Associate's UX Design Programs in Illinois
College of DuPage — Glen Ellyn, IL
Key Distinction: Program accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), award-winning instructors with professional experience, and 2+2 articulation agreements with major institutions including Columbia College Chicago and Northern Illinois University.
Hakia Insight: College of DuPage's NASAD accreditation and embedded 2+2 agreements with Columbia and NIU mean your associate's degree is explicitly recognized as a transferable foundation; you're not gambling on whether credits will transfer.
At the associate's level, the Graphic Design, Advertising, Web and Illustration program serves high school graduates, professionals seeking career change or adding job skills, and those seeking personal enrichment. The program includes study in graphic design, illustration, typography, web design and advertising using high-end Apple computers and illustration software.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in UX Design — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in UX Design — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: advertising agencies, design studios, in-house corporate design/promotion departments.
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: Affordable programs to help students achieve success without overwhelming debtSmall class sizes for personalized attention
College of Lake County — Grayslake, IL
Key Distinction: Hands-on learning with industry-standard tools on both Mac and PC systems, real-world portfolio building through internships and competitions, and personalized instruction in small class sizes from experienced professionals
Hakia Insight: College of Lake County's dual-OS lab setup (Mac and PC) plus SkillsUSA competition pipeline gives students hands-on credibility in hiring manager eyes—you've competed and won, not just completed assignments.
At the associate's level, college of Lake County offers a UX Design Pre-Associates Certificate program as part of their broader Digital Media and Design pathway. The program provides hands-on experience with industry-standard software and hardware, preparing students for careers in interactive design and web development.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in UX Design — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in UX Design — 2 years, online
Industry Partners
- Apex Signs and Graphics (design)
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: City of Lake Forest, Jostens, Zillow.
Notable Faculty
- Jason Rodgers — Digital Media & Design
- Yang Xiang — Digital Media & Design
- Michael Kozien — Digital Media & Design
- Cristen Leifheit — Art & Digital Media
Location Advantages: Access to internships with local Lake County companiesSkillsUSA national competition opportunities
Joliet Junior College — Joliet, IL
Key Distinction: Students learn how to create exceptional web content and design programming skills that set them above and apart in the competitive web design market, with the ability to choose concentrations in either web development or social media that best fit their desired career goals.
Hakia Insight: Joliet's $77,200 median salary for an associate's degree suggests employers weight practical web development chops heavily; the concentration choice in web development vs. social media lets you optimize toward your market's actual hiring demand.
At the associate's level, the JJC Web Design program provides students with the foundations of web page creation, programming, and management involved in creating websites. Students learn state-of-the-art programming languages to create interactive websites with dynamic content, including the latest technological advances in hardware and software.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in UX Design — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in UX Design — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $77,200.
Notable Faculty
- Pam Dunn — Technical Professor/Professor, Fine Arts
Location Advantages:
Heartland Community College — Normal, IL
Hakia Insight: Heartland's Digital Innovation Lab and embedded partnerships with State Farm and Rivian mean you're learning motion design and prototyping alongside the same tools your future employer uses—no lag between classroom and job requirements.
At the associate's level, what sets Heartland apart is the program's focus on emerging technologies—you'll get exposure to prototyping tools, user testing platforms, and even intro-level motion design, preparing you for the evolving demands of UX work. The curriculum balances theory (human-centered design principles, accessibility standards) with practical skill-building, so you graduate job-ready for entry-level UX positions or confident to transfer to a four-year program. Heartland's location in central Illinois connects you to growing tech hubs in Champaign-Urbana and beyond.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in UX Design — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in UX Design — 2 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
Industry Partners
- State Farm (Internship partner)
- OSF Healthcare (Project collaborator)
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $47,000. Top Employers: State Farm, OSF Healthcare, Rivian.
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 2.0.
Accreditations and Certifications
- Google UX Design Certificate
- Adobe Certified Associate
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Illinois State University
- Eastern Illinois University
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Junior UX Designer
- UI Designer
- UX Research Associate
- Wireframing and Prototyping Specialist
Included Certifications
- Google UX Design Certificate
- Adobe Certified Associate
Lake Land College — Mattoon, IL
Hakia Insight: Lake Land's capstone-from-semester-one model compresses portfolio-building into 18 months instead of the typical 24; graduates present work samples that reflect real scope and client constraints, not student exercises.
At the associate's level, you'll start with foundational design thinking in your first semester and move quickly into client-based capstone projects—this real-world approach means your portfolio is built with actual deliverables, not hypothetical assignments. Lake Land's partnerships with local businesses and nonprofits give you networking opportunities and a chance to prove your skills before you enter the job market. Graduates typically land junior designer roles within months or use their completed work to transfer to universities like University of Illinois or Illinois State with junior-standing credit.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in UX Design — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in UX Design — 2 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
Industry Partners
- Regional printing companies (Industry partner)
- Local marketing firms (Internship provider)
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $40,000. Top Employers: Regional businesses, Print shops, Marketing agencies.
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 2.0.
Accreditations and Certifications
- Adobe Certified Associate
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Illinois State University
- Eastern Illinois University
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Junior UX Designer
- UI Designer
- UX Research Associate
- Digital Design Technician
Included Certifications
- Google UX Design Certificate
- Adobe Certified Associate (UX Design)
- Interaction Design Foundation Certification
Lewis and Clark Community College — Godfrey, IL
Key Distinction: The program offers intensive hands-on experience in cross-platform computer labs using industry-current software, combining traditional design principles with modern digital technologies including web and interactive media.
Hakia Insight: Lewis and Clark Community College's integration of traditional design principles with cross-platform digital tools produces designers who understand *why* layouts work, not just *how* to code them—a distinction employers notice in design critiques.
At the associate's level, the Graphic Design Program at Lewis and Clark Community College provides intensive immersion into digital design using traditional design concepts and principles alongside industry-standard software and technologies. The program combines fundamentals of computing, digital video and audio, graphics, layout, interactivity and web technology with general education courses to strengthen marketability skills. Students receive hands-on experience in cross-platform computer labs (PC and Mac) incorporating industry-current software with concept and design elements. The program introduces students to a variety of software and develops skills in digital illustration and image manipulation, page layout, and electronic media production. While specifically labeled as Graphic Design rather than UX Design, the program's focus on interactivity, web technology, and digital design principles provides foundational skills relevant to user experience design work.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in UX Design — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in UX Design — 2 years, online
Notable Faculty
- Louise Jett — Graphic Design
Top Transfer Destinations
- Illinois State University
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Junior UX Designer
- UI Designer
- UX Research Associate
- Interaction Design Assistant
Included Certifications
- Google UX Design Certificate (often partnered with community colleges)
- Adobe Certified Associate (Visual Design or UX Design)
Location Advantages:
Illinois Central College — East Peoria, IL
Hakia Insight: Illinois Central College's project-based curriculum means you're building billable work by semester two, compressing the usual transition from "student designer" to "professional contributor" into your degree timeline itself.
At the associate's level, if you want to start designing immediately without waiting, ICC offers accelerated pathways into UX roles through its project-based curriculum. Students tackle real client work starting semester one—redesigning actual websites and apps for small businesses and nonprofits in the Peoria area. This "learning by doing" model means your portfolio is built before graduation. Many graduates land jobs at digital agencies or corporate marketing departments throughout central Illinois, and the college has established articulation agreements with state universities for those pursuing four-year degrees.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in UX Design — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in UX Design — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Peoria-area digital agencies, Corporate marketing departments, Healthcare system design teams, Regional tech companies.
Top Transfer Destinations
- Illinois State University
- Bradley University
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Junior UX Designer
- Web Designer
- Digital Design Associate
- UI Design Technician
Included Certifications
- Adobe Certified Associate (Visual Design)
William Rainey Harper College — Palatine, IL
Key Distinction: Flexible online and hybrid courses that allow students to learn on their schedule, plus a partnership with the SBDC program that matches students with small business owners to build real websites for their portfolios.
Hakia Insight: Harper College's SBDC partnership uniquely pairs you with actual small business owners needing websites, eliminating the portfolio risk of spec work; your capstone project is a live site driving traffic and revenue.
At the associate's level, harper College offers a Web Design & Development program that prepares students for careers in front-end website design, back-end web development, responsive UI/UX layouts, accessibility standards, and interactive media. The program combines creativity with technology and focuses on user experience in the fast-paced world of web design and development.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in UX Design — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in UX Design — 2 years, online
Industry Partners
- Google (tech)
- Small Business Development Center (SBDC) (business services)
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $82,334.
Location Advantages: Access to Chicago job marketState-of-the-art graphic arts labsOn-site printing presses for hands-on production experience
Black Hawk College — Moline, IL
Hakia Insight: Black Hawk's industry advisory board model embeds real-time feedback into your coursework—you're iterating on projects informed by practicing designers, not faculty interpretations of best practices.
At the associate's level, black Hawk stands out for connecting students directly with industry mentors through its advisory board—you're not just learning UX from textbooks, you're getting real feedback from designers at major regional employers. The program balances theory and practice with courses in user research methodology, design systems, and accessibility standards. Graduates typically land positions at tech companies in the Quad Cities region or transition into four-year programs at University of Illinois or Iowa universities.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in UX Design — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in UX Design — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Quad Cities tech companies, Financial services firms in the region, Corporate marketing and design departments.
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Illinois State University
- Northern Illinois University
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Junior UX Designer
- UI Designer
- Digital Design Associate
- Accessibility Specialist (Entry-level)
Included Certifications
- Adobe Certified Associate (Visual Design)
- Web Accessibility Certification (WCAG alignment)
Kankakee Community College — Kankakee, IL
Key Distinction: KCC provides personalized education with small class sizes and comprehensive support services at one-third the cost of four-year institutions, emphasizing student success through close faculty-student relationships.
Hakia Insight: At one-third the cost of a four-year degree with equivalent course rigor, Kankakee's cost structure allows you to graduate debt-free or near-zero, a financial runway most peers don't have for early-career risk-taking or further education.
At the associate's level, kankakee Community College offers an accessible and affordable educational experience that costs one-third less than four-year colleges and universities while providing the same quality education. The college emphasizes small class sizes that allow students to build meaningful relationships with faculty and fellow classmates, unlike large university lecture halls with 200+ students. KCC provides comprehensive student support services including academic advising, tutoring, career services, disability services, and TRIO Student Support Services to help students succeed. The college offers both online and in-person learning options with flexible registration processes, making education accessible to diverse student populations including first-generation college students, veterans, and working adults. Students can complete degrees and certificates at KCC and either transfer to four-year institutions to complete bachelor's degrees or enter the workforce directly.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in UX Design — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in UX Design — 2 years, online
Location Advantages: Affordable tuition - costs 1/3 less than four-year institutionsSmall class sizes for personalized attentionComprehensive student support services including tutoring and advising
Bachelor's UX Design Programs in Illinois
DePaul University — Chicago, IL
Hakia Insight: DePaul's STEM designation for international students plus dual design–development concentrations signal employer recognition that modern UX roles demand both visual thinking and technical credibility; you're not locked into pure design or pure development.
At the bachelor's level, dePaul's UX Design program is STEM-designated for international students and offers both design and development concentrations. The program combines technical methods with artistic principles and includes community-based technology projects with a capstone experience.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in UX Design — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in UX Design — 4 years, online
Location Advantages:
Columbia College Chicago — Chicago, IL
Hakia Insight: Columbia College Chicago's dual-track BS/BA structure in UX Design is rare among peers—it allows students to weight toward either technical development or creative design mid-program, adapting to their strengths rather than forcing a single pathway from day one.
At the bachelor's level, the User Experience and Interaction Design program emphasizes both creative design skills and back-end technical development, preparing students for careers in interactive design through hands-on learning including a dynamic capstone team class where students perform specialized roles within interactive production teams.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in UX Design — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in UX Design — 4 years, online
Location Advantages:
Elmhurst University — Elmhurst, IL
Key Distinction: This Graphic Design program uniquely integrates UX/UI design education within a comprehensive visual design curriculum, combining traditional design foundations with emerging AI-assisted technologies and strategic design thinking approaches.
Hakia Insight: Elmhurst's integration of UX/UI within a broader Graphic Design curriculum, anchored by faculty like Andrew Sobol who bridges corporate identity and interactive design, creates graduates fluent in both visual systems and user workflows—a combination most specialized programs neglect.
At the bachelor's level, elmhurst University offers a comprehensive Graphic Design program through the Department of Art that uniquely integrates UX/UI design education within its curriculum. The program prepares students to think critically, define problems, and lead creative work in a technology-driven world by approaching design as a strategic practice that connects concept, audience, and purpose. Students work across branding, print, web, UX/UI, and interactive design while learning emerging tools including AI-assisted technologies. The program emphasizes both strong visual foundations and history, with hands-on studio courses, critique sessions, and professional practice opportunities. Students build portfolios featuring in-depth project case studies and can pursue design internships for real-world experience. Led by Andrew Sobol, Associate Professor and Chair who has 18+ years of field experience and specifically teaches UX/UI interactive user experience design among other courses, the program integrates both traditional and contemporary practices through interdisciplinary collaboration and augmented design sprints.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in UX Design — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in UX Design — 4 years, online
Industry Partners
- NASCAR (corporate)
- Disney Parks (corporate)
- Chicago Bulls (corporate)
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: NASCAR, Disney Parks, Chicago Bulls, Design Studios, Marketing Agencies, Public Libraries.
Notable Faculty
- Andrew Sobol — Creative direction, branding, UX/UI interactive user experience design, package design, corporate identity
Location Advantages: Access to Chicago design marketProximity to major corporate headquarters
Loyola University Chicago — Chicago, IL
Key Distinction: Loyola's program stands out for embedding ethical design frameworks and accessibility standards into every project, positioning graduates as designers who build for inclusion rather than exclusion.
Hakia Insight: Loyola embeds accessibility standards and ethical frameworks into every project rather than treating them as add-ons, meaning graduates naturally think about inclusive design from the first wireframe—a practice that increasingly determines whether enterprise clients hire you.
At the bachelor's level, loyola's UX design curriculum emphasizes human-centered problem solving rooted in the school's Jesuit commitment to ethical technology. The program integrates design thinking with usability research, offering students hands-on experience through client-based studio projects that engage real Chicago-area organizations. You'll work across digital and physical design spaces, learning to balance aesthetic innovation with accessibility standards—a strength reflected in faculty who bridge interaction design and inclusive design practices. The program cultivates close ties with creative agencies and tech companies in the Chicago market, giving students direct pathways to internships and employment in a region rich with design firms and Fortune 500 corporate innovation labs. Graduates often move into senior UX roles within 3–5 years, many launching independent practices or joining specialized design consultancies.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in UX Design — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in UX Design — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: Proximity to Chicago's design and advertising hub (Wieden+Kennedy, Leo Burnett, Design Within Reach offices)Access to Fortune 500 corporate headquarters (Boeing, Mondelez, Allstate) with active UX hiringStrong local creative agency network
DeVry University-Illinois — Lisle, IL
Key Distinction: DeVry University focuses on practical, hands-on technology education with flexible online delivery, emphasizing real-world skills development for immediate career application.
Hakia Insight: DeVry's online-first flexibility and emphasis on immediate job-ready skills appeal to working adults, but the trade-off is less immersion in collaborative studio culture than full-time programs—useful clarity for students choosing based on lifestyle, not prestige.
At the bachelor's level, deVry University-Illinois offers technology-focused educational pathways that include web design and development components relevant to UX Design. The university provides undergraduate certificates in Website Design and Website Development, along with broader technology programs in areas like Software Development and Computer Information Systems. DeVry emphasizes hands-on experience and practical skills development, with students gaining confidence to succeed in real-world technology careers. The programs are designed to help students obtain new tech skills needed in today's rapidly changing technology landscape. DeVry offers flexible learning options with online program delivery, making education accessible to working professionals and students seeking career advancement in technology fields.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in UX Design — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in UX Design — 4 years, online
Location Advantages:
Bradley University — Peoria, IL
Key Distinction: Bradley's UX Design program offers 100% experiential learning with partnerships at major corporations like NASA and Microsoft, plus unique international study opportunities in Ireland, Netherlands, and Los Angeles.
Hakia Insight: Bradley's 100% experiential learning model paired with partnerships at NASA and Microsoft, plus study abroad in Ireland and the Netherlands, means students build portfolios from real spacecraft and software interfaces—not hypotheticals—while most peers rely on case study projects.
At the bachelor's level, bradley University's User Experience Design program is part of the Interactive Media Department within the Slane College of Communications and Fine Arts. The program focuses on crafting seamless, intuitive, and engaging interactions between people and the products they use—whether digital or physical. Students master skills to create designs that prioritize user needs, enhance functionality, and spark emotional connections. The curriculum blends art and science to shape how users think, feel, and respond to technology and everyday systems. The program offers 100% experiential learning opportunities including internships at major organizations like NASA, State Farm, Caterpillar, Microsoft, and OSF HealthCare. Students design for innovative products including wearables, AR/VR, mobile applications, websites and physical interactives. The program includes studio practice in visual design, interaction design, and user interfaces, plus opportunities for off-campus study in Ireland, the Netherlands or Los Angeles.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in UX Design — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in UX Design — 4 years, online
Industry Partners
- NASA (government)
- State Farm (corporate)
- Caterpillar (corporate)
- Microsoft (corporate)
- Precision Planting (corporate)
- OSF HealthCare (corporate)
- UXisFine (corporate)
- Everi (corporate)
- OSF Jump Simulation Center (corporate)
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $98,000.
Location Advantages: Life In Peoria
Lewis University — Romeoville, IL
Key Distinction: Lewis uniquely prepares students for enterprise and B2B UX roles, filling a gap left by consumer-tech-focused programs and opening access to lucrative corporate design careers.
Hakia Insight: Lewis University explicitly prepares students for enterprise and B2B UX roles, which command higher salaries and longer tenures than consumer-tech positions, yet remain underserved by design education—a strategic positioning advantage few programs acknowledge.
At the bachelor's level, lewis University's UX design program stands out for its explicit focus on enterprise and B2B design contexts, preparing students for the reality that many high-paying UX roles exist outside consumer-facing tech. The curriculum balances interaction design, information architecture, and systems thinking with practical exposure to design tools and prototyping. Students work on projects sourced from regional manufacturing, logistics, and business services companies—industries that are often overlooked in typical design programs but offer substantial career opportunities. The program emphasizes design systems and scalability, equipping graduates to handle complex, multi-platform environments. Faculty maintain active consulting practices, bringing real-world constraints and emerging industry standards directly into the classroom. Internship placements lean heavily toward Chicago-area corporate headquarters and mid-market tech firms, creating a pipeline to stable, well-compensated positions. The Jesuit educational tradition also shapes curriculum emphasis on social impact and responsible innovation, encouraging students to consider broader implications of their design choices. Graduates frequently advance into senior UX, product strategy, and design leadership roles within five years.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in UX Design — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in UX Design — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: Access to Chicago's corporate headquarters and mid-market tech firms
University of Illinois Chicago — Chicago, IL
Key Distinction: Programs are organized to reflect developments in the field with advanced students working collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams, often engaging with partners in community or industry, while experiencing Chicago as a global design center.
Hakia Insight: UIC's School of Design organizes curriculum around contemporary field developments and embeds advanced students in interdisciplinary collaborations with real industry or community partners, meaning your coursework reflects how design actually moves in a global city, not textbook theory.
At the bachelor's level, UIC's School of Design offers studio-based instruction deeply concerned with the human experience, preparing students to engage in contemporary design practice. Students develop formal, conceptual, and technical skills while working collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams with community and industry partners.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in UX Design — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in UX Design — 4 years, online
Notable Faculty
- Anne H. Berry — Director
- Sharon Oiga — Associate Director Graphic Design
- Felicia Ferrone — Associate Director Industrial Design
- Daria Tsoupikova — Associate Director BS in Computer Science + Design
- Robert Zolna — Associate Director Design Studies
Eureka College — Eureka, IL
Key Distinction: Eureka College's connection to Ronald Reagan and emphasis on leadership development through programs like the Reagan Leadership Program may provide unique opportunities for design students to integrate leadership skills with creative work.
Hakia Insight: Eureka College's Reagan Leadership Program, unusual for a design curriculum, could differentiate graduates seeking leadership tracks in design management or entrepreneurship—though the specifics of how design integrates with that program remain unclear from available sources.
At the bachelor's level, based on the available source pages, Eureka College appears to offer academic programs but specific information about a dedicated UX Design program is not clearly documented in the provided materials. The college catalog PDFs from 2021-22 and 2024-25 are largely unreadable due to PDF encoding issues, making it difficult to extract detailed program information. However, Eureka College does offer programs in Fine & Performing Arts, Humanities, Science & Mathematics, and Social Science & Business categories, which could potentially house design-related coursework. The college emphasizes practical learning experiences, career services support, and maintains connections with alumni networks. Students have access to academic resources including the Melick Library, study abroad opportunities, and various student life programs. The institution provides comprehensive support services including career planning, internship assistance, and graduate school preparation resources.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in UX Design — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in UX Design — 4 years, online
Location Advantages:
Greenville University — Greenville, IL
Key Distinction: Greenville University offers comprehensive UX Design programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: Greenville University's regional accessibility and comprehensive UX Design pathway serve students who need affordability and local job-market alignment, but limited public data on partnerships or notable outcomes makes it harder to assess competitive differentiation.
Greenville University offers UX Design programs in Greenville, IL. As a private institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region. Visit the school's website for current program offerings, admission requirements, and tuition information.
Master's UX Design Programs in Illinois
DePaul University — Chicago, IL
Hakia Insight: DePaul's STEM designation for its master's UX Design program is a concrete advantage for international students seeking post-graduation work authorization, while dual concentrations in design and development let graduates choose whether to deepen technical or strategic expertise.
At the master's level, dePaul's UX Design program is STEM-designated for international students and offers both design and development concentrations. The program combines technical methods with artistic principles and includes community-based technology projects with a capstone experience.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in UX Design — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in UX Design — 1-2 years, online
Location Advantages:
University of Chicago — Chicago, IL
Key Distinction: Positioned to advance reflexivity, decipher emergent technologies and cultures, and foster design strategies that blend artistic experimentation with ethical engagement and analytical rigor to creatively address real-world problems.
Hakia Insight: University of Chicago's Media Arts and Design program runs cognitive and neuroscience labs (CAB Lab, APEX Lab) alongside design instruction, meaning you're studying how brains actually respond to design—a research rigor most peers reserve for industrial psychology, not core coursework.
At the master's level, the Media Arts and Design (MADD) program focuses on rapid developments in media and design that have fundamentally transformed contemporary life, opening these phenomena up to historical study, theoretical critique, and hands-on experimentation. The program aims to cultivate graduates who are nimble innovators, critical makers, and bold creatives capable of reshaping the media environment.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in UX Design — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in UX Design — 1-2 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Cognition, Attention, and Brain Lab (CAB Lab)
- Computational Affective and Social Neuroscience Laboratory
- Attention, Perception, and EXperience Lab (APEX Lab)
- Bakkour Memory and Decision Lab
- Environmental Neuroscience Lab
Notable Faculty
- Nick Briz — Creative Computing
- Diana Franklin — Creative Computing
- Pedro Lopes — Creative Computing
- Ken Nakagaki — Creative Computing
- Jason Salavon — Creative Computing
- Jon Satrom — Creative Computing
- Marc Downie — Expanded Cinema
- Ian Jones — Expanded Cinema/Games
- Patrick Jagoda — Games
Northwestern University — Evanston, IL
Key Distinction: Online format designed for working professionals. Evening and online options available
Hakia Insight: Northwestern's Information Design and Strategy master's is explicitly engineered for working professionals with online delivery and evening options, plus partnerships with Motorola and Google; the trade-off is less hands-on studio time, but stronger alignment with practitioners who can't relocate.
Northwestern University's Master's in Information Design and Strategy (IDS) is designed for working professionals seeking to advance careers in UX design and digital strategy. The online program offers flexibility for mid-career professionals, allowing students to balance coursework with full-time employment. The program provides theoretical and academic knowledge combined with practical skills in data analytics, strategy, and communication. Graduates report significant career advancement, with alumni securing senior positions at leading tech companies like LinkedIn. The program emphasizes developing a growth mindset and thought leadership capabilities. Students can specialize in Data Science and Analytics or other concentrations within the IDS framework. The flexible online format enables working professionals to complete the degree while maintaining employment.
Programs Offered
- Master's in Information Design and Strategy — 1-2 years, on-campus. MS
Research Labs and Institutes
- Center for Human Computer Interaction + Design
- Delta Lab
- Center for Latinx Digital Media
- Center of Media Psychology & Social Influence (COM-PSI)
- CollabLab
- Community Data Science Collective
- Computational Journalism Lab
- Science of Networks in Communities Lab (SONIC)
- Social Media Lab
Industry Partners
- Motorola (employer)
- Google (employer)
- Lenovo (employer)
- Boston Consulting Group (employer)
- IDEO (employer)
- McDonald's (collaborator)
- P&G (collaborator)
- Kellogg's (collaborator)
- Symantec (collaborator)
- Feeding America (collaborator)
- 3M (employer)
- Walgreens (employer)
- TIAA (employer)
Notable Faculty
- Tanya Norwood — IDS faculty director
- David Noffs — IDS faculty member
Location Advantages: Access to Chicago design and tech communityProximity to major corporations like Boeing and Abbott
