No offence, but.... i can't believe people are still spending 5 grand on material that's easily learn't from online tutorials and books. There's up-to-date tutorials on all things web design from sites such as:
www.lynda.com
www.learnflash.com
www.kelbytraining.com
www.vtc.com
And other sites that are of no cost such as...
www.w3schools.com
www.tutorialized.com
www.gotoandlearn.com
Web design is one part of the big I.T industry that can be learn't from the comfort of your own home at what ever pace you choose! Why would you want to spend five grand doing that?????
I haven't got anything against training providers ( not much!!), but... they do take the p*ss when it comes to the material their selling! Especially when it comes to web design and with that....CIW!
My advice is not to bother with certs with regards to web design. Why?......well, from experience with trying to get employment, i have only once found a company that recognized the CIW certificate. And the reason....because it's CRAP!!!. It's basic stuff. Okay, you WILL learn stuff you have never knew before but you probably done that from reading this? Maybe?
All the techniques that the professionals use are shown on most of these sites above. If you are stuck?...come here and post, if no joy, do a google search and no doubt somewhere out there is your answer.
Okay...thats enough ranting from me, but it does annoy me when people waste their hard earned money on something so simple to find....!
Take care, Neil