Online Web Development Degree Programs

The various applications of the World Wide Web are limited only by human creativity. Email gave way to instant messaging and social networking. Early e-commerce led to online banking and trading. Where once it took minutes for a single picture to load onto a Web site, today you can watch TV and movies online and download DVDs. The driving force behind all of these advances? Web developers, who have fueled the Internet's explosive growth by identifying and developing new applications for the Web, as well as refining existing uses--making Internet use simpler and more seamless.

Web Development: A Profession Started by Amateurs

When the World Wide Web first emerged in the 1990's, most Web developers pursued their craft as a part-time hobby. Once companies like eBay and Amazon.com exploded onto the stock market, however, businesses opened their eyes to the need for skilled Web development professionals.

Today, a growing number of colleges and universities offer degrees and certificate programs in Web development. Students can enroll full-time to enjoy the lucrative career options that web development skills provide. Professionals from other areas of business can also benefit from a Web development degree by applying their new talents to their existing careers. An associate's degree can lead to entry-level opportunities in Web development, but as the field becomes more competitive, a bachelor's degree or higher is preferable.

Web Development as a High-tech Course of Study

Web development has grown increasingly complex over the past decade, and as a result top colleges and universities expose their students to the latest technologies and development platforms. Moving beyond basic HTML, Web development students learn how to use Java, Flash, and Sparkle to create multimedia Web presentations that work on any computer platform.

Students also learn how to integrate databases into their projects to create dynamic Web environments. The ever-evolving nature of the Internet also requires continuing education for most Web developers. In most cases this means taking certification courses offered by software and application developers as their products become available. By combining an accredited Web development degree program with independent industry certifications, Web development graduates can position themselves at the top of any prospective employer's candidate list.

Working as a Web Developer

As the World Wide Web becomes more and more ubiquitous, Web development has become an increasingly vital profession, one with a very healthy outlook. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment outlook for computer specialists in general is expected to be excellent for the next decade, with the computer job market expected to grow more than three times as fast as the job market overall.

Much of that outlook is driven by the rapid growth of the Internet, so Web developers can expect an even more promising job market. While no college degree can ensure a specific salary, Robert Half International reported 2007 salaries for Web developers in the range of $72,000 to $102,000, among the highest in the computer sciences.

• Technology & IT