Web Development

Web development is the basic foundation for creating Web sites. This fast-growing industry covers a broad range of activities relating to web development, including web design, web content development, e-commerce business development, client-side/server-side scripting and web server configuration. However, there is less emphasis on the design aspect of web development and more focus on writing markup and coding. Web development can involve everything from developing pages with plain text to creating web-based applications and social network services.

The great thing about web development and other web-based programs is that students can earn their degrees online through distance education. Web development is solely web oriented, so distance courses translate well when taught online. Students interested in web development programs will learn how to develop, design and publish professional Web sites by using industry-standard software. Some of the courses you can expect to take include: Web page design, database design and development, advanced interactive authoring and design, interactive scripting and image editing. These courses will focus on existing and emerging web development technologies, as well as web markup languages, server-side backend databases, server-side programming, web services and enterprise web development and web applications.

There are many career avenues for graduates in web development, such as a webmaster, who is in charge of making Web sites and doing all of the coding for each one. Essentially, they convert words and art into Web sites through careful coding that people can use. They also oversee the daily production of sites by testing them, fixing any problems and updating information, as well as arranging the site for all computers to see the information clearly. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for webmasters are expected to grow exponentially every year. The reason for the rapid growth is that more companies are using the Internet to do business and webmasters assist in sharing information on the Web. People with the latest skills in web development will have greater job opportunities. Applicants must be proficient in HTML and other extensions, browser compatibility problems and Common Gateway Interface scripting devices such as Java and UNIX. The more technical experience webmasters have, the better the job opportunities and salary. Network systems and data communication analysts, a group which includes webmasters, earned a median annual salary between $49,510 and $82,630 in 2006. In this rapidly growing industry, other than creativity and basic technical skills, there are no rigid standards or training requirements set for webmasters. According to The Princeton Review, on-the-job learning is vital for webmasters to keep up with the ever-changing ways of the Web. The web development skills you learn in school could be outdated when you graduate.