Brandeis Graduate Professional Studies

Earn your Master's in User-Centered Design

Improve experiences by focusing on the human factor

In the most successful apps, devices and software, form follows function. That's why demand has skyrocketed for user experience design experts.

By earning your online master's degree in User-Centered Design online from Brandeis GPS, you'll study at the intersection of psychology, creativity and technology. While other programs focus primarily on design aesthetics, we explore the science of human behavior to gain a deeper understanding of user experience (UX) and engagement principles. Additionally, students are required to take a capstone which is a seminar-style course intended to bring together all of the prior knowledge and skills that the student has obtained. Students will work independently or in small teams to produce a prototype of a product or system.

Our leading practitioners in the UX field will teach you to:

• Incorporate design thinking, agile development, and other industry trends into your work.
• Present your designs with evidence-based rationales.
• Collaborate with product owners, managers, and other internal stakeholders.

You'll graduate with a portfolio showcasing your skills, empowering you to advance in your organization, or launching a new career improving digital products, websites, and software applications. Many students opt to take the Internship course which provides students with an opportunity to learn and gain hands-on experience related to their individual career goals and/or field of study. 

This program has received official STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) designations.

Courses and Requirements

Full-time OR part-time | Fully online | Real-world experience 

Your 30-credit User-Centered Design MS program includes required courses covering the fundamentals of user experience design along with the psychology, processes and leadership traits involved. Electives allow you to go deeper into areas of interest, including web development, project management, and design of emerging technologies to round out your skillset. Students have the option to choose an area of focus during their degree and follow an elective track in Design, Strategy or Research & Analytics.

Complete your degree within one year. View the course sequence options.

The User-Centered Design Industry

Growing demand for improved experiences

App, website and device markets continue to grow exponentially, creating intense competition and the need for user experience design specialists across nearly all industries. A recent study on LinkedIn ranked UX design fifth on its top 10 list of hard skills companies needed most for 2020. Demand is only expected to increase.