Web & Digital Communications Pathway
Does your student admire different websites and blogs and remark on the design? Or express the different ways they could improve their favorite websites? Then a career in web and digital communication might be a great fit!
Web developers design and produce websites that are both visually appealing and effective communication tools. Some are freelancers, working for a variety of clients in business, nonprofits, and the arts, while others work for companies large enough to employ full-time web developers.
No matter where they work, developers need to be team players who collaborate with clients, graphic designers, and content writers to effectively convey the organization's message and brand. They must have technical knowledge of web development and usability and how to optimize website performance.
Gain real-world skills through project-based learning.
Stride Career Prep* integrates project-based learning into the curriculum so that classwork mirrors what students will be doing in the workplace. With project-based learning, there's little to memorize and repeat. Instead, students are given a real-life problem to solve and work with a team to develop a creative solution.
For example, students might be asked to produce T-shirt designs, posters, flyers, and social media graphics for an Earth Day festival. They'll also learn the technological tools today's designers need, including Adobe Illustrator.
Get certified. Get connected.
Our Web & Digital Communications Pathway Curriculum in Detail
All students take the core courses required for high school graduation in their state. The chart below shows the additional classes students take as part of the Web & Digital Communications Pathway. You can see the rest of the curriculum by viewing the full course list.
Note: Pathway courses are subject to change.
Get credentialed.
In a world where competition for jobs, pay increases, and academic success continues to increase, certifications provide a credible, third-party assessment of a student's skills and knowledge of a given subject. Students in this pathway can prepare to take these industry-recognized certification exams:**
Get ahead of the competition.
We encourage students to jumpstart the job search by helping them create a professional résumé, cover letter, and profile on Tallo, the leading professional networking platform for Gen Z. Plus, they connect virtually to business professionals and entrepreneurs through Nepris.***
Find a school near you that offers the Web & Digital Communications Pathway.
Stride Career Prep programs with the Web & Digital Communications Pathway are available at tuition-free Stride K12-powered public online schools in the following states:
ALABAMA
Alabama Destinations Career Academy
ARIZONA
ARKANSAS
CALIFORNIA
MINNSEOTA
MISSOURI
NEW MEXICO
Don't see your state? Check out the tuition-based option here in the Web & Digital Communications Pathway. There are also tuition-free options in related fields like game design.
Choose a career. Prepare for the future.
Students in this pathway can prepare for a wide variety of careers in the field of programming, including:
Web Developers and Digital Designers
Web developers design and create websites. This typically involves meeting with the client to understand their goals for the site and working with the client (and sometimes a team of writers and graphic designers) to create content for the site. They then write code to turn that content into a user-friendly website, creating the web page navigation and structure. They also integrate applications (such as payment processing platforms) into the site and work to minimize webpage load times and maximize the number of visitors who can access the site at any one time.
2021 Median Salary
$77,200
Expected Job Growth Rate for 2020–2030
Faster than average
Typical Entry-Level Education
Bachelor's degree preferred; some employers may accept commensurate experience demonstrated through a portfolio and/or give job candidates a coding challenge to complete
This data reflects the information available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook on June 30, 2022. To learn more about this occupation, visit bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/web-developers.htm.
Graphic Designer
Graphic designers work with clients to create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. They often determine the layout and develop the graphics for advertisements, brochures, magazines, and reports. While the profession is overall declining, graphic designers with strong computer skills will continue to be in demand.
2021 Median Salary
$50,710
Expected Job Growth Rate for 2020–2030
Slower than average
Typical Entry-Level Education
Bachelor's degree
This data reflects the information available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook on June 30, 2022. To learn more about this occupation, visit bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/graphic-designers.htm.
Special Effects Artists and Animators
Special effects artists and animators create two- and three-dimensional models, images that appear to move, and visual effects for television, movies, video games, and other forms of media. Some special effects artists focus on creating animated movies or video games. Others create visual effects for movies and television shows.
2021 Median Salary
$78,790
Expected Job Growth Rate for 2020–2030
Much faster than average
Typical Entry-Level Education
A bachelor's degree in computer graphics, animation, fine arts, or a related field is usually required. Employers typically prefer to hire candidates with a good portfolio and strong technical skills, both of which students may develop while earning a degree.
This data reflects the information available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook on June 30, 2022. To learn more about this occupation, visit bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/multimedia-artists-and-animators.htm.
FAQs
Do you need a college degree to get a job as a web developer?
While most web developers have at least an associate's degree, you do not absolutely need a degree to work as a web developer. Most importantly, a portfolio of work that clearly demonstrates your skill in developing and launching visually stunning, highly functional websites that serve the website owners' needs and communicate their brand.
A high-quality portfolio with many examples gives you a better chance of being hired. That's why we help our students develop a portfolio and prepare them to take certification exams in Adobe Photoshop and Adobe InDesign!
What classes should you take in high school to become a web developer?
Classes in Photoshop, InDesign, and other relevant software are essential. Creating a portfolio of work is also paramount, and if you can create work for actual employers or nonprofits, that is even better! You can seek out opportunities, paid or unpaid, to create or update websites for small nonprofits, small businesses, or even student clubs or organizations.
The Web & Digital Communication Pathway provides excellent preparation for a career in web development. Students take courses in web design and web development. We also provide test prep for the Adobe Certified Professional: Visual Design (Photoshop).
Our unique project-based learning curriculum focuses on helping students create a portfolio of work to showcase their skills to employers.
Membership in Business Professionals of America (BPA), the leading CTSO (Career and Technical Student Organization) for students pursuing careers in business, including web development, is included in this tuition-free program.*** BPA is a terrific organization for networking, résumé building (through its many competitions), and skills development. BPA's Workplace Skills Assessment Program (WSAP) allow students to develop and demonstrate their graphic design and other problem-solving skills at regional, state, and national conferences, including specific competitions dedicated to website design, computer animation, and digital communication. BPA also offers students the ability to assume leadership positions and compete for scholarships.
Learn more about course offerings in the other Stride Career Prep career fields.
*Stride Career Prep is a program for grades 9–12. Some schools offer career exploration in middle school.
**Many Microsoft®️ Office certificates can be earned after completing one course. Other certificates require more classes to be better prepared, and students who participate in the program for at least two years will have further preparation for certification testing.
***Opportunities vary by school; please visit your school page or check with your school counselor.
