Program Overview

User Experience (UX) Design Program

The User Experience (UX) Design Program is a comprehensive 7-course certificate program designed to prepare students for a dynamic field, offering a comprehensive understanding of UX principles, software, and analytical techniques. The program is expertly designed to set students apart in a competitive job market.

Program Overview

The program is more than just making a product visually appealing; it is a science rooted in rigorous research and the psychology of human-computer interaction. Throughout the program, students will delve into critical concepts such as human factors, user analysis, and usability testing, equipping them with the tools necessary to create effective and user-centered designs.

Program Outcomes

• Mastery of human factors and user interface design principles.
• Proficiency in applied theories of human-computer interaction.
• Ability to conduct user analysis and research, including field methods and usability testing
• Skills to create responsive web designs using HTML, CSS, and Bootstrap.
• Development of a comprehensive UX portfolio that highlights projects and skills.
• Expertise in crafting a personal branding statement, resume, and business card design.
• Experience conducting informational interviews with UX professionals for career insights.
• Capability to document progress through detailed case studies, including personas and user journeys.
• Knowledge of responsive design best practices and how to redesign non-responsive websites.

Program Structure

The program consists of 7 courses, including 4 required core courses, 2 UX design elective options, and a final portfolio course. All courses must be completed within 5 years of enrollment.

Required Courses

• Principles of User Experience (UX): An introduction to the science behind UX design, illustrating the breadth of the field that extends well beyond the web and demonstrating the strict research methodologies that support it.
• UX Design: User Experience Research Methods: A course that dives deeper into UX research and design methods, mastering tools like Agile, iterative, and Waterfall methodologies while honing an analytical mindset crucial for user-centered design.
• UX Design: Real World Prototyping: A course that focuses on UX design and usability skills, demonstrating knowledge of the complete UX design life cycle.
• Responsive Design and User Experience (UX): A course that covers the core technologies driving modern UX design, including HTML5, CSS, and web-based frameworks.

Electives

• Introduction to HTML and CSS: A course that introduces students to the foundational technologies that power every website: HTML5 for structure and CSS3 for style.
• Introduction to JavaScript: A course that provides hands-on experience with real-world coding scenarios, focusing on JavaScript syntax, logic, and browser-based interaction.
• Introduction to Programming: A course that introduces first-time programmers to basic programming techniques and principles using the popular Python Programming language.
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Marketing: A course that covers the basics of how a website is structured, how search engines work, what they are looking for, choosing competitive keywords, writing content for your website, and more.
• User Experience (UX) Metrics: A course that introduces a comprehensive set of UX metrics, taking a practical approach with the emphasis of the analysis being directly applicable to everyone who creates software products.
• User Interface Design: A course that equips students with time-tested principles and modern techniques to create engaging, intuitive designs that adapt to any viewing device.
• Humanizing Social Robots: A course that explores how robots can be socially designed to understand, interpret, and respond to human emotions and affective behaviors using cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and natural language processing (NLP).

Final Required Course

• User Experience (UX) Portfolio: A course that helps students refine their portfolio, resume, and branding while preparing for job opportunities through practical career strategies.

Program Benefits

• Start in any term throughout the year.
• Participate in a flexible, online format, allowing students to complete all coursework asynchronously while providing opportunities for live interactions.
• Learn from industry leaders with years of UX design experience, who will continually provide guidance and feedback.
• Gain cutting-edge skills with courses that focus on UX fundamentals, emergent technologies, and AI, designed to keep students ahead of the curve.
• Focus on practical applications and industry-relevant skills.
• Access to dedicated Career Resources Hub with career information, job postings, events, and tutorials.
• UCSD is proud to work with lenders to provide certificate students with an alternative for education funding.

Application Requirements

• Courses may be taken on an individual basis or students can apply for the UX Design Certification Program.
• In order to establish candidacy in the Certification program, students must complete the application and pay the fee.
• A Certificate is awarded upon the successful completion of 4 required, Core Courses, 2 UX Design Elective Options, and a final Portfolio Course.
• All courses must be completed within 5 years of enrollment.
• Some courses in the program require an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription. Students enrolled in the Professional Certificate program are eligible for the discounted student rate.

Certificate Guidelines

This program can be completed in 9-21 months (taking 1-2 courses per quarter). Tuition is $595-795 per course. All required courses are offered online, but some electives may not be available online.

About Online Courses

• Online courses in this certificate are led by live instructors, but students may view lectures according to their own schedules.
• Students should expect to spend four to six hours per week per course.
• Software is not provided, but instructors provide sources for free or discounted software where possible.

Required Software, Hardware, and other Program Materials

• Mac or Windows OS laptop or desktop - Students may work on either operating system.
• Adobe Creative Cloud subscription - Students must set up their Adobe CC account once they are enrolled in the program. With proof of enrollment, students are eligible for a discounted subscription rate.
• Prototyping software (Figma, OmniGraffle, Axure, Adobe XD)
• HTML Editor software (BBEdit, Sublime Text)
• Web Hosting provider subscription
• LinkedIn Learning subscription (for select courses)

FAQs

• Will I get any hands-on experience in the program? Most courses combine theory with hands-on exercises.
• Can this certificate program be completed entirely online? Yes, this program is designed for students to take it online in the convenience of their own home or office.
• If I work full-time, will I still be able to complete this program? Yes, our programs are designed to be working-student friendly, and most of our students are working professionals.
• Is UC San Diego Extended Studies accredited? Yes, UC San Diego is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
• Is financial assistance available? UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies offers continuing education loans through UC Approved Lenders.

Advisory Board

• Ben Katz, B.A., CEO of JSX and ISPolitical
• Scott Klemmer, Assoc. Professor, Co-Director of UC San Diego Design Lab
• Anindya Basu, Senior UX Researcher at Google Cloud
• Delisa Lopez, Director of Product Design at Skillshare
• Monica Moon, UX Manager at Thermo Fisher Scientific
• Michelle Warner, Lead Interaction Designer/Founder of Kettle/TinyBird Creative Inc.