Top UX Design Certificates & Certifications in Philadelphia

UX design, short for user experience design, refers to the process of designing products that are easy to use, useful, and interactive.

UX Designers aim to design a product that fits the brand’s needs and is also visually appealing to customers. A variety of products may require the user to be kept in mind during the design process, but UX design is very closely associated with digital design for websites and apps. 

A UX Designer needs to know how to produce a functional design that appeals to a brand’s consumers. They do this by first considering the user and the brand. They’re likely to follow this up with user research, as they look to discover the needs, goals, and behaviors of users. After analyzing their research, a UX Designer will then enter the design phase, sometimes in conjunction with a UI Designer who will add visual or interface elements. Finally, the UX Designer is responsible for conducting user testing and then delivering the design solution to their client or company. 

The design field is experiencing steady growth. Those interested in design can look forward to exploring the field through a variety of career paths. Some UX Designers are self-employed and offer their design services to businesses in need. Others work for companies as part of their design team. If you’re interested in UX design and would like to enter or advance within the field, consider earning a UX design certificate or certification. 

Noble Desktop: UX & UI Design Certificate

Key Information: Noble Desktop offers a 24-week part-time UX & UI Design Certificate program for beginners. This live online program costs $3,495, which can be paid in full upfront or following one of Noble Desktop’s flexible payment plans. No prior experience with UX or UI design is required to enroll. 

Students of this program will learn to design apps, websites, and other products that are easy to use and visually appealing. The program aims to help students develop skills that they can use within the design industry as UX or UI designers. Students will begin learning the fundamentals including how to conduct user research and testing and how to build prototypes. 

Practical experience will be gained by using UX and UI design tools and software. One section of the course will have students learning about Figma, a design tool that can be used to create visual designs and clickable prototypes. Another lesson focuses on case studies and the final few lessons will prepare students to create a portfolio. 

Tuition includes 132 hours of hands-on training in a small group. Students will also have access to six 1-on-1 mentoring sessions with an industry expert. These sessions can be used to get feedback on portfolios and resumes, discuss difficult concepts, and receive professional advice. At the end of the program, students will receive a certificate of completion. 

Thinkful: UX/UI Design Bootcamp

Key Information: Thinkful hosts an online UX/UI Design bootcamp. The program can be completed within 5 months if following a full-time schedule, or 6 months if following a part-time schedule. The full-time program includes a four-week self-paced prep course and allows you to study with a cohort, while the part-time program does not. The full-time program costs $14,823 upfront and the part-time program costs $12,350 upfront. Several payment plans are available. 

Students will begin learning the fundamentals of UX/UI design. The bootcamp progresses into the best practices of the design process to prepare students to design their own product. The goal is to help students develop job-ready skills that employers in the design field will be looking for. 

Thinkful offers 1-on-1 mentorship to its students. After enrollment, you’ll be matched up with an industry professional. You’ll be able to meet with them in live personal consultations where you’ll receive detailed feedback as well as career insight. Thinkful also offers on-demand technical coaching. At the end of the bootcamp, students will be awarded a certificate of completion. 

University of the Arts: UX Design Certificate Program

Key Information: University of the Arts, located in Philadelphia, offers a UX Design Certificate Program. This program is a 13-credit program. The total cost of the program is $4,025. There are no requirements for enrollment, but students should be prepared to work in a digital environment. 

This certificate program introduces designing user-centered experiences for the web, mobile, and other platforms. Students will learn how to conduct research and translate what they’ve learned into a final design. The school emphasizes taking creative approaches to design solutions, so students will gain practical experience as they test their products. Critique is also built into the program so students can learn how to defend their design choices. 

You can complete this program in three sequential semesters. Classes take place once per week, from 6 to 9 pm EST. These classes will be supplemented with special topic presentations, final presentations, and guest speakers. As students near the end of the program, they’ll begin working on a capstone project, where they’ll develop a design project for a real-world client. 

Dribbble: User Interface Design 101

Key Information: Dribbble’s UI Interface Design 101 program is a six-week online program for beginners. No prerequisites are required to enroll in the remote program. The cost of the program is $500 and includes lifetime access to course materials, a one-year Dribbble Pro subscription, a two-year Figma Professional subscription, and a UI design certificate. 

The program consists of six major units. Students will first be introduced to the fundamentals of UI, before moving on to the research and design process. Best practices of UI will be covered in the course, as well as best practices in using Figma, the design tool that students will gain experience using. Students can expect to gain fluency in UI principles like composition, visual hierarchy, typography, colors, images, and textures. 

Although this course is remote, students will be learning alongside others whom they can interact with in Dribbble’s community Slack channel. Aside from a peer network, students will also have access to dedicated mentorship from industry professionals. This program is ideal for students who have busy schedules, as the course material can be reviewed at your preferred pace, and you will be able to schedule your weekly mentorship meetings at a time that works for you. 

Community College of Philadelphia: Web Design Certificate

Key Information: The Community College of Philadelphia’s Web Design Certificate is an on-demand online program. The program costs $595 and consists of 48 credit hours. The on-demand nature of the class means that you can work through the course material at any time of the day or night. 

The program will expose you to the basics of web design using HTML and CSS. You’ll learn how to plan and prepare your designs before executing them. Emphasis will be placed on the user’s needs and experiences. Students will learn to use CMS frameworks and industry-standard technologies to ensure that the designs they develop are in-line with what the client and user expect. 

The certificate program is made up of three courses: Introduction to Web Design, Intermediate Web Design, and Advanced Web Design. Each course is 16 credit hours and will build upon the previous course in the sequence.

KnowledgeHut: UI/UX Design Training

Key Information: KnowledgeHut offers a 30-hour live online UI/UX design class. You have the option of choosing weekend or weekday classes. In addition to 30 hours of instructor-led training, students will spend over 80 hours working on assignments and will receive 24 hours of hands-on experience in UI/UX design. Reach out to KnowledgeHut to learn about pricing, including a 15% group discount.

In this course, you’ll learn UI/UX design fundamentals such as data research, research analysis, and usability testing. The course is made up of 13 modules. Students will gain a deeper understanding of the user experience while working their way through the design process in the course. After completing the training, students can expect to understand how to start and finish a design solution for both websites and mobile apps.

KnowledgeHut provides full refunds for cancellations made within 48 hours of initial registration. They also offer a 100% money-back guarantee if a student withdraws from the class right after the first session. Upon completing KnowledgeHut’s UI/UX Design Training, you’ll receive a certificate of completion.

Coursera/Google: Google UX Design Professional Certificate

Key Information: You can earn a Google UX Design Professional Certificate through Coursera. This is a beginner-level on-demand class. You can learn at your preferred pace and set your desired schedule. Most students finish the course in 6 months, at a pace of 10 hours a week. Enrollment is free.

This certificate program will qualify you for in-demand jobs in the design field, including roles like UX Designer, UI Designer, and Interaction Designer. The seven-course series will walk you through the design process including how to test and iterate on designs. There will also be lessons on foundation UX concepts and UX research. Students will walk away with a professional UX portfolio that includes three end-to-end projects: a mobile app, a responsive website, and a cross-platform experience. 

Students who complete the program will receive a professional certificate that can be shared on their LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. This course has an ACE recommendation, meaning that it represents college-level equivalencies. Participating US colleges and universities will accept this course for credit. 

NextGen Bootcamp: UX & UI Design Summer Program

Key Information: NextGen Bootcamp offers a live online UX & UI Design Summer Program for high school students with an interest in learning the necessary skills for UI and UX design. The 45-hour class costs $2,495 when enrolling early. 

Students will first receive an introduction to UI design, including the standard patterns found in app and website interface designs. After working on UI design with Figma, students will transition into learning UX design concepts. Again, Figma will be used to put knowledge into practice. The instructor will provide tips for those interested in design education or a career in the field. By the end of the course, students will have created a portfolio with projects that demonstrate their new skills and knowledge. 

Included with tuition is a certificate of completion. Class sizes are small, so students will receive in-depth instruction and detailed feedback. They can also ask the instructor questions, including ones covering difficult concepts. Students will be provided supplemental material that can assist during and after the class. 

University of Central Florida: UX/UI Boot Camp

Key Information: The University of Central Florida’s (UCF) UX/UI Boot Camp is a part-time live online program. The program will take 24 weeks to finish, with students spending 9 hours per week in their live online classes and 20+ hours a week working on homework and projects. Classes are held three days a week, from 6:30 to 9:30 pm EST. The bootcamp fee is $11,745, with several flexible payment options and discounts available. 

UCF’s innovative curriculum is designed to help you become an end-to-end UX/UI professional designer. The courses will focus on hard and soft skills, ensuring students walk away with a well-rounded skill set. One-third of the class will be dedicated to front-end web development so that students can gain fluency in the medium they’ll be working with. The final module of the bootcamp centers around a final project, where students will work in small groups to put into practice the skills and knowledge that they’ve learned. 

UCF is dedicated to providing students with support and resources before, during, and after the bootcamp. Before the bootcamp begins, you’ll work with an admissions advisor to prepare yourself and map out your learning experience. During the bootcamp, you’ll have access to 1-on-1 tutoring. You can also reach out to the school’s Career Engagement Network to get help building your portfolio, optimizing your resume and LinkedIn profile, and preparing for interviews. And after the bootcamp, you’ll have access to an extensive network of graduates. 

NYC Career Centers: Web Design Certificate

Key Information: Enroll in NYC Career Centers’ live online Web Design Certificate program and begin taking the first steps toward becoming a Web Designer. The program can be completed in five weeks when enrolled full-time or five months when enrolled part-time. Tuition is $4,995, the total of which can be paid in full or following a flexible payment option. 

In this course, you’ll learn essential coding languages for front-end web development: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. A portion of the program will also be spent covering building websites using WordPress and designing web layouts in Figma. As part of the program, you’ll begin creating design work for your portfolio and building a portfolio website to showcase to potential clients and employers. 

This course includes 162 hours of hands-on instruction. Students will have the opportunity to ask questions and get to know their peers in this interactive program. After the course has ended, students will be given a certificate of completion and have the chance to retake any part of the program for free within one year. 

Practical Programming: Front-end Development Certificate 

Key Information: Practical Programming offers a front-end web development bootcamp in partnership with Noble Desktop. The live online bootcamp is 108 hours of training in the essentials of front-end development. The cost of the bootcamp is $3,495 and may be paid upfront or following a payment plan. No prior knowledge is required to enroll, but students should be comfortable using a computer. 

In this bootcamp, you’ll learn how to build the front-end of websites and mobile applications. Coding languages used for front-end web development, like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, are covered under modules that focus on the essentials. Instruction will also be given on using WordPress, Git, and other web developer tools. The bootcamp consists of five units that focus on foundational concepts and tools. 

This is an interactive remote learning experience that takes place in small groups. You can expect to engage with your instructors, receive feedback, and work with your peers. In addition to 108 hours of hands-on training, you’ll receive four 1-on-1 mentoring sessions. In these sessions, you can review your portfolio, ask questions about confusing concepts, and receive professional advice. 

FAQ for UX Design Certificates

What is the Difference Between a Certificate and a Certification?

The differences between a UX design certificate program and a UX design certification program should be considered before enrolling. 

After completing a certificate program, you’ll receive a physical or digital certificate. A certificate shows employers that you have completed a UX design course. A certification shows that you have passed a standardized test. Certification programs will prepare you to take a certification exam on UX design concepts or using UX design tools. 

Should I Pursue a Certificate or a Certification?

You should assess your career goals before deciding to pursue a certificate or certification. A certificate and a certification are ideal for different types of professionals. 

Mid-career professionals pursue a certificate when they are looking to improve their current skill set. A certificate shows that you have completed training in a certain area under the guidance of an expert instructor. Professionals looking to make a career change may also pursue a certificate. This shows potential employers that they have training in the field even if they have no prior work experience in it. 

Job seekers typically pursue certifications. Certifications require you to pass an exam so that employers know you meet the skill level expected of you. If you have a certification in a software or tool, your employer knows that you have a working knowledge of it and can use it in your everyday work assignments. If you enroll in a certification program, the cost of the program may or may not include the exam fee. 

Do I Need to Become Certified to Find a Job?

You do not need to be certified to find a job in the design field, but certification may help you land a job. Certifications prove to potential employers that your skill set is up to a certain level because you must pass an exam to earn one. Career professionals looking to advance in their field may also pursue a certification. Doing so shows that they’re capable of learning more and improving their skill set. 

Your employer might decide to enroll employees in a certification program. There are several programs online and in the Philadelphia area that offer group pricing and/or corporate invoicing. 

What Certificate Program is Right for Me?

You have the option of enrolling in an in-person, online, or asynchronous UX design certificate program. Before deciding which type of program to enroll in, you should consider your learning style and schedule. Read below to determine which certificate program is right for you. 

Which is Better: In-Person or Online Classes

In-person classes are a great option for individuals that like learning face-to-face. These classes take place in a physical classroom where students can ask questions and interact with their peers. To take an in-person class, you must be able to attend the class when scheduled and reliably commute to its location. 

Online classes can be taken synchronously or asynchronously. Online classes are best for individuals who like learning online and are comfortable using a computer and other forms of technology. These are also great for anyone who cannot commute to an in-person class. To take an online class, you need to have access to a stable internet connection. 

Which is Better: Live Online or Asynchronous Classes?

If you’ve decided to take an online UX design course, you need to now decide whether to take a live online or asynchronous class. 

Live online classes take place over a video conferencing platform like Zoom. These classes are scheduled and taught by an expert instructor. The instructor will provide feedback, answer questions, and guide students through course content. This is a more flexible learning method than in-person classes, but you still need to ensure that a class fits your schedule before enrolling. 

If you need a more flexible class delivery method, then consider signing up for an asynchronous class. These classes are on-demand classes, meaning that you have access to course content at all times and can learn at your desired pace. Some schools will provide you with lifetime access to the course and others will require you to finish learning within a specified time frame. Asynchronous courses are not taught by instructors, making these classes ideal for motivated self-learners.