Program Overview
User Experience Design - B.S.
Overview
The Bachelor of Science in User Experience Design combines design thinking, research, and technology, providing students with the skills to plan, create, and deliver user experiences across websites, apps, games, and other emerging interfaces. Through hands-on projects and real-world applications, students will be ready to start their career as a UX and UI designer, UX practitioner, and product designer.
Admission Requirements
- First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum, and grade trends.
- First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State's campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull, and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent.
- International Students: All international students must provide proof of proficiency of the English language (unless they meet specific exceptions) through the submission of an English language proficiency test score or by completing English language classes at Kent State's English as a Second Language Center before entering their program.
Program Requirements
Major Requirements
- EMAT 10010: Technology, Experience Design, and Society
- EMAT 21000: Introduction to Web Design
- EMAT 25310: Creative Coding
- EMAT 32210: Data in Emerging Media and Technology
- EMAT 33310: Human-Computer Interaction
- EMAT 40999: Interdisciplinary Projects (ELR)
- EMAT 41000: Responsive Web Design
- EMAT 41510: Project Management and Team Dynamics (WIC)
- VCD 13000: Visual Design Thinking
- VCD 13001: Introduction to Visual Communication Design Studio
- VCD 23001: Typography I
- VCD 33101: Interaction Design I
- VCD 34004: Visual Ethics
- VCD 40182: Internship Preparation: Design, Illustration, and Photography
- VCD 40192: Internship: Design, Illustration, and Photography (ELR)
- VCD 43007: Information Design
- VCD 43101: Interaction Design II
- VCD 44006: Motion Design I
Additional Requirements
- UC 10001: Flashes 101
- College of Communication and Information Core Electives
- Kent Core Requirements
Graduation Requirements
- Minimum Major GPA: 2.000
- Minimum Overall GPA: 2.000
Roadmap
This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history.
University Requirements
- Flashes 101 (UC 10001)
- Diversity Domestic/Global (DIVD/DIVG)
- Experiential Learning Requirement (ELR)
- Kent Core
- Writing-Intensive Course (WIC)
- Upper-Division Requirement
- Total Credit Hour Requirement: 120 credit hours
Kent Core Requirements
- Kent Core Composition (KCMP): 6 credit hours
- Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning (KMCR): 3 credit hours
- Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts (KHUM/KFA): 9 credit hours
- Kent Core Social Sciences (KSS): 6 credit hours
- Kent Core Basic Sciences (KBS/KLAB): 6-7 credit hours
- Kent Core Additional (KADL): 6 credit hours
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Design with the user in mind, empathize with their needs and values while demonstrating an understanding of human cognitive, limitations and perceptual and physical capabilities, and how they affect design decisions.
- Apply design skills relative to the use of digital technologies, including (but not limited to) code, typography, aesthetics, composition, and construction of meaningful images.
- Communicate, collaborate, and practice effectively, ethically, and legally in fields closely associated with technology, user experience design, and visual communication design.
- Use different models, frameworks, and approaches for user experience design processes and deliverables to deconstruct, analyze, and identify problems in customer experiences.
- Present user experience design strategies — interaction design concepts through pathways, flows, journeys, maps, presentations, reports, rapid prototyping, animated scenarios, product demonstrations — to clients and stakeholders.
Full Description
The Bachelor of Science degree in User Experience Design prepares students to create products, systems, and services that prioritize people and positive impact through a human-centered approach. Students develop technical understanding and design skills that are in high demand. The coursework emphasizes UX/UI processes, user research, sketching, wireframing, prototyping, scenario building, and front-end development. Students design user interfaces, interactive experiences, application and tool design, motion sequences, video, screen displays, and interactive experiences that merge the digital and physical environments. Students learn to define design problems, research solutions, conceptualize interactive products and experiences, prototype those ideas, and evaluate their concepts through user testing to create a revised and vetted experience.
There are many study abroad/away opportunities. For more information, contact the Office of Global Education or the coordinator of the college's International Study Programs.
Students may apply early to the M.S. in User Experience and double count 9 credit hours of graduate courses toward both degree programs. See the Combined Bachelor's/Master's Degree Program Policy in the University Catalog for more information.
Kent State University
Overview:
Kent State University is a leading public university in Ohio, known for its diverse academic programs and vibrant campus life. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as certificates, across various disciplines.
Services Offered:
Student Life and Campus Experience:
Kent State University provides a rich and engaging campus experience for its students. The university offers a variety of resources and opportunities for students to get involved, including:
Arts & Culture:
Students can explore various artistic expressions through events, performances, and exhibitions.Clubs & Organizations:
A wide range of student clubs and organizations cater to diverse interests, fostering a sense of community and leadership development.Dining:
The university provides various dining options, including on-campus restaurants, cafes, and convenience stores.Housing:
Kent State offers a variety of housing options for students, including residence halls, apartments, and off-campus living arrangements.Student Involvement:
The university encourages student involvement through various programs and initiatives, promoting leadership, service, and personal growth.Recreation and Wellness Services:
Students can enjoy a variety of recreational activities, including fitness centers, intramural sports, club sports, and outdoor adventures.Campus Resources:
The university provides a comprehensive range of support services for students, including health services, mental health services, academic advising, and career counseling.Key Reasons to Study There:
Academic Programs:
Kent State University offers a wide range of academic programs, including: