Online Master of Science in User-Centered Design

Grow Your Expertise in UX Design and Strategy

100% Online

1 – 2.5 Years

30 Credit Hours

$1,220 per Credit Hour

Request Information

Complete this form to receive information about coursework, admissions, tuition and more.

Gain Practical Master’s-Level User-Centered Design Skills

Learn how the intersection of creativity, technology and psychology impacts user experiences in our master’s degree in user-centered design program. Customize your online degree by choosing from three tracks—Design, Strategy, or Research and Analytics—or combine electives to create your own track. A full-time option is available, allowing you to complete the program in just one year. This program is ideal for career changers or those wishing to advance their UX/UI careers.

Program Details

No GRE/GMAT required
Full-time and part-time options available
Small class sizes
Courses taught by practicing professionals at the top of their field
Industry mentorship

Request Info

Explore Our Master’s in User-Centered Design Tracks

Our tracks allow you to customize your degree to your career aspirations. Tracks are optional, giving you the flexibility to create your focus by choosing from more than a dozen in-depth elective courses.

Design

1 – 2.5 Years Duration | 9 Credit Hours

Envision, prototype and design usable and effective UX/UI and service experiences.

Courses Highlights

Design for IoT
Demystifying Agile Project Management
Web Development Technologies

Strategy

1 – 2.5 Years Duration | 9 Credit Hours

Apply strategic thinking and leadership skills to user-centered design projects.

Courses Highlights

UX Design Processes
Inclusive Design & Digital Accessibility
Business Intelligence

Research and Analytics

1 – 2.5 Years Duration | 9 Credit Hours

Serve as the voice of the customer by gathering and analyzing user feedback data.

Courses Highlights

Survey Design and Analysis
Foundations of Data Science
Statistics and Data Analytics

“This program has vastly expanded what I like to call my UX toolkit, and given me knowledge of and experience with a large variety of methodologies that I have been able to apply to my positions.”

– Glory Creed, 2022
User-Centered Design

Curriculum
Admissions Requirements
Tuition & Aid

Professionally Applicable and Customizable UX Design Coursework

10 Courses

30 Total Credits

Learn the skills you need to succeed in designing products that focus on the user. Our online program is flexible but rigorous. We recommend that students allocate 9–12 hours per week to each course.

Course Highlights

User Experience Design
Human Factors Psychology
Information Architecture
Design Operation and Leadership

Curriculum Details

Start Your Journey to a User-Centered Design Degree

Application Deadline 12/18/2023

Start Date 01/10/2024

Start your application process with the support of the Brandeis team. During the application process, your enrollment counselor will answer questions, help you meet application deadlines and connect you with faculty in the user-centered design program.

Online Application Form	Apply Now.
Prerequisite Degree	You must have a four-year bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or equivalent.
Transcripts	Send official transcript(s) from every college or university attended.
Additional Requirements	Include an updated resume that outlines your current and recent work history. A statement of goals: Contain at least 500 words, address why you are pursuing a graduate degree and describe how the program outcomes will help you achieve your professional and personal goals. One letter of recommendation from a current or former supervisor, manager or employer who can assess your workplace performance: Add their information to the online application and they’ll receive a link to upload the letter. You can submit multiple recommendation letters.

International Students

International students must satisfy additional admissions requirements to be admitted to our user-centered design program.

English Proficiency Score	Internet-based TOEFL: 100 IELTS: 7 You are exempt from this if you meet one of the following conditions: Will complete, or have already completed, at least three full-time academic years of a bachelor’s degree program (ESL and online coursework not included) in a designated country. Have completed at least one full-time academic year of graduate study (online coursework not included) at the time the application is submitted in a designated country. Have worked full-time for at least three consecutive years, within the past four years, in a designated country. Have earned a bachelor’s degree from the American University of Beirut, the American University in Cairo, the American University of Paris, the American University of Puerto Rico, the American University of Rome or the American University of Sharjah.
Course Evaluation	If you earned your degree outside the United States, you must submit your records (official transcripts/mark sheets) for a course-by-course evaluation by either Education Credential Evaluators (ECE) of Madison, Wisconsin, or World Education Services (WES) of New York, New York. Applicants are responsible for the evaluation fee.

English Proficiency Score

Internet-based TOEFL: 100
IELTS: 7

You are exempt from this if you meet one of the following conditions:

Will complete, or have already completed, at least three full-time academic years of a bachelor’s degree program (ESL and online coursework not included) in a designated country.
Have completed at least one full-time academic year of graduate study (online coursework not included) at the time the application is submitted in a designated country.
Have worked full-time for at least three consecutive years, within the past four years, in a designated country.
Have earned a bachelor’s degree from the American University of Beirut, the American University in Cairo, the American University of Paris, the American University of Puerto Rico, the American University of Rome or the American University of Sharjah.

Course Evaluation

If you earned your degree outside the United States, you must submit your records (official transcripts/mark sheets) for a course-by-course evaluation by either Education Credential Evaluators (ECE) of Madison, Wisconsin, or World Education Services (WES) of New York, New York. Applicants are responsible for the evaluation fee.

Apply today to ensure you meet our key admission dates. Start your online application. If you have any questions, reach out to our admissions team at 781-352-4318.

Admissions Details

Finance Your Brandeis Experience

Calculate your cost for attending Brandeis Use our tuition calculator to help you estimate your total tuition costs.

Tuition Calculator

College is a huge investment. We are committed to providing accelerated higher educational experiences that offer a return on your investment. We guide each student through the financial aid process and offer tuition discounts and convenient payment plans for eligible students.

Cost per Credit Hour	$1,220
Total Number of Credit Hours	30
Total Estimated Cost, Minus Fees	$36,600
Additional Fees	$500 enrollment deposit (paid when offer is accepted and goes toward cost of course)
Other Costs to Budget For	You may have costs in addition to tuition, such as textbooks, supplies and fees. Take these into consideration as you budget for your degree.

Military Students

Brandeis welcomes active military, veterans and their spouses. We are a proud Yellow Ribbon School. Our military students and their families receive a 15% tuition discount. Speak with your enrollment counselor for more information.

Financial Aid Opportunities

With the help of our team, you’ll learn about financial aid eligibility so that you can make sound financial decisions while achieving your career goals. Your financial aid options may include federal loans provided through the FAFSA.

Tuition Details

Students putting together a presentation for their online Master's in User Center Design program

Pursue In-Demand User Experience Careers

With the skills you develop in our user-centered design program, you can pursue diverse careers in many industries, including healthcare, financial services, education and tech. Those who complete the program hold roles such as user experience designer, UX researcher and design director.

Top Jobs for User-Centered Design Graduates

Chief Experience Officer $204,518 per year¹

Senior UX Designer $119,442 per year²

Program Outcomes

Our 100% online courses are created and taught by professionals who are experts in the field. You’ll graduate with a professional portfolio, ready to highlight your user-centered design skills. Participate in our mentorship program to get career advice and portfolio feedback.

What You’ll Learn

Master interaction design and information architecture tools and techniques, including prototyping at various levels of fidelity.
Understand and apply the human factors (including physical and psychological principles) that impact user interactions with digital products and technologies.
Conduct and leverage qualitative and quantitative research to inform design decisions and evaluate designs.
Adapt user experience processes and methods to a range of organizational contexts and settings.
Develop design thinking, collaboration, and leadership skills necessary to plan and drive UX strategy for products and organizations.

Learn from Expert User-Centered Design Faculty

The courses in the user-centered design online degree are shaped by experts who are active in this fast-paced field and ready to share their real-world experiences with students. Our instructors customize courses for online delivery, encouraging collaboration and connection. Meet the program instructors on our faculty page.

Eva Kaniasty

Faculty Spotlight

Eva Kaniasty, Program Chair of User-Centered Design, User Experience Design Consultant, Slipper Studios

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Eva Kaniasty, MS, is the founder of Slipper Studios, a user experience (UX) consultancy providing UX strategy, research and UX design. Her areas of interest include start-ups, education, health care and design for sustainability. She received her master’s degree in human factors from Bentley University, served as president of UXPA Boston, and is a repeat presenter at local and national conferences.

Bold Leaders in Online Learning

Brandeis University has online education down to a science with decades of experience. Our faculty members, who are trained to teach online, create and refresh courses infused with best practices to optimize your learning experience. The platform is virtual, but the connections are real.

Discover Brandeis Online

Sources

Salary.com, Chief Experience Officers, on the internet at https://www.salary.com/ (visited June 12, 2023).
Salary.com, Senior UX Designer, on the internet at https://www.salary.com/ (visited June 23, 2023).