User Experience Design - M.S.

The Master of Science degree in User Experience Design prepares students for careers that require them to apply a solid understanding of usability, content strategy, information architecture and user research.

The user experience designer engages in a variety of design activities that help produce usable interfaces and help organizations meet business goals. User experience design addresses the structural, informational, psychological and emotional aspects of what makes a successful user interface, whether it is Web, mobile, tablet or any other device.

At Kent State University, user experience design is thought of as a process where students learn, understand, imagine, evaluate and inform. The design team begins by gathering data/information about users, clients, the organizational culture, common tasks and work environments. After sufficient data/information is gathered, the team seeks to understand the context in which the project will be undertaken. This phase is the bridge between data collection and design. Design in the imagine phase involves brainstorming, iterative prototyping and critiquing. The design team needs to constantly evaluate their designs to see if they work in the real world. This may involve activities such as paper prototyping, high-fidelity interactive prototyping and usability testing. The results of design must be communicated to appropriate audiences. This informing process involves giving presentations to clients and stakeholders, report writing and other forms of communication.

Graduates of the program will be able to:

1. Create a portfolio as a means to demonstrate competencies.
2. Design and conduct research in a variety of ways necessary to understand users, stakeholders and competitors.
3. Apply user experience research and design techniques to solve for user needs.
4. Create and evaluate structures to support information and content organization.
5. Test and critique existing designs and prototypes by employing usability-testing methods.
6. Communicate design ideas in a variety of ways to design teams, stakeholders and developers.
7. Demonstrate ability to manage user experience activities to align UX activities to organizational goals.

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university for unconditional admission
• Minimum 3.000 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000 point scale for unconditional admission¹
• Official transcript(s)
• Résumé
• Goal statement
• Three letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning one of the following:
  • Minimum 587 TOEFL PBT score (paper-based version)
  • Minimum 94 TOEFL IBT score (Internet-based version)
  • Minimum 82 MELAB score
  • Minimum 7.0 IELTS score
  • Minimum 65 PTE score
  • Minimum 120 Duolingo English Test score

For more information about graduate admissions, please visit the Graduate Studies website. For more information on international admission, visit the Office of Global Education website.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the program will be able to:

1. Create a portfolio as a means to demonstrate competencies.
2. Design and conduct research in a variety of ways necessary to understand users, stakeholders and competitors.
3. Apply user experience research and design techniques to solve for user needs.
4. Create and evaluate structures to support information and content organization.
5. Test and critique existing designs and prototypes by employing usability-testing methods.
6. Communicate design ideas in a variety of ways to design teams, stakeholders and developers.
7. Demonstrate ability to manage user experience activities to align UX activities to organizational goals.

Submitting your English test score

When applying as an undergraduate or graduate student to Kent State, there are a variety of ways to submit your score depending on which type of test you took.

• Students should request that ETS send official TOEFL scores directly to Kent (institution code: 1367).
• An IELTS or PTE report needs to be uploaded as a scanned PDF into our online application system..

All English scores will be verified for authenticity. Students with fraudulent documents will result in denial of admission or immediate dismissal.

Proficiency Waivers

Depending on your educational background, you may be eligible for an English language proficiency waiver, meaning you do not need to take a language exam. See our country list and related requirements.

¹ Based on one academic year, two semesters for a full-time international student. Program and special course fees are additional.

² Based on a standard double room and basic board plan. Other room types and board plans at different prices are available.

³ Based on the Student Health Insurance premium for one year. The United States does not have universal health care. For this reason, the university requires all international students to purchase the sponsored student health insurance plan. Under certain criteria, a student may request a waiver of this charge.  Total is based on an estimated cost of the required books/supplies for each term and is subject to change each fall.

All international students are required to pay the $20 per semester International Student Activity Fee.  The fee is assessed each semester to support the delivery of the various programs ISSS provides to its students.

Follow the steps below to become part of the Kent State community. If you have any questions, please reach out to us any time.

Submit an Online Application and Fee

Prepare Application Documents to Upload as You Apply

• Passport biographical page.
• English Language Proficiency official results report for IELTS, PTE or MELAB. TOEFL score should be submitted officially through ETS (Institution Code 1367).
• College transcript/detailed marksheets (Certified English translation and original language). 
• College Graduation Certificate/Diploma if already issued (Certified English translation and original language). 
• GRE/GMAT or other standardized tests if required (submit official test report through test center).
• Graduate assistantship application (if applicable).
  • Assistantship application.
  • Graduate assistantship applicants may need to meet earlier deadlines. Please check with department for deadlines. 
• Additional documents if required. *Review requirements from individual department or school.
• Financial guarantee (bank statements) that show sufficient funds to cover educational expenses.*
• Kent State University Financial Information Worksheet.*
  • *Financial documents are only required after acceptance. 

Upload All Required Documents to the Online Application System

For faster processing, all the documents should be uploaded in the online application system to complete the application.

Check Your Application Status

Apply for Immigration Documents (I-20)

Transfer Your SEVIS record (If Applicable)

If you are an F-1 student transferring from a school in the United States, please review the Transfer In Guide regarding your SEVIS record transfer. F-1 students must transfer their SEVIS record in order to maintain their F-1 status.

Provide Final and Official Documents After Arrival

For admissions purposes, we accept scanned documents of international credentials and scanned copies of official U.S. transcripts. When an applicant is admitted, his/her final and official transcripts and diploma should be brought to the International Admissions Office for verification. This should be done within the first semester (or the first module for ESL students). Otherwise, the student's account will be put on HOLD.