masters degree user research

User Experience, Master of Science

User Experience

Master of Science

Course Delivery

Total Credits

Credit Hour

Minimum Duration

• Program Details

Course Information

Admissions requirements.

• Tuition & Fees

Program Overview

The Department of Information and Media offers a fully online, asynchronous masters-level program in User Experience (UX) to accelerate career prospects of early and mid-career professionals for leadership roles. UX focuses on humans interacting with technologies, as well as business goals, during the design process to create user-centered and socially responsive interactive technologies, applications, and information systems. The program enables students to earn a masters from one of the world’s leading programs without the expense and overall challenges associated with leaving their home or job. The 30-credit program emphasizes a “user-first” perspective, meaning it integrates knowledge of human-computer interaction with industry-relevant methods and social responsibility to prepare students for real-world experiences in the workplace, including technical and/or management careers in user-first experience design and human-centered research.

Program Outcomes

This premier online graduate user experience program combines user-first theoretical and practical knowledge of experience design that will help students build their skills and expertise to become champions of change, drivers of innovation, and creators of sustainable user experiences and engagements. With a Master of Science in User Experience from MSU, graduates will be prepared to:

• Become a UX leader, driving the technology behind product design and marketing
• Qualify for UX job roles such as designer, researcher, or project manager
• Design more usable and accessible websites, software, and products for diverse audiences
• Collect, analyze, and interpret user experience data to inform decision making
• Advance dynamic IT developments in the 21st century global workplace

Career Outlook

The User Experience program will position students for rewarding, well-paying careers in human-computer interaction, user experience design, and human-centered research. Graduates will have job titles that reflect the major UX areas:

• UX Design: UX designer, experience designer, interaction designer, or information architect
• UX Strategist: UX strategist, UX architect, UX product manager, or UX analyst
• Visual Design: Visual information designer, user interface (UI) designer, UI artist, or digital designer
• Research and Usability: UX researcher or usability researcher/specialist/analyst
• Content: Content strategist or UX copywriter

A Top-Ranked Education

• 60th Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2024
• 123rd Global University —  U.S. News & World Report, 2024

Jeff  Siarto

Interim program director of ux, ms.

Jeff is a UI/UX designer, author, and technologist with over 15 years of experience building web and software user interfaces. Since 2013 he’s been working with NASA and other organizations to help make remote sensing and Earth Science data more usable and actionable for scientists, engineers, and the general public.

UX 800 - User Research and Design, 3 credits

UX 802 - Current Topics in UX, 3 credits

UX 805 - Quantitative Analysis and Insights in UX, 3 credits

UX 810 - Social Science for Design, 3 credits

UX 815 - Programming Fundamentals for UX, 3 credits

UX 820 - Usability Evaluation, 3 credits

UX 825 - Visual Design Fundamentals, 3 credits

UX 830 - Design for Interactivity, 3 credits

UX 835 - Accessibility and Design, 3 credits

UX 840 - UX and Society, 3 credits

UX 898 - User Experience Capstone/Practicum, 3 credits

To be accepted to this program, you must have:

• A bachelor's degree from a recognized, accredited educational institution (Minimum of 3.0 undergraduate GPA). No GRE required.
• Previous work experience preferred (Résumé/CV, portfolio is optional)
• TOEFL/IELTS scores if English is not your native language
• A written personal statement detailing your professional interests and goals
• Letter of recommendation
• Official transcripts from all previous schools

To apply to this program:

• Complete a departmental and university graduate application and pay the application fee.
• Submit all required materials to the application portal.
• Send all official transcripts to Michigan State University.

Fall Semester

Application Deadline

Spring Semester

December 10th

Tuition & Fees per credit

Cost of attendance, the msu value promise.

You can be ensured a return on your investment at Michigan State University.

As one of the top research universities in the world, Michigan State University has advanced the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community.

MSU has been offering online degree programs for over 20 years. Our maturity is evident in the high quality of the learning experience enjoyed by our online students.

MSU provides programs and initiatives that support and enhance diversity. We will expand our campus and external partnerships to put in place inclusive recruitment and retention practices. We nurture and promote individuals’ varied experiences and perspectives, ensuring structures and processes make possible full participation by all members of our community.

MSU’s nationally recognized online programs foster student growth and well-being throughout their academic career. We will expand inclusive mentoring practices and accelerate improvement across units to implement evidence-based practices to ensure our students complete successfully.

Continuing education  can be one of the most exciting, challenging, and rewarding experiences you undertake in your life. We hope you consider becoming a Spartan, to learn online and reach your career goals.  With highly ranked online programs and exceptional professors, we educate students who advance the common good with uncommon will.

Explore More Online Programs

Master of Science in User Experience

The Master of Science (M.S.) in User Experience (UX) is an asynchronous, online professional degree designed for future leaders in UX. Taught by world-class faculty, the UX master’s program will accelerate your career by providing the practical knowledge and real-world experience employers demand.

View The Degree Requirements

Why a Master’s in UX?

• Become a UX leader, driving the technology behind product design and marketing.
• Qualify for UX job roles such as designer, researcher, or project manager.
• Design more usable and accessible websites, software, and products for diverse audiences.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret user experience data to inform decision making.
• Advance dynamic I.T. developments in the 21st century global workplace.

The UX program provides advanced design training that takes a user-first approach. It integrates foundational knowledge of human-computer interaction with industry-relevant methods and social responsibility.