This guide is all about UX design master’s degree programs. These days UX design as a career path is becoming a popular option for job seekers looking for a work-life balance, rewarding career, and high base salary.
And the market supports these job seekers: with more companies shifting their business to an online platform, and more businesses understanding the importance of a positive online user experience, UX designers are also in high demand.
There are many paths to become a UX designer. One of the most important factors in becoming a UX designer is an experience in both design theory and client projects. In order to obtain this experience and enter the job market as a competitive job seeker, many candidates choose a formal education program. These include certificates, bachelor’s degrees, or a master’s degree in UX design.
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The type of program that a student decides to pursue depends on a variety of factors, including their learning style, budget, and time they are able to devote to a program. Where a person is in their career is another determining factor when choosing a UX education path for a career. For example, those who have worked in an adjacent field in the tech industry may choose a different path than someone who wants to switch their career to a UX designer.
One popular option for students is to pursue higher education in UX design by obtaining a master’s degree. A UX design master’s can give students a deeper understanding of design principles, as well as increase their chances for landing a desirable job.
Most UX design master’s do not require students to have previous experience in UX design. This can be an attractive feature to students who are considering attending a UX design master’s program to make a career shift. In comparison, many other master’s degrees in the technology field do require candidates to have previous experience in the field.
A UX master’s degree can also be helpful in progressing through a UX career trajectory, qualifying candidates sooner to hold positions in management or product design.
Online UX Master’s Degree
When choosing a UX design master’s program, it is important for projected students to consider the following elements of a degree:
Type of degree: Getting a master’s degree in User Experience Design can often come with many titles, such as Master of Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Master in User Experience (UX), and many more. Determining career goals, and how these different programs fit into these goals, is essential for success.
Career path: As discussed above, there are many variations of a master’s degree in UX Design. A student who wants to be a product designer, one who wants to be in management, and one who wants to be a member of a UX Design team may find that each one of these careers is obtained through a different path.
Online or In-person and learning style: Whether a student prefers to learn online or in-person is certainly an option to consider when making a list of potential UX Design master’s programs to apply to. Many UX master’s programs offer full or partial online learning options. More still offer in-person options for those who prefer to study in a classroom setting.
Budget: UX design degrees, especially master’s programs, come with a much higher price tag than a UX certification or UX bootcamp. However, this price tag also comes with a much more in-depth look at UX design principles, and candidates often graduate from these programs with a competitive edge in the job market.
Curriculum: When choosing a UX master’s degree program, it’s important to evaluate the curriculum offered. Comparing classes against industry standards and principles that hiring managers are looking for in job candidates is a useful way to measure the curriculum of a program. Ensuring that the degree covers foundational elements, like design theory, as well as more comprehensive material is essential to gaining the benefits of a UX master’s degree – both in terms of learning the subject and being competitive in the job market.
Time Commitment: Many UX Design master’s degrees offer both full and part-time pace for the program. Before applying, it is important for prospective students to research the various options that a program offers.
Furthermore, students may want the flexibility to complete their studies primarily through evening classes, or vice versa.
The Best UX Graduate Programs
Many factors go into what makes a UX design master’s degree – or any degree – the best option. Considering the elements above can help students make the right decision in choosing the program that best fits with their goals, lifestyle, budget, and preferred setting for learning.
The Most Affordable UX Master’s Program
The most affordable UX Design master’s program in the U.S. is from the University of Florida (UF) costing $484 per credit hour, with 37 credit hours required for graduation.
UX Master’s Degree that Provides the Best Job Outlook
Carnegie Mellon University is known for its stringent admissions and high-caliber academic programs. Students who graduate from this school are regarded as competitive job candidates. The program is based on campus for in-person learning in Pittsburg, PA, and can be completed in one year. The program also offers students the opportunity to work with a real-life client, which sets up students for success by having some material on their portfolio as they enter the job market.
UX Design Master’s with the Best Faculty
Students looking for an emphasis on faculty support will find it in Boulder, Colorado at the University of Colorado Boulder. The program boasts faculty made up of world-renowned leaders in UX Design. The program also offers students opportunities for internships and other opportunities that can set them apart as a candidate for a job search. The University of Colorado Boulder’s UX master’s degree program is available to students on-campus or online and is completed in 30 credit hours.
Best UX Master’s Degree for Student Collaboration
The University of Baltimore offers students a rare opportunity to experience a master’s program that is heavily based on collaboration with other students. These students, before admitted, are already very successful in UX Design or an adjacent field, which gives students a unique opportunity to learn from each other. The University of Baltimore is also a school known for the output of highly regarded job candidates entering the job search. Classes are available both online and in person. The school also offers evening, weekend, and part-time class schedules.
UX Design Career Path
One of the main reasons that UX Design is a growing industry is because of the diversity that the career offers to professionals. From focusing on psychology and market research to interaction design, to information architecture and beyond – UX Design offers something for everyone.
Team member: People who want to continue to hone their craft, but not manage other team members, often choose this track. The work remains focused on the design, and professionals can deepen their expertise in a particular area of design.
Freelance or entrepreneur: Professionals who want to take on their own clients as a freelancer, start a design agency, or even start another company that focuses on design often take this career path. Another option for this career path is consulting for other design agencies or projects.
Managerial: Professionals who enjoy managing projects, people, or both may find that a managerial UX career path best fits their goals. These types of UX Design career paths include managing team members, developing timelines for projects or products, and managing budgets.
Determining the best UX Design career path is a personal and professional decision that requires consideration of many factors – namely career goals and working style preferences.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), UX Designer job opportunities are expected to grow much faster than average, at 27 percent over 10 years. CNN Money ranked User Experience Design as #43 in the ‘Best Jobs in America’ because of its low stress, personal satisfaction, and flexibility.
Moreover, an increasing amount of companies are expanding to the digital landscape, which continues to increase the demand for these professionals.
UX Designer Salary Information
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), UX Designer job opportunities are expected to grow much faster than average, at 27 percent over 10 years. CNN Money ranked User Experience Design as #43 in the ‘Best Jobs in America’ because of its low stress, personal satisfaction, and flexibility.
Moreover, an increasing amount of companies are expanding to the digital landscape, which continues to increase the demand for these professionals.
Payscale reports that the median annual income for a UX Designer is $74,635.00. The salary offered to an individual candidate will vary on the position, years of experience required, and the responsibilities required. Those who are interested in pursuing a career in UX Design through a master’s degree are encouraged to choose a program that offers the curriculum and specialty that best fits with their career goals.
FAQ
Each year of experience that a candidate has in UX design contributes to their overall salary, competitiveness as a candidate, and upward career trajectory momentum. Those looking to specialize in a particular area of UX design, or follow a career path like those listed above, will especially find value in a UX master’s degree program
Yes. Especially now as the shift to work from home becomes more normalized, UX design positions are becoming increasingly more available for remote workers. It also helps that tech fields and careers in general are becoming more work-from-home-oriented.
Yes. Many schools that offer traditional, campus-based master’s in UX design also offer full or partial online classes. Most online programs offer full-time and part-time options for working professionals and those looking to make a career shift.
According to thinkful.com, a job candidate with a UX design master’s degree can make an average of about $4,000 per year more. UX design salaries are dependent on many factors include position, job title, experience, education, and the employer. More experience can, of course, lead to higher pay and more opportunities for advancement.
There are many factors that go into selecting the right UX design master’s degree program including cost, time commitment, and whether the program’s course and delivery fit with overall learning style.
The Recap
Obtaining a master’s degree in UX design is a great option for those who would like to make a career shift to UX design and already hold a bachelor’s degree in any field. UX master’s degrees can give students a competitive edge in the ever-changing job market, and help professionals further hone their craft.
A person’s lifestyle, budget, career goals, and other factors should always be considered when deciding to pursue a UX design career path. The curriculum offered by any UX master’s degree should always be carefully weighed against career goals to get the most out of the program.
UX design master’s degrees often offer real client experience, opportunities for collaboration with other students, and mentorship from professors who are often leaders in their fields.