A company has succeeded at designing its user experience when customers are able to engage with its digital products quickly and effortlessly. Accordingly, many organizations are trying to achieve this. Earning a user experience design degree can give you a jump start in one of the fastest growing career fields. Here’s what you need to know about this discipline and the associated degree path.
What Is UX Design?
UX design is the process of creating software and web-based products with meaningful user experiences. The goal is to improve the user’s satisfaction by making the products easier to use and more helpful. Someone trained in effective UX skills and strategies can find positions across many industries, including mobile product design, software development, and the arts. The work of a UX designer has the potential to change the way humans interact with technology—and each other.
Why Pursue a Degree in UX Design?
Perform an online search for “UX design certifications” and you’ll find all sorts of informational videos and training modules. These materials tend to be helpful for people who want to upgrade their skills, but they may be insufficient when it comes to preparing for a career in UX design. Here are three reasons you may want to consider working toward a user experience design degree:
1. It Establishes You as an Industry Leader
Getting any graduate-level degree isn’t easy. It takes hard work and persistence. When you earn a graduate degree in UX design, you show future employers (and clients) that you’re serious about the field—and willing to put in the necessary work to build great user experiences.
2. It Prepares You for a Changing Field
A certificate program will teach you some of the skills you need in today’s industry, but a user experience design degree will give you the tools to solve problems in tomorrow’s industry. It can give you a head start in a field where staying ahead of changes is critical to your success.
3. It Gives You a Competitive Advantage
When a prospective employer reviews your résumé, a user experience design degree can put you a step ahead of other applicants. Obtaining a graduate-level degree will provide you with the tools you need to succeed and help you stand out in the crowd.
Considering APU’s MA in UX Design
If you’re interested in pursuing this degree path, consider working toward a Master of Arts in User Experience Design at Azusa Pacific University. Based on its signature approach to human-centered design, the school’s low-residency program can effectively prepare you for a career in this high-demand industry. Among a host of other skills, you’ll learn to communicate through design as well as manage creative and collaborative projects.
APU doesn’t just prepare you for a future job. It helps you form the foundation from which the rest of your life is built. You’ll learn to integrate a Christian worldview with the role of design—so you can begin to fulfill a professional calling in UX.
As an added benefit, thanks to the low-residency model, you don’t need to take a hiatus from your career or uproot your family in order to receive this kind of training. You can work toward an M.A. in User Experience Design from wherever you’re located. You will have limited on-campus sessions at APU’s regional campus in Orange County, while all other assignments, discussions, and group projects are completed online. Additionally, lectures are always recorded, so you can go back and take another look at them any time. At APU, you’ll get the chance to work with real-world clients and apply what you’re learning right away.
Interested in learning more about the user experience design degree at Azusa Pacific University? Visit the school’s website for additional information about the graduate-level coursework associated with this degree path.