Certified Web Designer

The Certified Web Designer Program, a concentration within the Associate of Applied Science in Administration Technology degree offered at Venango College, prepares students for a wide range of information technology opportunities. Students complete general education and business courses at Venango College and the technical component of the degree through CS Technologies Plus, a licensed and certified technical provider located in nearby Seneca, Pa. Graduates of the Certified Web Designer program receive an associate's (AAS-AT) degree from Clarion University.

CIW Associate Design Specialist Certification 

Students will learn the basics of web design along with today's web creation tools, such as XHTML coding, image editing, validation, CSS, GUI editors, server-side and client-side languages, e-commerce models, and much more. The CIW program is the world's fastest growing vendor-neutral Internet certification for the knowledge economy.

CIW is more than a certification or a curriculum publisher, it's a web technology standard adopted by academic institutions, governments, and businesses worldwide. CIW includes applications and competencies, but our core curriculum focuses on the foundational standards that sustain the infrastructure of IT—web design, security, administration, networking, databases, and enterprises.

To become a CIW Associate Design Specialist, the candidates must pass the Site Development Foundations exam and the Site Designer exam.  Students will be prepared for these certification examinations by taking Site Development Foundations, Site Design I, and Site Design II within our Certified Web Designer Program.

CIW Security Essentials Certification

CIW Security Essentials professionals know how to establish and implement an effective security policy, identify security threats, and develop countermeasures using firewall systems and attack-recognition technologies. These professionals understand authentication procedures, encryption standards, system ports and protocols, and how to detect and respond to unauthorized access.

Security Essentials certification is valuable for individuals working in fields such as IT, network development, and network security. To become a security essentials professional, the candidate must pass the required CIW examination.  Students will be prepared for this certification examination by taking our Website Security course during their fourth semester.

Adobe Certification Programs

In an increasingly competitive world, students and instructors need to be more than familiar users of digital communications technology to be successful. Certification can help provide added credentials for instructors as well as open new opportunities for students in the 21 century.  Each associate-level certification exam will correspond to a particular Adobe application used for digital communication. Students will take Adobe Photoshop I & II, as well as Introduction to Flash/Fireworks and the Dreamweaver course within our Certified Web Designer Program.

Adobe offers multiple options for students to validate your digital media skills by becoming an Adobe Certified Associate (ACA). Certification exams will be available to students in the following areas:

• Web Communication using Adobe® Dreamweaver®

• Rich Media Communication using Adobe Flash®

• Visual Communication using Adobe Photoshop®

Benefits of Becoming a Certified Web Designer

Upon completion of this program, and after passing the certification examinations, students will be well-positioned to apply for jobs as a web designer or Internet security professional and positions where digital media skills are important. Employers recognize the value of an associate's degree coupled with industry-level certifications, giving graduates of this program a competitive edge over other job-seekers. Graduates of this program will also be prepared to start their own business developing web sites for companies and individuals.

What Does a Web Designer Do?

Web Designers may perform the following tasks:

• talk with clients and discuss ideas to get a clear understanding of their requirements

• develop website content

• manage the image and copyrights of the company on the Internet

• decide on the design aspects of the website, such as how to use graphics, links and forms

• make sure that text and graphic elements mesh together as a cohesive, eye-catching work

• develop custom programs to extend the functionality of websites

• talk with writers, designers, system administrators and other IT staff to make sure the website will fulfill its purpose

• maintain or update the website once it is completed by adding new content, illustrations or features

• coordinate designers, writers, and others to help maintain the website.

Web Designers should have...

• a creative and technical aptitude

• good communication skills

• an ability to work as part of a team

• a commitment to embracing new technologies and upgrading skills

Business Owners and Employers

This program can be customized to meet your training needs.

Call 814-676-6591, ext. 1275  for details.

Suggested 2-Year Program Guide (PDF)