5 Reasons to Get an Associate’s Degree in Web Development
- Low Cost
- Excellent Job Prospects
- Relevant Skills
- Quick Completion
- Flexible Scheduling Options
An associate’s degree in Web development can be a great investment for anyone thinking of pursuing a career in programming. As the economy increasingly becomes Web-based, workers with expertise in scripting languages, server stacks, Web frameworks and other programming areas will be in high demand. An associate’s degree provides the practical application skills programmers need to get to work immediately after leaving school. Most Web programmers don’t need to have a deep understanding of computer science to create Web and mobile apps for business and software companies. A strong foundation in Python, Ruby or PHP programming is enough of a qualification for many Web development jobs.
Low Cost
An associate’s degree can cost as little as $5,000, depending on the school and the number of semesters of enrollment. Virtually all community colleges offer Web development associate’s degrees because they are among the most popular and cost-effective degrees available. A graduate with an associate’s degree in Web design can expect to earn around $50,000 per year, with higher salaries available for candidates with experience and advanced skills. While it’s not always necessary to have a degree in Web design to find employment, an associate’s degree can prepare job seekers for a wide range of situations. It can also help to make a resume more appealing to prospective employers who may require formal expertise from their employees.
Excellent Job Prospects
The Web development industry is rapidly expanding. Jobs are available in traditional Web applications as well as mobile and wearable applications. As the technology develops and becomes more ubiquitous, Web developers will be needed to create user interfaces for Web applications for devices such as smart watches, smart glasses, smart home appliances and smartphones. Most businesses continue to require Web development services for their websites. Many companies employ in-house developers to provide those services. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Web development jobs are expected to increase by 15 percent over the next 10 years, which is much faster than average. The median annual salary for Web developers is $67,990, and the top 10 percent of earners take home over $122,000 per year.
Relevant Skills
Not only do Web developers learn useful employment skills, but they acquire computer programming skills that can give them an advantage in their everyday lives. An associate’s degree in Web development can prepare students for important tasks that can benefit their careers and personal lives. Every Web programmer should have an eye-catching personal and professional website that showcases his or her expertise in all areas of Web design. A Web development program can give students the skills to create a website and quickly build traffic that brings new opportunities their way.
Quick Completion
An associate’s degree takes only two years to complete, and it can be finished even sooner with a little extra effort. From learning to code to planning and executing a student project, the degree program is designed to be practical and streamlined for efficient completion. While most students attend classes full-time, many students choose to enroll on a part-time basis while working full- or part-time at a job. Web design courses can be taken online or in person at traditional universities or vocational schools.
Flexible Scheduling Options
Whether students choose to attend classes in person or online, the flexibility of an associate’s degree is an important factor. Community colleges are especially flexible with scheduling options because they cater to non-traditional students who often work full-time jobs during the day. Most public universities offer evening and nighttime classes as well as fully or partially online course options.
Concluding Thoughts
Learning Web design is a smart choice for anyone looking for a new career in a rapidly growing sector of the economy. When it comes to formal education, the reasons to get an associate’s degree in Web development are clear-cut and compelling.
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