CSS is the foundation of a visually appealing website.

There was a time when web sites didn't have to look great-- They were often designed by programmers with little or not design skill. People were forgiving of poor designs. 

Now, that has all changed. People expect your web site to not only be functional, but to look great.  CSS will give you the ability to completely style your webpage to catch the attention of your audience.

Where do you learn to style your webpage with CSS and impress your audience?

That’s what we’re here to talk about...

FACT: Strong CSS skills are what separate legit web developers from the hacks.

(...and CSS is an important part of web and mobile developers’ daily work)

We get the question all the time: I learned HTML, now what?

We don’t have to sell you on the idea of becoming a developer. If you’re you here, you already know it’s one of the most lucrative (and fastest growing) career tracks out there. It’s CSS that allows you to set yourself apart from other web and mobile developers. CSS developers:

• Create the styling for content display for websites, mobile sites, and many mobile applications
• Arrange content to optimize user experience
• Combine CSS skills with other digital skillsets to excel at web and mobile development

In other other words, CSS skills are critical to all developers. CSS is essential to almost any development process.

That’s why businesses, design studios, development shops, and other organizations need developers well versed in CSS.

But there’s a problem. Most people who learned CSS learned it in school 12 years ago and have no idea that they’re doing.

That’s where YOU can separate yourself from the pack.

As a Certified CSS Specialist, you are qualified to write, maintain, and edit CSS documents. You'll be able to help development teams make content appealing and use CSS as an important piece of being a strong developer.

In this certification program you will learn:

• How to create and write proper CSS code and link it to your website
• How CSS works and how to select certain elements on your page
• How to change the colors, fonts, and background on your website
• How to select the most efficient tools and environments for CSS
• IDs and Classes, which link elements to CSS code
• How to use the box model to achieve the best spacing for your content
• How to use CSS Animations and Transitions to get the user’s attention
• Strategic usage of CSS comments to document your code
• How to place the content on your screen in the way you want
• How to create list based content using ordered lists, unordered lists, and custom list bullets for custom branding
• How to make your website look the way you want on all devices
• A simple way to create a beautiful CSS Dropdown Menu
• How to cleverly make elements scalable when the screen size changes
• How to use the hexadecimal color system and apply hexadecimal colors to elements in your CSS
• How to use emulators to test your site on a variety of screen sizes
• New features of CSS3
• Hands on experience through lab exercises each chapter

In summary, certified CSS specialists are experts who are able to correctly construct CSS documents that can take any application to the next level. They are able to understand how CSS fits into the larger context of web and mobile development and work in serious development environments.

So, if you're interested in starting on the path to professional development:

What's Stopping You?  (and... Exactly Why You Might Want to Get Certified)

Honestly, anyone can claim they know CSS. So how do you separate the talkers from those who are true experts?

Technical skill verification is a huge problem...

We had the same issue here at LearnToProgram. Even though we primarily teach development, we also use development skills everyday on our own digital, online content and apps.

We’re teachers first, but we’re also developers.

We hire people with CSS and other web and mobile development skills to be part of our team... which is why we know it’s tough to find truly skilled people who know what they say they know.

That’s why we created not just another CSS course, but the CSS Specialist Designation.

We built this curriculum so that you can provide verification of your expertise. Anyone can claim to know CSS, but as a certified CSS expert, you have the designation and the skills to prove it.

How Does the Program Work?

First: Complete the Course

Each of the certification courses includes 5 to 10 hours of video training. Each course also includes lab exercises to help you retain the information in the video lectures. The courses feature study guides, practice questions, and activities, all with one goal: to help you learn new coding skills in CSS.

The courses are designed to be completed in a few days, if significant time is invested. However, you may spread the work out for as long as you’d like. There are no calendars or limits on individual courses. Simply work with the course until you’re confident that you’ve mastered the material.

Next: Pass the Exam

Once you complete the course, you'll be eligible to sit for the exam. The exam is composed of fifty multiple choice questions with a minimum passing score of 80%. The exam isn’t designed to be difficult, but to verify that you retained the information in the course. You have up to an hour to complete the exam. However, most people complete the exam much more quickly. If you don’t pass the exam the first time you take it, you may sit for the exam again.

When you pass the exam and complete the class, you’ll have earned your certification as a CSS specialist. Congratulations!

Receive Your Certificate and Badge

Now that you’re certified, you’ll receive your printable, full color digital certificate. Your certificate includes a link to a digital transcript page which will serve as verification of your achievement. You can place the badge on your personal website, portfolio, or resume. You also can automatically place the badge on your LinkedIn page.

Many individuals who receive these certifications place them in their email signature and other highly visible digital real estate to set them apart from other developers.

Who should get certified?

• Graphic and Digital Designers
• Startup Employees
• Marketing Designers
• Content Specialists
• Agency Personnel
• Students who want to be more Employable

...Anyone else who wants this critical skillset and proof of expertise

Why Should You Be Certified?

If you’re interested in pursuing a career in development, then the CSS specialist designation is the place to continue your path. Almost every digital development project involves some level of CSS, and experts are in demand. If you’re a business owner, this certification course is a great way to learn what you need to know to style your own website. It’s also a great way to train the members of your team who work with your web site to ensure that they’re using the latest and best CSS practices. If you’re an agency or freelancer, the CSS specialist designation is a great way to validate your skills — and even justify a rate increase. If you’re a student, the CSS specialist designation separates you from other graduates and verifies that you possess specialized technical skills that all employers are seeking.

The CSS Specialist designation is tangible proof of your mastery of the critical CSS skillset and will drive up your value regardless of the environment in which you work.