General Discussions

**dcifanatic05** · 11-14-2007, 09:46 AM

I'm a student studying Computer Information Systems, but I want a program that offers a greater focus on web design AND development. I've been trying to find out what schools are best so that I can transfer, but I'm not really sure which ones are the best.

What schools are best? Where did you go? Or if you didn't go to school for web design/development, what did you do instead?

Thanks

**hamesy** · 11-14-2007, 09:48 AM

I went to a local college/uni. You will find that you don't have to change "programs". Check out www.w3schools.com.

**CSS4Life** · 11-14-2007, 11:33 AM

I went to my local high school and I'm at college now. I'm doing a general computer course there.

I also recommend using W3Schools.com and learning things on your own unless there is a good, nearby web design course. Just try learning a bit a day and read a number of books too.

**angele803** · 11-14-2007, 11:41 AM

If you are in the US, you will probably have a hard time finding a school that offers a web development or web design degree. It is still such a new field that most universities don't have specific programs for web design/development. (Although most Universities will have "baby" web design classes - such as "intro to web design", "intro to HTML", "Illustrator/Photoshop for non Art majors" etc.)
Another reason Universities don't offer degrees like this is because many of them consider web design/development a "tech skill" and leave the vo-techs/technology centers to teach these type of courses.

My advice - stick with your CIS degree, try to take some "baby" web design electives if you can find them, take some extra classes at a tech center, and learn all you can on your own.

**dcifanatic05** · 11-14-2007, 12:15 PM

I am currently looking at Web Design and Interactive Media at Art Institute Pittsburgh as well as Web Design and Development at Full Sail. Any comments or opinions?

Art Institute
http://www.artinstitutes.edu/pittsbu...il.asp?PID=234

Full Sail
http://www.fullsail.com/web-design/program/index.html

**bsteel** · 11-14-2007, 12:41 PM

Self taught - over 8 years. Nothing beats just DOING it.

**Tom_M** · 11-14-2007, 09:25 PM

Don'r forget about Sessions.edu or Lynda.com.

I can't say anything about the two schools you mentioned other than I will be attending the Art Institute of Pittsburgh in January. Good luck on your decision. It is definitely a hard one.

**NullPointer** · 11-14-2007, 09:39 PM

My advice is to get a general comp sci degree rather than a degree in design and development. Most likely you'll pick up the skills you need along the way and you will be better qualified and have better fallbacks in my opinion.