5 Best Online Colleges with Online Degrees in UX/UI
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Did you know that 71% of all businesses worldwide own a website? Practically all of them underscore the importance of online presence as the mainstream means of effectively marketing their services and products! Websites deliver their intended message and engage their visitors simultaneously: exactly what User Experience and User Interface are all about.
If you’re looking to enter the field of information technology, computer science, and web design, it makes sense to pursue online UX design degrees or UI undergraduate programs that provide all the tools you need to excel in the industry. Considering the current global demand and the low barriers to entry into the field, there is no better time to become a UX/UI designer!
The Lowdown
The idea that digital products must be easy to use and intuitive drives the demand for skilled UI/UX designers with the right education and training. And because the bachelor’s program you choose and the higher education institution offering it impacts your career pathways, it pays to enroll in excellent programs that develop the right technical skills that UX/UI employers seek!
Methodology
There’s no shortage of online UX/UI bachelor’s degrees made accessible to all types of learners! The real challenge is finding the best online programs that fit your needs!
Below is our list of the country’s top Bachelor’s in UX/UI online degree programs! Each was carefully selected based on these factors:
- Delivered online or as a hybrid program to accommodate students who could use a flexible learning pace,
- Features rigorous coursework that covers game design, interactive display design, human systems engineering, graphic information technology, and interactive exhibit design while enhancing students’ computer and web development skills,
- Develops tech and computer skills in each student while also enhancing their decision-making, communication, teamwork, analytical, problem-solving, project management, and leadership skills,
- Utilizes a virtual learning platform through which classes are conveniently facilitated, and coursework is easily accessed,
- Taught by UX/UI experts, some of whom have contributed to the designing or structuring of undergraduate online curricula,
- Presents a wide range of financial assistance programs in the form of federal aid, student loans, scholarships, grants, military discounts, and transfer credits,
- Received regional and programmatic approval from accrediting agencies, as recognized by the US Department of Education, proving their compliance with academic standards.
For more information on our ranking process, please read our Methodology.
Best Online Bachelor’s in UX/UI Degree Programs
Academy of Art University
Online Bachelor of Science in Online Interaction and UX/UI Design
Academy of Art University offers a Bachelor of Science in Online Interaction and UX/UI Design program. Following an engaging and interactive curriculum, this online UX/UI course provides valuable hands-on training that prepares students for top careers in technology.
Online students are taught by highly experienced professors in the School of Interaction & UI/UX Design, who also teach on-site learners. You’ll have access to the specially created Learning Management System, where you can find original instructional videos, read digital documents, watch high-quality slide shows, and submit assignments and homework conveniently.
With this UX/UI Design degree, get ready to sharpen skills in these core concepts:
- Technology
- Design thinking
- User experience
- Visual communication
As you communicate with classmates from different departments and those in the same profession, you can build and grow your creative network. Join our thriving, artistic community. Earn your degree in web design online at your speed and convenience.
What Makes this Program Unique:
One of the things that most students love about this online degree is their Learning Management System. Your instructor can leave visual markups, post videos, and textual and recorded comments on your work on this cutting-edge platform.
The curriculum offered by the Academy includes movies, narrated slideshows, digital papers, expert interviews, live streams, and more. The Academy of Art University provides 7.5- and 15-week online course options.
Did You Know?
Expect this UX/UI online bachelor’s degree to focus on visuals, interaction, and dynamics. Their Learning Management System provides everything you need for your online learning journey, ensuring a rich, engaging online experience.
Full Sail University
Online Bachelor of Science in UX/UI
The Bachelor of Science degree in User Experience examines how various factors influence user experience design. This is a popular tech program available at Full Sail University. You will study courses related to typography, psychology and perception, systems design, and visual design.
Students in this online program enhance their professional portfolios while designing their own UX experiences and improving UX design for various products and services using industry-standard workflows, research, prototypes, and testing.
People who can effectively manage the ever-growing overlap between the digital and physical worlds are constantly in demand, and you can fill this up by being an equipped UX/UI designer.
What Makes this Program Unique:
Full Sail emphasizes real-world experience through project-based work in professional settings. The university has established relationships with media and entertainment companies, giving students unique hands-on experience opportunities.
Full Sail’s emphasis on hands-on learning and creative thinking drives its philosophy. Students obtain expertise in using professional software and hardware before they graduate.
Did You Know?
A distinct approach to education is used at Full Sail, with expedited programs and tuition that cover all textbook and lab costs. All degree programs at Full Sail are created to be completed quickly. As a result, obtaining an undergraduate or graduate degree at Full Sail can, on average, take less time than at a typical university.
Lindenwood University
Online Bachelor of Science in UX/UI
Lindenwood University offers the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art and Design – Emphasis in Web and User Experience. It requires 78 credit hours for completion. By focusing on this area, you will gain knowledge that will help you pursue careers in User Interface, User Experience, Graphic Design, Web Design, and Animation.
Here are some sample courses to expect in this online degree:
- 3D Printing
- 3D Graphics
- Applications for Mobile Devices
- Motion Graphics
- Digital Painting
Students can be prepared for a creative job by earning a web and user experience degree. Students can choose their path, artistic or technical, towards a profession in design, thanks to the varied course offerings. These students graduate with a diverse skill set that is in demand.
What Makes this Program Unique:
As an Art and Design student emphasizing Web and User Experience, you will learn the Adobe Suite and other programs, giving you the chance to become Adobe Certified. This credential can help you have a stronger resume after graduation.
Additionally, students can take a class at Lindenwood’s Digital and Web Design Firm. During the DWD Firm internship, students gain experience working with local clients in the real world.
DWD’s internship program will prepare you for a wide variety of career opportunities after graduation through the development of your portfolio and resume.
Did You Know?
In addition to their coursework, students are encouraged to pursue as many relevant projects as possible. For a student to grow professionally and academically, internships and jobs in related fields are critical. Fortunately, Lindenwood will be with you every step of the way.
Lesley University
Online Bachelor of Science in UX/UI
Become an integrated designer and gain hands-on experience through the online BS in Design for User Experience from Lesley University. Become an expert in solving real problems for real people and making designs that inspire and influence others.
Learn to think critically and conceptually to design intuitive experiences across various products, systems, and services. After graduating from this online UX/UI program, use your knowledge in the design industry.
Lesley’s program teaches you the fundamentals of graphic design while putting the human experience at the forefront. From wire-framing to user testing and concept delivery, this degree prepares you for all aspects of UX design, including the interdisciplinary, collaborative approach.
Furthermore, as a student, you will gain knowledge and skills related to research, conceptualization, design, prototyping, and evaluating digital interactions.
What Makes this Program Unique:
Your participation in the user experience program at Lesley will provide you with practical knowledge and abilities for the workplace. You can develop your knowledge of interface design principles for websites, smartphones, information kiosks, and product interfaces.
You’ll graduate with a sizable work showcasing your interactive and visual design proficiency. This program can assist you in achieving your goals, whether you wish to join a team or create your own business.
Did You Know?
To address design issues in their app that directly affected the scientists and researchers utilizing the platform, undergraduate students studying the User Experience course teamed up with a local firm. This is a unique experience for learners of this program.
Arizona State University
Online Bachelor of Science in UX/UI
Arizona State University has a Bachelor of Science in Technical Communication – User Experience (UX) concentration that can be taken online. In this field, your UX/UI abilities can be established quickly. With a concentration in UX design and development, you will develop interdisciplinary skills in communication and learn how to apply those skills.
A user’s experience is the way they interact with a system. This online program will train you to optimize and modify user platforms. You will evaluate the ease of use of such programs and interfaces. UX is a career path that combines creativity and problem-solving skills.
High technical proficiency or familiarity with Computer Science isn’t always necessary. This profession aims to utilize deliberate design to build meaningful and satisfying user experiences.
What Makes this Program Unique:
Communication through UX refers to the dissemination of pertinent and understandable information. Communication is key to UX designers’ success. Your UX degree will give you the skills to communicate effectively and design systems that improve user interaction and predictability.
Did You Know?
Those with a user experience degree concentration may be able to pursue various roles in the field. These positions include UX research, usability analysis, interaction design, and user-centered design. The public, private, and nonprofit sectors offer a variety of career paths despite differences in titles.
Courses to Take in an Online Bachelor’s in UX/UI
Computer Programming
Aspiring UX designers must take a computer programming course since they need a foundational understanding of computer programming to build prototypes and test user interfaces. This course also covers the basics of Computer Programming and how to use it for UX design. Programming languages are also taught to UX/UI students.
User Experience Design
Learners of the user experience design course will get knowledge of expert procedures, business jargon, and how audience, testing, and psychology impact UX design.
Fundamentals of Technical Communication
Communication is an important field in UX/UI. Several basic information design principles are included in this course. Additionally, rhetorical and audience analysis will be discussed regarding technical communication.
Graphics Design
Visual elements in graphic design serve as a means of communicating ideas. Working in the field of UX or UI requires graphic design skills. Through diverse tools and technologies, graphic design courses teach core art and design principles. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to create designs that meet the needs of their clients.
UX/UI for Gaming Platform
This course delves deeply into the function that user interface and experience play in the gaming industry. User interface designers must learn how to make gaming platforms effective and convenient for gamers and users.
Human-Computer Interaction
In the human-computer interaction course, students explore human interactions with computers. Human factors engineering and user interface design are the topics covered in the course. This course teaches students how to design computer interfaces using user-centered design techniques.
Interaction Design
Websites and software applications can be designed interactively by taking an interaction design course. Some subtopics included in this course are web development, user experience design, user interface design, and information architecture.
Principles of Technical Editing
The Principles of Technical Editing course will tackle standards, quality, styles, project management, copyediting, and comprehensive editing for print and electronic media.
Information Design and Usability
The information design and usability course is about increasing a website’s usability and improving the user experience through technology. The results of a usability test will determine whether or not a user interface is used in products and services.
Moreover, this course teaches students how to test goods to ensure that they meet business or regulatory criteria.
Benefits of Earning an Online Bachelor’s in UX/UI
Networking Opportunities
Online learning provides every learner the opportunity to work with peers around the world and expand their horizons. Building networks early on is one of the greatest benefits of an online bachelor’s in UX/UI. Students can develop stronger social and communication skills by meeting students from other cultures and nationalities.
Reasonable Tuition Cost
Generally speaking, online degrees are less expensive than on-campus ones. Distance learners typically pay less in tuition and spend less on accommodation and board, travel, and actual books. Although some programs require tech fees, the total cost is minimal compared to traditional counterparts.
Accessible and Convenient
Online UX/UI students can attend lectures anywhere and anytime with a steady Internet connection. Students who cannot move to their program of choice can still attend by removing any location barriers. Most online universities and colleges provide the same diploma as their traditional programs.
Access to Financial Aid
A bachelor’s program in UX/UI offered by an accredited institution allows students to qualify for federal financial aid. In general, degree students are more likely to receive scholarships than traditional learners.
Broad Job Opportunities
It is common for UX designers to require a bachelor’s degree or higher for employment. By acquiring an actual diploma for a Bachelor’s in UX/UI, you can qualify for numerous job opportunities in the information technology sector.
Efficient Learning Environment
Online UX/UI programs usually come with cutting-edge learning platforms that make learning efficient for all kinds of students. Furthermore, many other resources can help them achieve academic success.
Enhances Soft Skills
It is necessary to be self-motivated and independent when learning online. A bachelor’s degree program in UX/UI online can help you develop soft skills that will be useful after graduation.
Possible Jobs to Get After Graduating from an Online Bachelor’s in UX/UI
Experiential Designer
Experiential designers produce displays and surroundings that convey a message or a mood inside a physical context. Marketing campaigns, art exhibits, and public installations are transformed into experiences by experiential designers combining graphic design expertise and spatial problem-solving skills.
Technical Writer
Creating documentation explaining a product’s features and benefits is the job of a Technical Writer. To ensure users can digest what they read quickly, they ensure the content is clear and understandable for readers.
Information Technology Project Manager
IT project managers provide detailed specifications for a project’s specifications, objectives, timelines, funding, and labor. Their responsibilities include developing, maintaining, and revising proposals. They ensure that project goals are met timely and successful.
Web Designer
Designing a website or web page is the responsibility of a web designer. A web designer, in contrast to a web developer, focuses on the visual aspects of a website, such as its layout and how it works.
SEO Specialist
Specialists in search engine optimization, often known as SEO experts, evaluate, test, and optimize websites to improve their position in search engine results on Google and Bing.
Software Quality Assurance Engineer
These experts create test scenarios, scripts, and procedures. Software quality assurance engineers use tools such as a bug-tracking system to record software flaws. Finally, they need to notify software developers about them.
Corporate Web Developer
A web developer plans and develops web applications and supports and maintains a company’s website and digital products. In today’s constantly evolving internet environment, web developers have a lot of work to do daily.
Tips to Become a Succesful UX/UI Designer
It takes a passion and an eye for design to succeed in this field. This strongly complements your online bachelor’s degree in UX/UI. Being self-starting and having a genuine interest in technology is essential.
Consider more tips below to succeed in the UX/UI sector:
Learn UX/UI skills.
Be prepared for the next level of UX design by learning the fundamentals. A good place to start is by self-learning, and you can always start with online resources such as boot camps, videos, and other sources. As you develop UX/UI skills, you can use them to leverage a formal education in this field of study.
Prepare and build your portfolio.
Marking a space in UX design is a great thing to do. One effective way is to create and build your portfolio. Aside from using it for job applications, you can also market it for freelancing projects. Furthermore, this provides insight into the working life of a designer, exposing your talents and capabilities easier.
Learn and seek guidance from a mentor.
Mentorship is an excellent idea, if not a requirement. Seek out an expert with extensive experience who can guide you to improve. They should have ample time to explain the industry standards to you and how you can change your style to make it more comfortable for users.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an online Bachelor’s in UX/UI?
You can receive a bachelor’s degree after finishing a four-year UX/UI design online program at a recognized institution or college. To acquire this degree, you are not required to take classes on a conventional brick-and-mortar campus. Instead, you can use a computer or mobile device connected to the Internet to attend classes remotely.
An online bachelor’s degree is as good as one earned on-campus if granted by a respectable, approved institution. Some of the courses in these programs can be completed independently, while others could necessitate participation in live classes.
How long does finishing an online Bachelor’s in UX/UI take?
If you study full-time, completing an online bachelor’s degree in User Experience Design takes four years. Given that a bachelor’s degree typically requires 120 credits, you must finish 15 credits per semester to graduate in these four years.
Some colleges offer accelerated programs, which will dramatically shorten the program’s length but demand more time and commitment.
Is the field of UX/UI in demand?
With the development of technology, the idea of UX/UI will become increasingly important. People’s interactions with technology at home and work are becoming more intimate. Because of this, there will always be a demand for UX or UI specialists as digital tools, services, and platforms increase.
It’s crucial to remember that UX or UI applies to both analog and digital systems, and professionals are required for all forms of UX design and communication.
Is it difficult to find a job in the field of UX/UI after graduation?
Obtaining employment means being adept in the UX design process, and it may or may not be difficult for you! It is a recently developing market with courses that give students the skills they need to apply for jobs as soon as they graduate.
As long as you equip yourself with the best preparation for a job application, you can get hired in just some months after graduation.
You can work as a UX/UI researcher, tech writer, web developer, UI/UX designer, and product designer. The employment options open to a graduate with a Bachelor’s in UX Design go well beyond these, and the job market is growing as more businesses start to understand their significance and add new roles and positions to accommodate them.
Summary Points
- Degrees in User Experience UX/UI prepare professionals to build websites, software, and other products that the target audiences will find simple and enjoyable.
- With an online bachelor’s degree in UX/UI design, you can pursue many career options, including those in graphic and digital design. The UX Design program is a young, developing subject that is extremely valuable to the creative sector!
- The top universities offering a bachelor’s degree in UX design feature online courses that broaden your knowledge of the subject and equip you with the knowledge, abilities, and training necessary for a successful and lengthy career in the industry.
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