College of Communication and Information
School of Emerging Media and Technology
www.kent.edu/emat

About This Program

With a Web Design and Development minor, you’ll learn fundamental skills in the growing areas of web development, programming, design and related fields. Coursework is focused on developing skills in coding languages, as well as an understanding of how the areas of content, visual design and user experience work together to develop effective websites and applications. Read more...

Contact Information

• School Director: Michael Beam | emat@kent.edu | 330-672-9105
• Speak with an Advisor

Fully Offered

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Admission Requirements

Admission to a minor is open to students declared in a bachelor’s degree, the A.A.B. or A.A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree (not Individualized Program major). Students declared only in the A.A. or A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree in Individualized Program may not declare a minor. Students may not pursue a minor and a major in the same discipline.

Program Requirements

Graduation Requirements

• Minimum 6 credit hours in the minor must be upper-division coursework (30000 and 40000 level).
• Minimum 6 credit hours in the minor must be outside of the course requirements for any major or other minor the student is pursuing.
• Minimum 50 percent of the total credit hours for the minor must be taken at Kent State (in residence).

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Demonstrate competency in the fundamental skills needed to pursue jobs in web development, web programming, web design and related fields.
2. Recognize the rapidly changing nature of web development technology and learn the skills needed to adapt.
3. Assess the societal and individual impact of new/emerging web and mobile technologies.
4. Employ teamwork as a means of solving technical problems related to web development.

Full Description

The Web Design and Development minor allows students to develop the fundamental skills needed to pursue jobs in web development, web design and related fields. Students learn technical applications and skills in problem solving, design, user experience, creative applications and coding. Students have the opportunity to use new and emerging technologies to design engaging multimedia experiences, improve existing systems, and study digital social structures. They will also gain experience working in diverse teams and communicating goals, needs, and processes to peers, clients, and consumers. 

Web developers are software engineers who understand not only the full technological "stack" that powers modern websites, but who are also conversant in and able to make connections between the design, content and business aspects of web development. Web developers work with content providers, visual designers, and user experience designers. They are coders who use languages such as HTML, CSS, Python, Javascript, MySQL, PHP as well as frameworks used in web development such as Ruby or React. Web developers are also familiar with Content Management Systems, used to ensure that content and services can be delivered to end users.  Please see the Web Programming minor offered by the Department of Computer Science in the College of Arts & Sciences for a distinct program with greater emphasis on back-end programming and database management.