User Experience (UX) Design Extension Certificate
Registration can be completed by calling 403.440.6861 or 1.888.392.3655
Students must register in all four courses in the User Experience (UX) Design Extension Certificate.
Questions?
Use design thinking to bring real-world user experience (UX) solutions to life with our User Experience Design Certificate, offered in partnership with York University’s School of Continuing Studies. Invest in your career — UX design is one of the top five technical skills employers are looking for. UX is so key to the success of a product that nine out of 10 managers in the UX field say hiring User Experience Designers is a top priority.
Design thinking is critical to ensure innovations in technology continue to put people first, and that products offer the type of user experience that affect real change in the world around us. This four-course certificate, developed and taught by leaders in the field, focuses on the core job skills top employers demand when hiring UX Designers.
You’ll gain a solid understanding of design thinking as it relates to UX by diving into real-world projects. Gain core job skills employers are looking for, including logical problem solving, research skills and active communication. You’ll also build meaningful relationships with your peers over the course of the program, enhancing your learning.
Program Details
Format: Fully online until further notice
Duration: Complete 4 required courses (144 hours). This program can be completed in 8 months.
Benefits
- create a portfolio of work that effectively applies UX best practices and processes to meet business needs across multiple industries and product types
- learn where and when works best for you via online learning
- participate in formalized learning that sets your resume apart from the field
Free! Virtual Information Session
Interested in learning more about User Experience (UX) Design at Mount Royal University? Join us for a free virtual information session:
Tuesday, January 5, 2021 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Register here!Registration
Students must register in all four courses in the User Experience (UX) Design Certificate. Registration can be completed by calling 403.440.6861 or 1.888.392.3655.
Blackboard & MyMru Email - Course Communication & Information
MRU uses Blackboard for the User Experience (UX) Design program, to distribute instructions, course announcements, program & course information, textbook info etc. Students should log into Blackboard upon registration, to access important information and instructions in preparation for their courses. You will be required to first activate your MyMRU.ca to access Blackboard and your MyMRU student email.
Students are required to use their Mount Royal University student email account for course correspondence with program staff.
September 2020 start
| Course | Online start date | Online end date | Live online classes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fundamentals of UX Design | Sept. 20, 2020 | Nov. 15, 2020 |
Sept. 20 & Nov. 15 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. |
| UX Design Research | Nov. 16, 2020 | Jan. 24, 2021 |
Nov. 22 & Jan. 24 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. |
| Visual Designing, Wireframing and Prototyping | Jan. 25, 2021 | March 21, 2021 |
Jan. 31 & March 21 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. |
| Applied UX Design | March 22, 2021 | May 16, 2021 |
March 28 & May 16 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. |
Winter 2021 start
| Course | Online start date | Online end date | Live online classes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fundamentals of UX Design | Jan. 16, 2021 | March 6, 2021 |
Jan. 16 & March 6 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. |
| UX Design Research | March 8, 2021 | April 24, 2021 |
March 13 & April 24 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. |
| Visual Designing, Wireframing and Prototyping | April 26, 2021 | June 12, 2021 |
May 1 & June 12 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. |
| Applied UX Design | June 14, 2021 | Aug. 7, 2021 |
June 19 & Aug. 7 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. |
User Experience (UX) Design Certificate – Block Code Registration UXD
Fundamentals of UX Design
Gain an overview of the wide range of disciplines involved in the theory and practices of user experience design and learn how they interact. Apply your new knowledge in hands-on practice. This course provides the foundation needed to successfully complete the remaining three practical courses in this certificate program.
Required Course Texts:
1) Preece, J., Rogers, Y., & Sharp, H. (2015). Interaction design: beyond human-computer interaction. John Wiley & Sons. (Kindle Version). Purchase this book online.
2) Unger, Russ. A Project Guide to UX Design (Voices That Matter). Pearson Education. Kindle Edition. (Kindle Version). Purchase this book online.
| Subject code: XUXD 10001 | 36 hours | Fee: $1,099 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Block Code: UXD | Online | Jan. 16 - March 6 Live, Online Classes: Jan 16 & March 6 |
|
UX Design Research
Learn how to conduct, synthesize and share qualitative research with design and product teams. Tackle the differences between quantitative and qualitative research and cover a variety of common research methods used within product and agency environments. Gain hands-on experience writing research plans, discussion guides and conducting user interviews. In addition, learn how to synthesize these findings, and develop themes and strategic direction that emerge from the data. Practice sharing these findings in a written and oral format.
Required Courst Texts:
1) Hall, Erika. Just Enough Research. A Book Apart Publishing, 2013. Purchase this book online.
2) Goodman, Elizabeth; Kuniavsk, Mike; Moed, Andrea. Observing the User Experience: A Practitioner’s Guide to User Research. Elsevier, 2012. Purchase this book online.
3) Gray, Dave; Brown, Sunni; Macanufo, James. Gamestorming: A Playbook for Innovators, Rulebreakers, and Changemakers. O’Reilly, 2010. Purchase this book online.
| Subject code: XUXD 10002 | 36 hours | Fee: $1,099 |
|---|---|---|
| Block Code: UXD | Online | March 8 - April 24 Live, Online Classes: March 13 & April 24 |
Visual Design, Wireframing and Prototyping
Gain an understanding of the full spectrum of creating wireframe fidelities, mocks and design-validating artifacts. Using a collaborative approach, practice how to translate ideas and preliminary concepts into meaningful user interfaces to support business goals and user needs. Learn the fundamental principles and theories and gain hands-on experience with industry standards for visual design, interactive design and usability testing methodologies. Learn techniques on how to get participants’ feedback from prototyping to develop and leverage design solutions according to insights and collected data. Lastly, learn design systems and establish a strategy by cataloging design assets/components into a universal ecosystem.
The following book is not mandatory, but is highly recommended.
Refactoring UI, by Adam Wathan and Steve Schoger - eBook. The Essentials - $79 US / The Complete Package - $149 US. Purchase this book online.
| Subject code: XUXD 10003 | 36 hours | Fee: $1,099 |
|---|---|---|
| Block Code: UXD | Online | Apr. 26 - June 12 Live, Online Classes: May 1 & June 12 |
Applied UX Design
Investigate the practical aspects of innovation and how design tools and methods can be used to deploy a viable product/solution. Put design processes and techniques into practice through applied projects. Present your design concepts verbally, as well as visually, at a professional level. Evaluate a product for customer insights, mechanical UX features, marketing context and design esthetics. Present new concepts as realized through the design/innovation process. Make a final presentation with a high level of professional finish for a real-life industry partner.
Required Course Texts:
1) Designing for Growth, by Jeanne Liedtka and Tim Ogilvie, Columbia Business School, 978-0-231-15838-1. Purchase this book online.
2) Strengthsfinder 2.0 by Tom Rath ISBN-10: 9781595620156. ISBN-13: 978-1595620156. Purchase this book online.
| Subject code: XUXD 10004 | 36 hours | Fee: $1,099 |
|---|---|---|
| Block Code: UXD | Online | June 14 - Aug. 7 Live, Online Classes: June 19 & Aug. 7 |
- Estimated cost of materials is $100 per course.
- The listed course hours indicate the estimated time to attend the live online classes and complete the online learning units — your actual time spent completing assignments may vary.
- Students submit assignments electronically through Moodle, York University’s online learning management system. To successfully complete the courses in the certificate, students must have access to a computer and the Internet.
The User Experience (UX) Design Certificate is ideal for anyone who currently works in a creative field, such as graphic or web design, or web development. People in strategic client-facing roles, like product/project managers, strategists and consultants, are also a great fit.