# WordPress Custom Themes

Canonical URL: <https://training-nyc.com/courses/wordpress-org-build-custom-themes>

## Overview

Interested in creating a dynamic website using WordPress? Not only is WordPress a powerful blogging platform, it is also a great way to set up a Content Management System (CMS). By turning your site into a CMS, it will be much easier to maintain, update, and enhance with special functionality. This intensive course will teach you how to do a custom install of WordPress, modify existing themes, develop your own custom themes using PHP, and install plugins.

Prerequisites: HTML and CSS equivalent to our [Web Development Level 1 course](https://www.nobledesktop.com/classes/coding-classes-new-york-city-nyc). Knowledge of PHP is a plus, but not a requirement.

## What you'll learn

- How a great Content Management System (CMS) can increase efficiency, making it easy to maintain, updated, and add special functionality to your website
- How to do a custom install of WordPress and edit existing themes
- How to develop your own WordPress themes
- How to install and use plugins

## Prerequisites

You should feel comfortable coding HTML and CSS, with knowledge equivalent to our [Advanced HTML & CSS](/courses/web-development-level2) class. 

You should also know how to use WordPress, with knowledge equivalent to our [WordPress: Create a Website or Blog](/courses/how-to-create-a-dynamic-website-or-blog-with-wordpress) class.

## Curriculum

### Running WordPress Locally

#### Setting Up a Local Testing Server

#### Installing WordPress

### Creating a Custom WordPress Theme

#### Converting a Static HTML Site to a Dynamic WordPress Theme

#### Creating Custom Templates

#### Using Your Custom CSS

#### Creating Menu Display Locations

#### Creating Widget Areas

#### Adding Custom Theme Controls

## Schedule
- Jul 22, 2026 10:00am–5:00pm — NYC

## Pricing

**Tuition:** $425