Web Design Schools and Courses in Florida: Essential Information
Although there are few degree programs in web design in Florida, various technical colleges and universities in Florida offer web design instruction through certificate programs and web development programs that include web design coursework. Entry into these programs usually requires a high school diploma or GED and many involve general education courses like math, writing, and science in addition to web design classes. Some programs can lead to specialized certification in the use of certain computer programs. For students interested in getting into web development Florida has many programs from which to choose. Use the information below, including the table at the bottom, to see what the following 10 schools have to offer.
Web Design Schools in North Florida
Florida State College at Jacksonville
This state college hosts a Web development specialist technical certificate program at its North and South campuses, both located in Jacksonville. The program encompasses coursework in beginning and advanced website design, web technologies, and programming. Students learn about such topics as streaming media, security architecture, XML, and DHTML, as well as website publishing and management. Credits from this certificate program can be transferred directly to the college's associate degree program in computer information technology.
Web Designs Schools in the Panhandle
Florida State University
The Webmaster certification program at Tallahassee-based Florida State University (FSU) takes place online and requires the completion of five sequential courses. The curriculum includes instruction in web design principles, Photoshop, XHTML, web page styling, and website development. In addition, students complete a comprehensive final project. To partake in this program, students must have access to Photoshop and meet specific operating system and Internet connectivity requirements.
Before beginning work on a final project, a student must apply for certification from the university, which includes a fee, and submit a project proposal. The Webmaster Review Committee must approve the proposal before the project begins and will review the project while it is being worked on. Certification is granted once the project is complete.
Lively Technical College
The web development program at Lively Technical College in Tallahassee is a hybrid program split almost equally between online and classroom courses, allowing each student to complete the program at his or her own pace. Students complete 1,050 training hours, which include 150 hours each spent learning Web design basics and web interface design. Other web-related course topics include e-commerce, scripting, and media integration. Students take on projects throughout the program that contribute to a professional portfolio. The school's Job Placement Center offers students help in searching for employment, developing a resume, and preparing for interviews.
Web Design Schools in Central Florida
Orange Technical College - Winter Park Campus
The Web development program at this school may be completed on a full- or part-time basis at the school's main campus in Winter Park or the Avalon campus in Orlando. Students in this program receive training in website maintenance, social media marketing, and e-commerce, as well as PHP, CSS, and HTML. The curriculum additionally includes coursework in multimedia, image editing, and design principles.
Osceola Technical College
Located in Kissimmee, Osceola Technical College houses a web development program that allows students to develop the skills needed to have positions in areas such as web design, web scripting, e-commerce, and Web interface design. Students undertake coursework in Dreamweaver, HTML, content management systems, and SharePoint. Students also study how technology affects society and learn about efficient Internet usage. Graduation from this program can lead to certain certifications, such as Dreamweaver and Flash Professional.
Seminole State College of Florida
Based in Sanford, Seminole State College offers an associate degree program in digital media with a Web design specialization at its campus in Heathrow. The program includes study in digital imaging, interactive design, web publishing, and vector graphics. Students select electives from areas like programming or multimedia and fulfill general education requirements. Seminole State also houses a student-run Digital Media Club devoted to leadership and networking in the digital media industry.
St. Petersburg College
St. Petersburg College hosts a variety of Web design programs at campus locations in St. Petersburg, Seminole, and Tarpon Springs. The school's certificate program in digital media technology interactive web design and Associate in Science (AS) program in digital arts, media, and interactive web design are both available at the Seminole campus, while the web designer certificate and AS in web Site Design programs take place at the school's Midtown Center, St. Petersburg/Gibbs, Tarpon Springs, and Downtown Center locations.
In the digital media technology interactive Web design certificate program, students take classes in subjects such as digital media authoring, social media, and typography. The interactive web track of the digital arts, media, and interactive web design associate degree program also encompasses study in these topics, in addition to major courses, such as drawing, web design, and motion graphics, as well as general education classes.
In the Web designer certificate program, students undergo study in creating web pages, web graphics, JavaScript, and Flash, with the AS in web Site Design curriculum incorporating additional instruction in systems analysis, programming, and business and general education subjects. Students in this associate degree program also undertake a mandatory internship.
Web Design Schools in South Florida
Manatee Technical College
Manatee Technical College offers a Web design program at its main campus in Bradenton. The web design curriculum encompasses training in HTML and XHTML, CSS, graphic design for the web, web technologies, and multimedia. Completion of the program affords students the opportunity to gain CIW (Certified Internet Web Professional) Web Design Specialist and Site Development Associate credentials.
McFatter Technical College
McFatter Technical Center's hybrid web development program in Davie, Florida, takes just 10 months. Comprising of coursework in web design, PHP, e-commerce, and user interface design, the program includes the opportunity to acquire industry certifications like CIW JavaScript Specialist. Students also receive instruction in subjects like coding, scripting, search engine optimization (SEO), and media integration, as well as computer-related business skills. Graduates go on to become web designers, programmers, and developers.
University of Miami
If you are looking for a web design school in South Florida, the University of Miami in Coral Gables is a good bet. It hosts a web designer certificate program through the school's continuing education department. This 5-week program features web design instruction, including site publishing, layout design, web marketing, and SEO. Students complete 40 hours of coursework.
School Comparison: At a Glance
| School Name | School Type & Setting | Web Design Programs Offered | Undergraduate Tuition & Fees (2019 - 2020) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida State College at Jacksonville | 4-year, public; large city | Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design | $2,878 in-state; $9,992 out-of-state* |
| Florida State University | 4-year, public; midsize city | Graphic Design | $5,656 in-state; $18,786 out-of-state* |
| Lively Technical College | Less than 2-year, public; midsize city | Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design | $5,054* |
| Manatee Technical College | 2-year, public; large suburb | Web Design Program | $4,332* |
| McFatter Technical College | 2-year, public; large suburb | Web Development Program | $4,455* |
| Seminole State College of Florida | 4-year, public; small city | Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design | $3,131 in-state; $ 11,456 out-of-state* |
| St. Petersburg College | 4-year, public; small city | Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design | $ 2,682 in-state, $9,286 out-of-state* |
| Osceola Technical College | 2-year, public; midsize suburb | Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design | $5,819* |
| University of Miami | 4-year, private not-for-profit; large suburb | Computer Graphics | $51,930* |
| Orange Technical College - Winter Park Campus | Less than 2-year, public; large suburb | Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design | $4,200* |
Source: *NCES College Navigator
