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Online UX Concentration Within the BA in Graphic Design & Media Arts program

Adaecus Brooks, who earned his online bachelor's in graphic design and media arts from SNHU in 2024, wearing his cap and gown and holding a Maryland pennant.

Cost per credit $342

Total courses 40

Term length 8 weeks

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Program Overview Why get a user experience (UX) design concentration online?

To stay competitive in today’s digital world, brands need to create web and mobile experiences that are not just functional, but engaging and easy to use. Southern New Hampshire University's online user experience (UX) design concentration will help you master usability-focused design. Along the way, you’ll develop the expertise to collaborate effectively with internal teams and external partners, while also building other key competencies valued across the UX field.

Skills you'll learn:

  • Prototyping
  • Visual design
  • User research
  • Information architecture
  • Industry-standard tools like Figma
  • Effective user testing
Jesus Suarez, who earned his BA in Graphic Design and Media Arts in 2021, working on a laptop in his kitchen.

Courses & Curriculum Online UX design classes built for today's digital creatives

In this program, you’ll get hands-on experience with the tools and techniques UX professionals use every day. You’ll put user-centered design principles into practice on real-world projects, creating and refining wireframes and prototypes, and running usability tests to make your designs even better. By working through these projects, you’ll build practical skills that can help you create clear, user-focused digital experiences.

Degree Courses

Online UX design concentration courses

This 12-credit concentration is part of our online Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Graphic Design and Media Art degree program. In just 4 classes, you'll learn the fundamentals of UX design, from user research and information architecture to prototyping and usability testing.

Courses may include:

Course ID: GRA 362
In this course, students will explore the importance of user-first thinking in digital design. Students will examine the user experience (UX) process and current best practices then apply that thinking to a website design project. As a part of their application of the UX process, they will also create various user personas and scenarios in order to better understand a user's needs, experiences, behaviors, and goals. In addition, students will also apply their understanding of user-centric design principles to the optimization of wireframes and designs.
Course ID: GRA 364
In this course, students will be exposed to the history, theory and principles of information architecture and how it relates to web design. Students will conduct analyses of existing designs to determine their strengths and areas of opportunity and to inform the development of visual maps to address design needs. Students will also create and optimize wireframes to design an original experience.
Course ID: GRA 366
In this course, students examine the role, nature and processes of collaboration in user experience design. Students will explore various types of team structures used to create robust user-centered experiences and how business, development and design methodologies interact as part of the larger design process. In addition, students will develop the skills necessary to defend design decisions by leveraging research data and engaging with various audiences and stakeholders to get optimal user-centered designs over the finish line.
Course ID: GRA 368
In this course, students will leverage industry standard user experience (UX) tools to iteratively build out prototypes for a variety of different client types. Students will utilize user-centered design research and conduct effective user testing to create low-cost working simulations to facilitate usability testing and other experience design research. Students will also continue to critique work and receive feedback, while also leveraging research, to continuously improve and iterate upon design prototypes.

Visit the course catalog to view the full BA in Graphic Design and Media Arts User Experience Design Curriculum.

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Our no-commitment application can help you decide if SNHU is the right college for you and your career goals. Apply up until 2 days before the term starts!

Upcoming term starts: May 4, 2026 | June 29, 2026

Next term starts:
March 2, 2026

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Online Student Experience What’s it like going to SNHU?

Attending college online at SNHU can be a life-changing experience. In fact, 93.4% of online students would recommend SNHU according to a 2025 survey with 8,718 respondents.

What to expect:

8-week terms

Learn around your schedule

24/7 online support

Faculty Profile

Learn from instructors with industry experience

Our faculty members carry with them decades of experience in design. By bringing real-world insights to the classroom, they can help position graduates for success in this ever-evolving field.

Featured Faculty

Sloan Kelly
Sloan Kelly, SNHU Associate Dean of Fine and Applied Arts, sitting in an office setting.

Sloan Kelly has worked as a graphic designer and educator for over 30 years. She began her career at SNHU as associate dean of graphic design and communication. Kelly’s research focuses on developing a curriculum that best prepares graphic design students with the skills to enter a rapidly evolving industry. She continues her design industry research in collaboration with AIGA, most recently in the group’s point-of-view research initiative examining the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and changing technology on the design industry.

Position
Associate Dean, Fine and Applied Arts

Joined SNHU
2014

Education

  • MFA in Graphic Design from Boston University
  • BA in Art and English from Rollins College
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No application fee. No test scores. And no college essay. Just a simple form with basic information. It’s another way SNHU helps you reach your goals sooner.

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Whether you're applying for an undergraduate or graduate degree, you’ll fill out a form to verify your previous education experience. As part of our admissions process, we'll help you request transcripts from your previous school(s) to see if you can transfer any credits into your SNHU program! (Also for free!)

After reviewing your official evaluation, you can decide if SNHU is right for you! If you choose to enroll, just pick your start date and get ready for classes to begin.

Talk to an admission counselor: 888.327.SNHU | enroll@snhu.edu

Accreditations

SNHU is accredited by the regional accreditor the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The university also carries specialized accreditations for some programs.

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Tuition Cost & Savings College can be more affordable than you think

As a nonprofit university, SNHU offers some of the lowest online tuition rates in the country. And when you work with our Financial Services team, we'll explore ways to help you save even more on your education – and customize a payment plan that works for you.

Online undergraduate tuition

Student
Cost per credit
Cost per course
Cost for 120-credit degree*
Full- and part-time students
$342
$1,026
$41,040
Active-duty military and spouses | Full- and part-time students**
$250
$750
$30,000

*before previously earned credits are applied

Tuition rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually.

**Note: Students receiving this rate are not eligible for additional discounts.

Additional costs: Course materials vary by course.

Transfer credits and lower your cost by:

$10,260 $15,390 $20,520 $25,650 $30,780
Transfer credits and lower your cost by:

If 30 of your prior learning credits ($342/credit) are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $30,780

If 45 of your prior learning credits ($342/credit) are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $25,650

If 60 of your prior learning credits ($342/credit) are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $20,520

If 75 of your prior learning credits ($342/credit) are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $15,390

If 90 of your prior learning credits ($342/credit) are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $10,260

How we estimate your tuition cost:

We look at the cost per credit multiplied by the number of credits you need to earn for a bachelor's degree. Most bachelor's degrees require 120 credits. SNHU allows you to transfer in up to 90 credits, requiring a minimum of 30 credits to be taken at SNHU. This is only a tuition estimator, and doesn't account for other fees that may be associated with your program of choice.

Career Outlook What can I do with an online UX design concentration?

A concentration in UX design can open the door to a wide range of exciting, in-demand careers across industries like technology, finance, healthcare, entertainment and more. UX professionals play a key role in shaping how people interact with digital products, making apps, websites and other technologies intuitive, engaging and effective. By combining creativity, psychology and problem-solving, UX designers make everyday interactions with technology smoother and more enjoyable and, at the same time, helping businesses meet their goals. While product design and UX research are two of the most popular career paths, the field is highly diverse, offering opportunities that suit a wide variety of skills, interests and ambitions.

Occupations

Design intuitive digital experiences with a focus on the structure, flow and usability of apps and websites.

Create visually appealing and interactive interfaces, choosing colors, fonts, buttons and animations that enhance user engagement.

Combine UX and UI design with business goals to ensure products are both user-friendly and aligned with company objectives.

Gather and analyze user data through interviews, surveys and testing to inform design decisions based on real behavior.

Design how users interact with a product’s interface, including menus, transitions and animations that create smooth experiences.

Organize and structure digital content to make it easy for users to find information and navigate websites or apps.

7%
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Projected job growth nationally for web and digital interface designers through 2032, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).1

$98,090
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Median annual pay nationally for web and digital interface designers as of May 2024, according to the BLS.1 Statistic not based on wage data for SNHU graduates.

Understanding the numbers
When reviewing job growth and salary information, it’s important to remember that actual numbers can vary due to many different factors—like years of experience in the role, industry of employment, geographic location, worker skill and economic conditions. Cited projections are based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data, not on SNHU graduate outcomes, and do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.

What SNHU students are saying

Brandon Hayes, who earned his bachelor's in graphic design from SNHU in 2024, wearing a cowboy hat and cap and gown and holding his diploma.

Southern New Hampshire University helped give me a why — to further my career, to help me achieve goals that I never thought were possible...

Brandon Hayes '24

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting into UX design starts with learning the fundamentals of user-centered design, wireframing and usability testing. At Southern New Hampshire University, our online UX design concentration provides a clear path to build these skills. You’ll apply what you learn through hands-on projects and real-world scenarios, gaining the practical experience employers value. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your skills, this program is a strong first step toward a career in UX design.

If you want to build real design skills and open doors in a growing field, an online UX degree concentration can be a smart choice. UX is in high demand across industries because companies need people who know how to make digital products both intuitive and accessible. Southern New Hampshire University's online concentration gives you hands-on experience with the tools and methods employers look for — all in a flexible format that works with your schedule.

A UX degree can open the door to a wide range of careers across industries like technology, healthcare, finance, entertainment and more. You could work as a UX designer, creating intuitive digital experiences, or as a UI designer, focusing on visually engaging interfaces. Other common roles include product designer, UX researcher, interaction designer and information architect. While the focus of each role varies, all of them involve improving how people interact with digital products, combining creativity, problem-solving and user-centered design to make technology more effective and enjoyable. While SNHU doesn’t offer a full UX degree, our UX design concentration can help you build the skills needed to move confidently in that direction.

There isn’t one single degree that's best, but programs that focus on design, digital media and user-centered thinking are a strong place to start. At SNHU, a concentration like UX design gives you a solid foundation in both visual design and user experience. You’ll build core UX skills — like user research, wireframing, prototyping and usability testing — while also gaining broader design knowledge you can apply across industries. For many students, this combination offers a practical, flexible way to get started in UX design.

UX design can be a lucrative career. According to the BLS, web and digital interface designers earned a median annual wage of $98,090 in May 2024.1 During the same time period, the BLS reports the median annual wages for web and digital interface designers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:1

  • Finance and insurance: $121,710
  • Computer systems design and related services: $98,610
  • Advertising, public relations and related services: $74,510
  • Retail trade: $69,280

Yes, UX designers are very much in demand — and that's not slowing down any time soon. According to the BLS, overall employment of web and digital interface designers is projected to grow 7% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations.1 Companies across industries are realizing how important it is to make websites, apps and digital products easy and enjoyable to use, so skilled UX designers are highly valued.

Coding isn’t a requirement for UX design. Most UX roles focus on understanding user needs and creating intuitive experiences, which means working with research, wireframes and prototypes rather than writing code. As a result, getting comfortable with tools like Figma, Adobe XD and Azure is usually more important than learning programming languages. However, a basic understanding of HTML, CSS or even JavaScript can be helpful when it comes to collaborating with developers. Plus, if you’re interested in a deeper technical perspective, learning the basics of HTML and CSS can be a nice bonus. Still, UX designers typically aren’t expected to write code in their day-to-day work.

Related Articles

Sources & Citations

1Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/web-developers.htm (viewed Jan. 29, 2026). Cited projections may not reflect local or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.