Everything You Need to Know About a Web Developer Degree!
Updated: June 19, 2024
Published: December 5, 2018
A web developer degree can provide you with many options for career choices. Additionally, web developers are in high demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field for web developers and digital designers is expected to grow much faster than average at 13% between 2020 and 20230.
Web developers are creative, detail-oriented, and have high customer service and concentration skills. You may be wondering if a web developer degree is the right choice for you, and what it’s like to study web development. Look no further, here we’ve gathered all the information you need to know about web developer schooling.
What Does a Web Developer Do?
Web developers are tasked with creating and maintaining websites. To do this, web developers must know programming languages. In many cases, a web developer needs to know various programming languages in order to implement the desired features.
Here’s a look at some of the top skills that a web developer must possess in order to be good at the job:
- Project management and planning skills
- Design skills, including UX design
- Application and website programming languages
- Ability to keep up with evolving industry standards
- Communication with others
- Love for learning
- High attention to detail
There are 2 specializations in web development: front end and back end. Before you start your search for the best education path to become a web developer, figure out which interests you the most.
Front-end Developers
Use languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to build the exterior (client-side) of a website or application (create websites).
Back-end Developers
Use languages such as Python and Ruby to integrate what happens on the front-end of the website into what needs to happen on the back-end in order to make the site function (create web applications).
Full-stack Developers
The best of both worlds: Combine both fronts- and back-end knowledge to offer full services to clients.
Still unclear on the difference? Check out this video for a detailed explanation!
How to Become a Web Developer
First: do you need a degree to become a web developer? Technically, no, you do not need a degree to become a web developer. While most employed developers do have a degree, Stack Overflow reports that13% of their survey’s respondents were exclusively self-taught. So, even without a degree, it’s possible to still work in the field. However, it’s always recommended to get a degree if possible as you can expand your career horizons and increase your earning potential by possessing one.
When it comes to having a degree in the field, it can help you quite a bit in the long term by making senior roles more accessible, helping you stand out in the job market, networking opportunities within your program, and by offering additional job-relevant skills such as project management, teamwork, and business courses. Remember, web development is much more than just coding. It also requires the ability to work well on teams, communicates with others, and possess a high level of design skills, among other requirements.
You will also receive a much more structured, supported, and easier-to-follow education than trying to hash things out yourself. There is also a wide range of different degrees you can get, from traditional universities to online degrees. So don’t knock getting a degree just yet! Some computer science degrees such as from University of the People are flexible and allow you to study from anywhere in the world — and offer tuition-free programs!
A Little on Coding Bootcamps
Chances are if you are searching the web for how to become a web developer, you’ve come across a host of short-term, intensive programs called coding boot camps. These have amazing claims — most offer you to become a full-stack developer in as little as 2-3 months! While these sound tempting and can certainly give you a huge career boost, it’s important to be well informed about what you’re getting into.
Coding boot camps are best used to complement a degree, or for a career change, not as a degree substitute. Most coding boot camp graduates who report finding a job within 6 months of graduation and a salary increase already completed a bachelor’s degree prior to the boot camp. That isn’t to say it’s impossible to become a developer after one of these boot camps, but employers are often looking for a degree as well.
Coding Bootcamp Advantages
The reason some people opt to attend coding boot camps is for these upsides:
- Cheaper than a degree
- Subject-focused
- Less time commitment
Coding Bootcamp Disadvantages
However, coding boot camps aren’t always the perfect solution as they are:
- Still expensive
- Intense, which can cause burnout
- Provide less quality than a formal education
With that in mind, how can you become a web developer without a degree or boot camp? You can start by taking online courses in web development or coding with popular sites such as Udemy, Khan Academy, or Codecademy. The key here is to practice, practice, practice. Web development is a job based on skills, so the more you do, the better you get.
Useful Resources for Self-Teaching
Here is a shortlist of useful resources to help you, should you wish to teach yourself:
- Google Web Development Tools
- GitHub
- Web Field Manual
- Front End Developer Handbook
- Visual Studio Code
- Sublime Text
- Brackets by Adobe
- CodePen
Finding a Web Developer Degree that Suits You
If you have opted to earn a web developer degree, then you may want to take the following into consideration when finding the right program.
1. What skills do you have and what do you need to reach your end goal?
You won’t want to have to repeat lessons of basic programming if you’re already a pro, and you certainly won’t want to start out higher than you are and feel like you’re drowning in the material. Think about what you want to do with your degree, take stock of what you already know, and what you need to learn. Then make sure your degree helps you get there!
Coding Languages to Know
If you’re wondering what coding languages you need to know based on the career you want to pursue, then here’s an abbreviated list of common and must-know languages by role.
Front-End Web Developer: JavaScript, SQL
Back-End Web Developer: JavaScript, Java, Python, PHP, Ruby
Mobile Development: Swift, Java, C#
Game Development: C++, C#
Computer Applications: Java, C++, Python
Systems Programming: C, Rust
2. Types of degrees you can choose from
Associate’s Degree (AS) in Computer Science, Information Science:
An associate’s degree in computer science, information systems, or other related fields is a good starting point for a web developer career. Most jobs require a minimum of an associate’s degree. Most will take about 2 years to complete and require 60 credits for graduation. UoPeople’s associate’s degree is flexible enough that you can complete it in less than 2 years.
Bachelor’s degree (BS) in Computer Science, Information Science, Web Programming:
Like all 4-year degrees, you will have general education requirements followed by more specific courses. Most bachelor’s degrees that prepare you for a career in web development should include courses in programming, graphic design, software, and information architecture. A bachelor’s degree usually takes 4 years and requires 120 credits. Bachelor’s degrees can come in a huge range of price tags, from private schools that cost upwards of $200,000 to tuition-free degrees, such as the University of the People’s BS in Computer Science.
Master’s Degrees (MSc):
Master’s degrees will always require a completed bachelor’s degree as a prerequisite, but many accept undergraduate degrees in a variety of fields so don’t stress if you didn’t graduate with a Computer Science degree. However, do prepare to show your programming skills during the application process if you don’t have programming courses on your transcripts. Master’s degrees’ costs depend on study programs and can vary from affordable to very expensive, so do your research to find a program within your budget. Some programs can take as little as 15 months but most run about 18-24 months. You will likely get specialized knowledge in the field of web development and perhaps will get to choose a track that focuses on your interests.
3. Find courses you are interested in, and make sure your program offers them.
Some common course offerings span:
- Programming Fundamentals, and further programming languages (JavaScript, Python)
- Website Construction
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Web or Mobile Programming
- Digital Media, Graphic Design, Interface Design
- Information Security
- Application Design
- Game Development
- Social Media
- Web Analytics, SEO
- Database Design
Possible Jobs for Web Developers
Most require a bachelor’s degree, but a master’s degree in web development can make senior roles more accessible, increase salary expectations, and provide a competitive edge in the job market. The average salary for a web designer is $77,200, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
For other relevant jobs, Glassdoor reports the following average salaries:
Here’s some median salaries of relevant jobs you can obtain with a web developer degree, found on Glassdoor.com:
Front & Back End Developer, Full-Stack Developer: $94, 343
Information Systems Manager: $102, 311
Computer Systems Analyst: $92, 936
Multimedia Artists and Designers: $59, 251
Software Developer: $97, 763
Software Engineer: $108, 249
Database Administrator: $83, 700
Final Thoughts
So there you have it — everything you need to know about a web developer degree, all in one, comprehensive post. Remember, there are several ways to become a web developer including degrees, self-study, and boot camps. Find the right path for you and start studying! The world will open its possibilities once you have the skills under your belt.