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By University HQ Staff Writers
Edited by Evelyn Keener
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University Headquarters (HQ) is an industry-leading, independent educational organization that provides independent college rankings using a proprietary formula to create first class unbiased rankings. The team at University HQ strives to provide accurate and trustworthy rankings that highlights the best programs for web development in Texas.

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What is Web Development?

Texas is one of the largest state economies in the United States. In fact, if Texas was its own country, it would rank as the world's 10th largest economy. This means it would rank ahead of countries such as Australia, Mexico, Spain, and Russia.

Much of its economic activity results from exporting, with $316 billion in exports shipping globally in 2018. Those exports are surely manufactured goods, given that the Texan economy is led by its manufacturing sector. While there's no firm breakdown on what comprises those manufactured goods, it's not a stretch to assume that much of the $237 billion in annual revenue that comes from Texan manufacturing is rooted the state's oil fields.

Oddly, the Texan mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction industry ranks 4th in the state standings. It brings the state $161 billion in annual revenues, earning the #1 position for the industry nationwide. Indeed, the #2 position in the Texan economy is the sector known as professional and business services. This sector is comprised of all sorts of industries that support Texas' businesses. This includes industries such as waste management, commercial laboratories, commercial property management, and business consulting. Collectively, these industries bring Texas a whopping $212 billion in annual revenues, taking the sector to the #3 spot nationwide.

Included in the professional and business services sector are firms that specialize in areas such as online marketing, web development, and other IT services. For that reason, the Texas legislature funds its public colleges and universities with ample funds to support web development degree programs.

Texas' web development degree departments use the public funds to seek the best web development experts from academia. They also look for adjunct instructors from their local web development communities. These professionals hold master’s web development degrees and have years of experience as web developers.

Combining academic experts in web development alongside those with practical experience is a great way to create a department. Students get access to the scholarly focus of their PhD professors, while benefiting from the practical experience from their adjunct instructors. Upon graduation, Texan students can launch careers in web development that are as rewarding as they are fun.

A web developer is a tech professional who focuses their talents on websites and web technologies. They are often lumped with web designers, but there is a difference between the two. Website designers typically only work on the front-end user interface of a website. Website developers, on the other hand, work on back-end of websites and ensure that the sites major functions, including user interactivity, work well for everyone.

Web developers may be responsible for integrating a database with a website or creating security for user data or other information. Thus, they need to know languages such as PHP, Java, Python, JavaScript, SQL, and C++, among many others. Professional web developers tend to earn certifications in their core languages so that employers know that their knowledge and skills are up to current standards.

For their work, web developers may find employment with a variety of firms. Many work for online marketing firms where they optimize their client's sites for search engine optimization. Others might be in-house developers for large corporations that need their sites constantly updated with new security measures. One popular option for many web developers is to work as independent contractors or from the safety of their own LLC. These entrepreneurial developers often work from remote locations, including overseas destinations.

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Online Web Development Education in Texas

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Online Associate Degree in Web Development (AS)

A two-year associate web development degree from a Texas community college is the perfect way to start a career. During the course of this degree, students complete the core college curriculum required of all bachelor’s degree students while receiving a good exposure to web development. For students who have studied web development coding languages on their own, this may suffice for landing an entry-level position.

An associate web development degree is smart for many reasons. Since Texas community colleges charge far less per credit hour than their four-year peers, students can graduate with an associate degree and far less debt. They can also use their degree to land a position with a firm that might have a tuition reimbursement program for those interested in completing their bachelor’s degree. Along the way, most students will appreciate having completed their core college requirements, which help them hone communication skills while imparting core cultural knowledge that can be very helpful.

National rankings - top 25 online associates in computer science

Online Bachelor's Degree in Web Development (BS)

Web developers who earn their bachelor’s web development degree find that they are fully prepared for the working world. Four-year college degrees allow students the time to tackle big problems and projects in web development. They also have more time to network with fellow web development students. Another core experience for a bachelor’s degree student is an internship. Graduates who can boast an internship are more likely to impress recruiters.

Bachelor’s degree students often have credits they can use to take courses in related subjects. Web developers could opt for a minor concentration in a field such as computer science to dive deeper into code and deeper academic research. Others might choose a concentration in marketing or some other business topic, including management. For those who aren't ready to specialize, a minor in mathematics will only enhance their coding ability while creating a solid foundation for later learning.

National rankings - top 25 online bachelors in computer science Easy college majors

Online Master's Degree in Web Development (MS)

A master’s degree is often the ticket to higher salaries, promotions, and career satisfaction. Master’s web development degrees are very useful for professionals who want to expand their knowledge of web technologies, coding languages, and cyber security. While many will say that they can learn enough on their own, academic credentials are always impressive and indicate a broader base of knowledge that can adapt to changes in technology.

Another option for web developers is to combine their master’s web development degree with an MBA. These dual-MBA programs can be a great boon, especially for web developers who are interested in rising through the ranks of corporate management. They should be prepared to stop working for the three years it takes to complete the two graduate degrees, but the end results can be amazing. Many developers choose this path before launching their own web development firm. This is also a good idea for developers who are interested in working as business consultants to E-commerce firms.

National rankings - top 25 online masters in computer science

Online PhD Degree in Web Development (PhD)

High tech is one area that rewards doctoral degrees. Web developers who are passionate about conducting high level research into the internet and all things related will enjoy their PhD programs because they will have the opportunity to explore the topics that are the most important to them. As for the job opportunities, there are sure to be many for a PhD in web development./p>

In fact, many use their doctorate to work in academia. A PhD is a de facto requirement for full-time, tenure track work in a college or university. While we often think of professors as lecturers or other classroom instructors, there are other options. For instance, many work as research faculty members. These academics attract grants to their school and conduct research that the grantor needs for their firm or project.

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Become a Web Developer in Texas

Texans who wish to become web developers are in luck. They are in one of the largest economic climates in the nation and world. One of their state's top economic drivers includes web developers, among other business services sectors. The trick is preparing for the career. Thankfully that is easier all the time. However, since there is no set track for an aspiring web developer to follow, it's imperative to understand the options.

One track that web developers follow is that of the self taught. It's possible to read books and take online courses that teach web development skills. In fact, tech savvy high school students might be advised to start out this way. Younger students may also sign up for summer camps that focus on coding and other areas of computing. There are web development bootcamps that are available for rather low cost. They might not result in any credentials, but they can teach students how to code in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, as well as other web-focused programming languages.

This informal learning can result in fun collaborations with fellow computer enthusiasts, leading to an excellent portfolio, but, in many cases, there is no substitute for a college degree. Even students with a high level of web development skill are encouraged to earn at least an associate web development degree. This degree level will provide the opportunity to dive deeper into web development while also providing instruction in writing, mathematics, and the sciences. Students aiming for community colleges or four-year institutions should ensure that their programs are fully accredited.

The minimum standard for any college degree program is a CHEA-approved regional accreditation. Most any of Texas public community colleges, or four-year institutions, should meet this standard. Students who find a web development degree program that can boast ABET approval should seriously consider these options. This is because ABET's credentials are recognized nationwide. Students who can boast a diploma from an ABET accredited degree program should have an easier time finding a job or enrolling in their dream master’s level program.

Along the way, website developers should also earn industry certifications. These additional credentials may make the difference when it comes to landing a dream job. Plus, the associations that offer certifications also require that those credentials be renewed every year or two. Thus, holding a certification indicates that not only has a candidate learned a skill or programming language, but that they've continued to maintain their expertise with continuing education courses.

Careers for Web Development Graduates

Web Developer

Website developers tend to focus their skills on the back end of websites. They ensure that sites have functioning connections to databases, that search functions work, and that all on-page technologies are supported by any browser the user has. Developers tend to work mainly in languages such as Python, PHP, Java, JavaScript, Ruby, and C++, among others.

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Web and Digital Designer

These workers are at the conjunction of art and technology. They need to have strong aptitude with programs such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and Blender, to name a few. Web designers must also know HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create the user interface for their websites. These days, web designers need to create sites that are ready for mobile devices.

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Web Content Manager

Content managers are the modern-day editors. They make sure that the websites they manage are filled with relevant, interesting content that can attract users and keep them on the sites. Content managers need to be able to decipher what relevant topics and keywords are trending so that they can assign appropriate work to the content creators.

Full-stack Developers

These web professionals can create websites from soup to nuts. That is, they can write the HTML and CSS code that support the visuals users see on a website, and they also know the back-end coding languages that keep the front-end content tied to servers and databases. Full-stack developers know the full range of web-focused coding.

Software Developer

These tech savvy workers create the software that informs much of our lives these days. This may be the applications we use for work, such as spreadsheets and word processors, but they may also work on less-visible software solutions. These days, even our cars are a veritable ecosystem of interconnected software packages. Developers create, update, and maintain these software packages.

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Game Developer

Game developers create the fun applications that are driving a multi-billion-dollar industry. Game developers may work on a project from beginning to end, conceiving a game and writing the code that makes it a reality. They need to have an artistic sensibility to create the graphics and the ability to create a game that is compelling - with enough action, storytelling, or character development to attract players.

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Computer Programmer

Though often known as software developers these days, computer programmers are tech professionals who write code for software packages. Programmers tend to specialize in two or three coding languages they can use to create certain types of software solutions. For instance, some may specialize in coding for financial applications, while others create video games.

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Information Security Analyst

Cyber security is a hot topic these days. After hackers attacked our system of elections, it seems that no one is immune to their attacks. InfoSec Analysts continually monitor their firm's cyber security protocols, software, and hardware to ensure that it's bolstered against a hacker attack. They continually research the field to ensure that their company is not left behind with dated, and vulnerable, security systems.

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  • Front-end Developers
  • UI/UX Designers
  • Management, Technical, and Scientific Consulting Services
  • Software Publisher
  • Data Processor
  • Data Hosting and Related Services Professional
  • Computer Systems Designer
  • Computer and Information Systems Manager
  • Computer Engineer
  • Computer User Support Specialist
  • Computer Systems Analyst
  • Computer Network Architect
  • Computer and Information Systems Manager or Administrator
  • Database Administrator
  • Graphic Designer
  • Applications Developer
  • Multimedia Programmer
  • SEO Specialist or Manager
  • UX Researcher
  • IT Project Manager
  • Software Tester
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