Learning Objective: By the end of this course you will know how to quickly code, style, and build custom WordPress themes. You will also gain a foundational understanding of PHP and its usage in WordPress.

Meet your teachers and learn more about this course by attending our upcoming open house.

The WordPress Track is suitable for both beginning and intermediate developers. It lasts from 3 to 5 weeks and meets twice each week. Weekend, evening, and afternoon courses are offered.

1. Getting Started: Install & Resources

1. Resources and References: The Codex is your Best friend
2. Creating a Local Development Environment
3. WordPress Install
4. Homework Assignments
• Reading 1
• Reading 2

2. Making Life Easier: Organization & Templates

1. Use an HTML5 Framework
2. Framework Install
3. Creating a WordPress Directory Structure and Theme Template Files
• Template Files: style.css, functions.php, header.php, footer.php, index.php, single.php, page.php, sidebar.php, and home.php
4. Learn to Code – PHP for WordPress
5. Initializing Theme Template Files
6. Homework Assignments
• Reading 3
• Reading 4
• Exercise 1: jQuery Mobile or Yahoo Pure
• Exercise 2: Create 404.php and front-page.php
• Exercise 3: Create template-tags.php

3. Theme Build-out Basics: Converting Static HTML5 Templates to WordPress Files

1. Learn to Code – PHP for WordPress
2. The WordPress Loop
3. Convert Your HTML5 Framework to WordPress Template files
4. Convert Your HTML5 Framework to WordPress Template files (continued)
5. Learn to Code – functions.php
6. Learn to Code – template-tags.php
7. Next Steps and Building Upon your Code Base
8. Homework Assignments
• Reading 4 (continued)
• Exercise 4: create category.php