User Experience

Interactive Arts and MediaUser Experience and Interaction Design Master's Degree

  • MA

About the User Experience and Interaction Design Program

Dive into the world of digital innovation with Columbia College Chicago's User Experience and Interaction Design master’s program. This immersive one-year program equips you with the technical and creative skills essential for crafting engaging user experiences in the fast-paced interactive media landscape. Through a combination of leadership training, design theory, and hands-on software development, you’ll be prepared to meet the industry's evolving demands.

We are not currently accepting applications for this program.

Examples of User Experience and Interaction Design Careers

  • Product designer
  • Product manager
  • User experience architect
  • UX interaction designer
  • Web developer

The Student Experience

Students develop their interaction design competencies by producing a range of deliverables, including designs, documentation, and a comprehensive thesis project.

  • Utilize cutting-edge tools

    You’ll gain experience with industry-standard software and platforms, including:

    • UX design modeling with Figma
    • Low-code development and Full-Stack Web App development (MERN: MongoDB, Express, ReactJS, NodeJS)
    • Agile project management using Git and Boards
  • Create impactful projects

    Columbia's hands-on approach helps build a standout resume and portfolio that aligns with industry expectations, while enhancing essential research-driven design skills. Recent examples of student projects include:

    • Affinity Diagrams for a proposed mobile app
    • Persona and User Story Development
    • Information Architecture Analysis and Documentation
  • Collaborate on capstone projects

    Your final semester culminates in an intensive capstone experience where you partner with real brands or startups. This collaboration allows you to address actual challenges, creating a comprehensive thesis project that showcases your ability to develop and execute innovative interaction design solutions.

  • Enjoy flexible learning options

    Designed for busy professionals, our courses are primarily held in the evenings or online. This flexible schedule allows you to balance your education with work commitments, making it easier to pursue your career aspirations. You can choose to complete the program full-time in one year or part-time over two years, ensuring you can learn at your own pace.

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Career Readiness

By the time you graduate, you’ll have a compelling portfolio showcasing your projects and skills, ready to catch the eyes of potential employers. Your work will reflect industry expectations, making you a competitive candidate in the job market, and Columbia will offer other experiences that will hope open career doors.
  • Internships that propel your career

    With support from our dedicated Career Center, you'll find internships tailored to your goals, providing vital industry experience and networking opportunities. Our faculty actively helps connect you with organizations that align with your career aspirations.

  • An expansive alumni network

    Connect with our thriving alumni community, offering insights and opportunities across various industries. These relationships can be instrumental in your professional growth, as you learn from those who have successfully navigated their careers in the field.

ALumni Spotlight

a group of alumni standing in front of Columbia building

24 in 2024

"24 in 2024" recognizes alumni from Columbia College Chicago for their professional achievements beyond their academic journeys. Learn more.

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