years of inspiring online art/design education
Undergraduate Certificate in Web Design
Undergraduate Certificate in Web Design
NEXT CLASS:
April 24, 2023
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PROGRAM OVERVIEW
About This Program
The Sessions College Undergraduate Certificate in Web Design provides a foundation in visual design and coding for the Web. Students gain an understanding of the fundamentals of digital imaging, color, and typography and how to implement them using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Students learn graphic design and coding skills practiced by front end designers, applying them to projects to develop the concepts, layouts, images, and code for responsive websites.
I think the biggest thing, for me, is the ability to be flexible in the battle between work, life, and education. Being able to maintain my current work schedule and attend classes without having to make changes to either is perfect for me. There is no need to feel that I cannot further my career and fulfill my dreams because classes are only available during days/times that I am at my job.
Student Work By: Mey Chao, Kyle Hogan
Program Benefits
Advance Your Creative Career
Advance your creative career in a focused 2-semester program.
By Creatives, For Creatives
Collaborate with a community of creative learners and industry professionals.
Enhance Your Portfolio
Enhance your portfolio with creative projects that put you through your paces.
Structure and Flexibility
Weekly deadlines keep you on track, but with no set login times you can build your studies around your schedule.
Education You Can Afford
Affordable programs with low per credit tuition, and financial aid available for those who qualify.
Open Enrollment Program
Open enrollment with a convenient application process.
Studying Online at Sessions
Founded in 1997, Sessions College has delivered accredited and affordable fully online programs for creative professionals for more than 20 years. Take a virtual college tour in this video!
The Curriculum
The Undergraduate Certificate in Web Design is a 24-credit program completed in two semesters. Part-time schedules are available.
- DES 121 Photoshop I - 3 credits
- WEB 101 HTML and CSS I - 3 credits
- DES 141 Illustrator I - 3 credits
- DES 104 Color Theory - 1.5 credits
- DES 101 Typography I - 1.5 credits
- WEB 213 Bootstrap Using Dreamweaver I - 3 credits
- WEB 205 Javascript For Designers I - 3 credits
- DES 105 Design and Composition - 1.5 credits
- WEB 232 Web Typography - 1.5 credits
- WEB 207 Internet Marketing - 3 credits
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
The program builds a foundation for entry-level Web design work or further study. All credits can be later transferred into the Associate in Web Design degree program.
DES 121 Photoshop I - 3 credits
Get a thorough grounding in Adobe Photoshop, the premiere image manipulation tool for print design, Web design, and photography. You’ll learn to choose and use the best techniques for common Photoshop jobs including selecting and isolating objects, creating image composites, masking and vignetting images, setting typography, and improving images with retouching and effects. Every designer must tame this creative powerhouse of a program.
WEB 101 HTML and CSS I - 3 credits
To create Web pages, a Web designer must have a foundation in HTML and CSS. This course begins with the basics of HTML markup and specifications for standards-compliant Web pages. CSS scripting is examined as a method for positioning page elements and styling typography. Cutting-edge features of HTML5 and CSS3 are also introduced. The emphasis is on the contemporary use of markup and scripting to create effective and attractive Web sites.
DES 141 Illustrator I - 3 credits
Build a working knowledge of Adobe Illustrator, the graphic designer’s vector program of choice. Course projects explore selection tools, drawing tools, layers, the Pen tool, transformations/distortions, type tools, and modifying paths and shapes. Tapping the power of vector software allows you to produce detailed and scalable art for almost any application.
DES 104 Color Theory - 1.5 credits
Focus on developing appropriate color systems for graphic design projects. Projects explore the principles, terminology, and applications of color theory, with an emphasis on manipulating color. A working knowledge of the expression and perception of color, and color interaction, lends credibility and sophistication to a designer’s work.
DES 101 Typography I - 1.5 credits
Explore the critical role of typography in graphic design. Course projects build an understanding of the anatomy of the letterform, the distinguishing features of different typefaces, and creative applications of type. An assured grasp of typography is essential in any visual communication project.
WEB 213 Bootstrap Using Dreamweaver I - 3 credits
Bootstrap provides a framework of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to speed up your site development. Working with an expert instructor, you'll learn how to build responsive, mobile-first web sites using Bootstrap 4 and Dreamweaver, Adobe's HTML editor. This course will show you how to design web sites by using CSS to structure and design layouts, ensuring that your designs work on a range of platforms and devices.
WEB 205 Javascript for Designers I - 3 credits
Learn the fundamentals of JavaScript, the programming language that allows you to make things happen when a user interacts with your website. You will learn how to create clean, valid code as you create programs that respond to various kinds of user interaction. Assignments include a range of projects: interactive dialogue boxes, a trivia quiz, a rainbow color picker, a sortable database, and more.
WEB 232 Web Typography - 1.5 credits
Learn how to enhance your Web designs with the latest techniques for styling, typesetting, and embellishing text. Get up to speed on the latest in Web font options and how to use CSS font stacks. You’ll take your fonts into the grid, studying a mix of classic and cutting edge techniques to ensure on-screen readability and effective vertical rhythm, and learn how to retain viewer attention by embellishing text with CSS3 effects and building typography-driven information graphics.
DES 105 Design and Composition - 1.5 credits
Discover the principles of effective composition in layout design and advertising. Composition, literally the assembly of elements, the artful arrangement that guides the eye and unifies a design work. Case studies and hands-on projects address closed/open space, negative space, movement, and more.
WEB 207 Internet Marketing - 3 credits
Learn practical skills for growing your business on the Web. Studying with an Internet marketing pro, you’ll learn how to develop an entire marketing plan for your online business. Course projects will include target audience analysis, developing a site plan, creating a content development strategy, planning email marketing campaigns, optimizing for search engines, building a Facebook fan page, planning a social media crisis strategy, designing a landing page for an ad, and using site metrics.
OUTCOMES
Program Outcomes
By completing the program, Undergraduate Certificate in Web Design students develop the following competencies:
1. Web Coding / Design
Layout and design responsive websites using standards-compliant HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code, and adapting modern frameworks such as Bootstrap.
2. Technology
Create images and design layouts by effectively and efficiently using design software including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and other industry technologies.
3. Art/Design Principles
Demonstrate the ability to produce visually compelling work by applying knowledge of color, typography, and composition.
4. Web Publishing
Publish sites to the Web, validating and troubleshooting sites to fix errors or cross-browser issues with a knowledge of accessibility best practices.
5. Marketing
Implement basic techniques for marketing web sites, including SEO, search advertising, and email marketing.
Sessions Student Work
Student Work
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What Our Students Say
FACULTY
Dr. Taz Tally
is an industry-leading expert in digital imaging and pre-press techniques.
Piper Nilsson
is a graphic/Web designer and award-winning instructor.
VIEW ALL PROGRAM FACULTY
Get expert feedback in classes taught by our industry-leading faculty.
| Instructor | Biography | Degree(s) Earned |
|---|---|---|
 |
Kristen Becker is an educator and a graphic and business designer specializing in e-commerce. With over 12 years of experience as an award-winning educator, Kristen has developed curriculum and taught courses in graphic design, multimedia, and e-commerce/marketing. |
|
 |
Piper Nilsson is a graphic/Web designer and educator. Piper has been working with the Web since 1997, working in various roles as a designer, programmer, and information architect, Piper blueprinted sites for such global clients as MetLife, Pepsi, ETS, and Citibank. |
|
 |
Dr. Taz Tally is the president of Taz Tally Seminars and Taz Tally Photography and author of numerous graphics and print production books and instructional videos, CDs, DVDs and online training courses on scanning, prepress and printing, Photoshop, and color correction. |
|
View all faculty.
GETTING STARTED
Our online application process makes getting started easy, fast, and convenient.
What's the Admissions Process?
Open Admissions.
Students entering the Undergraduate Certificate program are expected to have earned a high school diploma, GED, or state-approved home school equivalent. Any students under 18 years of age will need to provide the signed permission of a parent or guardian.
Classes start in January, April, and August, with early start options in February, June, and October. Our online application is simple and convenient, and there is no application fee.
How Long is the Program?
Two Semester Program.
The Undergraduate Certificate program is a 2-semester, 24 credit program. Students can graduate in under eight months and part-time schedules are available.
Will the Program Fit My Schedule?
Weekly deadlines help you stay on track. And with no set login times, you can build your studies around your schedule, wherever you are located. Many of our students complete their programs while working part-time or full-time.
What Software or Supplies Do I Need?
To take this program, you’ll need the following:
- Mac or Windows computer with an Internet connection.
- Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Dreamweaver CC.
- Your computer must meet software manufacturer requirements.
- A Web hosting account with an ad-free hosting service.
- Webcam, headphones or speaker, VPN connection, and microphone connected to the computer for live proctored exams.
There are no textbook or course material costs to participate in this online program. Student discount on Adobe Creative Cloud software is available to enrolled students.
What are the Program Costs?
The tuition and fees for Undergraduate Certificate students are as follows:
| Undergraduate Certificate Tuition |
|---|
| $510 per credit |
| $6,120 per semester |
| $12,240 total program tuition |
A $200 registration fee is required to process your enrollment in the program. Registration fees are nonrefundable after 5 days from the scheduled beginning of program orientation. (Active service members are exempt from registration fees.) See Undergraduate Certificate Admissions.
Is Financial Aid Available?
Federal Student Aid. Federal student aid is available to students who qualify. If you are eligible, you may be able to fund your program using Pell Grants and Federal student loans. Check out our Financial Aid Information pages and ask to set up an interview with our Financial Aid Director.
Military Student Aid. Military servicemembers and their families who are eligible for GI Bill Education Benefits or active service member Tuition Assistance (TA) may also be able to utilize these programs to pay for their education.
Get Started Today
Take the first step on a rewarding creative journey towards earning an Undergraduate Certificate in Web Design.
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