Certificate
Part-Time Only
Spring I
Online
About the User Experience Design Certificate at Loyola
As one of the fastest-growing professional fields and specializations in the country, User Experience (UX) Design is used in everything from websites and mobile applications to personal computers and other smart devices to create intuitive, meaningful, and relevant experiences for users of the product.
The online User Experience Design Certificate will prepare you to meet an ever-increasing demand for UX designers and open new professional doors in your career.
The program is ideal for professionals in any field who are interested in entry-level positions in UX design, designers looking to advance their careers, and web designers and front-end developers who want to expand their skill set.
Program Structure
The User Experience Design Certificate is a three-course, nine-credit-hour program that also offers an optional fourth course if you are interested in extra hands-on experience applying these skills in a real-world setting.
You will start the certificate in Spring I (January) and take one course in three consecutive eight-week sessions, completing the program in seven months at the end of the summer session.
Courses are completed online, with weekly synchronous meetings held during the evening.
Why Choose Loyola for the User Experience Design Certificate?
- A certificate in one of the digital age's fastest-growing fields
- A versatile credential for a wide range of professionals
- An optional course for more extensive hands-on practice
- A comprehensive and well-rounded experience
- A convenient online model to meet the demands of your life
- An exceptional reputation and proven legacy
With digital technology, smart devices, and computer interactions at the center of 21st-century life, the need for skilled UX designers capable of making those interfaces and interactions as streamlined and enjoyable as possible is expected to see significant growth well into the future.
The program is a good fit for professionals representing a wide range of fields-including digital marketing, market research, and design operations-and can be taken as a stand-alone certificate or in partnership with an SCPS degree program.
An optional fourth course, Special Topics, will position you to carry out a UX design or UX strategy project for a community or nonprofit organization, providing you with a deeper applied context for what you've learned and the opportunity to demonstrate your abilities to future employers and graduate programs.
The program provides a foundation in the tools and techniques of UX design with a focus on conducting field research, evaluating UX designs, and taking designs from concept to prototype using tools such as personas, task models, journey mapping, and applying UX design to business strategy.
The User Experience Design Certificate program is delivered fully online, with weekly synchronous meetings held during evenings, allowing you to collaborate with fellow students and faculty in a way most convenient for you.
Loyola's School of Continuing and Professional Studies is widely recognized for its quality programming and mission of empowering adult learners through an accessible, impactful, and holistic education.
Meet the Faculty
Loyola is proud to have talented and nationally-recognized scholar-teachers as part of our diverse community of exceptional faculty, students and staff. Loyola faculty are known for their commitment to teaching, the dissemination of knowledge through innovative and interdisciplinary scholarly research, and a commitment to social justice and cura personalis, or care for the whole person. Visit the School of Continuing and Professional Studies faculty and staff directory to learn more about the teachers and mentors involved with the Certificate: User Experience Design program.
Faculty and StaffUser Experience Design Certificate: Career Connections
Graduates of the program will be prepared to seek out entry-level UX design positions or leverage the certificate towards career advancement in their existing field. Some graduates also use the knowledge and skills gained for further education and training in the design and/or tech field, through an undergraduate or graduate degree.
For others, the program adds depth and dimension to their work in market research, digital marketing, and executive roles overseeing design functions at their organization.
Specific job options include:
- UX designer
- Front-end designer
- UX strategist
- UX manager
- UX researcher
- Visual designer
- UX architect
Because Loyola is a member of the Jesuit network of 27 colleges and universities nationwide, our graduates can access career advising services, resume and interviewing assistance, career fairs and events, and employment listings in our Career Services center, as well as at career centers at other U.S. Jesuit colleges and universities.
Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook is a good place to start exploring the job outlook and pay potential for specific careers and fields that interest you.
Curriculum and Program Outcomes
While courses for the Certificate: User Experience Design program may vary from semester to semester, Loyola’s extensive Academic Catalog will always house the official listing of courses, programs of study, academic policies, degree requirements, and specialization or concentration options.
Additionally, this resource will provide Certificate: User Experience Design learning outcomes, showcasing the commitment to specific skills and growth graduates can expect to achieve following completion of the program.
2023-2024 Catalog
Browse Academic CatalogUser Experience Design Certificate Results and Skills
The User Experience Design Certificate program will support you in developing the skills to:
- Understand and effectively communicate the difference between usability and user experience
- Evaluate user experience (UX) design using objective metrics
- Apply the UX prototyping process and UX design tools
- Apply the UX design process, including the use of personas, task models, and user journey mapping
- Connect and align business objectives with UX design goals
- Apply Design Thinking to develop business strategy
Costs, Scholarships, and Aid
Loyola University Chicago is committed to making your return to school a reality. Our Cost & Financial Aid page can help better inform you about the costs and potential funding opportunities through scholarships, loans, and aid for graduate and professional education.
If you are a current Loyola undergraduate or recent alum, you may be eligible for a Returning Rambler discount. Learn more and see if you qualify on our Returning Rambler Scholarship page.
Tuition and Costs
The estimated tuition and fees for the Certificate: User Experience Design totals $7110.00, or 9 credit hours at a cost of $790.00 per credit hour. Please note that tuition and fees for all of Loyola's academic programs are subject to change.
For more detailed information about tuition and fees, and a breakdown of how these costs are calculated on a yearly basis, please visit Tuition and Fees from the Office of the Bursar.
Certificate: User Experience Design Scholarships
For detailed information about tuition, costs, and aid, please visit the SCPS Tuition & Financial Aid page.
Appointments and Events
Whether you’re just beginning your search, in the midst of the application process, or eager to explore our graduate and professional programs, our admissions staff is here to assist you every step of the way.
Schedule an AppointmentThe School of Continuing and Professional Studies offers open houses, information sessions, individual appointments, open Zoom and text sessions, and a multitude of other ways to get to know us better.
View all EventsVisit and Connect With Us
With our visit opportunities, you can tour our beautiful Chicago campuses and learn more about Loyola's ties to one of the most prestigious cities in the world.
Application Process
Application Deadlines
The available start terms and corresponding application deadlines for the Certificate: User Experience Design are listed below. Please keep in mind that both the application and the required materials must be submitted by the specified deadline.
Rolling applications, recommended deadlines are:
Spring I: January 6
Fall I: August 5
Application Requirements
Application requirements for the Certificate: User Experience Design include:
Completed Application
Official Documents
Official transcripts are those that are sent directly by the college/university to Loyola University Chicago. Transcripts sent by the student to Loyola are considered unofficial documents, and while they may be utilized for initial review of your application, official transcripts are still required. Official documents should be sent by the institution to gradapp@luc.edu.
International Applicant Requirements
An official English language proficiency exam is required for international applicants whose native language is not English. If you have non-U.S. educational credentials, you are required to submit an official transcript evaluation. The transcript evaluation cannot be waived.
Please visit our International Applicant Requirements page for specific information regarding the application process for international students.
Start Your Application
Applying online to the Certificate: User Experience Design program is a swift, uncomplicated, and cost-free process. After submission, you can proceed to send and upload any additional requirements.
APPLY TODAY