Available entirely online!

fold

Certificate Program in Website Design and Development

Learn the coding, web tools and design principles you need to build dynamic, responsive websites with UMass Lowell's online web design certificate.

Get Information:

Please see our Privacy Policy.
Please see our Privacy Policy.
Image of a web design and development student sitting at his computer.
Alarm Clock Next Start Date: September 3

Online Web Design Certificate

Master the latest web technologies and skills with UMass Lowell's Website Design and Development certificate. The online web design certificate will prepare you to design and implement effective, dynamic websites. This certificate program enables you to pursue either a Web Design or Web Development track.

Earn your certificate entirely online. The courses in this program can be applied toward UMass Lowell's Associate's Degree in Information Technology or Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology.

Just 6 Courses

Just 6 Courses

hand and coin

One of the Most Affordable Tuitions in the Nation

Career Outlook

750,508
Jobs (2020)
+4.4%
% Change (2020-2021)
$87.4K/yr
Median Earnings
110,198
Annual Openings
Learn more about specific IT career paths that align with your skills and interests at Navigating a Career in Information Technology.
Source: Lightcast, 2022

One Success Leads to Another

Apply credits from lower credentials to higher ones. Our programs are designed to build upon themselves:

Web Design Track Curriculum

- Required Courses: 4
- Electives: 2

Required Courses (4 / 12cr)

Electives (Choose 2 / 6cr)

Web Development Track Curriculum

- Required Courses: 4
- Electives: 2

Required Courses (4 / 12cr)

Electives (Choose 2 / 6cr)

Note: Other INFO.xxx may be substituted as electives for the Web Development Track with prior approval from the certificate program coordinator.

Course Descriptions

GRFX.2030 Photographic Imaging (3cr)

Covers the fundamentals of image enhancement, image manipulation, scanning, digital capture and using industry-standard photo imaging software. Image preparation for a variety of media will also be explored. Formerly 70.262. 3 credits/3 contact hours.

Requirements:

Basic Computer Prof. (CSCE)

GRFX.2120 Website Design (3cr)

This course will focus on the creation of visual content for the web and will explore what constitutes a visually exciting and engaging site. Other topics that will be covered are: file formats, compression, web color strategies, and platforms standards. Formerly 70.379 3 credits/3 contact hours.

Requirements:

HTML & Photoshop (CSCE)

GRFX.3120 Advanced Website Design (3cr)

This advanced-level course is designed for students who have completed Website Design. The course will cover topics such as advanced css layout techniques, user-centered design, dynamic pages and testing. Students will have the opportunity to further develop their design and conceptualization skills. Formerly 70.384. 3 credits/3 contact hours.

Requirements:

GRFX 2120 (CSCE) Pre-req

INFO.2300 Introduction to Multimedia (3cr)

Provides participants with an overview of multimedia and its professional applications in training, education, marketing, and entertainment. Scanning images, digitizing video and audio, and exploring the design and production of interactive multimedia are the focus of this class. Includes technical/hardware considerations and production procedures pertinent to interactive multimedia.

INFO.2310 Graphics for Multimedia and the World Wide Web (3cr)

The focus of this class is on the basic components of shape, color, texture, typography, and images as they are applied to multimedia and web interface design. Other topics covered include scanning, image editing, resolution and color palettes. Students will work on projects that integrate elements such as buttons, navigation bars, and background images to communicate creative visual information. Photoshop will be used.

Notes:

Formerly Graphics for Multimedia

Requirements:

INFO.2300

INFO.2380 Website Development (3cr)

This course focuses on the design, development, and implementation of websites using available visual development tools. Each participant will design, build, and maintain their own websites. Topics covered include: basic navigational structure; page layout incorporating tables and frames; graphical design and placement; image maps; streaming audio and video; and basic website administration.

Notes:

Requires Adobe Dreamweaver software.

Requirements:

INFO.2910

INFO.2480 Website Database Implementation (3cr)

It is almost impossible to think about creating any sort of modern web site or application without the use of databases and at least a cursory knowledge of how they work. Almost everything online uses a database at some level whether it is an ultra-complex system such as Facebook or Amazon.com, a prepackaged tool such as Drupal or Wordpress, or a relatively simple site which requires a log on to gain access to some content. This course is designed to provide a straightforward but comprehensive overview of what these systems are, how they work, and how they can be incorporated into your projects.

INFO.2500 E-Commerce (3cr)

Today, e-commerce has become the platform for media and new, unique services and capabilities driven by Internet technology, including developments in security and payment systems, marketing strategies and advertising, financial applications, media distribution, business-to-business trade, and retail e-commerce. This course provides an in-depth overview of the challenges and realities behind the planning, creation and maintenance of online businesses. While this curriculum doesn't include creating an online business directly, each student will learn what options are available to entrepreneurs looking to start a business online and what challenges and pitfalls may await. Students will learn about the mobile digital platform, the emergence of cloud computing, new open source software tools.

INFO.2910 Introduction to HTML (3cr)

This course is designed to teach you how to code cutting-edge web pages using the new HTML5 tags; We will introduce you to HTML5 web forms, and explain how to use them; We'll discover how to add multimedia content and how to use the Canvas element to draw shapes complete with fills, color strokes, gradients, and more; You'll learn how to combine the powerful styling and animation capabilities of CSS3 to enhance your web pages, and work with the technologies of HTML5 to make building web applications easier than ever.

INFO.2970 Introduction to Java Programming (3cr)

This course introduces students to object oriented programming with Java(TM). Basic concepts are introduced early, with a strong focus on classes. Additional topics include event driven (Windows) programming and object-oriented design. Note that this is not an introductory course to programming - Students are expected to have a working knowledge of a least one high-level programming and/or scripting language (or equivalent experience) and basic familiarity with programming (using a text editor, etc). However, it will teach some basic programming concepts during the first few weeks. Previous programming experience required. Requires the Sun Java(TM) Development Kit.

Requirements:

Previous programming experience required; requires J2SE Development Kit (JDK) 6.0 or higher

INFO.3010 JAVA Programming (3cr)

The JAVA (TM) programming language is now being used to write distributed Internet applications. Unlike traditional languages, the JAVA (TM) language was designed to be used on a network. Thus, it contains features needed to build efficient distributed applications that employ Internet resources. Those who intend to design World Wide Web information systems that fully utilize the Internet must have a working knowledge of this vital technology. This course allows students to explore features that set JAVA (TM) apart from traditional programming languages; obtain an overview of object-oriented design as it applies to JAVA (TM); learn about the fundamental constructs of the JAVA (TM) programming language; and write, compile, and include simple JAVA (TM) Applets within the content of HTML documents.

Requirements:

INFO.2970 or INFO.2680; requires Sun Java Dev. Kit

INFO.3020 JavaScript (3cr)

An introductory course designed for the student who has mastered HTML and would like to add interactivity to his or her web sites. Topics covered include basic JavaScript programming, creating interactive forms, using frames and cookies, working with graphics and multimedia. Students will incorporate various JavaScript programs to their existing website.

Requirements:

INFO.2910 or knowledge of HTML

INFO.3050 Survey of Perl/Python/PHP (3cr)

The goal of this course is to provide an in-depth introduction to the Python programming language followed by an introduction to both the Perl and PHP. All of these languages share common functionality and are tools commonly used to solve similar problems, but each embodies a different philosophy and approach to solving those problems. After a thorough grounding in the language's basics, we'll explore their similarities, and, more importantly, their differences. By the end of the course, its' hoped, you'll have a good idea which of these tools is right for you and the kind of applications you wish to develop with them.

INFO.3060 Introduction to XML (3cr)

XML (eXtensible Markup Language) picks up where HTML leaves off. If you've studied HTML, you've learned the Web's formatting language. To structure content on the Web, you will need to learn XML. In this introductory course, you will learn basics of XML and the DTD (Document Type Definition), XSL (the style sheet for XML), and CDF (Channel Definition Format) commonly used in push technology.

Requirements:

INFO.2910

Undergraduate Certificate Requirements

Students enrolled in UMass Lowell certificate programs must complete all courses and maintain a grade point average of 2.000 or better to earn the certificate. All certificate courses must be completed within a five-year period.

Certificate Completion

Students who successfully complete the certificate program should submit a Certificate Petition Form to have their certificate mailed to them.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition at UMass Lowell is typically half the cost of private colleges, and our online tuition is among the lowest in the nation. Tuition for online programs offered through the Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies is the same whether you live in-state, out-of-state or outside of the U.S.

Fall 2025 Tuition

Cost Per Credit Cost Per 3-Credit Course*

Undergraduate

Online and On Campus $385 $1,155
*Tuition is priced on the listed credit hour unless the contact hour is different. Tuition is then based upon the listed contact hour.

Additional Costs

Cost
Term Registration Fee $30
Returned Check Fee $30

Please note: Tuition and fees are subject to change.

Tuition Calculator

Online Tuition Calculator

Estimate the cost of this program with our online tuition calculator

hand and coin

Looking for Financial Assistance?

UMass Lowell offers a variety of financial aid and scholarship options.

Apply

Applying into a Undergraduate Certificate Program

You can apply anytime. There are no deadlines. Applications are accepted throughout the year.

All applicants must submit:
  • An application
  • Official transcripts
    • Please submit official transcripts from previously attended colleges or universities. We're able to help you retrieve transcripts if needed. If you do not have previous college experience, please contact your high school's guidance office to request your transcripts be sent to us
    • If you hold a GED/HiSET, to request they send us your official transcripts please visit:
    • Applicants with foreign transcripts: Transcripts demonstrating completion of a degree require a credential evaluation from:
  • Official test scores
    • SAT or ACT scores are optional, but may be requested if you have been out of high school for less than three years. If you have not taken the SAT or ACT, please email OCE_Admissions@uml.edu to discuss alternative options

Additional Information

Students must be admitted to a degree or certificate program in order to be eligible for most financial aid.

Official transcripts can be sent to us directly from your previous institution either electronically or mailed to:

GPS Undergraduate Admissions
University of Massachusetts Lowell
839 Merrimack St., Floor 2
Lowell, MA 01854-5104

We cannot accept previously opened transcripts, photocopies, PDF email attachments or faxed transcripts.

F1 student visas are not issued for this program.

Apply Now

Questions Regarding Your Undergraduate Application?

Email OCE_Admissions@uml.edu or call 978-934-2474.

For General Assistance:

Call the Advising Center at 978-934-2474 or 800-480-3190. Our academic advisors are here to help!

Already Applied?

Check the Status of Your Application

Complete Your Online Certificate Program in Website Design and Development from an Award Winning Public University.

Apply Now Request Info