How do you become a Web Designer?

My boyfriend wants to break into the world of web design. He has a four year degree in Fine Art (painting) from a private college and he can’t see himself going back to school full time, but he is willing to do a certificate course or community college classes, etc. Any advice? He has done some work on a few of our friends’ web pages and they look good, but he worries that they lack that truly professional edge. Anyone been here before? How did you go from wannabe to professional?