Master of User Experience Design (UXD), MUXD
Program Description
User Experience Design (UXD) involves the strategic design process, particularly for digital products, with a central focus on enhancing the end user's experience. The paramount objective is to develop products that deliver meaningful and pertinent user experiences--this encompasses not only visual aesthetics but also functionality, user-friendliness, and overall satisfaction and efficiency throughout user interactions with the product. The Master's Degree in User Experience Design offered by Utah Tech will be a pioneering and comprehensive program meticulously tailored to accommodate individuals with diverse academic and professional backgrounds. Specifically designed for those passionate about digital design, human-computer interaction, and optimizing product usability, this program underscores Utah Tech University's commitment to bridging gaps within the design industry. The ultimate goal is to cultivate visionary designers armed with theoretical insights and hands-on proficiency, thus charting a path toward innovation.
The Master's Degree in User Experience Design will be delivered through a hyflex format, offering in-person and online options. This hybrid approach will be instrumental in nurturing collaborative synergies and facilitating interactive learning environments, particularly in conjunction with students enrolled in related degree programs, such as software development.
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework.
- Letters of Recommendation: 2-3 letters, preferably from academic advisors, professors, or professionals in related fields.
- Statement of Purpose: A 500-1000 word essay outlining interest in UXD, career goals, and how the program aligns with these objectives.
- Portfolio: A digital portfolio with accompanying descriptions or case studies showcasing design work or related projects:
- Digital Portfolio will be evaluated to determine a student's understanding of design principles
- Students lacking specific design experience will be either assigned free targeted training (using Skill Share or Pluralsight) or assigned required pre-requisite courses (e.g. DES 1100 or DES 1300) prior to starting the program
5. Resume and Curriculum Vitae (CV): Includes academic and professional achievements, skills, technical proficiency, and relevant experience in design, research, computer science, or related fields.
6. Interview: A personal or video interview to assess fit, communication skills, and passion for UXD.
7. Additional Considerations:
- Diversity in background, thought, and experience should be valued, as UXD benefits from multiple perspectives.
- While not mandatory, proficiency in design tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, Figma, InVision, etc., can be beneficial.
- While not mandatory, knowledge of basic coding languages like HTML, CSS, or JavaScript can also be a plus.
8. International students may need to provide TOEFL or IELTS scores to demonstrate English proficiency.
Program Curriculum
30 credits
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| UXD 6100 | UX Innovation | 3 |
| UXD 6140 | Cultural and Global Perspectives in UX | 3 |
| UXD 6180 | UX Methods | 3 |
| UXD 6200 | Advanced Interaction Design | 3 |
| UXD 6240 | Tech Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| UXD 6280 | Advanced User Interface | 3 |
| UXD 6300 | Multi-Platform UX Design | 3 |
| UXD 6340 | Advanced User Experience | 3 |
| UXD 6600 | Capstone I | 3 |
| UXD 6650 | Capstone II | 3 |
Graduation Requirements
- Complete the required 30 hours of coursework.
- Achieve at least a 3.0 GPA for the entire program.
- Earn no less than a B- in any of the program courses.
- Secure a B grade or higher in the comprehensive UXD Capstone Project.