career in web development necessitates staying current with technological advances in the field and a commitment to continuing education and skills development.

The following salary and job growth projection data come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Computer Support Specialist

Median Annual Salary: $57,910
Projected Job Growth (2021-2031): +6%
Job Description: Computer support specialists maintain smooth and efficient web-based business operations and networks for organizations. When company employees experience a problem with their computer hardware or software, they rely on a computer support specialist to resolve the issue. Support specialists may also host training on new software systems; therefore, proficiency in many web systems and applications is crucial to their success.

Web Designer

Median Annual Salary: $83,240
Projected Job Growth (2021-2031): +16%
Job Description: Web designers manage the creative aspects of websites. They conceptualize the visual elements, including layout, color schemes, typography and graphics. They understand how to build a website that is both functional and appealing to users. Web designers also collaborate with front-end developers to ensure websites look and function properly on different devices.

Web Developer

Median Annual Salary: $78,580
Projected Job Growth (2021-2031): +30%
Job Description: Web developers are categorized based on their area of focus: front-end, back-end or full-stack. They manage the appearance and functionality of websites, which requires knowing multiple computer programming languages.

Front-end web developers’ daily responsibilities may involve collaborating with web designers, reviewing results of user testing and updating webpages with new elements. Back-end web developers may focus on troubleshooting network errors or researching new web security systems.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Web Developer Associate Degrees