The M.P.S. in UX Design invites both recent graduates and experienced professionals who seek to advance their education to apply. Ideal candidates have an undergraduate degree or a robust professional background in a visual art/design discipline coupled with a strong interest in designing for users and leveraging their technical skills and creative abilities to increase their competitive advantage in the field of user experience design.
Application Requirements & Procedures for the M.P.S. in UX
1. Graduate Admission Application Form: completed and submitted online via SlideRoom
2. Curriculum Vitae/Resume
The CV/Resume should provide the admissions committee with information about any experiences or skills you have supporting your candidacy for a user experience design graduate program. In particular, please list any skills related to software/programs, coding languages, or research methodologies.
3. M.P.S. in UX Statement of Purpose (500 to 700 words):
Please submit a written statement describing your interest in graduate study with MICA's UX (Online M.P.S.) program, and why now is the right time for you to undertake graduate study. What skills from your background have prepared you for this degree? In particular, please share what appeals to you about the field of user experience, as well as what you hope to gain from this degree.
If there is an element of your CV/resume or transcript that would benefit from additional context, please share how that factor would be mitigated during your time in this program; for instance, if you had a low GPA during your undergraduate degree, what makes you feel confident in greater academic success moving forward?
4. Transcripts
An official transcript from the institution that granted your most recent degree will be required of admitted students in order to matriculate. At the application review stage, though, a transcript (either unofficial or official) from EACH institution where you have earned credit is required to enable the admissions committee to effectively assess the candidate’s academic history and preparedness for this program. Our holistic review process, designed to accommodate all learners, including those whose focus may have changed since college, relies more on the individual courses taken than a single metric such as GPA.
*5. Portfolio and Portfolio Narrative
Candidates may submit 3-5 portfolio pieces demonstrating skills relevant to user experience research or design; please also include 1-2 sentences for each piece providing context about how it supports your candidacy for the User Experience Design (Online M.P.S.) program. Pieces such as wireframes, pitch decks, research plans, survey design, case studies, personas, etc., are particularly helpful, but feel free to submit other pieces contextualized within the field.
Note: Candidates can only upload portfolio files (PDF, JPEG, PNG, etc.); there is no option to include Figma links or clickable prototypes.
6. $75 Application Fee
Payable via credit card during the application submission stage online.
7. Additional Requirements for International Applicants
International candidates whose primary language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in both written and spoken English. Additionally, certified translations of all letters of reference, transcripts and school documentation must be provided. For additional information on international applicant requirements, please visit Information for International Graduate Applicants.