Hello everyone.

After teaching myself html and css (starting php), i have found that i really like making websites. Im considering going back to school to properly educate myslef and gain the accreditation that can land me a job in the field.

However the couple of colleges i have looked at do not seem to offer anything that is as...specialized...as id hoped for. The closest thing i found was an associates degree for web dev and admin.

What is the typical course of study in a college setting for someone who wants to become a web dev? What are the alternatives to college?

Thanks

Well in my opinion "Since you asked" Right now I'd click this link http://www.w3schools.com/default.asp bookmark it and spend few a hours everyday just like you were you were in the class room.


BTW: Here you can learn for free

It is the best set of Tutorials I have found. "There could be one better somewhere" If anybody knows of it please post it here for ctbinccp and I


BUT If you just want to pay to learn: http://www.learnkey.com/

i have found that i really like making websites.

I hear Ya ME Too. "I try learning something new everyday"

Its all about connections IMO

If you're going back to school, you might as well get a full-blown computer science education, though web development skills are difficult to obtain formally. Web technology is still moving very quickly, so it is difficult to get proper training from any accredited source. You will always need a significant amount of self education as well as on the job training in this profession.

If you don't have time for school, teach yourself as much as you can, then try to get a low-paying job. My first job was for only $10 per hour, but I moved up very quickly, and the experience of working with other people was very valuable.

Since you already know html and css and some php, get a job NOW. This is the best way to learn. I was a graphic designer, then went to school for database administration. I became more interested in developing websites after that and just went and got a low paying job with a local open source web shop and worked my way up, learning more everyday.

Thanks everyone, this kind of affirms what i beleived which is there is really not a standard college degree focused soley on this proffession and that most of the knowledge comes from self training and on the job expereince.

I will keep teaching myself and may eventually take up a college major related to computers again.

As silly as it sounds i feel like what im looking for does not exsist...a formal "specialized" education that is seen in the same light as a college degree. It seems like colleges offer very general computer related majors. I was a CS major and changed to business with the intention of becomming a business and IT dual major. In any case i hated comp sci as a major, i really dislike standard programming but very much enjoy web development.

Id love to learn sql, php, asp.net, java script, XML/XHTML (if its really that different from HTML), etc.

While i know HTML fairly well and CSS decently...i would not consider my know how to be at a professional level, nor do i beleive i could make a functional and good looking site from the ground up.

Thanks guys, any more info would be great.

I agree with Wayfarer. If you go back to school, do a data base programming degree, or somthing that will open up more doors. There is a lot of maney in heavy programming.

If you are determined to pursue web development specifically, start building websites. While you look for a job, practice your skills building your own sites. Program a unique site with some cool functionality, you might even find you can make some money out of it, or build a community on it, or sell it later down the track.

If you are dedicated you will find all the resources, conmpanions, teachers and critics you need, right here for free on the www.