user experience designers
The Kent State University User Experience Program
Refresh your career with a degree that deepens your skills and raises your earning potential. The Kent State UX master’s (MS) can help you create a satisfying, well-paid career in UX design, research, information architecture and related roles.
user experience designers
Art + Science = Career Success
User experience is central to business success. Satisfying experiences drive sales and customer retention. Creating those experiences is both an art and a science, and top UX master’s programs provide a grounding in the science that supports the art. The Kent State UX master’s equips you with the foundational knowledge of information architecture, user research, content strategy, usability and accessibility to support your work and your career success.

Student Success Stories

Kent State UX alumni work across sectors in companies ranging from startups to multinational corporations at the top of the Fortune 100 list.

Our alumni have job titles, including senior user experience research leader, senior experience designer, UX designer, and senior manager-product design.

Enroll in our convenient 100% online program to build your professional portfolio as you develop your knowledge of core user experience skills. Then join our alumni network in creating great user experiences at industry-leading organizations.

The Kent State UX Master’s Advantage

Our students leave the program uniquely qualified to understand and advocate for high-quality user experiences. The unique perspective and expertise you will develop through the disciplines integrated into the degree will make your workplace contributions stand out.

Kent State Online UX master’s alumni have worked at leading companies such as:

  • Amazon
  • JP Morgan Chase
  • Kroger
  • Optum
  • Red Ventures
  • Compass.com
  • Coursera
  • Sony

Learn the Why and the How

While boot camps and certificates provide a general overview of miscellaneous UX skills, the curriculum in the affordable online Kent State UX master’s program helps you understand why a design is effective, not just how to create it.

Our program offers a unique blend of concepts and skills that complement and reinforce your practical experiences. New theoretical and presentation skills, developed as you present your working portfolio to faculty and peers, will position you as a UX expert and leader.

Be an Expert in UX

The skills and credibility that come with your Kent State University user experience master’s degree can translate into a significant financial benefit.

20% more

Professionals with master’s degrees enjoy greater job security and earn about 20% more than those with only bachelor’s degrees.1

Having my master’s gave me a level of instant credibility with hiring managers. The program was challenging and required a lot of time, but it has already paid off immensely.
Justin M., MS ‘16
woman at computer
Why Get an Online Degree?
Online education offers many advantages, including:
  • Location–no need to move or commute to attend the program
  • Time–study on your schedule, around your other commitments
  • Cost–save money on commuting and time away from work
  • Learning support–our program is specifically designed to support you
  • Collaboration and networking–get to know working professionals from a variety of backgrounds as you work on assignments
Online degree programs offer so many benefits over on-campus programs that universities worldwide are rushing to implement them. Kent State University is a groundbreaker in online education, having launched our first course nearly 20 years ago. Our experience shows in the quality of our program, ranked one of the country’s top UX master’s programs.2
Our Quality Is Widely Recognized

The Kent State UX master’s program is accredited by NASAD, the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, because of its academic rigor and faculty expertise. We’re also proud to have the Military Friendly® gold designation, recognizing the top-level service we offer to members of the extended military community–and all our students.

Military Friendly Logo

NASAD logo

When I graduated, I walked out of Kent State with real-world experience, ready to hit the ground running from the day I got my degree.
Alesha A., MS ‘16
Articles About Careers, Professional Topics and More
Knowing how to write a design brief can help drive an overall understanding of a project’s needs. A truly excellent design brief, however, bridges the terrain between a good idea and making it into reality. By effectively communicating all the essential environmental factors, requirements, constraints and needs of a design project, a brilliant design brief can energize all parties involved.
Admissions Requirements
  • Completed online application
  • Complete bachelor’s degree, with a GPA of 2.75 or higher (on a 4.0 scale), from an accredited university*
  • Three letters of recommendation from professors and/or employers
  • Application fee: $45
  • Official transcripts
  • Goal statement
  • Resume/CV
  • No GRE required for admission

*Students who do not meet GPA requirements may be conditionally admitted. Please contact an Admissions Outreach Advisor at online@kent.edu or call us toll-free at +1 330-672-8671 for more information.

Important Dates

Dec
1
Application Deadline
Spring 2024 Term
Jan
16
First Day of Classes
Spring 2024 Term
May
1
Application Deadline
Summer 2024 Term
The application process is simple and we’re here to guide you through it.

Our Admissions Outreach Advisors are available to answer your questions regarding admissions requirements for the program. If you have questions, please email us at online@kent.edu or call us at +1 330-672-8671.

Application FAQs
Create an account in the online application system to save your work and track the progress of materials submitted via the application system.

I am a U.S. citizen. Where should I send my application materials?

If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident, all required application materials should be sent to the Division of Graduate Studies at gradapps@kent.edu or by mail to:

Division of Graduate Studies
Kent State University
Cartwright Hall
P.O. Box 5190
Kent, OH 44242

Please be sure to include your full name and Kent State ID (9-digit number starting with 8) on all submitted documents. For questions, contact Graduate Admissions at +1 330-672-2661 or gradapps@kent.edu.

I am not a U.S. citizen. Where should I send my application materials?

If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident, all required documents should be submitted to the Office of Global Education at intladm@kent.edu or by mail to:

Office of Global Education
Kent State University
106 Van Campen Hall
625 Loop Rd.
Kent, OH 44242
USA

For questions, contact International Admissions at +1 330-672-7970 or intladm@kent.edu.

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Related Reading from the Kent State Online Blog

Check out one of our featured blog posts below
Felesia McDonald, ’14 is an adjunct instructor in the iSchool, teaching courses in the 100% Online Master of Science in User Experience. McDonald is also the Sr Manager UX Design at Optum, a branch of UnitedHealth Group.
As one of the newest faculty members in the iSchool, Professor Dong Whi Yoo is encouraging students to see the potential of interdisciplinary research.
Kelsey Pytlik serves as an adjunct professor for the Kent State University School of Information, teaching courses in UX, UX principles and concepts, principles of interaction, and more.
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