Web Design Degree Programs in New Mexico

There are a number of web design degree programs in New Mexico that will work to equip students with the knowledge and expertise to create and maintain web presences for individuals and firms. Finding which program is best may be something of a challenge; the information below seeks to help with conquering it.

Doña Ana Community College

Technical & Industrial Studies Division

Doña Ana Community College hosts a Technical & Industrial Studies Division that offers dozens of programs in three departments: Digital Imaging & Design Technologies, Technical Studies and Industrial Technology. The first offers six degrees at the associate level (Architectural Technology, Civil/Survey Technology, Mechanical Drafting & Solid Modeling, Pre-Architecture, Creative Media Technology and Digital Graphics Technology) and thirteen certificate programs (Architectural Technology, Civil/Survey Technology, Creative Media, Digital Audio, Digital Graphics Technology, Digital Video, Drafting & Graphics Technology, Film Crew Training, Game Design, Graphics and Animation, Geographic Information Systems, Mechanical Drafting & Solid Modeling and Web Design), equipping students for the workplace in a number of fields.

Web Design (Certificate of Completion)

The College offers a Certificate of Completion in Web Design meant to equip students to plan, design and diagnose and repair problems with websites. The program requires 25 credits of coursework (in addition to any developmental or remedial general education courses that may be needed for admission into the program). Required course distribution includes Web Design I and II, Image Processing I and II, Animation, Principles of Media Design, Career Readiness Certification Preparation and either Web Design for Small Business or Advanced Web Techniques. Required also is one course from among the following: Computer Illustration, Digital Video Editing I and II, Print Media II, Advanced Computer Illustration, Image Processing II, Advanced Graphics for Digital Media, Advanced 3D Animation Workshop A, Operating Systems Linux/Unix, Advanced Operating Systems: Admin, Programming for the Web, Web Page Programming Support, Database Application & Design, or another approved elective.

Accreditations

  • The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA HLC)

Contact
2800 N. Sonoma Ranch Blvd.
Las Cruces, NM 88011
Phone: (575) 528-7310
Email: aosborne@nmsu.edu
Website: http://dabcc.nmsu.edu/tis/cmtech/index.html#web

Santa Fe University of Art and Design

Graphic Design and Digital Arts

The Santa Fe University of Art and Design hosts a department of Graphic Design and Digital Arts that offers three baccalaureate degrees: a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Arts, Animation, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Arts, Illustration. The focus of each degree is on applied studio work rather than the theory- and lecture-based coursework typical to a Bachelor of Arts degree. Emphasis is on meeting the needs of twenty-first century people and businesses, with abundant internships and an extensive professional network available.

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design

The University offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design meant to instill in students an appreciation for graphic design as both art and profession. Two specializations are available; Web Design and Motion Graphics. Both require 120 hours of coursework, including 36 in liberal arts core classes, 60 in the major, 8 in the specialization, 12 in prescribed electives and 4 in open electives. Major courses include History of World Art I and II, Freshman Studio I and II, Digital Image-Making, Graphic Design I through IV, Typography I and II, Business Practices and Portfolio Prep for Designers, Senior Design Studio/BFA Thesis and an internship. Specialization in Web Design requires Web Design I and II; Motion Graphics requires Motion Graphics I and II. Anticipated costs for the degree include more than $78,000 in tuition and fees, $2,100 in books and supplies, and $38,00 in room and board for residential students.

Accreditations

  • The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA HLC)

Contact
1600 Saint Michael’s Drive
Santa Fe, NM 87505
Phone: (505) 424-5221
Email: david.grey@santafeuniversity.edu
Website: http://santafeuniversity.edu/academics/graphic-design-and-digital-arts/degrees/bachelor-of-fine-arts-in-graphic-design/

The University of New Mexico

Division of Extended Learning

Formed from the University of New Mexico’s Extended University and Continuing Education in 2013, the Division of Extended Learning offers credit-bearing and non-credit lifelong learning classes to students and the broader community of New Mexico, as it has for more than 80 years. Broad areas of instruction include Business & Technology and Personal Enrichment; the former emphasizes professional knowledge and skills, the latter, cultural background knowledge and community outreach. Enrollment is generally open to those ages 18 and older; some youth programs are on offer, and permission may be attained for minors to enroll in adult classes.

Multimedia Certificates

The Division offers three multimedia certificates: Multimedia Level One, Multimedia Level Two and Instructional Media Developer. Each should take students one to two semesters to complete, and each combines training in print, online and video media. Multimedia Level One requires Graphic Design and Visual Communication, Typography, Designing for the Web, either History of Graphic Design or History of Photography, either Drawing to Illustration Basics or Storyboarding, Writing Creative Copy for Print and Web Media, Find and Use Online Media, Legal Issues in Digital Arts, Computer Graphics: An Introduction, Photoshop: Beginning, Color Management and Calibration, Principles of Motion Graphics, Digital Audio: An Introduction, Creating and Maintaining a Website: An Introduction, HTML: Beginning, Dreamweaver: Beginning, Content Management Systems for Websites, a prescribed elective and classes in one of three concentrations: Design, Photography or Video. Multimedia Level Two builds on Level One, and Instructional Media Developer combines the two in the interests of promoting effective online teaching.

Web Design & Development Certificates

The Division also offers four web design and development certificates: Web Design Basics, Web Design Levels One and Two and Web Developer. Each should take students one or two semesters to complete. The Basics certificate requires Graphic Design and Visual Communication, Computer Graphics: An Introduction, Photoshop: Beginning, Creating and Maintaining a Website: An Introduction, HTML: Beginning, Dreamweaver: Beginning and Intermediate and Content Management Systems for Websites. Level One adds Typography, Designing for the Web, either History of Graphic Design or History of Photography, either Drawing to Illustration Basics or Storyboarding, Writing Creative Copy for Print and Web Media, Find and Use Online Media, Legal Issues in Digital Arts, Illustrator: Beginning and HTML and CSS. Level Two builds upon Level One, offering concentrations in design and development. The Developer certificate focuses on higher-level, deeper structural concerns of web design, incorporating classes in JavaScript and other programming languages.

Accreditations
The University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Its current ten-year accreditation period began in 2009.

Contact
1634 University Blvd. NE
Albuquerque, NM 87131
Phone: (505) 277-6037
Email: digitalarts@unm.edu
Websites

Finding a good fit for professional goals and future development while remaining in one area can be difficult; local concerns must be balanced against program rigor and prospects for employment after the programs are done. The information about web design degree programs in New Mexico above should help to make finding that best fit easier.

Related Resource: If I Have a Web Design Degree, What Are Some Other Opportunities Besides Building Websites?